Brad Womack says his second turn as “The Bachelor” turned out better than the first. The 38-year-old bar owner can’t divulge the outcome of the reality dating show, but he does hint things are good.
“I can say I did fall in love. I’m a happy guy,” he said.
Womack shocked and angered many fans of the show in 2007 when he rejected both finalists, Jenni Croft and DeAnna Pappas. Afterward, Womack began seeing a therapist to work on what he describes as a commitment-phobia.
He was surprised when ABC called to see if he was interested in joining the show again.
“I was old news. I didn’t expect a phone call and then once ABC called, I was shocked but pleasantly so,” he said. “I jumped right in and thought, ‘Here’s a second chance that no one ever gets in their life.’”
Even with the opportunity for a do-over, Womack was prepared to walk away again if he didn’t find the right girl.
“I said, ‘You know, I’ll give this my very, very best effort, but if at the end I’m not feeling what I should feel to either propose or to continue a relationship, I’ll walk away again,’” he said. “Of course that ruffled some feathers, but that’s who I am.”
“The Bachelor,” kicking off its 15th season Monday night, has experienced a spike in ratings and interest in recent seasons, with its contestants becoming paparazzi magnets who are often written about in tabloids and on blogs.
Womack is hoping his life doesn’t change too much because of the show.
“I’m a very private person believe it or not. Yes, I went on a reality show — I get it — but I get really, really shy.”
The finale is scheduled to air in March.
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