DeAnna Pappas is the latest "Bachelorette"

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Q&A: DeAnna Pappas of 'The Bachelorette'
The latest "Bachelorette" dishes on her rejection by Brad, the hunky men on her show and the worst thing about being a reality TV star

By Dave Lake
MSN TV

MSN TV: How were you feeling at the end of your season of "The Bachelor" and what ultimately led you to want to do this show, which lets you choose your potential mate instead of them choosing you?

DeAnna Pappas: On that very last day with Brad [Womack] when he rejected me, I was just completely confused. I was hurt. He was the one person that I trusted most throughout that entire process -- and I was standing there looking at a person that ultimately I didn't know.

How long did you end up feeling betrayed and at what point did you decide that doing "The Bachelorette" might give you vindication or make you feel better?

Well, I didn't do "The Bachelorette" to make me feel better. (Laughs.) I got home that first day and had to wait three months for the show to air. I was already in the healing process, but I thought there was a small chance I would give Brad a second chance. When we got to the "After the Final Rose" show and Brad was still very sure about his decision, that was it for me. I moved on with my life. There was no more holding on to anything. I woke up the next day and realized I'm a great person and that somebody perfect is going to come along. So when they actually announced on the "Ellen" show that ABC wanted me to be the next "Bachelorette" I was extremely excited. I couldn't believe that ABC thought that people would actually watch a love story with me in it.

Did your public betrayal with Brad cause you to hold back anything when meeting your new crop of men?

I don't carry anything into a new relationship. The past is the past. I go into everything with an open mind and an open heart and give everybody a fair chance.

What do you say to cynics who say it's naïve to think you can find love on a reality dating show?

Everybody's going to have their opinions and you can't change everyone's mind. But I believe in the show and I believe in the experience. It happened for me. I can't help it that it didn't happen for Brad, but people do find love and do live happily ever after. Look at Trista and Ryan [who met and married after the first season of "The Bachelorette"]. I don't think it's a matter of where you meet someone. What matters is that you finally meet someone you're meant to be with.

What's the best thing and the worst thing about being a reality TV star?

The best thing is that I get to have these amazing experiences that not many people ever get to go through. I'm a lucky person, and I'm very grateful. It was something that was crazy and that I'll never, ever forget -- two of the most amazing experiences of my life. The worst part would be being out there so much. People can criticize and make judgments off a few seconds of television. You can't change everybody's mind. You can just hope for the best and try to not be a judgmental person.

Can you tell us a bit about the men that will be competing for your heart this season?

I got 25 of the best men in America. They're all handsome, great guys. They genuinely have good hearts and I am so thankful that they all put their lives on hold for the chance to fall in love with me.

What was it you were ultimately looking for in the person you ended up choosing?

I truly wanted someone who knows what they want. I'm done dating the kinds of guys who don't know what they want. I want someone who is family-oriented. Someone who is career-driven. They don't have to have the best job as long as they love what they do. I wanted someone who is polite. Someone who would love me for me, good or bad. And someone who would respect me. A gentleman.

Check out DeAnna's quest for love on "The Bachelorette," Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.