Exclusive! Des Hartsock Defends Juan Pablo As 'A Good Person'
The former 'Bachelorette' talks Juan Pablo, her wedding plans and passing the torch to Andi Dorfman.
Carla Ten Eyck While all eyes have been on Juan Pablo Galavis and his antics, we caught up with the first lady he attempted to woo on TV — Bachelorette Desiree Hartsock.
Since denying JuanPab a rose, Des has been happily living life with fiancé Chris Siegfried in Seattle. The couple had a front row seat at last week's cringe-inducing "After the Final Rose" finale, and Desiree confides to us the tension between Juan Pablo and Chris Harrison left everyone in the room feeling uncomfortable!
The bridal designer also shares with us her own wedding plans (including if the couple plans to televise their big event!), and the advice she passed onto upcoming Bachelorette Andi Dorfman.
YourTango: What a season! Okay, give us your honest opinion of Juan Pablo.
Desiree Hartsock: Juan is a good person and great to those he befriends. Both Chris and I got to know him a bit and we both like him as a friend. It is obviously different in a dating relationship and from what we watched, he just wasn't open or trusting enough to let The Bachelor process work for him completely.
YourTango: Did Clare dodge a bullet?
Desiree Hartsock: I don't think that she dodged a bullet but do think that she needs someone who will be more expressive — and not focus only on her outward beauty.
YourTango: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), how likely is it Juan and Nikki will last?
Desiree Hartsock: I'm in the middle at 5, because the relationship grows the most after filming so we will see what happens.
YourTango: What was it like behind-the-scenes of "After the Final Rose"? Chris Harrison seemed pretty annoyed with Juan Pablo's behavior.
Desiree Hartsock: There was so much tension between Chris and Juan that it surrounded the entire room. It was uncomfortable to be a part of, and Juan's defensiveness didn't allow Chris to do his job and ask the questions that viewers wanted to hear.
YourTango: What advice would you give Juan Pablo right now? And Nikki?
Desiree Hartsock: The first thing I said to them when I saw them after the taping was to take a vacation! I don't know if they realize the affect of the media, and the best thing they can do is be alone together to start their relationship off on a strong foundation.
YourTango: Have you talked to Andi about taking over the Bachelorette crown?
Desiree Hartsock: Yes, I was able to talk with Andi right after she was announced.
YourTango: What questions did she ask you?
Desiree Hartsock: She didn't really ask questions, but said that she was nervous and excited.
YourTango: What advice did you give her?
Desiree Hartsock: I told her to follow her heart, but to also trust her mind. Too often, we lead with our heart and that can get us hurt, since infatuation will not last. It is the knowledge we have that comes from experiences, past relationships, and knowing what we need that, in the end, will help her make a decision about who will be right for her. I also told her to just have FUN!
YourTango: What's your overall impression of Andi?
Desiree Hartsock: I think she is an awesome girl that has a lot to offer the right guy. She's fun, strong, pretty and overall a great catch!
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YourTango: Were you rooting for her to be named the next Bachelorette?
Desiree Hartsock: I was rooting for either Renee or Andi, so I'm so happy that Renee found her love already and Andi is well on her way.
YourTango: Update us on your wedding plans! When's the big day? Where?
Desiree Hartsock: We don't have an exact date set just yet, but just had our engagement party and are taking our time to plan. It will be in California, since that is where I call home.
YourTango: Are any Bachelor/Bachelorette alum on the guest list?
Desiree Hartsock: Of course! Living in Seattle, we have become close to Molly and Jason Mesnik, so they are definitely invited, and I love hanging out with Ali! Honestly, pretty much all of the couples from the franchise like Trista and Ryan, JP and Ashley, DeAnna and Stephen, and Sean and Catherine will be invited. I also still keep in touch with Daniella (McBride) and Jackie (Parr) from Sean's season. They are my girls!
YourTango: Any plans to televise your wedding?
Desiree Hartsock: We are definitely open to it, especially since everyone followed along on our journey. I think it would be great to share our nuptials and love with Bachelor Nation.
YourTango: Did you watch Sean and Catherine's wedding?
Desiree Hartsock: We were actually at the wedding.
YourTango: Do you keep in touch with Sean?
Desiree Hartsock: We see Sean and Catherine every once in awhile, but don't keep in touch, really.
YourTango: Do you keep in touch with Brooks, or any of the other guys from your season?
Desiree Hartsock: Chris made friends with the guys in the house, so he keeps in touch with quite a few of them. I only keep in touch through Chris.
YourTango: Tell us about your new life with Chris. What's one very unique thing that you love about him?
Desiree Hartsock: He has such an adorable laugh that I love.
YourTango: What's the quirkiest thing about your relationship?
Desiree Hartsock: We share a car, so I take him to work and pick him up, as if from school everyday.
YourTango: Do you have any major house rules?
Desiree Hartsock: Chris and I are pretty balanced. We don't have rules, but tend to split up house chores. Like if I cook, then he cleans the dishes and vice versa.
YourTango: Do you have a pet name for Chris? Does he have one for you?
Desiree Hartsock: We don't really have pet names, but he started calling me 'babers' and now we both use it from time to time.
YourTango: Where do you see yourself in the next year? Next five?
Desiree Hartsock: In the next year, I see us married, still in Seattle, and me designing dresses and jewelry, doing what I love. In the next five, I definitely see children on the horizon and my business growing each year with many trips to explore the world.