Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Courtney Shapiro
Known for her tears on season 19 of The Bachelor, seasons two and three of Bachelor In Paradise, and season one of Bachelor Winter Games, Ashley Iaconetti never gave up hope for her happy ending. Jared Haibon was known for being on season 11 of The Bachelorette, and seasons two and three of Bachelor in Paradise. The two originally met on season two of Bachelor in Paradise back in 2015, and three years later are happily engaged.
In our exclusive celebrity interview, we chat with Iaconetti and Haibon about their relationship, their partnership with NET10 Wireless, and what their future holds for their celebrity wedding, kids, and careers.
Celebrity Interview with Ashley Iaconetti & Jared Haibon: Wedding Plans, NET10 Wireless, and Dating Advice
Iaconetti, star of the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast, is known for wearing her emotions on her sleeve; it’s one of the many traits that makes her so lovable! When asked about her ability to share emotions so easily, Iaconetti confesses, “I have so much confidence that I don’t care about being vulnerable and tearful. I embrace it.” That confidence is what motivated her to pursue Haibon relentlessly. “The connection between us was super special, and I didn’t think it was worth giving up on.” Iaconetti says of Haibon’s original rejection, “There were times I thought we were just going to be friends, but we had such a strong friendship that the relationship just came naturally.”
Haibon, who was hesitant about pursuing a relationship with Iaconetti at first, shares that the couple were just friends after their brief stint in paradise; they didn’t actually start dating until 2018. “I think that’s the one thing that is misunderstood about Ashley and I,” Haibon says. “We never dated before this year. People say to us that they are happy we got back together, but there was no getting back together. We were never together until now.” When asked how he came to realize that he wanted a relationship with Iaconetti, Haibon says, “There was a reason why Ashley and I were best friends. We had this wonderful friendship that I was so unwilling to let go of.” When asked, “Why now?” Haibon admits that when you lose something it sometimes makes you realize that you can’t live without somebody, referring of course to Iaconetti’s relationship with Kevin Wendt, her ex-boyfriend from Bachelor Winter Games.
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Before the two lovebirds dated, they kept in touch with the help of technology. “When Ashley and I were just friends, we kept the communication open. I know that I used a lot of data during this time,” he laughs. It’s a good thing, because Iaconetti was in L.A. and Haibon was in Rhode Island. Haibon reflects on the beginning of their relationship saying, “We talked almost every day and that was only because we have these phones at our disposal.” That’s why the celebrity couple partnered with NET10 Wireless this season to make digital-age dating easier in the hopes everyone will find love likes theirs. Iaconetti explains, “[NET10 Wireless is] now giving customers, for a limited time, double data and the unlimited plan is starting at $35, which is great, especially if you’re in a budding relationship that needs the help of face time or texting.” Haibon adds, “The promotional deal is only running until the end of the year, so you have until December 31st.”
Speaking of Rhode Island, we couldn’t end the conversation without talking about this pair’s upcoming wedding plans. “I got lucky when Ashley and I got engaged,” Haibon notes. “[Ashley] didn’t really have any sentimental feelings to anywhere in the world that she wanted to get married.” So, it was an easy decision that the couple will be tying the knot in the state where Haibon grew up. “I’m from there, my family and friends are there, so we were able to go wedding venue shopping a couple of months ago.” The couple confirmed that they found a venue. “I think it’s safe to say that it will be in Newport,” Ashley slips while Haibon says, “Or Westerly,” trying not to give too much away.
Many fans from Bachelor Nation are curious to know whether the wedding will be televised, but the couple says it is highly unlikely. “We may share it with Bachelor Nation in our own way and our own control, but right now we aren’t televising it.”
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Speaking of Bachelor Nation, we had to know if longtime fans Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis would be coming to the wedding. Haibon and Iaconetti previously met Kutcher and Kunis at a Dodgers Charity event this past summer, and Iaconetti said, “They are going to be invited,” while Haibon chimed in, “Whether they come or not is out of our hands.”
The pair is eager for their future together. We played a little game with them, asking how many kids they each want. They both answered simultaneously, “Two or three.” It seems like we’ll have another Bachelor family in our midst! The Bachelor in Paradise alumni also discussed how they’re quite content in L.A. right now and will continue living there for their foreseeable future.
Jared and Ashley have such a great love story, and it is filled with hope for other singles. “There are a lot of guys out there like myself who have insecurities and doubts, and are afraid of commitment, but also afraid of disappointing the person they are with,” Haibon says. “I think Ashley does give a lot of hope to women, but personally I think our story as a couple gives a lot of hope to not only women but men as well.”
You can keep up with Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon by following them on Instagram. You can also check out the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous and Help! I Suck At Dating podcasts.
