Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Sarah Batcheller.
AshLee Frazier is the poised, pure-hearted beauty that viewers first met on season 17 of The Bachelor with Sean Lowe. Although she left the reality TV show as the second-runner up, not as the woman on his arm, she has since made a name for herself as a savvy style entrepreneur. Of course, the fashion blogger hasn’t given up on her dream of finding a strong relationship and love, and with that thought in mind, she returns to the small screen Monday nights on the ABC spin-off Bachelor in Paradise. Audiences everywhere (us included!) are crossing their fingers that this Texas girl will finally have her happy ending.
Related Link: New Beginnings for Old Flames on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’
AshLee Frazier Talks About Looking for a Relationship and Love on Reality TV
We had the chance to chat with Frazier about her time on the show, one in which she describes as being less about competition and more about love. “It’s a very romantic environment,” she gushes of Tulum, Mexico.
It’s been no secret that her sights were set on Graham Bunn before filming began. “My point of going on the show was actually to meet him — there was no ulterior motive,” Frazier says in our exclusive celebrity interview. “My goal was to get to know him and see what could come out of that.” Sources close to us say that, while she stays in paradise until the end, going home in love was not in the cards for the DIY guru.
Of course, fans know that Bunn had a serious celebrity relationship with Bachelor alum Michelle Money, who also appears on Bachelor in Paradise. Ever the lady, Frazier talked to Money before meeting face-to-face in Mexico, and she explained her interest in pursuing Bunn. “Michelle was very supportive of me going after Graham,” the reality TV star tell us. Interestingly, the two ladies became good friends during the taping. “I was actually looking forward to meeting Michelle, and once I did, I really enjoyed my time with her. I know she had a hard time being there and looking for love, so I tried my best to be there for her.”
Related Link: ‘Bachelor Pad 2’ Couple Michelle and Graham Are Still Talking Everyday
Dating Advice from Bachelor in Paradise Contestant
Frazier shares her best dating advice and says that, when you go after someone you like, it’s best to be prepared and know what you want in a partner. “I knew a little bit about Graham going into the show,” she says. “I knew Graham and I were compatible in quite a few areas, and I knew some personal interests we shared, one being on a spiritual level.”
As someone who’s looked for a relationship and love twice on reality TV, she says being vulnerable is the most important part of the process. “If you’re not open and honest about who you really are and what you need and want in life, then you’re setting yourself up to find people who aren’t necessarily right for you.” She admits that she wears her heart on her sleeve during the show — maybe “a little too hard,” as she says viewers will see on the premiere episode.
Last time we spoke with the Love it! Organized founder, she mentioned that she wanted to be more well-rounded before falling in love — and for her, appearing on Bachelor in Paradise was part of reaching that goal. “I think this experience has taught me a lot about myself and has opened my eyes to what I really need and want in someone — more so than it did on The Bachelor,” she candidly shares. “With every experience in life, you learn something new, and after the show, I can definitely say I’m a lot closer to figuring out what I want.”
Related Link: AshLee Frazier Says, “I Want to Be Well-Rounded Before I Fall in Love”
When it comes to other potential love interests, Marquel Martin, from The Bachelorette season 10 would have been Frazier’s pick had she not focused on Bunn. “I think Marquel’s such a great guy. I love his energy and personality, and he’s good looking, of course. But we’re just friends, and when someone’s in that friend zone, it’s kind of hard to get them out.”
The fierce side of Frazier we all know and love will show it’s fangs again this summer. Audiences may remember her stone-faced exit from Lowe’s season, and they’ll apparently get to see the same this time around, as the veteran reveals that there’s one moment she regrets in paradise. “There’s a little quarrel that happens with me and another cast member. Unfortunately, I wish it didn’t happen, but it did. I wish I could take that part back, for sure.” It looks as though either a cat fight or a battle of the sexes is going down!
You can keep up with AshLee (and Bachelor in Paradise fashion!) on her fashion blog and Twitter. Don’t forget to catch her and the rest of the dynamic cast on Mondays at 8/7c on ABC!
