If you’ve been watching Bachelor in Paradise, you’ve most likely declared Michelle Money as your spirit animal by now. The witty, warm-hearted Utah native originally appeared on Brad Womack’s season of The Bachelor and later on Bachelor Pad 2. Now, in paradise, this single celebrity mom has swept away audiences with her humor and impeccable style (we mean impeccable). On the show, she’s the resident beauty guru, getting the girls beautified for their dates. At home, Money is mother to nine-year-old Brielle and works as a hair stylist while filming her YouTube show, MMandL.
On this week’s episode of Bachelor in Paradise, Jesse Kovacs escaped Tulum, Mexico, in his typical controversial fashion. The villainized cast member departed the reality TV show with regrets and without a relationship and love. In all the chaos of his exit — the accusations, the name-calling, the confrontations, and the yelling — it was difficult to understand just what happened in paradise and why. Luckily, we got an exclusive interview with Kovacs and heard his side of the story.
Reality TV Star Opens Up About Controversial Celebrity Hook-Up
We all know the magic of television editing can turn anyone’s character sour, but Kovacs testifies, “I feel like trying to explain what happened on the episode would be a cop-out. I can’t blame anything on editing.” He goes on, “There were certain things that were suggested that never happened, but all the statements made by me and others really were said.”
In his last moments on camera, Kovacs was accosted in his exit car by three heated women: Christy Hansen, Michelle Money, and Lacy Faddoul. The scene was intense. “I have no idea why they were upset after I left.” The San Diego native added, “I never wanted a drama-filled confrontation. I just wanted to leave.”
But we all know what he said in front of and outside of the confessional camera. After the show, the winemaker told us that he “never had the intention of being disrespectful,” but then he conceded, “I made some pretty stupid statements about Christy, and I feel horrible.” The 32-year-old admits that he called Hansen and apologized. “I acted like a dick, and Christy wanted to let me know.” He also “hashed it out” with Money post-show.
The style in which Kovacs went out was by no means gentlemanly, but he defends his actions. “I left as soon as I felt like my time was up. No connection was happening, and I didn’t want to waste any one’s time. And I know people probably think I already wasted every one’s time, but everything happened so fast.” He must have done something right, though, because he says he still talks to most of the guys. Plus, “Lucy [Aragon] and Michelle are still friends…I think.”
The whole ordeal surrounding his celebrity hook-up was a lot to handle, but reflection brings both perspective and clarity. Kovacs wants everyone, especially his parents, to know that he’s sorry. In a statement to us, he explains: “To my Mom and Dad, I’m sorry you had to sit through that, and please stay off my Twitter for a while. I acted like a no class d-bag, and although all the things being said about me aren’t true, they are well-deserved.”
We look forward to what comes next for Jesse Kovacs, the Liquid Lounge co-owner, reality TV star, and self-proclaimed d-bag!
You can keep up with Jesse on Twitter @JesseAKovacs. Be sure to tune in to Bachelor in Paradise on Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC!
Jesse Kovacs talks about his time on 'Bachelor in Paradise.' Photo courtesy of ABC.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Shannon Seibert.
Fans recognize Jesse Kovacs from season five of The Bachelorette, where he fought for Jillian Harris’s heart, and season one of Bachelor Pad, where he caused drama with ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Kitt. Now, he is standing at another rose ceremony, waiting to see if he will get a rose on Bachelor in Paradise tonight. “It’s funny because, during this rose ceremony, I was sick as hell. I don’t think they show it, but I was off in the jungle puking my brains out,” Kovacs tells us in our celebrity interview. “So I wasn’t even concerned about getting a rose.”
Jesse Kovacs Talks About Return to Reality TV for Bachelor in Paradise
Arriving in Tulum, Mexico this week, his first date was with Jackie Parr (Sean Lowe’s season). He knew nothing about the format of the show; he did, however, know that it was worth it if finding relationship and love was a possibility. “It’s all about the experience for me,” he shares. “If you’re open-minded, you can meet someone anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it’s on reality TV or if you’re in the coffee shop, at a bar, or at the post office.”
What wasn’t aired is that Robert Graham pulled him aside and gave him a brief rundown of the situation. “I did know that Marquel and Jackie went on a date but still felt confident that she would want to go on a date,” he confirms. He also says that everyone was super nice and inclusive. “Graham Bunn and I pretty much hung out the entire time,” he adds.
When the winemaker first got to the island, he had three or four days of date after date after date and then a rose ceremony, leaving him with little free time to get to know any of the guys except for his roommates. “I’m talking with the guys in my hut as if I were talking to any of my buddies about a girl I was seeing, totally not realizing that there were microphones in the ceiling,” he reveals. “Certain things were relayed back to the girls — and of course, guy talk isn’t always meant to be shared.”
Teasing his storyline further, he admits that something happens that leads to tension between him and one of the guys. Plus, he gets mixed up in a big misunderstanding that causes him to head home early. “That will all come out later,” he assures us. He says that he looked like the bad guy, although he was telling the truth about what happened.
Despite everything, Kovacs doesn’t have any regrets and speaks highly of his experience. “It is what it is. Realistically, I should’ve known better.” Given he walked into a similar storm between AshLee and Clare, we had to get his opinion on the situation with the ladies. “I definitely feel like AshLee is always concerned about how she will be portrayed,” the reality TV star says. “Her edit or cut was the most important thing to her. I noticed this right away.”
His Recent Relationship and Love Life
He may not have found a relationship and love on Bachelor in Paradise, but we do know is that he had a serious girlfriend since viewers last saw him on Bachelor Pad. “She was in San Diego, and I was living in Los Angeles. We spent every weekend together — we’d go to the beach, and I’d bring a bottle of wine,” he candidly shares. “We moved in together, started a business, and then split up seven months ago.”
Outside of the show, Kovacs tells us that he isn’t looking to settle down again anytime soon. Instead, he’s staying busy with his entrepreneurial endeavors. He recently opened a lounge called Liquid in downtown San Diego, and he’s still managing Kovacs Brothers Wine with his brother. “We have some wine that we’re probably going to release in early September, and then we’re going to be harvesting again,” he says of what’s next.
You can keep up with Jesse on Twitter @JesseAKovacs. Be sure to tune into Bachelor in Paradise on ABC on Mondays at 8/7c!
Rosie Pope talks about her growing family. Photo courtesy of WIN PR.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Laura Seaman.
Rosie Pope knows all things related to pregnancy and parenting, bringing child care and fashion advice to mothers and mothers-to-be everywhere. She owns Rosie Pope Maternity and Rosie Pope Baby, runs MomPrep classes, and is often featured on television for her mothering expertise. Fans may also recognize her from the Bravo reality TV show Pregnant in Heels. As if that’s not enough to keep her busy, she’s also the author of Mommy IQ: The Complete Guide to Pregnancy. …Want to know what Rosie told us? Click here!
Long Island native J.P. Rosenbaum won Ashley Hebert’s heart (along with the rest of the women in America) when he proposed to her on Season 7 of The Bachelorette. The fairy tale-esque celebrity couple married a year later and are now happily preparing for more marital bliss as they welcome the birth of their son this October, otherwise known as Baby R. We had the chance to ask the 37-year-old construction manager some questions about the upcoming arrival of “Rosenbump,” as he likes to refer to the little guy on Twitter, as well as the reality TV couple’s move to Miami a few weeks ago and tonight’s “dad-chelor” party. …Click here to find out what J.P. told us in our exclusive celebrity interview!
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.
There’s nobody quite like Logan Paul. His Vine channel is going viral, thanks to the witty, unique, and sometimes downright weird videos he’s posted, and he has become a star on social media. Recently, he partnered up with Hanes to show off their X-Temp line and stay cool under pressure while he carries out crazy dares sent to him by his Twitter followers.
Exclusive Celebrity Interview with Vine Star Logan Paul
In our exclusive celebrity interview, the young comedian talks about his recent trip to Spain where he ran with the “bulls” and filmed his Vine “World’s Worst Matador.” He also tells us about his crazy family and how his upbringing helped him become the star he is today.
This crazy guy isn’t shy about girls, approaching random females in many of his videos, and has some valuable relationship advice in his back pocket. Paul says that his fame has gotten him and his brother more attention from girls and makes dating easier but that you have to be careful. “Is it true love? Is it true love, Lori? I don’t know! Maybe they just want a selfie and a tag on Twitter,” he says in our celebrity interview.
If you want to see more of this charming young superstar, check out his YouTube channel or Twitter @LoganPaul for more videos. Tweet him your craziest dare with #xtempstresstest!
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Video by Damian Kolodiy.
Everyone knows that with every episode of The Bachelor comes plenty of heartbreak and drama. However, one name has stood out during recent seasons: Courtney Robertson. Even though she was known as one of the most notorious villains of the franchise, Bachelor Ben Flajnik proposed to her at the end of season 16. Unfortunately, after the finale aired, the drama didn’t stop for Robertson. She and Flajnik split, and the celebrity dating rumors about the former contestant continued.
Courtney Robertson Talks About New Book About Love
In her new book about love I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain, the reality TV star reveals the whole story, including intimate details about life before, during, and after her time on The Bachelor. “I wrote this book for fans of the show,” she says in our celebrity video interview. “I really didn’t hold back. If it pertained to me finding a relationship and love and what led to me to go on the show, I put it in!”
After the roller coaster of drama, Robertson is now “happily single,” focusing on her book, which she sees as her “labor of love,” and her modeling career. Of course, The Bachelor will always be a part of her life. She remains friends with former contestants and is enjoying this season of The Bachelorette (she thinks Josh is “pretty cute!”). Fans can also catch her on a future episode of Untold With Maria Menounos where she’ll spill even more behind-the-scenes reality TV secrets.
You can purchase I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends on Amazon or at your local bookstore.
Update: The paperback version of I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends is available from Dey Street Books as of January 6, 2015 for $15.99. Buy it now!
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First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the — well, you know the rest. Match.com was launched in 1995, and since then, it has become one of the largest online dating sites in the world. With all those success stories, can you guess how many babies have been “made” through Match.com connections? Over 1 million! With this thought in mind, Match.com is excited to launch their annual scholarship program, MatchMade Scholarships. One lucky winner will receive $50,000 towards their first year of college, and their parents will win $5,000 towards a MatchMade Getaway.
For me, MatchMade hits particularly close to home. I met my husband Drew on Match.com in 2003. He didn’t fit my “type,” and after our first date, I never called him back — but if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Drew messaged me for the second time in 2006, and I decided to give him another chance. Nine weeks later, during a whirlwind Valentine’s Day trip to Mexico, Drew proposed to me on the beach. After nearly seven years, we are still happily married and have two beautiful daughters, ages 3 and 5.
As parents, Drew and I understand that it’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s future. College tuitions are more expensive than ever, and Match.com is here to help. For nearly 20 years, happy couples have been sharing their Match.com stories, and now the site wants to hear from your kids. The rules are simple: Children between the ages of 13-20 are asked to creatively tell their parents’ love story (who met on Match.com, of course) in a 1-2 minute video.
Need some inspiration? Check out MatchMade’s Launch video on what happens when you ask kids about life and love. These children aren’t afraid to tell it like it is, and that’s exactly what Match.com wants from the contest entries. Beginning May 5th through June 30th, kids can submit their video creations via MatchMade’s website. Whether side-splittingly hilarious or grab-the-tissues moving, only the most creative video will win.
Up to 10 finalists will be chosen in July, and on August 18th, their fate will be in the public’s hands. On September 1st, the video with the highest number of shares will be announced, and the winner will receive a grand prize of $50,000 towards their first year of college. Of course, Match.com hasn’t forgotten about the parents: They will receive $5,000 towards a MatchMade getaway!
From first emails to walking down the aisle, Match.com wants to hear every heartfelt love story of couples who met on the site. Once you make the video, share it using #MatchMade — the more shares you get, the greater your chance of taking home the grand prize. Now, go grab your camera and get creative!
Please visit MatchMade for all of the rules and to enter the contest. Good luck!
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Maria Darbenzio.
Lisa Winning and Carrie Henderson McDermott, founders of HeTexted.com, are two women with different relationship statuses, but they both know the difficulties that come along with dating in the age of technology. In their new book, He Texted: The Ultimate Guide to Decoding Guys, they help women through various situations and suggest how to handle guy problems. With how rapidly digital media continues to expand, this guide is a must-have for every girl’s bookshelf.
Nothing has changed the history of television programming quite like reality shows, and one woman who has dominated in this area is SallyAnn Salsano. Her creative instincts and love for TV led her to create 495 Productions (named after the expressway where she grew up in Long Island), which was responsible for the pop-culture phenomenon Jersey Shore. Her repertoire, which stretches back to 1998, goes far beyond guidos and spray tans though. She’s also produced hit shows for ABC, VH1, Paramount, and FOX, to name a few.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Video by Damian Kolodiy.
Last Wednesday, Apr. 9, CupidsPulse.com Executive Editor Lori Bizzoco met up with Mob Wives reality TV star Renee Graziano at Barnes and Noble in Tribeca to discuss her new book Playing with Fire. Describing the novel as “loosely based” on her own life, she explains in our celebrity video interview that she has stacks of notebooks about Reign Grazi, the character who she’s developed since she was young.
CupidsPulse.com Executive Editor Lori Bizzoco recently met up with Blood, Sweat and Heels reality TV star Brie Bythewood at the New Yorker Suite at the Carlton hotel, located at 88 Madison Avenue between 28th and 29th. The gorgeous 1,050 square foot penthouse includes a separate bedroom and living spaces with beautiful decor, as shown in the celebrity video interview above. …Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more.
On today’s Single in Stilettos show, CupidsPulse.com Executive Editor and Founder Lori Bizzoco talks to Suzanne Oshima about the the biggest dating mistakes made by career women.
As a single public relations executive, Bizzoco discovered firsthand how hard it was to balance her career with dating. Luckily, she found love in her late 30s; she got married and had two children…all while starting on her own business and growing her reputation as a relationship expert. Through personal experience, she figured out the three biggest mistakes that career women tend to make and realized why having the wrong attitude when it comes to love can actually sabotage your dating life; why you have to leave your job at the office and not bring it on a date with you; and why being “too busy” is keeping you single.
Marcus Pierce is no stranger to the online dating world, having been active on sites like OkCupid since 2006. The celebrity trainer and Artist Muse creative director also isn’t one to shy away from fun opportunities, so deciding to appear on the premiere episode of Bravo’s new reality TV show Online Dating Rituals of the American Male was an easy choice to make.
Molly Sims is known for her long blonde hair, but as of Tuesday evening, she traded in her golden locks for a red hue — and CupidsPulse.com Executive Editor Lori Bizzoco got the scoop straight from the star! “You know what, I feel really good,” the actress says of her new look in our celebrity video interview. “I went from bombshell blonde to rocking red. I wanted a change — something different and fun and energetic and vibrant and bold.”
Sam Brocato, the owner of the salon, formulated the Supersilk Treatment. Unlike most straightening treatments available, his solution is formaldehyde-free.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Video by Damian Kolodiy.
At the Match.com Singles in America event, CupidsPulse.com Executive Editor Lori Bizzoco talked to panelist and blogger Perez Hilton about online dating and life in New York City with his sweet son, Mario.
Celebrity Video Interview with Perez Hilton
As for why he was on the panel at Saturday’s event, the celebrity gossip columnist reveals, “I’m here to talk about my experiences — I’m on Match and many other sites. I think it’s fun to offer my perspective, which may be different from the other panelists because I’m a gay man and a personality.”
In our celebrity video interview, the blogger lights up when the subject turned to his son. “He loves New York! We do so much here,” he shares. “I think raising a child in New York City is the best because there’s so much to do and it’s so easy to do so much.”
Of course, having a child changed Hilton’s dating life, but he doesn’t like to use the word “difficult” when it comes to finding love. “It definitely presents challenges that a single person wouldn’t face. Like I choose not to bring guys back to my place. You gotta work around it! Do what you got to do.”
Right now, though, the single celebrity parent’s priority is Mario’s first birthday on Feb. 17. He shares that the father-and-son duo will be celebrating with a blessings ceremony. “I’m inviting all my close friends and family to come over and write down little blessings on a sheet of paper,” he explains in our celebrity video interview. “I’m trying to get some spiritual folks — maybe a rabbi and a priest, maybe a monk — to share some words and blessings as well.”
Visit PerezHilton.com for more from the celebrity gossip columnist.
For more videos from CupidsPulse.com, check out our YouTube channel.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Video by Damian Kolodiy.
This past Saturday, CupidsPulse.com Executive Editor Lori Bizzoco and Millionaire Matchmaker reality TV star Patti Stanger caught up at Match.com’s Singles in America 2014 event where Stanger moderated a panel discussion with four sex and dating experts, including Celebrity Blogger Perez Hilton, Leading Sex Expert Dr. Emily Morse, Cosmopolitan’s Sex and Relationship Editor Anna Breslaw, and Chief Scientific Advisor for Match.com Dr. Helen Fisher. Prior to the event, we had the opportunity to sit down with the matchmaker, and in our celebrity video interview, we chat with her about online dating, her own personal love story, and her best dating advice for meeting The One.
“I love Match.com! I’m the girl who dates online,” the reality TV star candidly shares. “This is the way to meet singles. 18 or 80, it doesn’t matter. We just need the tools and the ammunition to do it.”
As for how finding love with fiancé David Krause has changed her? “I’m much more relaxed. I love nesting; I love staying home.”
Watch our celebrity video interview above for more information.
Tune in for The Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo on Thursdays at 9/8c, and check out Stanger’s line of jewelry at Shop by Bravo!
For more videos from CupidsPulse.com, check out our YouTube channel.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Brittany Stubbs
When it comes to meeting The One, we’re no longer stuck sitting alone at the bar or praying that our next blind date will work out. Today, millions of singles are turning to dating websites to help them find their better half. Although a new success story happens every day with the help of these online matchmakers, the unlimited profiles and possibilities these sites provide pose some issues as well.
In his second novel A Million First Dates: Solving the Puzzle of Online Dating, journalist Dan Slater invites us behind the scenes of the fascinating online dating business. He shows how this industry is changing our culture in more profound ways than we can imagine. By altering our perception of what’s possible, these sites are reconditioning our feelings about monogamy and challenging the traditional paradigm of adult life. Slater examines the questions that the digital revolution is forcing us to ask: Why should we settle for someone who falls short of our expectations if there are thousands of other options a click away? Can commitment thrive in a world of unlimited options? Can chemistry really be quantified by math geeks? In our interview below, we talk to Slater about the answers to these questions and more. …Want the rest? Click here for more
Bella Thorne Shares Valentine’s Day Date Night Plans
Disney’s Shake It Up star Bella Thorne loves to show her affection at Valentine’s Day by sending personalized cards to the special people in her life, like boyfriend Tristan Klier. During her celebrity video interview with Executive Editor Lori Bizzoco, she provides creative ideas for how to craft handmade Valentine’s Day card and mail them with the United States Postal Service’s beautiful new Cut Paper Heart Stamp. When making cards herself, the actress loves to add glitter and jokes, “You know it’s from me because it has the world’s worst handwriting!”
The 16-year-old also candidly discusses her upcoming role in Blended (with dream team Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) and shares how she plans on spending her Valentine’s Day date night.
For more information on Bella, check her out on www.facebook.com/bellathorne.
For more celebrity video interviews from CupidsPulse.com, check out our YouTube channel.
Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Elizabeth Kim.
The Super Bowl halftime show is often just as exciting as the actual game. With the big event between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks right around the corner, Pepsi got in on the action to get fans hyped for this year’s Bruno Mars performance. On Sunday, Jan. 19, diners at Buffalo Wild Wings in Seacaucus, New Jersey, were surprised with their very own halftime show. Fronted by lead singer Kelly Hansen, ’80s British-American rock band Foreigner delighted fans with “Feels Like Halftime,” a remixed version of their 1977 smash hit “Feels Like the First Time.”
In this week’s Single in Stilettos show, our Executive Editor and Founder Lori Bizzoco chats with Suzanne Oshima about dating when your biological clock is ticking away. Still looking for The One when you’re in your late 30s and early 40s can be tough, but it’s worth the wait. Bizzoco offers her best three tips: don’t freak out; communicate your feelings to your partner; and consider freezing your eggs.
For more information about Single in Stilettos shows, click here.
For more videos from CupidsPulse.com, check out our YouTube channel.
Cupid wants to know: How do you handle a ticking biological clock?
