The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Feeling the Vibes with Katie Thurston

Episode Date: June 8, 2021

Our new bachelorette is here and talking with Ben and Ashley to recap the episode. It’s the premiere of Katie’s season of The Bachelorette and the woman of the hour is here to spill all the tea with Ben and Ashley! Katie opens up about how her experience with Matt James changed the way she looks at relationships. And she reveals what ACTUALLY goes down in the Top secret Bachelorette group text… with ALL the former leads! Plus, we explore what might happen if one of her contestants falls in love with Tayshia or Kaitlyn!And we have all your updates on who’s hosting Bachelor in Paradise! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Eumanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble.

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Monica Patton. Elaine Welteroth. Learn how to get comfortable pivoting because your life is going to be full of them. Listen to these women and more on She Pivots. Now on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The U.S. Open is here and on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain. I'm breaking down the players, the predictions, the pressure, and of course the honey deuses, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open has gotten to be a very wonderfully experiential sporting event. To hear this and more, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, and IHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and entertainment on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports Network. This is the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcasts with IHartRadio. Hello, everybody. Welcome to the first in-season episode of the Almost Famous Podcast four years in, if that makes sense.

So, guys, we have Katie Thurston's season to recap episode one. I got to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I'll be honest, I think based on our podcast last week, you may know that my expectations were kind of low. And I'll say that from the scenes from the rest of the season, I don't know that we're getting anything monumental or totally different. But I think that this is a nice group of guys. And I think that I'm getting taseous season vibes from them.

So I think they'll be fun totally. watch. Ben Higgins. What is your initial impression of Katie's season? My initial impression. Well, here's the truth. Be honest. Come on. It's so much more fun. Yeah. My honest opinion is was kind of what I said last week. I think Katie is going to be really great. I think she's going to be very likable. I don't feel like I still got to know anything more about her, which is why. Big announcement. We have Katie coming on the podcast today. Right now on this episode after this segment, The Bachelorette herself will be here. But to be honest, I'm going to tell Katie this. I don't feel like I know anything about her. I don't feel like I knew anything more

about her from watching this episode. I enjoy her. Again, I think she has a lot of Caitlin Bristow in her. I think she's going to be a very likable character. I think we're going to relate with her in a lot of ways. I think she's going to take it seriously, but it's going to be funny. And she's going to allow these guys to relax a lot, which I would always say was Caitlin's best, maybe best skill set for me personally, was just that she allowed me to relax and be myself and say stupid stuff and do stupid stuff. But in terms of the episode itself, I thought it was fine. But if anybody's listened to this thing for four years, they've heard now eight different times from me because of eight different seasons we had. I think episode one is the worst episode of them all always no matter what.

I don't, I'm just not a fan of episode ones because they, they just, they're, it feels like I'm excited for the season to start. And then the, the episode one hits and it's a little anti-climatic. Like, I'm more of this episode five to the end type of guy. I know. I mean, same here. I think like, I like the fact that this wasn't so like kitsy. Yeah, fair. And there weren't a lot of limo exits that were like trying to be showy or overly funny and wacky. So I liked that. I think I got to get to know Katie a little bit more just by the guys that she was showing interest in. Like she loved the cat. And I love that she loved the cat so much. There is a moment watching this episode where I was like, hey, I already like Katie.

Yeah. Just like don't know her, but I like her. And then the guys that she showed the most like, it wasn't the most handsome guys. It wasn't the guys that strutted in and tried to be smooth. The guys that she showed the most interest in were the guys that was like, I could hang out with that dude. Like he seems to just want to have a good time. He seems to be somebody that would make life interesting. Like, I was like, hey, I'm enjoying watching that.

You made a good point. We got to know her more this episode by the guy she was interested in. All right. Well, we are going to get Katie on in a second. but before we do that, let's take one quick break. We'll be back with Katie Thurston, the Bachelorette. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam.

Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust. Now he's insisting we get to know each other But I just want her gone Now hold up isn't that against school policy That sounds totally inappropriate

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So do we find out if this person's boyfriend Really cheated with his professor or not To hear the explosive finale Listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the Iheart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. The U.S. Open is here. And on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain, I'm breaking down the players

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an I-Heart Women's Sports Production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. I don't write songs. God write songs. I take dictation. I didn't even know you've been a pastor for over 10 years. I think culture is any space that you live in that develops you. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with Warren Campbell, Grammy-winning producer, pastor, and music executive to talk about the beats, the business,

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I'm looking at this thing. See? Listen to No Such Thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Humanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you.

But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psycho babble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeart Radio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. We just mentioned that the first part of the podcast

that we have a very special guest today. In fact, I couldn't think of a more special guest than who is on the podcast right now. Katie, the Bachelorette, is here. Welcome, Katie. Hello, everybody. Katie, we had just mentioned at the beginning. We've made it very clear to anybody listening.

We're fans of you for multiple. reasons, mostly just who you are and what we think you can do in this role. But if I'm going to be honest with you about something, there's one thing that's been difficult to process coming up for this season. I don't feel like we know you as well as others that have been on the lead for multiple reasons. You're not there as long as some others. You know, Matt season had a lot of things going on, a lot of conversations that had that weren't focused as much on the contestants and their backstories. And then I watched episode one, and I still don't feel like I know you as much as I want to.

So if I gave you one minute right now to tell the listeners and myself and Ashley who you are as a person, why we should get behind you, what would you say? I mean, for me, I'm just a regular person. And I think that's why I'm so excited to be in this role as people get to see things that I've gone through and relate to that. There's going to be some really tough conversations, but important ones that happen. And, yeah, people are going to get to know me more than they did, you know, unfortunately, on Matt's season. There's more to me than just this, like, sex positive girl.

Like, I have a serious side. I have an emotional side, a sensitive side. Are you annoyed that they've made sex such a storyline? Or did you kind of know going into this season that you were going to have that be your theme because you walked in with a vibrator and it was kind of your theme on Matt season? I fully expected there to be some, you know, jokes around sex. but I will say that there's some important conversations that come up about sex this season

that I'm actually very excited to have with Bastra Nation. What do you hope? I mean, if this is a storyline that you kind of walked into and I mean, I know when I started my season, I didn't really know what this overarching story was going to be other than the fact that I felt like unlovable. Like I knew that was going to stick just because that was kind of the thing. And so I had to, and I'm sure you did,

but I had to process, like, what do I want out of this? Like, what do I hope this represents? What do you hope your storyline represents? I mean, there's so many different things with that. I mean, I want people to see a love story, and I'll say there's more than one that happen. But more importantly, these men have great stories, and I'm really excited for Bats for a nation to get to know them as well.

And so, you know, that's what the show is about, is watching people fall in love, watching these stories and a little less of what we saw, you know, last season, unfortunately. And my hope is that this does feel. like a refresh, you know, back to, back to basics, you know, what this is all about. There's been a lot of virgin storylines over the past six years ever since, well, I don't want to say it, but me. Yes.

And I think there's a little bit of a double standard for the girl versus the guy. I mean, the only real well-known guy virgin from the show is Colton. And well, that took a turn. And now we see there's a male virgin on your season. And when you hear that, are you like, oh, that's not sexy? Or are you like, okay, I can get down with that? I will say the moment I found out, you guys will be probably surprised just as I was in my reaction. I'll just leave it at that.

But, I mean, and clarify for me, because I am naive on a lot of these things. And yes, I'm 32 years old now, but I'm learning. When you say your sex positive, that includes the discussions about it, understanding where people are at and that that's not just saying like if you aren't actively out there having sex like you're out of my circle right oh absolutely i mean if you're a virgin that's fine that's your choice sex positive is just about talking about it being comfortable with it and not making it this like taboo topic that's off limits and like no one wants to discuss it you know it's something that should be just a normal conversation amongst adults that's awesome besides that

component of you know what you stand for what do you feel like why what are the main reasons that you think the producers chose you to be the bachelorette you know i just think i'm in a good place in my life given like my age and my confidence and i'm just ready to really settle down you know when they asked me i certainly was surprised because you know ben like you said you hardly got to know me and that's right there were so many women who lasted longer who are just as deserving um but i think for me, I'm just in a place in my life where I'm ready and I'm open and I know that this can work. I think, yes, it was a shocking choice because we didn't know you, but I do see how it fits.

One of those ways it fits is there's just a lot of, for the best of reasons, and there's not many negative. I can speak of, there's a lot of Caitlin Bristow qualities that you and her share. Like you're very, like, and just like, and I said this before you came on, one of the, the thing that stood out to me most about Caitlin. Bristow was she allowed the contestants to be comfortable, like from the get-co, like she just allowed me to take a deep breath and be like, okay, I don't have to be put together all the time. You did that in episode one. I think that's the one thing that stood out

to me was like, I know I like Katie. Now, I really like Katie because you showed interest in some of the guys that like in past seasons maybe wouldn't get as much attention, like the guy with the cat suit. Is that just who you're attracted to? Like, do you feel like you can make people comfortable there? Is that kind of one of your goals? Yeah, I think for me, I don't have a type when it comes to physical appearance. And so I really had to get to know these guys on a personal level.

You know, if you see the people I've dated in the past, they all look very different. And so whereas you say, like, the cat costume or like the shy guy, like, I'm just very open to getting to know their hearts. I also want to add that you're kind of similar to, you know, Tasia as a Bachelorette in the way that, yeah, you were a little nervous before the first couple guys came out of the limo. You can sense that. But once you got in the group of things, it felt like you were super comfortable in your

skin conducting the crowd. You know what I mean? Yeah. Did you feel that way? Yeah. Initially, it was obviously very scary when I thought I was doing it alone as well. But when Tasia and Caitlin kind of surprised me, that was a big weight lifted. Then the guy started making me laugh.

That just kind of broke the ice as well. And by the end of the night, I was just like, wow, this night just flew by. Did you feel, did you think that there was going to be any host? And how do you feel about being the first bachelor, bachelorette season that Chris Harrison doesn't host? Yeah. When I went into it, nobody told me anything. And so I really did think I was doing it alone. Or I thought maybe alumni would show up here and there for dates or whatever.

So I'm standing there. And I mean, you can see with my expression, like I am shocked and overwhelmed with emotion that not only do I get one bachelor, I have two who are they're helping me. And so to have them there, it really, it really made a difference for me in moments where I thought I was going to give up. The, there is a moment that I think I always love to ask the leads. There's a moment when you're standing there and all of a sudden, I felt like on television, as Ashley just mentioned, we could see you take a deep breath and get comfortable. But that was also a moment for me where I was standing in front of all the women that had came and it felt more like a dream than ever. Like I almost broke down with emotion on just like the idea of like, how am I here? Not that like this is the coolest, craziest thing I've ever, like that life can ever bring

you, but like I feel like I was chosen. I feel like people said they wanted to be here for me. What was that moment like for you to stand up in front of them? And two days before, you weren't the Bachelorette yet. But that moment, you were the Bachelorette with all those guys that had arrived. I mean, yeah, like you said, it was like a dream. And even leading into it, it was very hard for me to even say it out loud. I'm Katie. I'm the bachelorette. Like, what is my life? And even now that we're done,

I'm still kind of looking at it. Like, this is so crazy. Like, watch me on TV and like that that was my whole journey. Like, it just flew by. We saw that Matt had such an issue, um, kind of, I don't, I don't know what the exact issue was, but like he never had that healthy relationship role model in his life. Okay. Right. So he was like always scared about whether he was going to be able to do it. And then you say at the beginning of the episode that your parents, that you didn't really have that with your parents, your parents divorced when you were a baby.

So do you have any of those fears? Or do you always feel like you're somebody who wanted to be married? I want to be married. I think I just, I'm hesitant. And that's why at 30, I'm still single because I don't want to end up like my parents did. But also in that, you don't watch what a healthy marriage looks like. And so for me, there are mistakes I've made in the past that maybe had I witnessed, what a positive relationship looks like, I would know, you know, red flags to be on the lookout for

and what's, you know, working and what's not. Katie, there's one thing that we can point to, though, that we all know you do very, very well. So you obviously know how to have a relationship somehow because you have a lot of friends. I watch you on Instagram and you're surrounded by friends, well, since we can and since the world's opened up all the time. What did your friends think and like how have they supported you through this. I mean, they're excited for me. And I'm just like this social butterfly. In fact, in high school, I was voted most likely to be on reality TV. No way. Perfect. So they were even actually surprised. I know. It's so crazy. That's so funny. Okay. So you talked about relation,

you know, not having those role models. How many serious relationships have you had in the past? you mentioned that one of the guys looks like your ex. Did you think that as a good thing? Like, oh my gosh, he's going to ruin me all over again or is that a bad thing? No, he looked like my high school sweetheart. So there were some good vibes with that.

Okay. But I would say three serious relationships where we lived together. You know, there was a boyfriend where I was going to buy a house with him. So I've always very seriously dated. And so to be exposed to 30 men at the same time, that was more guys than I've ever been exposed to my entire life.

So it was very different. Now, Katie, let's enter into breaking down episode one just a bit with you here. We've now seen episode one. We're into the season. We're into the groove of this whole thing. As the season starts, then this happens with every lease. You're not alone in this. There's going to be something right now in the back of your head that you're like, I'm nervous about.

I'm anxious about. I don't know if I want people to see it. I don't know if I want the public discussing it. totally um that happened for me for weeks in fact i have more hair than now than i did when i got off the show um and that's not a lie that's true um katy what's sitting out there right now and if you can't go into details that's fine but what's sitting out there that you're most nervous about i mean nothing really comes to mind right away uh i do feel like i'm going to be watching this and learn things that i could have done better as a generic statement you know there's this

one moment where there is a miscommunication. And I'm, I'm very interested in watching it back and seeing, you know, was I in the wrong or was he or how could it have been handled better? What about that scene where you're like, book my flight, I'm out of here? That's dramatic. You saying to the guys, if you're not here for the right reasons, get out. Well, we hear that every season. But book my flight, not every season. Give us a little tease. I mean, I felt like I was losing control out of everything that was happening around me and I started to doubt my entire experience and I was just done. I was exhausted mentally. I wanted to leave for sure. Okay. I wish I would have said that. And then your season per rumors wrapped about a week early. So, I mean, did you

book your flight? Did they book it? Were you out of there? I mean, I think when you guys see the the ending of things, it all kind of makes sense on on why everything happened the way it did. This is, you're going to have to get really good at dodging these questions, by the way. I'm sure you already are, but there's so many different spins and twists that people will try to put on you. Well, we're excited to watch alongside you this whole time, and we don't want to spoil anything. But one thing you had mentioned before, you know, Matt's season had a lot of topics discussed. And there's a lot of things that happened in the midst of Matt's season that have now, you know, had some type of consequence, good or bad on your season, right? Chris Harrison isn't there.

one of the big things that stood out during Matt's season was the drama and it was a focus of the show and here almost famous we were critical of that uh we didn't know who to blame if it was the show itself or if it was the cast and then we watch your preview and it looked really great at first and then it looks really dramatic with a lot of fights and a lot of arguments um can you just let us know like is this season would is it going to be like mats with the cast or does it feel like a refresher i think you guys are actually going to see a bromance like never seen before the bond that these guys have is is very fun to watch i mean of course there is some drama but you know overall i i don't think that that's going to be the theme do you remember

ben how we thought that tasha's season was so great because it was generally generally drama free um i feel like watching your teaser it's actually a big fake out to us because i can like sense by watching these so many times it's like they use the ambulance as drama that's not really going to be drama they use blake as drama i don't think blake's going to be drama i think blake probably comes in next week and he's not a huge splash with the guys because he comes in early enough i think a lot of the drama that we see in the teaser's going to be fake drama and i'm getting more tisha vibes like we're actually going to see more of the love and relationships developed and i think that overall in general we get more of the love and connection through the bachelorette franchise than we usually do it

The Bachelor. Yeah, I mean, I agree with you. So someone who's watched the show, the Bacheloretts are always, you know, a little more successful in finding their person. And so I do hope that there is more love stories than any kind of drama for sure. Yeah. I hope so also. It's more fun to watch.

And I will. And I don't mean, I mean, I think you're going to be your own person. You're going to shine in this in your own unique way. We just haven't seen it yet because we've only seen one episode. But with Caitlin, which is who. right now I see the most with Ashley will say Tasha her season was fairly drama free because of who she was she allowed the space for us to talk she allowed us to be ourselves she welcomed the friendships she didn't fight against them and get jealous of them and and so far after

watching episode one I feel like you you're going to do the same yeah I mean I want it to be a good experience for everybody and I don't want anyone to be distracted by the drama you know we're all here for one reason so let's make the best of it i think that's really what happened all right let's get into the nitty gritty of episode one my biggest question after wrapping the episode for you was loved gregg thought gregg was awesome one of my favorites i'm going to put him into the top three that ben is going to ask me to predict later but i really felt a stronger connection with the con with with with the cat conner i was shocked to see you pick gregg over conner b um what went into that decision um was there something with your conversation with gregg that we didn't see

that that did make him rise above what you had with connor because connor in that kiss and the black nose and you guys were like that physical chemistry was intense I mean, you can view the first impression rose as, you know, reassuring somebody or encouraging someone, you know, with Connor the cat, as I call him, I think our connection was very obvious and I didn't think he needed that validation. Whereas with Greg, he was so nervous. In fact, you only saw just a brief moment of his exit from the limo of just how nervous he was. And I just love that he was himself and not trying to be too cool or put on any gimmicks. Like, he was just like I'm scared you know and I was like look here's a rose know that I'm interested in you

get rid of those nerves and let's you know figure out who you are really okay so for you this was the reassurance rose maybe not necessarily you're my most connection rose yeah you want to call it a reassurance rose that that's probably pretty accurate I think that's super sweet because it is nerve wracking and when you stand up there and somebody gets out of limo and they're not nervous it actually kind of feels weird it's like I remember my moment. I was so nervous, right? Like, how are you so confident right now? Like, there's got, what have you done? Who are you? Um, I, I do think I know maybe why, uh, Connor didn't get the first impressioner is though. Why? He did something, maybe the only thing that really annoyed me

this episode. Really? So Katie and him are having a moment. Katie, I think you remember this. Um, and you take off his cat hat and you say, oh, you're just as cute without the costume. Really good for you that was smooth katie great work um and then Connor decides to put back on the cat mittens to make out with you again like he thought it was cool you thought it was cool I was like Connor what in the back your head is thinking at this moment you have them off you have the hat off you're already kissing you need to put them back on so that your her face is full of fur that that that part was weird to me I mean yeah it certainly was a moment for sure I can't say I've ever made out with a cat like that, but it is the Bachelorette.

It was so cute. I thought it was so cute that you didn't care that all of his cat makeupers getting over your face. That was a strong connection. And I'm really excited to see continue. Now, you kissed three guys as far as what we saw, Justin, Connor, and Greg. Any other guys get kisses that night that we didn't see? Hard to say.

You know, when you're there, everything kind of blends. but I will say there's more to come. It does blend together. If somebody asks me right now, I would be like, I have no clue. It's all a blur. Wait until you get five years out and you're like, I don't remember a single thing from that whole deal. Okay.

Well, Katie, recently, Ali Fedatowski said that she had to give advice to Bacheloretts. She says that you should ignore all the guys that you know you're keeping around for a while on night one. Like if he comes out of the limo and he grabs your. your tension and you want him around for a while you got to ignore that guy on night one if you were to quote ignore some of those guys just out of the limos who would you say that you should have been ignoring at the cocktail party like who like really made your first impression like oh my god this guy doesn't have to speak one more word he is in with me for weeks uh probably

andrew s okay Andrew is on my list of going far of course it is now he is. As of this moment he is. Where to go, Ashley? You pick Andrew with the fake accent. He was so sweet. Yes, I have him in my top four. What was it about him? He just seemed easy going authentic. Yeah. Our connection was just very easy. You know, some people are so nervous that it is a little uncomfortable to try and have these conversations with him. I just felt like I knew him for years. He stood out to me too. And he has a he's the football player right isn't that what he does yeah his story's unique like i want to i want to learn more about how you play football in austria like what is that and i've never heard of that i'm a sports fan like what does that life look like um super he's just an intriguing guy seems to be up to a lot you know who else uh and i'm always bad with names uh katy so please forgive me here i don't mean to make any offense the the artist um and yeah like that that's impressive to me uh that somebody would thinking about beforehand and then also spend their time during quarantine.

I was like, that's who I want to be. I want to be the guy in quarantine painting. Like, what a break from life you get to create art. Why, you know, for me, I sit in my hotel room and watch Netflix. Yeah, when he showed me that piece, I thought he was joking. He was like, I painted this for you. I was like, ah, yeah, okay. He's like, no, I'm serious.

And I was just so impressed with how talented he is. You were such like a supportive person in your bachelor house. You know, you were the one standing up for other people. Do you feel like the dynamic is any different when you have a group of girls living together versus a group of guys? I feel like guys can move on more easily than women. And so I think that does change the dynamics of drama. You know, I know there were some moments that have happened that were then quickly forgotten

about, you know, during our time together. And there's moments I still haven't seen, you know, like in the house or in their interviews that maybe like the night one, I didn't even know that Cody and Aaron spoke about their dislike for each other yeah speaking speaking about that what a weird moment it was like 30 seconds of i don't like you i haven't liked you since i first met you as if like they met months ago it seems super out of context and as if it was just like thrown in there for drama i don't know what was up with that is that going to be a storyline that continues you think i will say that's just a little intro to uh their dynamic for sure yeah i that's that was weird

That was one of the weirder, that was one of the weirder conversations I've ever seen on this show. And there's been some odd ones. Hey, Katie, we have just a few minutes left with you. And Ashley always likes to play a game as a tradition here at the Almost Himist podcast with the new leads. But I also like to take a second every year and have a moment with you. And I'm really interested, Katie. You're sitting there in the seat right now. You're doing interviews all day.

You're probably tired. Your first episode of The Bachelorette has now aired. and you are known across the country as the Bachelorette. Your life has changed dramatically. If human to human, how are you doing? I mean, you say my life's changed dramatically, but it hasn't. I think it could, it will. I don't know.

I think for now I still just feel grounded so far. I mean, it's early. I know I'm heading into something I have no clue what to expect. But for now, I'm good. I feel good. But I know there's like this, I don't know, this new chapter coming. this new storm. Maybe it's not a storm. I don't know. What are you leaning on to stay grounded? I mean, things are about to change for you.

And it's just inevitable. Like, your face is going to be on the cover of magazines and you're going to be on commercials and you're going to get a lot of praise. You're also going to get a lot of criticism. It comes with the territory. Like, how are you going to stay? Stay where you're at now? I mean, I have great friends and family that are keeping me grounded. I'm in the Bachelorette group chat that we have, which I think is very. really cool. It's just all of us in one thread, just supporting each other. All the bacheloretts? Like all of them? Every single, every single bachelorette.

Oh, wow. That's so cool. Well, what's the best piece of advice from that group chat? I mean, so far it's just been like, don't read the comments, basically. I could agree. That's good advice. Okay, Katie. So we have a new tradition here. my mom growing up always used to try to figure out whether my sister and I really liked somebody by saying their name and then we'd have to try our very hardest to say their name with a straight face and if we couldn't do it that meant that we like probably kind of liked them so I'm going to give you some names here and yeah you're on camera and you're being recorded and these are the guys that I think might make you smile.

And then maybe I'll throw in some random ones in there too. Okay. Right. Are you ready? I'm ready. James. James. Andrew.

Andrew. That was harder. Connor B. Connor B. Oh, that was even harder. Greg. Greg. Justin.

Justin. Gabriel Gabriel um oh who's who's the one right Ben there's no Ben there's no Ben okay fine for a constant for a constant Ben Ben that wasn't hard at all Thomas Thomas Michael A Michael A and Hmm, last one. Blake. Blake. Last one.

Courtney. Courtney. And Christian. Christian. All right, Katie. I do think you have a better poker face than Matt did. But I think I'm also going to overanalyze this tape. And we'll get back to you on who we think you're going to choose next week.

You're going to be super new. I know you're going to be, that's going to be on the back of your mind is who does Ashley and Ben choose for me watching me smile. Well, Katie. your pleasure you're awesome we wish you the best uh reach out if you need anything thanks for coming on um stay strong and uh until the whole team around you because i know there is probably a bunch of eyes listening and watching right now that ashley and i say hi hey wish you the best katie thank you so much bye bye so obviously we just had the expert of the season she knows all and she stayed uh very i didn't get a lot of read on katie on what how this like season went and who she ends

up with if anybody from that interview but i mean in great interview i think like incredible to do it i just don't know like i i don't feel like i know anymore um after listening to her you know and but i i do feel like she uh she said something there and and i i would agree with her because she said it about herself so it would be weird if i didn't but like she seems she seems she seems very grounded and she seems uh she seems like like she said a very normal human who got place in a really weird situation, which is always the best type of people for this gig. Totally agree. Totally agree.

So I want to go through my biggest takeaways as far as our recap goes, because I wrote guys names down, and I'm really good, like, bad with names the first couple episodes, so I kind of like find celebrity lookalikes for them, or I get to know them based on like, well, they had a really sweaty face or whatnot. So do you want to go down my list and then we can chat about these standouts? Yeah, take it away for a bit. Because I got some questions for you based on the episode. I really want to talk to you about your thoughts on Caitlin and Tasia.

That's obviously going to be a big storyline. I want to talk about this new location that they're in. Kind of, you know, obviously some of the guys that stood out to you. So I do want to get your top three. But before we do, let's take it away with your show notes, your clip notes. The cat slash teacher, Connor, who we talked about a good amount with Katie. Like, he's one of my big standouts. For some reason, he was really able to pull.

pull off the costume. You know, we've seen so many costumes in the past and they don't always play as well. But man, she really liked that. And I thought that he was just so endearing and so sweet and genuinely seemed to be very

into her, did some background research on her. There was a real physical and I feel like a chemical connection there. He's going real far. I loved the Boston guy, Christian, who I already said, is Jared's future best friend because he likes parades and just wants to drive the Batmobile and

he's from Boston. I don't know that he's going to hang around for a while, but I think he's one of the cuter guys. Then there was who I called the accent guy who is Andrew, big standout, super sweet. I genuinely bought the accent. I wouldn't have thought otherwise. Would you have? No, no, he was really good at that. It was really good. Yeah, really good. And then there was Marcus who I just think is super sweet and I named him as one of my favorites just looking at his picture. I think he has that sweet puppy dog face and it translates. Ashley, you're using a word right now that we need to kind of focus on because we don't always do. Well, yeah. And that's fine. No, that's great. It's a great descriptor. But most seasons when we watch the first episode,

I mean, there's been many times where like, these guys are arrogant. These guys are cocky. These guys are trying too hard. These guys are acting like they're, you know, the cats meow. But you're saying sweet, which does remind me of Tasha's season. Yeah. Because that's how we were

describing the guys from her season. But it's not like that always. Like sometimes there's been breakdowns that we've had after episode one where we've been like, I don't know. Like these guys just seem like they want to take their shirt off and post on Instagram. Mm-hmm. there wasn't like a lot of big egos from what i've seen so far i liked thomas he did have a really

super greasy sweaty face um but he's like a very like classically handsome man who i think is going to be around for a while then there was gabriel who looks like orlando bloom but he got like no air time but he did really turn her on as he exited the limo like she looked at tasha and and Caitlin, and she was like, who, yeah, he's hot. Mm-hmm. And then there's Greg, and I liked Greg a lot because, yeah, he was so nervous, but, like, leaned into being nervous, like Katie said. He also made that adorable necklace made out of pasta, or he didn't make it.

The niece made it and gave it to her and then said, like, I don't know if you know, but it's not real gold. And that was funny. I think it shows that he has a really great sense of humor that we're going to get to know about her. Trey was the guy with the trunk full of balls and I think they had a really nice connection as well

and he came across very sweet endearing she kissed Justin and I noticed that Justin has a lot of scenes in the next episodes they show him a lot in the teaser so I think he's going to be a prominent a prominent character

however I didn't feel the chemistry between them enough in that moment for him to go for such a sloppy kiss the way he did that seemed like he was coming on a little bit too strong but maybe there was stuff from that scene that was missing a bit do you remember this kiss yeah the first kiss aired yeah i you know it's hard to judge kisses at this point i was hard on matt james for kissing with his eyes open and people seem to kind of find that fine and you know you get a camera up in your face with people watching you start kissing i i'm going to give all these guys a little grace on night one and say

If it's week five and they're still like, you know, missing her lips, then we'll give some criticism. But at this point, you just went in for it. And that's a big move. Hey, he was not missing her lips. There was a lot of lip locking in that. Then there was James in the box. Now, very funny, a couple weeks ago, when we saw the box on the cast list, we thought that that was going to be Blake, right? We're like, oh, Blake for sure, Blake for sure.

It was not Blake. It was a guy named James. And she liked this costume as well. It really responded well. He was getting pushed around all night long. And then he revealed himself in a room privately. And I think he went over quite well. It gave me so much anxiety.

Why? Oh, I'm so claustrophobic. And the idea that he was in a box for as long as he was, like, just like literally like, it's one of the only cringe-worthy moments from this episode for me was like just seeing the box roll up one and then seeing him not get out of the box too and then being in the mansion or the house whatever at the resort with the the box very hard for me to like watch okay i get it that is pretty costrophobic but it really worked for him

because she seemed so attracted to him so i think that he goes far as well there's somebody in the house that is the villain right there's somebody that all the guys want out of the house i do not think it's going to be Blake. I think Blake goes in really early. I think he goes in really early, like I said, probably next week. Doesn't create a whole bunch of drama, but I think there's another guy in there that all the guys want out. Don't know who it is. Don't know if it's the guy that says it's like he's there for followers. I mean, it could be him. I'm, I'm, my vote is being strongly cast behind, uh, the guy who went up to the dude and was like, hey, I don't like you. Yeah. Because it. I don't know. Yeah, I don't really know if I want to.

to get to know his name but um he because then he walked in the room it wasn't even him going up to somebody being like hey i don't like you it was then he walked into the room and his like his like hypocritical side came out where he's like loosen up guys it's a party it's like you're the one that just like totally rant like cornered a dude was like i don't like you that i don't know this this character he he has a story coming um so i i i'm putting my vote behind him was that guy's name Aaron, the insurance salesman from San Diego. I'm looking at the cast list. I have to go back and rewatch that scene.

I don't know who he started drama with. Yeah, people will know who we're talking about. Okay. And then the other guy I think is worth mentioning is Michael A. He looks like Sean Hayes to me and he has a kid who is staying with his parents. So that makes me feel like maybe the mom isn't as involved and he's the primary caretaker for his child. And I think that was actually, that led to a pretty revealing conversation with Katie when she said like she can kind of like take kids or leave them. She's kind of happy with a however way her life turns out.

Yeah, it was. It was a special moment. I liked him. So if we're going to, as we do every episode, start your top three, Ashley, and Eddie, who would it be? Okay. So it's going to be Andrew, Connor B, and Greg. Fair. I couldn't disagree with any of those. I think it's a great choice. So we'll mark that. And then next week, I'll ask you the same question after episode two. Ashley, you're a resident, a bachelor expert. And you have strong feelings on the tradition of the show. We've now seen Nemecolin. We've also seen La Quinta. We're now seeing a brand new resort in New Mexico. Ashley, how do you feel about just, I mean, the setup so far after night one. It looks kind of like desert and deserted and I guess I prefer more of a nemocholin look like a temperate forest fall feel.

This looks like really dry flatland, not a lot of color. So we're going to go based on that. I mean, the aesthetic can be cool. I don't know if we're going to get like a whole variety of scenery though. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, Nimicolin just kind of blew it out of the water. Like that night, right? that night one we watched and it was like breathtaking just seeing the backdrop of the resort behind it

and i mean this didn't have that now we'll wait and see as the episodes continue kind of what kind of dates they can put on there and how it looks um but i i would say right now my vote for all out of the three of them if we're going to rank those would be nimical number one um me too just because it was it was absolutely gorgeous uh yeah this looks very similar to palm springs i would agree yeah i would agree with that well actually this is the uh the big conversation that everybody will be having this week um is on this is the first season that chris harrison doesn't host and we have two new mentors caitland bristow and tasha uh adams who are there with her now they're actually i want to ask you and the audience because i remember during my season uh and i you know i i don't know

if it was joking i don't know if they were serious but some of the girls from my season like they would have a crush on Chris Harrison. They would tell me that, right? Or they would have a crush on one of the producers. Now, that steps into some murky water because there has been storylines in the past where a cast member has hooked up with one of the producers and they kind of leave together. So just like if we're kind of making this just a lighthearted conversation, not saying

anybody's going to be doing anything, it's, you know, just knowing that, hey, the castes around the hosts quite often. Do you, would you be intimidated if you were the bachelor's? on having two former bachelors there with you walking alongside of you I mean are obviously all beautiful but does that add a weird dynamic listeners I would love for you to respond to this

via email or on Instagram just kind of what your thoughts would be but Ashley what do you think? Okay if I'm going to be straight up honest I would be a little bit intimidated but the fact that these two girls are in such public relationships and they are so in love

then no I'm not intimidated by the guys being interested in them because, like, I know these girls aren't going to be interested in the guys. Now, if you had two sexy single ladies, I'd be like, okay, don't look at them, please. Please, um, stay far behind me. Yeah. That's makes sense. I mean, yeah, it just adds.

I mean, even, you know, and you get it like Chris is a good looking guy. The producer's good looking people. Like, you get it. You're just around and like the lead isn't around all the time. And so you're around like the producers. a lot more than you are the lead and so over time like and you're having these like very heartfelt conversations the producers care about you we you know yeah see where this is different because these girls are there for katy they're advising katy they're not going to be i don't

think mingling with the contestants that much i think produce i do get the producer um love fest though because you are talking to them constantly and you're having such intimate like therapy sessions with them that you get so close there was times on my season where we were like do i have more of a crush on so-and-so than i do on chris yeah uh so that's fine but i don't think that these girls are going to be playing that role whatsoever with the guys yeah well speaking of tasha and kately uh we've watched the first episode it's obviously just the first episode but what were your thoughts uh on their i mean we're calling them mentors so what were your thoughts on their mentor role and how it played out well it's clear to me that they are like

not there as real hosts okay so they didn't talk to the guys they only said um here's the final rose like if you didn't get a rose say your goodbyes like they just said classic lines like that and otherwise they were really just there being cheerleaders for katie so it seems it's a yeah and you and I both know this we've done this for four years together co-hosting is not always easy now you and I have had the benefit of getting along in on the podcast and outside the podcast you know both of us understand this is not are you know this doesn't survive if you're gone it doesn't survive if I'm gone um but I would imagine too like I've co-hosted stuff with people that I that's a little bit more competition between like how did they decide

Who gets the rose staring me, which night? Like, I want to know the behind the scenes on, okay, tonight, Caitlin, you say this is your final rose. And Tasha, you say goodbye to the guys. Like how, there had to be a little bit of a difficult dynamic, at least, starting out. I think it's just going to swap back and forth. You think? Those classic lines will go back and forth.

And I'm sure, depending on the activity, the date, the issue, they'll either come together or it'll be the Bachelorette who dealt with more of a similar situation. that goes to be to be katy support yeah it's kind of a funny analogy but like bachelor live on stage like beckinited we traded off and that was kind of how we decided to do it like we had to be very clear on like hey so that i'm not always overstepping on you and you're not always overstepping on me and none of us are in competition let's just trade off and let's make that clear up front um and it worked you just have to have that communication it feels like tasha and kaitland like each other enough and still do that it plays out well like there's no drama between the host

And that's, that's a big deal. Well, it was, you know, it was weird to watch our first season without Chris standing up there. I would say it definitely felt different to me. I don't know if it did to you or any of the listeners, but it felt a lot different to me. It felt the most different to me during the opening scene without his voice doing the voiceover. That's when I felt kind of whacked out. a little bit odd not having him there to like kind of give direction like welcome the audience back and then to like give the pep talk to the lead I think as the episode went on

they edited it in such a way that we would not feel like it was missed as much but the beginning was definitely weird for me and so was the voiceover at the end for the scenes for the next episode what did you what did you what did you what did you feel about kately and and tasha kind of standing inside watching and like commentating at all I'm like a little bit split on it okay um it just kind of reminded me of the girls watching through the window when the other girls arrive yeah on a bachelor season right so it was like kind of fun and giggly I could have taken it or leave it. Like, obviously, as friends of Tasha and Caitlin, like, I will take all of their screen time. But, like, I don't know that it really enhanced the episode. You know, what I was

thinking is how much work that was for them. Like, they stood at that window for how many hours. Now, obviously, you know, Katie was there the whole time also meeting the guys. But that's a long time to be commentating. And it's just, I'm going to be really interested to see how much we see of Caitlin and Tasia as each episode goes on and how involved they get and kind of how they fill the gap. Yeah, that was fun, but I bet you it took a lot of energy because you have to like really express an emote. Yeah. And one of my favorite things that happened in this episode was not exactly Bachelorette related, but it was the amazing trailer for one of my favorite Broadway musicals in the Heights. It's by Lynn Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton. It was

was his first Broadway show that he wrote. And it's such a good, feel-good movie. It's so uplifting. It's family-oriented. It's so cultural. I love it. It's also directed by John M. Chu, who directed Crazy Rich Asians. So if you like Hamilton, if you like Crazy Rich Asians, this is going to be a great

movie for you. And right now, the score on Rotten Tomatoes is incredible. 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's the kind of movie that. that you want to see on the big screen. So if you're comfortable going back to the movies, Jared and I went to the movies for the first time last week. It felt so good.

This is the kind that you want full surround sound and to be completely and fully immersed into without your phone being sitting there and being able to be checked a lot. You know how like if you go to the movie theater, you just have a whole different immersive experience? I can't, I can't watch a full movie at home without being distracted.

So go to the theater, see in the Heights. June 10th, comes out tomorrow. Oh, no. June 10th, it's PG-13. So, you know, bring the whole family out there. And it's going to be on HBO Max, too, for 31 days. No, it looks really good. I'm super pumped for it.

Love musicals. Obviously, a fan of both Hamilton and Crazy Rich Asians. And then if it gets 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, got to trust it. Got to trust it. well we're in one episode now to this kind of i guess new chapter um with the franchise uh and there is a headline that we want to get it into this week yeah um but before we do let's take a break and we come back we're going to talk about a headline that uh that speaks to chris harrison's future at least for what we assume um and uh and it speaks to it in relation to michel's season

that will be coming up right after katies but let's take a break first My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Oh, wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone.

Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor and they're the same age. It's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet.

So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The U.S. Open is here. And on my podcast, Good Game with Sarah Spain, I'm breaking down the players. from rising stars to legends chasing history, the predictions will we see a first-time winner, and the pressure. Billy Jean King says pressure is a privilege, you know. Plus, the stories and events off the court,

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Well, we just got done talking about this new chapter for the franchise. And it seems like it's here to stay, you know, like it or not. It seems like it's here to stay. And this is why the headline reads, and this is according to us, Chris Harrison will likely not return for Michelle Young's season of The Bachelorette. Yeah. So a source tells us weekly that Chris Harrison is likely to not be back. Although final decisions have not been made, the insider notes that they are. currently weighing their option for a new host for Michelle Young's season.

News of this comes one day. This happened one day after it was confirmed that Chris would not be coming back for Paradise and that there will be a slew of celebrity guest hosts, including David Spade, hosting Paradise. It's a big announcement and everybody's kind of wondering, right? There hasn't been a lot of clarity on what the future looks like. And if there is one with Chris in the show, a lot of rumors swirling around. We'll wait and see and we'll continue to update everybody as we know more. But this is the most recent information we have is that right now it doesn't look like he's going to return.

What are your thoughts on David Spade and then Wells and Sarah? And is there been anybody else announced? Because I know one person that's hosting that has not been announced. What do you like of the announcement so far? I mean, obviously Wells is a great friend of mine. And this is a big moment for him. And Sarah, but I mean, Sarah's, you know, been in the spotlight for a while and she has a, you know, a name behind herself that, you know, she can pretty much do what she wants at this point with within the entertainment world. Um, so I'm super pumped for Wells. Very, very excited for him and Sarah. The David Spade thing really threw me off. It doesn't throw me off at all. Continue with your thought. Well, I know, you know, I know some people that know David Spade, some producers of this podcast and really like him as a person. I don't know him at all. I've only been around him once.

at an event um but it like i what i don't see is david being serious i we've never seen it um and i think in paradise there's so much chaos and there's so much drama and there's so much ridiculousness being thrown around that like the moments of peace came from when chris would step in as kind of that like adult figure um who would like calm the storms now i don't know if i see David do it. I don't know how that looks. So I'm going to be intrigued to watch it. I will say I'm interested. I'm interested which makes me want to want to tune in. Yeah, there's not clarity on how many weeks he'll be stepping in. It might be just what. It might be one. It might be two. I a little disagree with you. I think because Bachelor in Paradise has so much levity that because

he's funny we it's going to be fine i think if anything we're going to get like a lot of little raccoon scenes and and i think we're going to get a lot of loss with david i got to have lunch with him through amy um amy producer amy who i if you are still on here amy come in i want to hear your thoughts on david because you are friends with him and he is he's such a cool dude well you can assume some things amy so you know david uh You know he's a fan of the show. You've watched Paradise many times before. How do you think it's going to be as a host?

Like how do you feel like the vibe's going to be? What is his skill sets that are going to be offered to this? Like, why should the audience be tuning in? Okay, I'll give you my two answers, which are sort of polarizing. One is, I love him. He is such a funny guy, but he is such a nice guy. Yeah. And he's really into the show and like the relationships of the show.

and he's also a really, really sweet, sweet guy who I go to for guy, like, boyfriend advice all the time. So that makes me think potentially he's going to be really great because he knows a lot about relationships and will have great advice. My concern, which isn't a concern, I also find him to be hysterical. So my only thing is like, am I going to just be watching the show, watching him? Like literally I can see my eyes just going on to him. being like, make me laugh, make me laugh, and I won't even pay attention to what's happening in the scene. Yeah, like, are you going to be sad if he doesn't get a lot of airtime

and he's not able to make a lot of jokes? I don't know. I feel like he will, but I feel like I'm good. He's a movie star for a reason because we're all sort of like, he's sparkly, he's captivating. So I may just forget to pay attention to like the contestants at some point. I think, yeah, I think you guys, he's going to be great. warm and he is kind of a secret heartthrob amy stay on for this he has dated some sexy women in hollywood including heather locklear carmen electra if he can reel in these girls

he's a handsome dude he's handsome he's good looking right but he's not a smoke show it's his personality and he can help these guys reel in ladies with just their personality with maybe his advice i fully am attracted to him he is a big i'm too old for him because I'm like I always say I'm like 10 years younger than him and I'm way too old for him like he is very dreamy he will be great at this I mean I miss I miss Chris I'm gonna say that but and I notice his absence but I do think this is a genius idea for paradise and I'm like I'm also well's number one fan so I think he's genius too yeah okay back to the headlines let's start with the bachelor stars Matt James and Rachel Kay planning to move in together this is a headline according to page six yeah so they're thinking about where he wants to restart his real estate career and he's thinking miami they both want to stay on the east coast because their families are there plus apparently the miami real estate uh you know life is really blowing up and the weather is of course year round beautiful so there you go well let's see if they uh really do move into the same

apartment or house together. That'll be something. Thanks, moving fast there. Big step. I know. Not more than just a few weeks ago. We actually announced that they were even seeing each other. Now we're getting rumors that they might move in together. Well, here is another relationship update. I wish we had like one of those little like ding ding ding ding things that get people excited about this from the Bachelor Nation franchise.

Piper James and Brendan are dating. They're super into each other is the quote. This according to us. You guys, can you believe, first off, I think there's going to be some disappointed people who were planning on seeing them in paradise or who would have loved to see this unfold in paradise. But it seems that they may not be going to paradise to continue their relationship because the two of them were spotted in the Boston area, which is where Brandon lives over the Memorial Day weekend, which was also the weekend that the first set of Bachelor. and Paradise contestants were shipped out to Mexico. So don't know that we're going to see either of them there. I think there's going to be a lot of girls there that we're looking forward to meeting

with Brandon. And same with guys hoping to see Piper. They say that they either fly out to New York or she'll fly to Boston. And I guess so that they're pretty close because she's living in New York and he's living in Boston. So they don't even have to fly to each other. They can just drive. It's only a four hour drive.

they've been keeping their relationship under wraps since they're trying to make the long distance thing work. It's still new, but they're super into each other and they're getting to know each other and they're having fun going on dates. They also have a ton of mutual friends in the bachelor crowd. So that makes, you know, dating really fun and easy. Yeah, this is very exciting for the two of them.

Ashley, just a few more big headlines to cover. Kelly Flanagan, we've talked about it many times of the last few weeks on how big of a, Hot Commodities should be in Paradise, but we didn't know if she was going or not. Well, the headline reads this. Kelly Flanagan sets the record straight on Bachelor in Paradise rumors. Ben, I cannot believe this. I can't either.

She's not going to Bachelor in Paradise. It's absolutely wild. Wild. Bennett thought he was just going to have the most romantic time down there with Kelly. She's not even going. Somebody asked her on her Instagram Q&A on June 2nd. how her life life, her love life was going. And she said, going to Mexico in two weeks, smiley face.

But then was asked about her going to paradise. And she goes, no, I'm not. I'm just going to Mexico. Absolutely wild. I cannot believe it. I thought for sure she was a shoe in. But she's not. She's hanging out in Mexico.

Well, final headline. And we're sharing this one because, it's brave it's just really incredible and I know now you know as I mentioned every week because Jessica's

in the skincare world and I've gotten to talk to Ashley now for four years about her struggles but also her your passion for skin care this is this was big because I had to message her personally

and just say you know thank you for so many of the people out there that would be watching but Christina Schulman goes makeup free document painful red PD flare-ups. She says it's an all-time low. This is according to people. One, before you break this down and talk about it, Ashley, I just want to say, you know, really cool of Christina. And anytime anybody that has a following, anytime they kind of break through the, hey, everything's perfect facade and share something that maybe isn't perfect. It's a moment for us all to connect. So kudos to Christina for doing this. For sure. I loved this. There were so many Bachelor alumni. who wrote under her picture.

Thank you for this. You know, really appreciate the rawness, the realness. She has, I don't know how to say it, periorial dermatitis, and it flares sometimes, and it's fine sometimes. She even says in the caption that her and her dermatologist figured out something that really worked for her for a while, but then it ended up coming back a couple months later.

So she has this slideshow type of Instagram real, where she shows her skin on good days and on bad days. It's kind of like a rash, like a blotchy rosacea type look, small red bumps. And she says, there were hopeful times in a time where I hit an all-time low. She felt like she wanted to be raw, emotional, unfiltered. And she felt like she woke up the morning that she posted this.

And she felt really down and overwhelmed and sad and defeated. And for the past few days, she said she stayed quiet, stayed off social media. in hopes that she could get to a better mental state where she could share her skin's journey in her progress and the progress that hasn't come just yet. So many people were thankful for, you know, her being so open about this

because, like, there's so many times where we look at Instagram and we're like, oh, my God, that doesn't even look like skin. It's so perfect. Like, how do you look like that, right? And we can really get down about our appearance because of what we see through filters and all that. And I know that, well, I've never had this type of dermatitis. I've had times where I had an allergic reaction to something that I couldn't figure out.

And it took, like, months to figure out what was causing the allergic reaction. And I would wake up with the puffiest eyes and, like, such a swollen face. And it was just experiment after experiment of, you know, what could it could be. And then there was the time where I had cystic acne. And I just didn't want to leave the house because I couldn't without crying because I felt so bad about myself. So I think that almost everybody goes through a period of their life like that. And by Christina showing that she's not Instagram perfect.

Instagram filtered all the time. It's really powerful. And it can help a lot of people's self-esteem out there. Yeah. Yeah. Super, super cool of Christina. And just, yeah, there's a little shout out to say, you're awesome. Well, before we go, don't forget, you can still enter into our four-year anniversary.

giveaway this is a big deal super exciting and if you want to enter still just go to our instagram click the link in the bio and it has all the information there uh that you can use and follow to enter we we're super excited uh and as we said for the last few weeks this is just a really cool opportunity so make sure you enter uh final little thing we want to do before we head out of here uh diggy diggy morland just uh recently had a baby so we want to say congratulations to Diggy on his future as a father. Super cool. Go on Instagram and just let Diggy know that you've seen it. You're supporting. And all of our almost famous listeners that you, we celebrate relationships. We celebrate kids. It feels like all the time now. Holy cow. Everybody's popping

them out. But oh my gosh. It's wild. Ashley, great episode. Super cool to be able to talk to Katie on the first week that her episodes air, but we'll be back next week breaking down more of Katie Thurton's season as The Bachelor and everything wild going on, and I'm sure it's going to get wild. Well, with that, I've been Ben. I've been Ashley, and I bet you next week.

We're going to be talking about two more Bachelorette Bachelor at Bachelor Births. So stay tuned. We'll see you next week. Bye. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcasts on IHeartRadio, or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Hi, my name.

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