ABC Television Network
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TRANSCRIPT FROM THE JANUARY 22 "THE BACHELOR" TELECONFERENCE WITH ELIMINATED BACHELORETTE KARI FAJEN
Your first question comes from the line of John Bracchitta with Reality TV World.
John Bracchitta: Hey, how are you doing?
Kari Fajen: Good. How are you doing?
John Bracchitta: Pretty good. You had said on Monday's show that you thought you were going to be able to be more like yourself on the group date because the girls you were most threatened by -- Natalie and Lauren -- weren't going to be going on it.
Could you explain a little bit more about why you were threatened by them and not able to be yourself around them?
Kari Fajen: Sure. I just think both Lauren and Natalie are very pretty girls and they're very outgoing, so I was just a little intimidated by them.
And when they were around, they dominated the conversations a little bit more so I was a little quieter.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And how did you feel you did on the group date? Were you able to be like yourself like you had said?
Kari Fajen: A little bit more the second time around, but it still was different. I'm not used to going on a group date and sharing a guy. And so I was a little bit more reserved because of that.
Just fighting for the attention, usually I'm the one that has attention right away when you're just on a one-on-one date with a guy. So it was a little bit different situation than I've ever been in before.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And given that you were - you felt threatened by Natalie, is it safe to say that you felt more confident of your chances after learning she had been eliminated on that date?
Kari Fajen: Yeah, I would say that's safe to say. I think she's a great girl. She's a very pretty girl and so when I - when she left, I was kind of relieved. One less girl that I had to worry about.
John Bracchitta: And when she was eliminated, the show showed a bunch of the girls dancing and celebrating, and all that. And there wasn't really much footage of you. How did you react?
Kari Fajen: You know it was kind of a bittersweet situation. I was happy to see her go because that meant one of us would be staying that she left.
But again, I liked her and would've liked to see her come back to be able to hang with her a little bit more, too.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And after you were eliminated, you said that you had come on the show to fall in love with Jason and I think to be a step-mom to Ty, and have a family and move to Seattle.
Kari Fajen: Right.
John Bracchitta: So you were prepared to leave everything behind if you had won?
Kari Fajen: I sure was. I, you know, had some time to think about it and make that decision. And it was a tough decision but, you know, if you find the man of your dreams I would definitely be willing to move to a different city and be a step-mom. And, you know, I wanted to make sure that I was ready to be a mom. I had to think about those things before I accepted and went on the show.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And how did you feel that you weren't able to go on a one-on-one date with Jason before you got eliminated? Did you think the lack of that played a role in your elimination or was it - do you think maybe the chemistry just was never there?
Kari Fajen: Yeah, I think so. I mean, I was disappointed that I didn't get a one-on-one date. I think I would've been able to be myself a little bit more if it was just me and him versus me and seven other girls.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And then I just had one more question and then I'll get away for awhile. How did you feel going into each of the rose ceremonies?
Like did you ever - were there any specific moments you were either confident that you would or would not be getting a rose?
Kari Fajen: Each time I, you know, was a little bit nervous because I didn't know for sure. I knew that he was developing connections with the girls, and so every time I was nervous that I could be going home.
John Bracchitta: Right, great. Thanks a lot. Good luck with everything.
Kari Fajen: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Monica Sotomayor with Flash News.
Monica Sotomayor: Hi Kari, thanks for your time today.
Kari Fajen: Hi, how are you?
Monica Sotomayor: I'm good, thanks. You mentioned that you were intimidated by some of the other girls but did the cameras play a part in the intimidation, too? I mean that's got to be pretty weird dating while on camera.
Kari Fajen: Sure, of course they did. I - you know, I was a Chiefs cheerleader here in Kansas City so we did some shows and I was used to cameras, but definitely not used to having cameras around when I'm dating.
So it was intimidating at first. You know, after a couple days you don't necessarily get used to it, but you do get a little bit more comfortable.
Monica Sotomayor: Yeah. So did that kind of play a part in you being more reserved on a date; like you weren't going to be as aggressive because you were on camera?
Kari Fajen: Yeah, I think so. I mean you have got to be cautious of everything that you're doing, and so I think I was a little bit more reserved, and not as laid back as I would've been if the cameras weren't around.
Monica Sotomayor: Okay. You also mentioned when you were leaving that, you know, you wish you could've been a little bit flirtier, worked on those things.
Have you been working on your flirting skills since the show or anything like that?
Kari Fajen: Of course. Usually I am a pretty big flirt, but for some reason I think just with the other girls there and it was weird to see them flirt with the same guy that I was - would be flirting with. I think that's why I wasn't as flirtatious.
Monica Sotomayor: And as an ad exec, you know, I'm sure you have to work on marketing campaigns, try to get people to, you know, like certain products.
If you could market yourself all over again on this show, maybe, you know, get Jason to really connect with you, what would you do differently?
Kari Fajen: I think I just would've been a little bit more creative, maybe could've said or done some things that would stand out a little bit more in his mind, kind of like, you know, Jillian.
She did the hot dog thing. I think that was really cute and kind of had his eye right away.
Monica Sotomayor: Okay, so a better marketing campaign?
Kari Fajen: Yeah, exactly.
Monica Sotomayor: Great. Thanks a lot, Kari.
Kari Fajen: You're welcome.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Aaron Barnhart with Kansas City Star.
Aaron Barnhart: Hi Kari.
Kari Fajen: Hi.
Aaron Barnhart: So - hi. So, I take it from your last answer you're back in town?
Kari Fajen: Yes.
Aaron Barnhart: Okay. Since the show is done, tell me what you've been doing since the show finished taping.
Kari Fajen: Sure. Just basically working here at my advertising company and kind of just getting back into the grind, catching up with some friends that I missed while I was out; and back to the normal routine really.
Aaron Barnhart: Has the TV show done anything to your dating or social life in any way so far?
Kari Fajen: No, not really yet. You know, when I go out and hang out in Kansas City, people do come up and recognize me.
And it's - you know, you want to make sure now that, you know, I'm finding a guy that's not wanting to date me because I was on the show, but wants to date me for who I am. So I've just been a little (unintelligible) right now.
Aaron Barnhart: Yeah. Where did you audition for the show?
Kari Fajen: I auditioned at Trolley's here in Overland Park, Kansas. They had an open casting call. And Aaron Buerge, I think he was from Season 2, he was there.
Aaron Barnhart: Yeah, yeah Aaron; the owner of Trolley's, former Bachelor.
Kari Fajen: Former Bachelor, yes.
Aaron Barnhart: So a previous question - I asked about this but - a little bit. But, you know, when you watch on TV it always seems like until you get down to the, you know, the last chicks even if they've done a one-on-one date it always seems like a bit of a crap shoot which one is going to get the rose and which one isn't.
Was that your impression, too, now that you've been through it; it's like there's no rhyme or reason as to why some women get the rose and some don't?
Kari Fajen: You know, I think obviously there's some things that you guys don't see with the show that was done, but you can kind of tell girls he's feeling connections with.
And obviously you don't know, especially with this large a number, who all is going to get one and who is not.
But you do have some that you're like 'oh, I know she's definitely getting a rose.' You know, I could see the chemistry and the kind of flirting going on.
Aaron Barnhart: Yeah. And you weren't getting any of that connection?
Kari Fajen: You know, a little bit but not as much, and I think that was just because I was a little bit more reserved than I normally am when I was on the show.
Aaron Barnhart: Yeah. It's just that's what we're - that's why people like us from America because we're more reserved.
Kari Fajen: Yeah, exactly. Friendly - you know, I was - I liked all the girls and I tried to stay away from any of the cattiness. And, you know, I find - basically I try to find common ground when I stay with all the girls, something that I liked about all of them.
They may not have necessarily been my best friends, you know, outside of the show but when you're on there you just find something - like I really liked - you know, Natalie liked to shop and I like to shop so that was something we shared.
Aaron Barnhart: Yeah. Was there anybody there that you didn't - weren't able to get past their cattiness?
Kari Fajen: No, not really. I mean, you know, even though I think America kind of sees Megan sometimes in a bad light. And I think, you know, she's a really sweet girl, too.
We had really good conversations and had deep conversations. So like I said, I just kind of tried to find the good in everybody that was on the show.
Aaron Barnhart: Wow. Yeah that - if you hit it off with Megan, that's a pretty good sign.
Kari Fajen: I kind of call myself a chameleon sometimes. I just try to get along with everybody and, you know, that's kind of my goal. I think Kansas City thing too, as well for the most part.
Aaron Barnhart: Yeah that's the thing that really hit me about this season in particular, the viciousness of - at least as it has been depicted on camera, the viciousness of the show. It just seems to be at all-time highs this season.
It - do you almost feel that if you got on a different season of The Bachelor you might've had better luck?
Kari Fajen: You never know. I mean it all depends on your combination of the 25 girls. You know, everyone has got different personalities and you're always going to have personalities that conflict, especially when you're all liking the same guy.
So I think you kind of see the claws come out and different shows have been different depending on what girls are on the show, and how they (split). So I - you know, you never know.
Aaron Barnhart: Last question: any future plans? Are you just - are you happy at the firm right now? Are you just letting it all sort of settle in and saying maybe in three, six, nine months I'll think over my next move?
Kari Fajen: Yeah, that's kind of what I'm doing, just kind of settling back in a routine and just kind of taking it from there at this point. So, hopefully finding the man of my dreams one of these days, too.
Aaron Barnhart: And I don't know if you said this anywhere, can you say where you work?
Kari Fajen: I work at PlattForm Advertising.
Aaron Barnhart: PlattForm Advertising? Thank you very much for your time. I really appreciate it.
Kari Fajen: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Tom Rose with Fancast.com.
Tom Rose: Hello Kari.
Kari Fajen: Hello.
Tom Rose: How are you doing?
Kari Fajen: I'm doing great. How are you doing?
Tom Rose: I'm doing well. Thanks for talking with us today.
Kari Fajen: No problem.
Tom Rose: You sound like you're adjusted back at home.
Kari Fajen: Yes, I am. It took a couple weeks to get back into the routine, but I think I'm finally back and getting to work, and all that fun stuff.
Tom Rose: What was the reaction like, you know, first of all watching yourself on television and then, also, from your family and friends to see the evolution of your character arc?
Kari Fajen: Sure. You know, it's definitely - sometimes I have to pinch myself. It's weird to see yourself on TV and I'm like, is that really me?
But it's kind of neat, too; something that, you know, I'm going to have a - never had an opportunity like that in a lifetime. So I enjoyed it.
And my friends and family, and co-workers, they were really supportive and I think that, you know, my character is - was true of who I really am with high integrity, you know, just being friendly. And so I was really glad of that outcome.
Tom Rose: Were you able to keep the secret or did everyone basically know that you hadn't, you know, made it all the way through?
Kari Fajen: I was able to keep the secret. People would try to ask lots of questions and, you know, I would just say you have to watch and see.
Tom Rose: That's great.
Kari Fajen: Yeah.
Tom Rose: Now what about your feelings for Jason? How did they evolve and where did they get to? How did you feel when you were leaving there? Did you feel closer to him? Were you more attracted?
Kari Fajen: Yeah, I mean obviously the first night I think it's kind of hard to kind of have that instant, you know, attractiveness to each other.
But you're also very nervous, you know, stepping out of the limo and kind of a little bit out of your element.
And, you know, I'm a little bit slower a person. I like to take my relationships slow and do friendships, and develop it that way.
But I think we were at a friendship level. He's a very nice, you know, caring and giving guy. But I didn't get to know him, you know, on an intimate level.
Tom Rose: Okay. Now as far as - let me focus on your group date here.
Kari Fajen: Sure.
Tom Rose: How did you feel when you - when it was revealed to you that there was a group there - you know, the nature of the date was going to be about; with the Keep-A-Breast Foundation?
Kari Fajen: You know, I was really excited. As I stated on the show my stepsister, Ginger, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, last Christmas.
Tom Rose: Right.
Kari Fajen: And she's just a role model to me, a very strong woman and I look up to her a lot. And she's so positive. And so when I found out that I got to do that and I would get to kind of put back into something for her, I was really excited.
Tom Rose: How is she doing now?
Kari Fajen: She's doing great! She passed it and she's back into work. And just like I said, she's an amazing person.
I've never had anyone go through something like that just so positive. And she just kind of made light of the situation, so it was good to see that.
Tom Rose: And I see that the bust is up on eBay with the Keep-A-Breast Foundation.
Kari Fajen: Yes, it sure is.
Tom Rose: You know, and they are trying to auction it off. When I look at the design that is on there, what is the significance of your design?
Kari Fajen: Sure, well I'm not very artistic so I definitely tried my best. But I did a heart and I put rhinestones around the heart.
The rhinestones are just because I like glam and glitz. And being a Chiefs cheerleader we did a lot of rhinestones, so that's kind of what that represents.
And then I did little rays of sunshine coming out from the heart. And then I wrote - you can't really tell on the auction, but I wrote Ginger's name on the side. Basically, the design was for her.
Tom Rose: Okay. Well that's very noble and we're hoping that it works out well...
Kari Fajen: Thank you.
Tom Rose: ...for this - for your bust as well as all of them. It's such a great cause.
Kari Fajen: Yeah, because it is a great cause and, you know, it's a little different than Susan G. and they're trying to - you know, preventive.
And so I'm hoping that they can - they're kind of more out in California right now and I'm hoping they kind of spread throughout - you know, maybe come to Kansas City and the east coast as well.
Tom Rose: Now are you continuing to watch the show? Do you have either a prediction or someone that you would like to see Jason end up with?
Kari Fajen: Yeah. I'm definitely going to continue watching the show because, as you know, I don't know what happens from the point that I left. And I'm kind of rooting for Stephanie. I think she is a sweet girl. She was my roommate on the show and I got to know her, and see pictures of her daughter. And so I'm kind of rooting for her.
Tom Rose: Yeah that would be really - sort of like a real Brady Bunch in real life event.
Kari Fajen: Yeah it would, definitely.
Tom Rose: Starting one anyway.
Kari Fajen: Yeah. They have a good...
Tom Rose: Well that's great. Well thanks for talking with us today.
Kari Fajen: No problem.
Tom Rose: Appreciate it, thank you.
Kari Fajen: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of John Bracchitta with Reality TV World.
John Bracchitta: Hi, I just had a few more questions for you.
Kari Fajen: Sure, go for it.
John Bracchitta: On that first week when it came to that twist, did you ever see or think that something like that would be coming where you would have to vote someone out, or one of the other girls out?
Kari Fajen: No, I didn't imagine that at all and I was quite shocked. I think my expression showed that on the show as well.
But, you know, you - I didn't know the girls for maybe a couple hours and then I'm having to put someone's name in a box.
And kind of the way I felt about it was, you know, I didn't want to send somebody home if Jason is - the show was about him and if he had a connection with somebody, that was a hard decision because at the time we thought, you know, they were going home.
John Bracchitta: And when you were talking with Jason about that you said that you wanted to vote for a girl who wasn't there for the wrong reasons. Could you say who you ended up voting for?
Kari Fajen: I think so. Am I okay to say that?
Cathy Rehl: Sure, you can say that.
Kari Fajen: Okay, sure. I voted for Erica. And it was just at the time I actually - she was also another one of my roommates and I ended up loving her to death and told her that I voted for her.
But I just - she was kind of loud that night, and I thought, 'oh. I don't know if those two would be good together.' So that was kind of my gut reaction at the time.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And was there anything that you wanted to see on the show that didn't make it onto the program?
Kari Fajen: You know, I obviously got to talk to Jason and have a little bit of time with him that, you know, didn't really show and a lot of people said did you even say one thing to him? And I'm like, yes.
So I would've probably have liked that we actually did have a little bit of one-on-one time together during the group dates. But that didn't air.
John Bracchitta: Okay. Did you ever get to tell him about the breast cancer with your sister-in-law, was it?
Kari Fajen: Yes, I did.
John Bracchitta: Okay.
Kari Fajen: I told him how much I appreciated that he did something like that for us, and that it was, you know, a charity event and that we got to do that.
John Bracchitta: And aside from yourself of course, is there anyone you were surprised who did or didn't get a rose when you were eliminated?
Kari Fajen: You know, yes and no. I was a little surprised that night that Megan didn't go home just because of a little bit of the drama that was going on in the house.
But I did see the connection with Megan and Jason so, you know, it was one of those things like you know, I was - is she going to go home? Is she not?
And he kept her, but I think he definitely had feeling like attraction towards her so that's why he kept her.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And then you kind of touched on it before briefly, but are you dating anyone right now?
Kari Fajen: No, I'm not actually. Just - my exit aired on Monday and I'm just kind of taking it slow and seeing how it plays out. I haven't found the guy yet.
John Bracchitta: All right. Well great. Thanks again for everything. Good luck.
Kari Fajen: Sure.
Operator: Again ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question that's star 1 on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of Monica Sotomayor with Flash News.
Monica Sotomayor: Kari, I had a quick follow-up for you.
Kari Fajen: Sure.
Monica Sotomayor: You mentioned earlier that it was really awkward just competing for a man - you know, competing for his attention and everything.
Is there ever another time where you remember competing for a guy, maybe it was like friends as a teenager or anything like that?
Kari Fajen: Really, I'm usually the one that plays kind of hard to get and, you know, the guy is calling me and asking me for dates. And, you know, so this was different where I was kind of trying to get his attention.
And I'm also that type of friend where, you know, if a friend of mine likes a guy and she's really into him, you know, maybe I had feelings - you know, wanted to go for it, too - I kind of let them go for it because it's not worth losing a friendship over, especially if it's a really good friend of mine.
Monica Sotomayor: Okay.
Kari Fajen: I haven't really had that situation. You know, with the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders, I've definitely been around lots of girls -- 40 women at once -- and, you know, we always think some guy is cute, but we've never really competed over the same guy.
Monica Sotomayor: Okay perfect. Thank you.
This Monday is our date that includes our General Hospital date which will be very interesting.
And as you might know, from now on the show will be two hours long so it will be 8:00 to 10:00 every week.
