one heck of a teleconference
ABC Television Network
PRESS RELEASE
TRANSCRIPT FROM THE JAN 29 "THE BACHELOR" TELECONFERENCE WITH ELIMINATED BACHELORETTE MEGAN PARRIS
Paulette Cohn: Good morning Megan.
Megan Parris: Hi how are you?
Paulette Cohn: I'm good. So what's with the women this season? They seem to be really feisty.
Megan Parris: Really, actually we're not. It was such a good bunch of girls. I think that we only saw a bit of animosity you know towards the end of the night or on the wee morning hours on the nights of the rose ceremonies, which are really stressful days for everyone.
Um, but in reality it was such a relaxed, fun bunch of women that we just had so much fun together hanging out at the pool and um, and we had family dinners and somebody woke up and made breakfast for everybody every morning. We all took turns. It was a great experience with great girls.
Not really actually too feisty.
Paulette Cohn: So in hindsight do you really think you made a connection with Jason or do you think you get caught up in the competition on the show?
Megan Parris: I do not think I made a connection with Jason. I think I made a much bigger connection with the fellow women on the show. I don't think I made a connection with him. I think that he um, made an initial connection with a few of the girls right off the bat and then when he saw that the emotions were running high from them, he basically kind of stuck to what he knew. And um, he and I didn't get too much time together. So, no, I didn't feel too much of a connection.
Paulette Cohn: Okay, my last question and then I'll let other people ask you. If you could do it over again would you change anything?
Megan Parris: Yes. I would - the first night was horrible for me. I think what people don't realize is that I have spent basically the last two years in solitude. I have - I left my home at Virginia Beach for the past eight years and came to Pittsburgh where my parents still had a house. My father works out of DC and my mother works out of Charlotte so I was here by myself with an infant baby and I knew no one um. So I felt going on to the show that I was socially inept.
I had basically not been social for almost two years during the pregnancy and then after the pregnancy. So the first night was so rough for me and um, I think I was just so nervous and they keep handing you cocktails, and I don't go out much anymore. I don't have too much of a tolerance for alcohol, so the first night for me is definitely something I would do all over again.
I would go into it with much more confidence um, and just security with knowing that my son was okay and not just missing him so much. So that's one thing I would definitely change. Anything else, no probably not because I had such a great experience.
Paulette Cohn: Okay and one last question, I'm sorry. I just occurred to me. If they ask you to be the Bachelorette and you got to pick the guys, would you be up for that?
Megan Parris: You know what? I really would like some type of career in broadcast. But I feel like - and I would like to have the experiences that come along with being the Bachelorette. I don't think I could do that. I would feel kind of, like um, a ho.
Paulette Cohn: Okay great, good answer. Thank you.
Megan Parris: For lack of a better word. I apologize.
Paulette Cohn: Thank you so much.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of John Bracchitta with Reality TV World.
John Bracchitta: Hi, how are you doing?
Megan Parris: Fine, thank you.
John Bracchitta: Prior to the rose ceremony on Monday you expressed concern that you hadn't gotten enough alone time Jason. Were you concerned at that point that you might not be getting a rose?
Megan Parris: I was concerned and actually, this is something that we didn't see. It was very good conversation between Jason and I. I was actually the last girl to speak with him right before the rose ceremony. And we only got to see one minute of it, but I expressed to him that I was kind of starting to be stressed out and wasn't as secure as the other girls as far as it goes with my position there in the house.
And he said, "I'm so glad you're here. You know, you're such a positive energy in the house." And I said, you know, "That first day at the pool party when you pulled me aside and said, 'Megan I want you here. You would have gotten a rose anyways,' - I really appreciate that Jason."
And he said, "Well, I want you to know that I still mean that. I still want you here. Don't be afraid that you haven't gotten to know me yet. There is still plenty of time. I was one of the guys who got to know DeAnna last."
And he reassured me and said, "I was just like you. I got to know the guys first and wanted to have fun with the guys. And then get to know her," and he was like, "So I respect, you know, that you want to do that. You want to get along with the girls in the house and have fun. But just know that there is plenty of more time for us to get to know each other."
John Bracchitta: Okay so that conversation lifted your spirits then because obviously you were - you said how much you didn't want to leave after you didn't receive the rose.
Megan Parris: Right. And that is also why I said upon my exit that I was extremely confused because I had just spoken to him and he had basically reassured me of my spot there and he said, "Don't worry. There is still plenty of time." And he asked about what he could potentially see coming on my home town dates, my great little town of Sewickley and of Pittsburgh, and we talked all about that. And so he had kind of set me up for thinking that that was coming.
John Bracchitta: Okay. And going back to the first episode, based on your reaction after the results of that first twist vote, it seemed like you were pretty surprised to receive the highest number of votes from the other bachelorettes is that accurate?
Megan Parris: Yeah, I guess it was pretty accurate. Um, like I said before, that's at about gosh, six in the morning. So, um, it was way past my bed time, but I think along with just being stressed and tired and not even wanting to be there that late, I was just dismayed. It was hurtful. I mean rejection is always hurtful among people that you think you are you know having a good time with.
So I think that yeah, that was a pretty natural response.
John Bracchitta: Okay, and you kind of said that you haven't been out so kind of you were - it was kind of odd being back out in that kind of situation. Were there any specific things that you thought rubbed people the wrong way?
Megan Parris: I think that I - I think that I just - I really had my guard up that first night. And I, um, just because of what I have been through the past two years with my son's father and um, his surrounding company, I have a bit of an edge about me with strangers now.
And, um, I think that we really got to see that the first night. I think that it was nothing more than a defense mechanism and I think that whether or not you know, I wanted more than anything just to have fun with these girls that I just - it wasn't very easy for me to open up that first night. I was just really skeptical of the whole process, so yeah.
John Bracchitta: Okay, and Jason had seemed to make it pretty clear that being a single dad he wanted to find someone who would be able to relocate to Seattle because his son was there. Given that you were a single mother too, would there be any custody visitation issues or problems at all that would have complicated relocating for you?
Megan Parris: I actually have full physical and full legal custody of my son. His father has no visitation rights so - and funny enough I was actually just weeks fresh off of my custody battle before I went to LA to do this. It was all very last-minute for me. I flew from the finalist weekend to Virginia Beach for the custody battle in court or the court case I guess.
So no, there would be no issues as far as where I could go and where I can't go. I did however express to Jason that I have commitment issues, which was probably pretty stupid of me to say. But um, you know and I dubbed myself 'the runaway bride' which is a bit extreme. I was engaged to my son's father but backed out before my son was even born. But I definitely let him know that I was an independent person and that I was Deacon's only parent and I was fine with that.
John Bracchitta: Okay and (there's) another quick question and (then I'll let) people get into it and ask other questions. The show made it seem like you voted for Melissa in that first vote thing is that true?
Megan Parris: I did because she is so cute and so fun. And she was in my limo and I thought, "Wow, this girl and I have a lot in common." And she is just - I mean I love her and I'm thinking, "You know what? She is probably my biggest competition." So that's how I voted.
And she knows that and I think it's nothing but a compliment to her because she is just such a fantastic girl. She is so sweet and grounded and she has a lot going for her. So yeah, I did vote for Melissa and I was very open and honest about that.
So - but like I said, it really shouldn't be taken as anything but a compliment.
John Bracchitta: Okay great. Well thanks a lot for everything.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operator: You next question comes from the line of Debbie Chang with BuddyTV.
Debbie Chang: Hi Megan, thanks for talking to us today.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Debbie Chang: So, I wanted to know um, what things about Jason did you like the most.
Megan Parris: Well, um, one thing I will say is um, I realized you know, with my son's father that seeing a man who loves his child so much is a very attractive thing. And I didn't have that with my ex, and so seeing a man who just loved his son so much and put his son first, it was definitely the number one most attractive thing about him because I have a lot of respect for men who, you know, obviously can do that.
Debbie Chang: And what did you like the least about him?
Megan Parris: About Jason - I felt I couldn't read him. I felt like every conversation he had with all of us was kind of the same. So, I couldn't really I - I don't know I felt like he was - I don't know. I really can't put finger on it. But I just feel like as far as the conversations go he just was not giving that much and watching it in hindsight he wasn't really giving that much to anybody. I didn't like that all the conversations were the basically the same.
Debbie Chang: And then during the group date this week, everyone seemed to get really upset watching Jason kiss the other women and how did you feel about that?
Megan Parris: I didn't really care because I didn't have any emotions invested at that point. So for me it just - I mean it was acting, too, and I totally got caught up into the acting thing. Growing up, I watched you know, a soap opera or two with my mom when she was a stay-at-home mom, you know, when I was a little girl. So I love soap operas. I don't watch them, but I just love them. They are hysterical.
So being on that General Hospital set was so exciting for me. So I think instead of me being bummed out about him kissing the other girls or getting ahead with the other girls and making progress with the other girls, I was just living in the moment being appreciative of where I was and what I was doing and knowing that was a once in a life time opportunity. So that probably is why it didn't bother me.
Debbie Chang: Okay and I have one final question. Do you think it's really realistic to meet and fall in love with someone over the course of like eight weeks on national TV?
Megan Parris: I will tell you I was probably one of the biggest skeptics going into this. For me it was all about the experience. For me, it was the most, um, probably extreme way to get a fresh start into the dating world. And I do think it's possible because I can relate it to when people who might work in the same office building or work together fall in love or when celebrities or movie stars fall in love on movie sets.
You know, it happens very quickly because it's such an intense process and it's so pushed. I mean this is speed dating on steroids. So I do think that it is possible. But I really think going to be that one-in-a-million type deal like Trista and Ryan where I think we all saw from the start that he was just a phenomenal guy, and she's a great woman, and they would have been perfect together.
But I think finding two people that phenomenal and putting them in the same circumstance is very rare.
Debbie Chang: Okay, thank you so much.
Megan Parris: Sure, thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Gina Scarpa with RealityWanted.com.
Gina Scarpa: Hi, Megan. Thanks so much for doing this.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Gina Scarpa: So, on the first night I think it was maybe it was Melissa joked about having her wedding dress upstairs. Dose it surprise you how quickly these girls get attached to the idea of marrying a guy they don't even know?
Megan Parris: Yes, it does. But you know what? What I always told myself in the process you know, when I would maybe start to get irritated with it, we are all different, we all come from different places, we all have different ideas of what love is and we all have different relationships that make us the way we are, you know.
And, um, I think that's it's kind of cute and sweet to see that Melissa could so easily have feelings for someone and it's very genuine, I feel. I wish I could be that way. Unfortunately, I can't. I did think it was odd, but I still respect it.
Gina Scarpa: And when you were there do you think it was obvious to you who Jason had a connection with and who he didn't?
Megan Parris: I thought that it was very obvious from the beginning who he had a connection with and who he didn't. And now in hindsight it's the most outgoing girls, the girls who are so easy to just open up right away. Which is something that's not easy for me.
And Jillian - I mean look at her. She is like the funnest thing in the world. She is so fun and so cute and spunky and she could probably meet anyone you know and just talk their head off for an hour and that is such a great quality about her. And so, I knew that right that away he had a connection with Jillian and knew right away after his date with Molly that he had a connection with her because I think he really takes to woman who are forward.
Gina Scarpa: Last question, do you think that a single mother like Stephanie who is still in the competition still has any advantage over anybody else?
Megan Parris: I actually still have the mindset that the single mothers on the show were at a disadvantage. Just because psychologically and emotionally for the child it's a lot to do to them. And all the mothers on the show and Jason we all love of children more than anything and I know that for all of us it would very difficult to just kind of have that immediate like, "Oh we're moving in. We're all automatically a family." It's just a lot more baggage, I think in general. So I don't think she has an advantage.
I think her personality, her loving and compassionate and caring personality certainly is an advantage over any other woman. But I don't think that the fact that she is a mom is because I think even before she had a child she was just a nurturing soul.
Gina Scarpa: Okay, thanks so much. I appreciate your time.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operation: You next question comes from the line of Tom Rose with Fancast.com.
Tom Rose: Hello, Megan. Thanks for talking with us today, especially since you're not feeling so well.
Megan Parris: Oh, it's okay.
Tom Rose: I was sorry to see you go because I thought you had the most fire, I would say.
Megan Parris: I'm a little firecracker, what can I say?
Tom Rose: Yeah, I think even right from the beginning it was obvious that you were sort of on display there. Now, you said that the drinks were flowing that night and you would have changed that. What is it like there when it's happening? Do you have to ask for a drink or is it refreshed for you automatically? How does that work?
Megan Parris: No, there is no asking for anything. When you are being filmed, everything is just flowing. I mean it is like flowing, flowing, flowing. It's in your hand when you don't even want it to be.
Cathy Rehl: But it is up to the woman to decide if they want to drink or not.
Tom Rose: Of course, you can always say no, right.
Cathy Rehl: You don't have to - I mean it may be put in your hand, but you don't necessarily have to drink.
Megan Parris: Right.
Cathy Rehl: Some of the women do have you know aren't used to, you know, drinking a lot and some of them have had problems because they aren't really you know they are not taking that into account. They are not even thinking about it when they're so busy with the party. They are nervous, and they are trying to make an impression. So, it's not just as easy as there is a drink in your hand.
Megan Parris: Yeah.
Tom Rose: I noticed on the set of General Hospital, too, there were drinks. Were those alcoholic drinks?
Megan Parris: Yes. I know some of those girls had already had intimate moments with him. With me, I was the one who was reading my scene and read through it and was like, "Oh my goodness, how do y'all's scenes end?" Because I was so scared when I saw that mine ended with a kiss.
So um, I think, I mean I know I needed a little liquid courage like, I think all the other girls did too. So you have to understand like there comes a point where some of us who are more real, just don't care that cameras are on. Like I'm not going to put on a perfect pageant princess face all day just because there are cameras around. I'm going to be myself and I'm going to live it up.
You know this was like a vacation I never got. For me this was like a paid vacation. In college I never got to go on a spring break. I played two sports in college. I had two majors. I worked my butt off, and so I never got that really fun young trip you know and especially now, being a single mom that's not going to happen.
So to have the opportunity to go and live it up for a little bit and beyond a nice little paid vacation, I totally took advantage and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I have real responsibilities at home. I can't pick up and go to bar or to happy hour to meet my girlfriends after work. I have to take care of a baby 24/7. So, um, I think when the other girls have that type of freedom in their day-to-day lives and I don't like, nor did Stephanie, we definitely like lived it up.
So Cathy was right. I mean nobody tells you to do anything, but yes it is available all the time.
Tom Rose: Okay, now on the General Hospital I thought you showed the best acting chops there. How was that for you?
Megan Parris: It was so much fun, and I don't even think they showed the best of it because I had my lines memorized and I had so much fun with that scene. In my scene I was like an angry wife or something.
Tom Rose: Yeah, you were great.
Megan Parris: And I really got into that and they didn't show that .They didn't show the whole scene. It was a pretty long scene, but Jason was kind of scared. He was like, "Wait. Can you really yell like that?" Like what? it was kind of funny.
But I - the reason that kiss that they showed on the show was so intense was because all the girls were watching and my scene was the second to last scene. So, I could see they were getting upset and the General Hospital director kept saying, "Cut. Do this again. Cut. Do this again." So I had to kiss him a bunch of times until we got it right you know, until we got it just as passionate as they wanted it. So that's why, the last time I just went for it because I thinking in my head, "I cannot do this again. These girls are going to kill me."
Tom Rose: Had you done any acting or anything like that in your life?
Megan Parris: No, I hadn't but I really enjoyed it. I loved it. I would love to do it again.
Tom Rose: Did you get any feedback from the crew like, "Hey you're pretty good. Why don't you try out?" or something like that?
Megan Parris: Yeah, all the girls were like, "Megan seriously you need to be on a soap opera." I was like, "I know."
Tom Rose: Can that happen? Can you do anything Cathy?
Cathy Rehl: It's not up to me.
Tom Rose: I just (make the point) that you actually had some real skill there. Congratulations on that.
Megan Parris: Thank you.
Tom Rose: So how do you become a lacrosse coach?
Megan Parris: I played lacrosse collegiately. I'm a three-time All-American. So um, having been just a nationally ranked player and being a decorated athlete, I was sought after, after college to do private lessons. And when I returned to my home town here my old high school was more than happy to have me come back and work with the girls. And it was just a blessing. It was the most rewarding thing I've ever done.
Tom Rose: That's fantastic. And I just really want to ask you the last thing would be do you have a prediction or is there somebody you'd like to see end up with Jason?
Megan Parris: You know what? I have no idea how it ends and um, I think so highly of the gals that are left that I just - I couldn't tell you what I - you know who I would want to win. They all deserve the best. I definitely see that it could work out between Melissa and Jason.
Tom Rose: She seems to be the like the (unintelligible) favorite (unintelligible) guy. There's a guy who picked her out in a video or something, you know? Have you seen that?
Megan Parris: No.
Tom Rose: Yeah, well, it's a big thing going on where he freeze-framed everything, but you know we still want to see things (spin) out correctly. But so now, with Nikki did you - she was very hard to open up. I mean what was your interaction like with her?
Megan Parris: Nikki and I were very close. From day one, I was very close with Steph and Nikki. They were just my cheerleaders. After that first night when we moved into the house, I obviously felt like crap about myself. I felt like these girls hate me. They have totally the wrong impression of me. Like I you know, and I apologized profusely, and we all got really, really close. Right off the bat that next morning Nikki was just so sweet and so kind and just made me feel like a million bucks and the same with Steph.
So my interaction with Nikki was all positive. She is really not as uptight as she comes across. She is a super sweet, super considerate person and just only wants the best for everyone. I don't think she can ever say a bad thing about anybody. I really don't. So I do understand why it was hard for her to open up, because she has only been in one serious relationship. But she is a great person.
Tom Rose: On this last show, it seems like creativity was the key. How did you feel when they told you you had 30 minutes to put a song together?
Megan Parris: I loved it. I thought that was so fun. Obviously if you heard me sing, I have a horrible voice. I'm like the last person on the earth that should be singing anything. But, um, when I sing to my son at night, he cries. So that's how bad it is.
But these girls a lot of them were scared and were like, "Oh my goodness, I cannot do this." And I was just like whatever um, and we just had fun with it. It was a really fun day because it was finally just casual. It was finally just no big dresses, no makeup - well, except for Steph. But it was just a cool, relaxed day like - I don't know. I was totally into it.
Tom Rose: It looked like you had fun. Thanks a lot for talking with me today.
Megan Parris: Sure, have a good one.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Rob Owen with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Rob Owen: Hi, thank you for doing the call, Megan.
Megan Parris: Hi, you're welcome.
Rob Owen: You're a native of Pittsburgh, you said?
Megan Parris: I am. I was actually born in Virginia, moved to Winston-Salem, and then around the time I was eight-years-old moved here to Pittsburgh.
Rob Owen: Okay, so not a native, but you grew up here.
Megan Parris: I grew up here, yes.
Rob Owen: And what high school did you attend?
Megan Parris: Quaker Valley.
Rob Owen: Quaker Valley. And what year did you graduate?
Megan Parris: I graduated in '01.
Rob Owen: In '01 okay. And for college did you go Roanoke?
Megan Parris: I went to Virginia Wesleyan College.
Rob Owen: Virginia Wesleyan okay. And what year did you graduate there?
Megan Parris: '06.
Rob Owen: Great, now given what you said about Jason sort of - it sounded like he was maybe leading you on a little bit in terms of what he said that we didn't see and then you're surprised afterwards. How do you feel about him now?
Megan Parris: Um, I - I'm kind of impartial. I will say that after all of that happened, I really began to question the whole process and the genuity of it or the, um, just how real it was. I really began to question whether he was really there for love or, um, something else.
Rob Owen: What would the something else be?
Megan Parris: I'm not quite sure. Like I said, I didn't really get to know him. I'm sure he's a great guy. He is very nice, very considerate of everyone's feelings. And that is something that was so key in being attracted to him is how considerate he is of others.
Rob Owen: Right.
Megan Parris: But, I did feel led on and I didn't understand what he would have had to gain by saying, "I want you here. We have plenty of time to get to know each other," and then sending me home.
Rob Owen: Right.
Megan Parris: So, yeah, I'm still kind of confused. I mean it's not a worry of mine because um, I think he (wouldn't) have made a better fit with some of the other girls instead of myself. But I - I don't know what the other thing would be. It just made me question the process.
Rob Owen: Right, right. And are you a lacrosse coach at Quaker Valley?
Megan Parris: You know what? I'm just a lacrosse coach in the area. I really don't want to involve my - any of my work into this.
Rob Owen: Okay. Is that your full-time job?
Megan Parris: That is not my full-time job.
Rob Owen: Okay so you have another job?
Megan Parris: I'm a mom.
Rob Owen: Okay, I mean do you have another job outside the home besides that?
Megan Parris: I do. I work with a high-end department retailer.
Rob Owen: Like Macy's?
Megan Parris: I'm not going to answer that. No, not Macy's. Is Macy's high-end, really?
Rob Owen: Okay, Saks, I guess, or Nordstrom or one of those.
Megan Parris: I'm not going to answer that, buddy.
Rob Owen: So why did you want to go on The Bachelor?
Megan Parris: My players - some that had already graduated, made a little video for me and really got it in way after the deadline. And I just - I really didn't - it's not that I wanted to go. It's just that I thought it was an opportunity I can't pass up.
Rob Owen: So they sent it in with your permission though?
Megan Parris: Yeah, of course. They made it and they did a great job, and they are just the sweetest girls in the world.
Rob Owen: And lastly, how did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show? Do you think you were edited fairly?
Megan Parris: No, I mean going into it we know that it's TV and reality or not TV is TV. So no, any intelligent person knows that you're all going to be typecasted as one type of character. I mean they got good and bad footage of all of us. They got happy, emotional, angry footage from all of us. But, they are only going to use one type of that footage per each girl. Like, Nikki is the crying girl, and you know, which is inaccurate. So no, I don't feel like I was portrayed accurately at all.
It's funny. A lot of my friends watch and call me and they're like, "Was that a script? Like did you have to say that? Like, that's not you." So no, it's not accurate to who I am and I just hope people realize that the circumstances are not real and it's just - it's not what you see.
Rob Owens: Great, thank you.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Monica Sotomayor with Flash News.
Monica Sotomayor: Hi Megan, thanks for your time today.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Monica Sotomayor: So you mentioned that your lacrosse girls actually got you into the show, but how did they feel about watching you on the show? Have they given you any feedback or anything like that?
Megan Parris: I have gotten a ton of feedback and all of them and their parents for the most part - well all that I've spoken with have said, "You know what? We love you. We know who you are. Your friends and your family know who you are. Please don't let this get you down because we love you."
I've gotten nothing but positive and encouraging feedback from all of them saying, "Don't let that bother you." One of the moms told me that their daughter said, when they were watching it at home, "You know this show is not going to change my opinion of Megan. I know exactly who she is and this..."
Monica Sotomayor: Oh, that's nice.
Megan Parris: ..yeah. "This show's not going to change that." So I'm not kidding when I say that I work with the most gracious people and encouraging people. I've never felt so much love from anyone in my life as I have my players and their parents.
Monica Sotomayor: Oh, that's great. Okay now I'm going back to the soap thing, you obviously made a huge splash on the set of General Hospital and everything, but would you say that The Bachelor experience is like one big soap opera Because there seems to be the cattiness, the obviously love triangles or quadruple you know triangles or whatever and like scheming, things like that?
Megan Parris: For me it wasn't; for our cast, it wasn't. I think maybe in the past it could have been. It is what you make of it and we made like a Girl Scout weekend. It was just a blast. We had - you know I can't tell you enough how many little family dinners we had and all of our great deep conversations and how many times we would just sit on our - get bundled up and put on our hoodies and wrap ourselves up in blankets and sit outside by the pool at night and talk for hours.
So no, it was not a soap opera experience at all. It was very, very real. Parts of it were very relaxing and just awesome.
Monica Sotomayor: Okay great. Thanks so much.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operator: Again, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question that's star 1 on your telephone key pad. Your next question comes from the line of John Bracchitta with Reality TV World.
John Bracchitta: Hey, I got a few more questions. Going back to the first thing with the initial vote, did you ever think that there might be a second twist that would keep the person that everyone voted for in the competition instead of kicking out?
Megan Parris: No, that's why I was so like relieved because I didn't know. I mean I was shocked when they said that they were going to do that. And then I was so surprised and I think my face showed how surprised I was - was just because I was surprised I was going home so soon. I was like dead set and was prepared to be out there the full six weeks and had no idea that I would have literately gotten there, met him and then gone home that night. So, that's where my surprise came from.
John Bracchitta: Okay and you talked a little bit about being on the General Hospital set. You also said it was the first time you were going to kiss him though. How much pressure did that add to everything else in that scene?
Megan Parris: It added a lot of pressure because it was just awkward. I mean - I don't know. It was just odd and he even said to me when we were in the hair and makeup room, he came up to me in the hallway and said, "Hey do you want to practice our scene?" And I was like, "No," and ran away because I was so scared. I mean it was kind of like my dorkiest moment there. I was too scared to kiss him.
John Bracchitta: Okay and one point after that, the after party, you said you were kind of becoming frustrated with some of the girls who were complaining and said they should 'man up.' Can you be a little bit more specific about what had been frustrating you?
Megan Parris: Oh, I would love to talk about this. That is really taken out of context because that night more so than ever, I was the cheerleader of the bunch. I spent 45 minutes to and an hour-and-a-half in the bathroom with Naomi just holding her while she cried. And Naomi is a tough girl; she is not a cry baby. But she was upset and I understand that.
So, it is absolutely nothing against her because they all did the same for me. But I spent like an hour in the bathroom with her just crying and held her hands and prayed with her and just tried to help her get through the night because she was really having a rough night.
Melissa, the same thing, was just having a bad night and you know I did the same thing with her. We sat over and looked across the city at that rooftop bar and I just like, held her hand and hugged her and let her cry and we talked. And I was just really trying to pep everybody up all night and try to let everybody have fun because it was such a great experience and such a beautiful like, scenery. Like, that whole night was just awesome.
And I just wished that they would have wanted to embrace that moment instead of be upset, but I totally understand why they were upset.
John Bracchitta: Okay, that being said, how did you feel when Naomi who was complaining, but you said you were talking with her and stuff. How did you feel when she received the rose?
Megan Parris: I felt fine because it made her happy. It made her feel relieved and that's all she needed. I mean given I really wanted the rose that night.
If I thought at any point in that whole process that I would have gotten a rose on a date, it would have been that date just because - and he and I - they didn't show my one-on-one time with Jason there at the General Hospital set, but we discussed how he was thankful that I was finally starting to seem comfortable there and I was finally starting to come out of my shell and that he was glad to finally able to see that. And so, that - sorry, I have so much cold and flu medicine. What was the question?
John Bracchitta: Oh, just how you felt when Naomi got the rose?
Megan Parris: Okay. I was happy for her. I mean I really wanted it and I thought I was going to get it because she totally like happy with me that day. And I was the only one who didn't cry that night and our conversation there at the rooftop bar as well as on the General Hospital set was so good so I thought I had a chance to get it. But when Naomi got it, she was so happy and relieved that - that was worth it.
John Bracchitta: Okay and one more question. Can you talk about your relationship with Erica. On the show, it seemed like you two didn't get along, but is that accurate?
Megan Parris: No, not at all we're like BFFs.
John Bracchitta: Okay.
Megan Parris: She is awesome. We - she probably gave me the hardest time the first night, but seriously the next day she was like, "I totally had the wrong impression of you. I absolutely adore you." And I pretty much had that same conversation with most of the girls.
A lot of them didn't realize that first night that I was a mother. The next morning a bunch of them came into my bedroom and said, "We had no idea you had a son." Because I literally looked at his photos 10 times a day, and so the girls were just really supportive about that and they were very forgiving of the first night and just so gracious.
And Erica was one of them. She was just like, "You know what? You're awesome." And so she and I like, I think are two strong-headed like, well bull-headed maybe women, but um, so I don't think we have a problem talking to each other about it. We go about it different ways.
But no, I love Erica to death. I can't wait to see her.
John Bracchitta: Okay, great. Thanks a lot for everything again and feel better.
Megan Parris: Sure thanks.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Robert Cherry with Sewickley Herald Newspaper.
Robert Cherry: Hi Megan, this is Bobby at the Sewickley Herald. How are you?
Megan Parris: Good. How are you?
Robert Cherry: Thanks for taking our call today. My first question is do you live here in Sewickley still or are you home here?
Megan Parris: I'm here in Sewickley.
Robert Cherry: And do people recognize you around town?
Megan Parris: People are yeah, people are starting to recognize me. I don't get out of the house too much, but the past week or two when I have gone out of the house people have recognized me. I've had to take quite a bit of cell phone pictures with people.
Robert Cherry: Really?
Megan Parris: Yeah, it's been fun.
Robert Cherry: What kind of responses - what do you get from when people realize who you are and what show you were on?
Megan Parris: Most people are like, "I loved you on the show. You were the only real one. You stood up for yourself. You go girl."
Robert Cherry: That's what we said here in the news room here too.
Megan Parris: People are just really, really supportive and really fun about it and it's been pretty cool.
Robert Cherry: What was it like being away from your son during the taping?
Megan Parris: You know what? I'll let you in on a little secret. I actually coming out there um, missed my flight on purpose to go out there because I just couldn't do it. I couldn't leave him and you know, talked to who I needed to talk to and they re-booked a flight and I came out a day later than I was supposed to because I have such a hard time leaving him. And it was dreadfully, dreadfully painful.
I mean I've been away from him before for a couple of days here and there, and I'm sure you know other single moms know that once in a while it's great to have weekend with your girlfriends or, you know, to let him spend time with his grandparents. But in this circumstance it was very, very difficult, um, I spent a lot of time, but I did spend a significant amount of time pretty upset and crying and bummed out.
And I just remember, um, I tried to hide it, but when Steph got back from Legoland, she had this great book that Jason had made for her that got sent to the house one day and it was this photo book of Sophia and Steph and Jason on Sophia's birthday.
And it was just great to look at and I mean it was so awesome that she had that experience. And I went upstairs - all the girls were still downstairs, and I went upstairs onto the balcony off my bedroom and just started bawling. I mean I really didn't want anyone to see me, but it just - it's hard to know that one of the other moms got to see their child and yours is just so far away.
And it was really, really painful and Melissa just came upstairs and saw me and she just put her arms around me and hugged me for probably 30 minutes while I just sobbed. It was a really sweet moment.
Robert Cherry: Do you regret doing the show because of your son? Would you take that time back or?
Megan Parris: No, not at all. What people neglect to realize or fail to realize is that I didn't go to work after I had my son. I've been with him 24/7. I mean he doesn't even spend time with his father. It's me all the time. And I think most moms typically go back to work when their child is well, you know three-months-old or whatever. They spent more time at work 9 to 5 away from their child than I did the three weeks I was out there.
So, I think that I'm being criticized for leaving my child, but come on. I was gone for you know, two or three weeks, and he got to spend time with his grandparents who - they absolutely loved it. They are just obsessed with him. And they got to walk around the grocery store and pretend like he was theirs, and they got to feel young again.
And I got to kind of just, um, have some time to myself. These past two years have been - aside from having Deacon, have been hell, just with what I've been though with ex and, um, I was very grateful just to have that experience and meet women my age who at the same phase stage in my life and make these life-long friends.
So no, I would not trade it for the world because you know I'm back to spending day in and day out with him 24-hours-a-day and he'll never know that I was gone and all these women will be in his life you know later on down the road.
And he'll be so lucky that he has these women as you know, little Godmommies and little aunties from The Bachelor.
Robert Cherry: And one final question Megan, do you plan to keep in touch with the women down the road and in the future?
Megan Parris: Oh my gosh, yes. Absolutely, absolutely as far as it goes with all the girls that moved into the house um, I cannot say enough good things about them. It was just a phenomenal group. I know that we're going to plan on a vacation at least twice a year. And I just - I absolutely adore every single one of them.
Robert Cherry: Good, well, thank you and we're sorry you didn't make it longer, but we had fun while we watched.
Megan Parris: Yeah, it was time for me to come home. It was you know, a long time and it was time for me to go home, but thank you. I appreciate that.
Robert Cherry: Thank you, Megan.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Carrie Bell with People Magazine.
Carrie Bell: Hi Megan, I was just wondering - I know you said that there were people that you said you could see him you know going far with and that you didn't know exactly you know, you didn't have a guess as to who it would be specifically. But, I wondering as someone who is a mom and knows what it takes to be a mom and I think sometimes it kind of gets glossed over and everyone says, "Oh, I'm ready to be a mom or you know Ty is so great. I want to be a mom."
Do you think that the women that are left know what they are going to be in for if they do sort of go into this instant family? And do you think that of the ones left is there one that is particularly ready for that experience?
Megan Parris: Okay, that's a good question. This is what I will say. I think that every girl that is left is more than capable of being a loving mother. Do I think they all know what they are in for? No, because none of us do until we actually have a child. So I don't think it is really possible for them to know what they are in for. But do I think they are capable of it? Yes.
Obviously, Steph is such a caring and nurturing soul that she would be remarkable, and it would just such a calm and relaxing and positive environment. So, I think she would be great to kind of - I think that I couldn't do it as easily as she could. So, I will definitely say that, I think that she would have much more ease doing that.
And, but this is the thing, Jason is very clear about the fact that Ty has a mom and he is not looking for a mom for Ty. He is just looking for a wife, and obviously someone who can mentor and be like a friend to Ty, which I can identify with because I feel the same way about Deacon. I'm Deacon's only parent and I do a fine job myself. So I don't need anyone else help. So I think it would be a bit of a power struggle.
I think Melissa would be great. I think when he falls in love with somebody, it's forever and there is no going back. And, obviously you fall in love with Jason, you fall in love with Ty.
And I think Jillian is going to be a great mom one day. But, I think overall, probably Steph probably has the best idea as far as what it goes into to being a mom.
Carrie Bell: Do you think that you know, because I think there are a lot of people out there who - like you said you got a little bit criticized for leaving your kids at home and I know this has happened on other shows, you know, like Big Brother and things when there are people who are parents to young children.
And, what you were saying is that you - that Jason wants a wife. He doesn't need a mother, per se, for his kid. He is looking for - to fall in love. And I think sometimes people forget, you know, that although you are a parent you still have adult needs, you know. Can you elaborate on that a little bit like, you know you, kind of feel like?
Megan Parris: Well, this is what I want to clarify. I didn't do this for me. I did this for Deacon. As I said before, I had just come out of a custody and child support case where in one aspect I won big because I have full custody of my son. But in the other aspect, financially pretty much I was screwed and it is very hard to give him a life that I know he deserves on my own.
So, knowing that this is - going on a show like this, of course you are going for the experience and to possibly meet a great guy. But it is a new opportunity and you never know what can come from it. So all in all it was to give him a better life.
Whether or not I was going to marry Jason or not who would have been a great role model for Deacon and a great friend to Deacon. I did it so I could get myself out there again and get going and possibly - and I want to be able to take care of my son by myself, you know, financially for the rest of my life. I don't want anybody's help and so doing this and being on TV I think definitely helps that. I think that it's exposure.
Carrie Bell: Great. That's all I needed thank you.
Megan Parris: Sure.
Operator: Again, ladies and gentlemen, that's star 1 to ask a question. Your next question comes from the line of Rob Owen with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Rob Owen: Hi, I just wanted to ask what are your future career plans are and do you expect to stay in Pittsburgh or move elsewhere.
Megan Parris: I do expect to move elsewhere. I absolutely love Pittsburgh. Go Steelers! But I really want to get my Masters in special education and I'm trying to save money for that right now.
I'd also - there are million things I want to do. Really, I want to go everywhere and do everything. I love coaching. I'd love to run camps, and I love doing charity work and working with the less fortunate. I really love the fashion industry. I love media. I'd love to be a sportscaster. That was my original dream long ago.
So, there are so many things I want to do and that is why I felt like doing this and taking this experience would help me kind of figure out what direction I could go in. Like, what is feasible and what isn't.
Rob Owen: Okay and just a plant clarification, you were not married to Deacon's father; is that correct?
Megan Parris: We were not married.
Rob Owen: Okay, that is what I thought. And, um, you talked about being with Deacon 24/7 but then you also said you had a job with a high-end retailer, so clearly some of the time you are out of the house working, right?
Megan Parris: No, just recently. Since I came back from LA, before the Christmas season I went - I worked part-time at a department store and...
Rob Owen: Are you still doing that?
Megan Parris: No, it was just for December and a little bit in January.
Rob Owen: All right I just wanted to clarify. Thank you.