Did you think the rumors were true when your friend told you? Did you think it could happen?
No. When people said to me, “Hey, are you getting replaced?” I go, “Not that I know of.” And I wasn’t, again, actively searching frenetically, like, Oh, my gosh, what’s going on?
Would you have been upset if you had lost out on this opportunity because of the comments?
Yeah, looking back on it and looking forward, it’s a great experience. It’s such a great experience for me, so, yeah, I wouldn’t have wanted to be recast. But I’m going to earn it back.
How are you going to earn it back?
Just by being myself and being fair and apologetic and honest.
How have you changed as a person just in the last few weeks now that filming has started?
I think once I reemerge…because right now, I’m in it. I was telling one of the producers, “I just can’t wait to tell my friends what impact this had on me. I know it’s going to be huge.” In what ways? I don’t know yet. I just know from my experience because I’ve done some interesting things, and I know those impact me, and this is going to impact me in a huge way.
Has your idea of what you thought you wanted your future partner to look like changed?
Because the age…I’m 66, so when I see my name and I see my age next to it, I’m like, “That looks strange.” Because it belies who I actually am. The spirit has no age. It’s true. And also, you can change. That’s the key. It is not too late to change.
What would you say to viewers who’ve said they won’t watch your season? I’ve spent a lot of time reading comments, and the consensus is a lot of people don’t want to watch a show where the lead doesn’t appreciate women over a certain age or are afraid that you’re not being genuine throughout the process.
Well, if you don’t tune in, you’ll never know. So, you’ve got to tune in. And again, I’m trying to earn it back. Watch the show and see if I earn it back. Because I apologized [night one]. You have to be earnest in your work to get the trust back. Everybody there is smart, and they can see through you if you’re lying or you don’t mean what you say. That’s why I say tune in. Hopefully the show will show that the women that are in their golden years, that are doing these amazing things. It’s inspirational.
Very much so. Women are amazing. So are you hopeful that you found your life partner already from this? Do you think your person could be in this group?
Yeah, could be. There’s some wonderful women. They’re amazing. There are five [right now] that I really connect with and I got to find out that they’re connecting with me. That’s the important part. So, my partner could be there. Last night was a rose ceremony, and you have to make some tough decisions. You don’t want to see them go, because you know their stories. It hurts. I didn’t think it would hurt. It hurts.
But it’s been such a great experience. It’s life altering for me. I had dinner with Jesse Palmer before the filming began. I go, “Hey, would you do it over again?” And he goes, “20 out of 20.” If someone were to ask me, I’d go, “20 out of 20.” It’s that good. And I’ve learned a lot.
Good. Because in addition to finding love, it’s about hopefully becoming a better, more well-rounded, open-minded person.
Oh, for sure. For sure. I welcome it. I’m trying to earn back the trust, and the women got me good on the roast. Some were so harsh, they went, “Hey, are you okay?” And I said, “No, I’m good. I’m good. I deserved it.” It was funny too. And very creative.
I do think people love to give second chances and to be open-minded, but you have to own it first.
Those [views and comments] were a mistake by me. It’s unfair. It’s insensitive, like I said. And I want to earn it back. I have to earn it back every single moment that I’m on the show.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
