Justin Glaze of 'The Bachelorette' Offers Apology for Resurfaced Tweets

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Speaker 1: Welcome back batch our Happy Hour listeners. Thank you for joining us on another Tuesday. Tasha, how you been girl? Hey, I'm doing well, still kicking over here in the city. How about you. Oh, I'm great. I have been traveling. I am finally home in California for Minnesota, and it feels so good. I've been reunited with the baby with minnow, so things are going well. I feel like each week, every time Monday rolls around, something wild goes down. But I will know, it was a little wild, but not as crazy as we've seen in normal episodes. Yeah, it was a lot, but like I feel like we're finally kind of like getting into this standard a little bit more calm, if you will, for the season. But I feel like that's all about to change. Well. I like the feelings are starting to really start to come out and show and the tough There's gonna be some tough decisions coming up soon. Obviously you saw with Connor, but there's so much happened. Franco, Drag Queens, Jason and Kitlyn were on the episode. So much went down, So we have a lot to talk about. Yes, let's get into it. I just have to first say I Tasia when I was passionate. They before I, before we started filming, they asked me what kind of dates would you want? And the only date I said that I really wanted was something with drag queens because I grew up watching drag shows and Repul's drag Race and it just I just love it. I feel like it's such an art form and it's just fun. It would be such a good date. And then didn't get it on my season, and then Hannah Brown got it, and now Katie got it, and I'm just like, God, dang it, this is all I've ever wanted. Well it skipt me too. Okay, it skips me too. I think, can you imagine if we had a drag race out in Palm Springs? I mean, hello, this perfect place to do it, perfect place to do it. But also I can't even imagine how it's hot enough in Palms Rings, But then to throw in all of the gowns and the wigs and the glitch, the makeup and make it might have been a lot, but it would have been so much fun. But it was honestly such a joy. Watching Last Night back and seeing Money and Shade just I feel like they just thrived around the men. It was just so pleasant. Um, you know, I do love I do love a good shade session when the library is open. We all know minding a fundamental and I I wish the men would have actually gotten on each other a little bit more because they opened up the door to be like, okay, laying on us, this is the shade room, how do you really feel? And the guys were so timid And I'm not trying to say like let's like like talk trash about everybody in the house, but they have a lot of opinions. They have not and shy of their opinions the entire season, but all of a sudden, when they have a mic to their face and being like, hey, they tell me how you really feel, they were like, so the roses are red, the violets are blue. I love Katie, and do you want to marry me too? Yeah? Exactly. So that's just like, wait what I thought that we started bringing each other's hair at some point, So it was I thought it was really fun day to spice it up and change it up. And I mean, I'm kind of sad that they didn't just come knocking on my door after the day because I would have loved to hang out with them, but it was an interesting day. I felt like it was very awkward times, like it was Katie was uncomfortable. Yes, it felt like kind of pointed to your point. At first it started off very roses and we're gonna be nice and do poems, and then but they skipped the whole point of the date. They skipped the action entirely shade and they weren't rating each other. It was more just like, okay, Hunter, you said you're between this, and then it wasn't even comedic like it like if I was Katie, I would have been like, I wanted to be more of a roast, like let's have fun here, and it turned into something vastly different, which I don't think anyone was expecting. On Clair season there was a roast and it was actually a really funny like they went in on each other, but like in a classy way still and like it was comical. This was far from comical. Yes, well, speaking of comedy, there was something that we totally bypassed at the top of the episode that we have to actually cover two because I this so enjoyable, and that is Operation Woo Woo and for those For anyone asking what WOO stands for, I might get leaped out, just like the show did. But what is it? Go ahead, week off? Whack off? Correct? Correct whacking off? So when Katie threw this out there first, so I think my favorite part was you and Caitlin's rea action because you were both like, oh, no more skincare. Yeah, you don't want them to shave, like you don't want them to like put lotion on their bodies like before they see you, Like what does that mean? Exactly? Know? Self care? Like I was very self don't you want them to smell good? Like you want them to put cologne on? Like I promise you want them to do their hair? Um? Yeah, Katie had a very different idea in mind, and it was so funny because I actually wish that they would have showed like how long it took for us to actually understand what she was saying and like for her to like get it out, because we were like you want what and we were just like okay, like we're still not grasping it, and she's like girls, she finally told us like they're not allowed to whag off, okay, And I'm like, oh when you say, my Jesus ears, But it's just so funny because it was just like, that's what you're thinking about right now, Like that's the last thing on my mind. Although it is a funny concept to start thinking about, not that I think that's such a good concept because I don't think people realize when you're filming. I mean, you're gone for up to two plus months, right, Realistically, you besides a makeut session with the lead, like you don't you like really aren't hooking up with anyone like And I think for men, especially, like especially if they're not used to that, it's kind of like this environment where you're like, okay, I need a loane time. I'm an adult here. But yeah, like for me, it's just so funny because I guess like they are literally sitting in their rooms doing nothing. So boys are just they just need to get hobbies. Okay, go wait a damn book. Okay, we really like, you know, well spoken men, so maybe she should spend time doing that. I don't know, but I loved how we learned real quick. Who kind of this would be difficult for obviously apparently takes super long showers all of the time. So is this something you knew about him on your season? Are you kidding? No? Oh well, also no not, I mean granted, I mean Blake was the one that, like, didn't he make a penis sculpture? Yeah? He formed a penis with Clay. I mean I mean people did a heart, I did a row, someone did a pizza. He did a penis. Like obviously that should just like kind of give you an idea where Blake's mind goes a lot of the time, which is comical, but like, yeah, I'm not really surprised that he was probably in the house mind you for about like four days and the guys already picked up on this. So Blake, It's interesting. Blake's got a theme honestly, I will say though. It kind of his energy and just like how open with the sexuality is matches Katie, so I feel I could see why it really does it would work out, like you know, obviously we sat later on when he went to surprise her, just like that passion in that chemistry. So I feel like they're good fit for each other. I mean, so kudos to Katie or producers whoever thought of that concept. I thought it was that was Katie that was loved it Katie. Also, I will say this and I talked about Katie a little bit last week, and just like how in awe I am of her when she handles crtain situations and conversations, she gets prettier to me episode by episode and not to like fixate on somebody's beauty, but I feel like as she gains her footing and just becomes more confident and comfortable with them men, she just seems like she's changing. Yeah, and it's really a fun, beautiful thing to watch. I think she's just gaining like more confidence in the situation. I mean, you're walking into a room with thirty men, and as much as like they are all there for you, it's kind of a little intimidating at some point, like yeah, you kind of get on yourself like do they really find me attractive? Like am I enough for these guys? Like and you do this or that, this is that, And like I think she just became more comfortable with you know, just the unconventional process and she just became more herself. And then you literally see it week to week to week. You are right, she does get prettier to me in a way of like you're just owning who you are even more than you were before. So it's just it's it's a really cool transformation to watch. It is she also, I've noticed every time she walks into the room, chose goes hellos. Yes she does. It's always the hello. We all have our daylines and our things that we say, and so when I think of Kate, I just think of hello, Hello. I love it. I love it. I can't wait to have her on next and she better enter the podcast that way. She will, she will, but she'll go hello, ladies. That's what she used to say to Kaitlyn and I. Yeah, she's um, She's she's great. Um. One other thing that we saw that hasn't I think happened in a while, but she did send somebody home during a one on one date and didn't even make it to the dinner portion. So obviously we saw Connor who I mean, I think most people thought he was a front runner since day one, Like they when he came out of the limo in that cat costume and it had all of his puns and his one liners. They seemed to really click, and so I didn't expect Connor to go home in the fashion that he did. It was very gouvernanting to watch though, like she was still so invested that I think wanted it to be there with him, because I think she wasting shocked at the I guess how it all transpired and how he you know, went home before the dinner portion. But yeah, Connor, I mean he I had a soft spot in my heart for Connor. To be honest, I did too. I mean I feel like he just is as genuine as they come, Like he was genuinely interested in her. He was like I got like I'm dating the girl, Like he was just like in awe of her but also just wanted to be that person for her, and I it's it sucks. He even sad, like to go from like what we started at to now this, Like it's really sad. But I also just feel like this is kind of like that week that things start to get a little bit harder for the bachelor of Bachelor as just because there are relationships forming and you clearly are starting to see like if there is that spark, if there's not, you connect on this level with these people and you are starting to I hate to say it, but compare in a way not people, but like your connection and It's just I'm glad she did it when she did, because I think he was just growing more and more and more invested, and I think leading him onto even like the rose herem why. I think he deserved like the respect of being sent home, like on a one on one so she could actually talk to him, as opposed to being like, sorry, you're not getting a roast tonight and he's like, wait, what's just happened? You know? So I think it was right for both of them, And I feel like he was very understanding as much as it hurt, like he kind of just you know you, I mean, he said, I understand. Yeah, he knows at the end of the day what this is, and that she has to kind of prioritize different relationships and really compartmentalize what ones, you know, kind of like what box each relationship goes in. And she said to herself, and I love that she had the time to have this conversation. As you were just saying, it wasn't just so I'm not going to give you a rose and send you home. She actually had time to stay with him and explain things as much as you possibly could. And as shocking as it is, I mean at the end of the day, he probably knew what he was getting into and that there is only going to be one person at the end of this and if it's not him, like no one wants, I think to be led on. But it was really hard, Like I think one of the last things he said was, am I really that bad of a kisser? Because she know my heart? Pro when he said, which is so sad, because you know, you go, as we both can attest to, you go through this process and you do have stronger feelings for somebody and sometimes you can't even describe why. It's just you have to go off the feeling. Like men can be perfect on paper and you can say this is the list that I want in a partner. I want him to be X y Z. But if there's that like chemistry and that passion or just that feeling that's missing, you can't force something and that you can't and you can't make it up either, and you can't expect for it to succome out of nowhere like oh, I'm just gonna keep going and see if it keeps coming out. Like that's when you're like setting yourself up, you know, for failure in a way, that doesn't come out of thin air, you know, And that's I think the tough part is Katie didn't necessarily have that, and it sounds like Connor did, and so he was just like, where's the disconnect? What's going on here? Which it's a struggle. I mean, we've all been through it as leads, and I think probably just a normal life too, dating Like we've all either been that person. We've been Connor and we've been Katie. And so it's just as you said, you can't force it, um, but I will say this, you can. I can tell that the show. And I will just say the producers and the men loved Connor because they allowed him to go back and say goodbye to everybody and that never happened. And so I'm like, safe, they love this man, they love him. But I wonder, Okay, so I wonder if it's a producer thing. But also I think it does make a huge difference that we are on one single property the entire time, as opposed to like being like traveling and whatnot. But they've never been I don't think they've ever allowed anyone to do that. They usually just take the bags and they're gone. No, no, no what they have. I don't remember the name, though it has happened in the past one other time. But yes, I agree with you. I think that they probably really, really, I don't know. Connor is a likable guy. I'm telling you right now. I've liked him since day one, so I think that, yeah, you're probably right. Well, they just wanted him to say goodbye to the guys. I think that this hadn't happened yet on a date to where someone actually went home, and it was really new concept to the guys that you can actually go home, even on a one on one, So I think that he kind of was sent in to also just like let them know, like, hey, we had a connection, and guess what, I still went home to make shake it up. It's really hit the guy's hard, I think, yeah. I mean yeah, because when we're saying this is the week where it tarts to get tough. At the beginning, it's tough for the lead because you don't quite know what you're getting into. It's uncomfortable, there's a lot of pressure. Then you get into this sphase in a couple of weeks where it's more fun. You start to loosen up, you get to know the men and their personalities, and it's like a little bit lighter, more easy going, if you will. And then there's always the switch halfway through. And this is what I was warned about. There's always the point where all of a sudden, you're like, oh, no shit, this is getting real and I actually no need to really like hunker down in my head and my heart to figure out what's going to be best for me in the long run, like what's actually going to work outside of this. So well, yeah, as soon as it is making out with ten guys or fifteen guys in dating them all, it does last forever. He doesn't as much as I would love it, as much as it would love for It's actually really difficult. Yeah, it's it is. I don't want to complain. It's not as easy as it looks sometimes people, But I think we just got to get into it. We have the Man of the Hour here with us justin Welcome to Bachelor Happy Hour. How have you been now that the season is filmed it's airing. How's everything going for you? Yeah, it's been. It's been a roller coaster for sure, you know, getting back to trying to adjust to a normal life. I guess I was a little bit na you thinking that that would be a seamless process. But it hasn't been in a multitude of ways. But it's it's been fun. You know, it's had its challenges. Um, you know, I've never really liked the sound of my own voice. I don't want seeing my cell phone TV. So that's been interesting every Monday having to hear it and watch myself. But um, you know, it's it's been. It's been good, you know, just watching everything back, kind of reliving the memories and you know, if you remember exactly where you were, you know, certain points in time and the connections and everything. You know, it's weird going to the gym and people, you know, notice you in the grocery store. I'm completely like zoned out and somebody comes out and taps and I'm like, that's just a regular person. You touch my avocados, you know if people want to like take a picture. So it's um, yeah, it's it's been. It's been interesting. I love how you just say touching the avocados, Oh my god. We know, Okay, before we get into everything with the show and all of the fun stuff and ripe avocados, we got to address something. Okay, we're just gonna do it at the top of the episode to get it out there, because I think for so long, oftentimes it's easier to run from certain things, and it's easier to kind of just brush things under the rug and down address them. But within this past week, some tweets have surfaced that you had posted about I would say a decade ago m kind of bashing the LBGT community and just not great things that you know, twenty or not twenty six, sixteen year old Justin had put out into the universe. And so I'm a big believer in I don't believe in cancel culture. I believe that to actually learn and grow and make a change in this world, and just in any interaction we have with people, you can't just cancel somebody like I want to give people the benefit of the doubt. And so I wanted to come here at the top of Happy Hour just to let you kind of address those tweets that came out the mindset you were in at that point versus now, and then we can just get into it. No, I definitely appreciate that, and I appreciate the opportunity to be here and be able to speak on, you know, some unfortunate things that I've resurfaced. You know, it's interesting as I you know, reflect on everything that I just went through with this whole journey. You know, oftentimes people ask me, you know, what I took from it, and one of the things, one of the biggest takeaways for me was just my personal growth. And one of those things, you know, is being able to hold myself a honorable which is something that historically I wasn't able to do. And so, you know, I have no issue with you know, owning up and apologizing from the bottom of my heart for you know, the um the really hurtful words that I used back in two thousand and nine or two and eleven. You know, um, you know, the last thing that I want to do is run from it. You know, that's that's not who I am, you know, and I just want to kind of speak from the heart and hopefully people will kind of get an understanding of where I was then or versus where I am now. And so, you know, when I look back at you know, fourteen year old Justin Right, and I was in high school and quite frankly, I was the type of person you know who who for whatever reasons, felt the need to to fit in and poll and say funny things and kind of keep up with, you know, what my peers were doing and saying right to get a laugh or you know whatever for whatever reason. And you know, the folks that I had associated with at the you know, would throw around, you know, really hurtful slurs that at the time I didn't really think anything of right, And you know, the last thing that I want is for people to defend me and say, oh, it was ten twelve years ago. You know, it's didn't right. It's what I said was ignorant and hurtful. Then it's ignorant and hurtful. Now. I don't care if it's five, ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, right, no matter how long it was, those words shouldn't have come out of my mouth. And so, you know, I'm obviously in a different place now, you know, over a decade later, as as a twenty seven year old, and I can look back and I'm obviously embarrassed and ashamed of the words that I use. You know, in any context, I shouldn't come out of my mouth or on Twitter or whatever. Right, they're they're hurtful. And over those years, you know, I know, as I've matured and evolved and grown as a person, you know, I'm a totally different version of justin then I was now right, and I know that those words would never come out of my mouth because I know that the way that they carried no matter what context they're used in. And I understand how much allyship and support those groups that I offended need right and it's and it's for those reasons that over the years, you know, I've in present state, you know, I bounder with several you know, community organizations that are allies for lgbtwo communities, diversity and inclusion, you know, advocation for women in the workplace, you know, and um, you know, this is a kind of a wake up call to to let me know that I need to continue to put that work and continue to devote my time to these groups that need the allyship and then need to support. Um. Yeah, because because words can be hurtful, and you know, it's unfortunately I think, you know, and twelve years ago, whenever it was you know, my my underdeveloped brain, you know, I wasn't thinking, you know, how can these words, um, you know hurt people? You know later on in life, you know, if they were to ever resurface. And yeah, so you know, like I said, I'm not making any excuses. Um, I need to be fully held accountable for my actions and for my words, and I fully understand that, and I just want people to know that fourteen year old justin you know, I've changed the messal since then, and I'm fully aware of the weight that my words carried and and that we all continue to put in work. Yeah, I mean I was telling Taitia before we had you on. I remember being I remember exactly where I was seventh grade. I was want thirteen to fourteen. I was in a choir class and one of my best friends I'm not going to say her name on here, but one of my friends in seventh grade. I don't even remember exactly what we were talking about, but it came out of her mouth to describe something and she said, that's so gay. And my sister was sitting next to us, and she's like, why would you say that? Like why would you use that phrase to describe whatever we're talking about? And at that age, I think kids are young. They don't fully know, they don't fully understand. It's just to kind of go with the times and say stupid shit like we've all done that. But now looking back, I was just like, thank god my sister was a little bit older and could call me out at you know, call us out at such a young age and say like whatever you're trying to describe right now, or say, isn't that And you know, we've just nation. I've talked about this on the podcast many times, like words do carry so much weight, especially now in this position where you have a larger platform and people of all ages are seeing you and hearing you. So I mean, I'm glad that you can take this time and have this platform to address it. But I'm also glad that it sounds like you've already taken steps to be more immersed in the community and more inclusive within the community. It's not something that I think very often we see people being called out and held accountable for certain things, and then it's like, okay, but now what do you do right? And this is one thing actually amberss on here too. But one thing that I do want to call out is like when we're saying, you know, certain things like more importantly using the term gay, it's not a bad thing, and it shouldn't be used as something to suggest something terrible. Same with like, yeah, you know, there's so many words we can get into, but I think it's good to have these conversations and keep this dialogue going to realize, like, things that get a bad connotation aren't necessarily bad, and that's where our mindsets need to shift. One thing I wanted to ask you is because you know Twitter, I think Twitter when you were younger is vastly different than what it is now. As adults, we just use it as a different tool. So at any point when you were casted on The Bachelorette or you know, even after airing, did it ever cross your mind that these tweets would resurface? Was it something that you ever thought about? Yeah? I know, I'm glad you asked. You know, after going through casting everything, you know, the way my parents raised us to always be conscious of what you put out into the universe, what you put out out on the internet, because you know, it can always follow you, right, And so after going through this, you know, I thought, you know, hey, has has there been anything that I've said? And you know I went through you know, my platforms and you know, on my Instagram, like I never cursed and I barely touched Facebook, like, if anything, I need to just weed out some friends that I've got on here from you know, an I mean, you know, I didn't think anything of any posts. And on Twitter, I mean, in Twitter, it was I feel like it was such a new thing when I was in high school that clearly my Twitter fingers you know, went wild and said some things that you know, but you know, there was a few years in between up until like last week, when I put out a tweet you know, from my faces and I was like, I I don't know who works faster, you know, Twitter or on my face. But up until that point, you know, I really, I really hadn't been a heavy Twitter usually, so didn't dawn on me, like hey, let me go back and see because and maybe it was giving myself too much credit because I know the type of person that I am now who would never better those words right and back. It's to your point. And it's funny you mentioned, uh, you know, I was out not too long ago, and somebody said, as a reaction, oh, that's so gay, And I literally I was like, people still say it? Why are you saying to people still yeah, you know, so that's my mindset now, And it didn't cross my mind to think, hey, justin you were an immature, you know, insensitive teenager at one point in your life, go back and make sure the data aligns with the person that you are today. You know. Um, and that's when then I should have done and didn't in that moment when that happened, I mean, because it sounds like it was pretty recent, did you feel comfortable calling that person out and saying okay, what are you trying to actually say? Here? And okay, okay? And that's what I think. It's so important. It's to be able to have those conversations with people that you're yes close to, but also that you're not close to, because nothing's going to change if we're never held accountable in that regard. Yeah, I mean, it's you know, and and you know, aside from just wanting to hold myself accountable, it truly hurt to me that I've hurt these communities because you know, like I just told you, with there's so many instances where you know, I'm around people who can be so insensitive, and I you know, I consciously try to call those people and say, why are you saying this, what do you what do you act? What message are actually trying to get across? Let's find a different way to say that, right, And you know, I'm friends that identify the LGBT community, and you know it, it breaks my heart. One of them I won't say his name, but you know he'll go round and say gay blank and I said, no, no, your name is your name is this? You know we're not gonna go around saying hey, it's gay so and so. You know that doesn't you know, I feel like people in that community sometimes, and as a black man, I can relate because sometimes you build these calluses and you're so used to the microaggressions that perhaps as a coping mechanism, you you just accept it right to fit in and not make people feel uncomfortable. And that hurts me, right because people in these unrepresented and you know um communities that that you know it be that way. They need the support, they need the ally ship, which is kind of what you're driven me to be a part of these community groups that I devote time to. And you know, I'm embarrassed that for you know, old Justin who didn't have that mindset, you know, m I think if there's anything that we've learned in the past, well, for sure the past year, but even beyond that, it's it's okay to get uncomfortable. It's okay to have those conversations and that dialogue because without it, we're not going to see any change or growth or acceptance. And um, I'm again I'm glad that you're able to recognize that and to be able to share your side of things, because I think it's an unfortunate reality that a lot of people have been in your position have dealt with things that you, you know, have you know, have probably said similar things. Um, but you can recognize where where the error of your ways was and where we move on from this. And the last thing I do want to say too is you know, this is such a heavy, deep conversation that, like I could sit here for hours and talk and get into it. Obviously, our podcast is about the show as well, so we will get into that. But the last thing I will say is for anyone out there who has offended or anything like anything, who has seen these tweets and felt some sort of emotion, being gay is beautiful and it should be celebrated. Being trans is beautiful and it should be celebrated. And what's great about the episode that we just watched last night is it includes parts of the LGBTQ community. You know, we saw a franco host your Date, Justin and two incredible Drake queens come and hosted Date. And for me as a viewer, that's what we need to be seen more of. We need to be including all walks of life everyone, not just you know, this straight heterosexual relationship. Um. And so that's why I'm glad that we can actually have you on this week for this podcast, this episode because of what we saw last night. UM, so thank you. I know it probably we probably got out and you're like, this is going to be a tough one, but um, I know I'm not just saying it. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity because to your point, I mean, I firmly believe we should celebrate our differences. Um. You know, being gay is beautiful, being black is beautiful. You know, everyone should be loved and treated with equality, and I firmly believe that. And so you know, again from from my heart, I'm truly remorseful for the words that I used, you know, back then, and I can assure everyone you know, anyone who was offended, or I can assure you that you know, um, I hear us. You you know I'm with you, and I'm to devote my time and energy to staying up for what's right. So well, I d back celebrate the queer culture. This one thing that that though, like I also think it's important, Like I think it's great that we did bring it up to you because we love you as a person, and I feel like that's what people should do. I love that you were saying that you are educating other people to like, hey, that's not the word you want to use, and like us being able to talk to you about it only educates more people and tells people you know, we're way better than this. Let's do better. And it's it's not to tear anybody down. It's more of like we love you and we could be your friends, and like let's fix it, and we celebrate you and we support you, and that's all about what that's what ally ship is about. It's and that's why I say when I when we first brought you, and I hate the cancel culture because if you just totally cancel somebody and don't allow any sort of dialogue. What's going to happen with that, It's gonna We're just gonna keep perpetuating the same cycle. And so you know, granted this isn't educating. Yeah, yeah, it's it's a start. It's this is in the conversation. That's one and done and we move on. It's something that I'm sure we'll be brought up, hopefully again and again and um and that's that's what life is. You have to get a couple of times. You have to have conversations like this. Um So, justin thank you for that. Um I guess with that it's a perfect segue into your date. Obviously, we saw you have your first one on one with Katie yesterday. Um Franco hosted it. Who I will say, Franco's one of my everything. I was obsessed with him on your season. I think after your season somebody asked if I had a crush on anyone, and I was like, yeah, Franco. I love Franco. Um So, how, justin, how was that meeting Franco? You know? And the first thing we saw you do is you said I'm a hugger and you hug him and you guys in Greece and have this moment. But um, yeah, how was that one on one for you? It was? It was incredible. And so you know the episode before I got my first taste of Franco and the basketball date. Right, sorry Michael Ay once again, Gelloman Bange is on the way once again. But I got my first I got. I got my first taste of Franco from the basketball day. And so when I turned the corner with Katie and saw him again, like let's go. You know, he's in a sequence outfit, full of vibrant energy, you know, gave a big hug and I was like, whatever we're doing, it's it's gonna be a fun date. So um, I was. I was definitely happy to see him. It was, I will say, though it was a really awkward date. I'm not I was like you kind of bought it up because I even, like, I even had a wedding date on my season and yours was like very intense like you had. But like, also if there wasn't an efficient, I thought Franco was going to come in efficient. You literally don't had to stand up there and just say your vows with Katie and be like Okay, do I read first? And then yeah, like what's happened to this now? Like it was? It was wild. So literally I turned the corner and I was like secintation date. I'm like, okay, so I know we're getting into I literally I was like exactation date. And then so so we Franko griefs us and he's like, you know, um, you two. I see the chemistry, a beautiful couple. It's time to see if this can work. And he's like, you're gonna be right in your valves and I'm like he said what, I don't know what? I was like. I was like, I don't remember this part, and I was like okay, So I'm thinking, I'm like are He's gonna give me like ten to fifteen minutes, and so he's like, Katie, I'm gonna have you step over to the side. So he's talking to me one on one. He goes, are you ready? I'm like ready to what like jots some stuff down. He's he's like he's like, no, are you ready? And I was like ready for what a five minute? Warnings He's like, I'm like trying to buy some time and he's like he's like no, He's like, I'll give you thirty to forty five seconds and then you need to go. She's waiting over there at forty so I'm like, I'm like, okay, uh, it's go time, right, And I'm like listen, like I'm like, block out the cameras, block out the fact that millions of people are gonna see this, hopefully not Bosch proposal, like it's my doing this like some grace. So I go over it and I just I mean, I blacked out. I could not tell you, you you know, watching that. I'm just like, I couldn't tell you what I said in the moment I love She said, yes, I guess it was. You did well. I thought it was beautiful. Though, what is okay? Is one of your top love language is words of affirmation? Yes, yes, okay? So I words of affirmation is not for me. I would have failed this date so miserably. It would have been terrible. You did great, though, I understood that your I will say, I think your viols are better than Katie's at least, so I actually have to agree with that. Really, yeah, no, I so I will say she she caught me off guard with with her she she brought it as well. Um, and we joked about it kind of afterwards and we were like, you know, how awkward this date could have potentially been, like quick like, it could have been awkward and gone down back. So I'm glad that we had. You know, obviously you take on one a moment if you can get it right, but kind of like the way things played on my head, I'm like, like, wouldn't mind getting it just around this time because we had already built you know, a foundation through our you know, chats at cocktail parties, row ceremonies, and you know, we were comforable with each other. So a day like this, we're like, you gotta be comforable with each other or it's gonna be very terrible. So well, yeah, it could have been very awkward. But also it's probably one of the first moments that we actually saw you open up a bit more and be more more vulnerable than what we've seen. So what was that like for you? Was it? You know, I know that you just said you kind of had to get rid of the cameras and you know, block out what was going on around you, But how is that you know, knowing that you kind of have to open up more and give more of your heart now to this woman with millions of people watching this one day. Yeah. So you know, one of the other major takeaways from this whole experience is just the ability that I've developed to just push myself beyond boundaries that I thought existed previously, and you know, literally going through this with no regrets, no hesitation. And you know, Katie and I had we had already established that that banter and that humorous side, right, And I was like, Okay, I'm not going to take this as a joke and just you know, be funny, like I want to show her that I can be serious and vulnerable. And I was literally picturing like what this could potentially be like you know, one day, right, And so I wanted to show her, you know, how serious it was to me. And that's what kind of drove me to just say, you know, like, eff, let's let's do it. You know, I'm not I'm not holding back. I'm going to give him my all and if I follow, my face off all in my face. But at least I didn't knowing I was trying to get one hundred percent. And that's kind of just the mindset that I had going into it. I have to say your reaction when you saw Katie, Like when you turned around you saw her, Like my heart, I like clunched my job in the wedding drift. Yes, when you saw her the first time, you can just tell like you're really putting yourself in that moment and trying to be very present. And I just what was going through your mind when you saw her. Yeah, So along the lines of like locking out all the cameras and really being present in that moment. And somehow I was I was able to just like lock in and forget that I'm on on one on one date. Right, I'm like putting yourself in this moment like this is real and your wife is walking down the aisle and like my heart was literally racing. I'm like, Oh, this is what it's gonna feel like like on my wedding day. Right. I'm like, I'm like just to relax like it's a one on one I'm like, it's a real way, I know, I'm like playing with myself like it's just a date. Like no, sounds more than that. And so I turned out and I see her and she's gorgeous, right, So I'm just like, damn like it's hitting me right and I'm like okay, like I'm really there, m yeah. And then you know, like you said, she she walked down and I'm like waiting. I'm like, it's somebody like going to come up and like this, and I'm like you go first. I go first, and it's like you may not just the bride. I'm like okay, yeah. That was My favorite part is you guys, when I say it was awkward, it's because you you were kind of just like winging it, but you you were both officiating your own faux wedding and know what, You're like, okay, this comes next, we say I do, and then now you can kiss the bride and it's just it was it was funny. You made it your own. Um. And going back to the whole vows, when I say Katie's were incredible too. So when she is not, they were, they were, they were, and I feel like she really tailored them to you justin like she you know, talked about you as an artist and painting this canvas of your life. So when you heard her say these words, what was going through your mind and your heart? Did you kind of fall for her a little bit more in those moments, you know, as she's going through them, you know, like you said, she I can tell she told them to me. And in that moment, I'm like, wow, Like, this woman is really listening to me when we talk, and she's really processing what I'm telling her, and I mean something to her because you know, we've got twelve other guys at this point that she's you know, dating and having conversations with, and I'm like, for her to remember these these little things about me and incorporate them in our vows. Like that went a long way for me because you know, I've talked to her about how important you know, being thoughtful and attentive and how detail oriented I am as a person. So to see her reciprocate that and show me that she hears me as well, I was like, Okay, you know, I this this, you know, this is special and I mean something to her. I'm not just you know, a number. You know, it wasn't just generic, you know. Yeah, it was a great feeling for sure. I will say sometimes those dates, I mean, as much as people love the adventurous dates and the excitement that comes with certain boucher a boutch herrette dates, dates like this, especially in this moment, you know, kind of halfway through the processes, men are going home and like real relationships are starting to form, are so important where you can just there's not a lot of hype around it, but it's just you too solely focus on each other and exchanging beautiful words. And yes, it's kind of weird that you're getting married right now, but those are the dates that I remember being the most special. Where I remember leaving those dates being like, Okay, I actually feel it with this person, or I could see a future with this person because of how they opened up, and just you know, it's just solely you're just zoned in on that one specific person. It's just more calm and chill. And you know that I didn't. I didn't view it so much as I, oh my god, read a faux wedding. This is weird, right. I took it for what it was and kind of like right peeled back to service of a layers, you know, to your point and saying, Okay, is there something substantial actually here? Right? Because I think that was such a high risk Kira word date. You know, that was going to let us know either way whether we had it or we didn't, and it uncovered you know, those layers of like, okay, can we be vulnerable with each other? Right? You know? So we had fun with it. We were vulnerable, like we covered every facet of what I was looking for, and I was really in a moment I was like, okay, like we've got something here, you know, because leading up into that, we had touched on, you know, some more serious topics, and we obviously had a lot of fun with each other. But when you when you drop us in this, you know, in a scenario like that, it's like you can't run from it. It's either gonna work or it's not. You know, you went amazing. Yeah, that's what you're gonna go home to every day like that. You want to see if there's something like real there and the connection. You guys were definitely able to, I don't know, just again be more vulnerable and that really allowed her to tell you a really powerful story about her father later that night at dinner, and um, how much did that mean to you for her to be able to be that vulnerable and open about something so intimate? Really, Yeah, it meant the word ote to me because you know, I historically had been a person who would really internalize everything and not really looked to you know, let my feelings out and express you know, how I'm feeling and talk about hard topics. You know. I just I was a person that I I always trying to figure stuff out on my own, like I'm okay, I don't need it. And I had all in relationships, I you know, had always served as like that emotional support, right, and I'm like, you know, like I gotta be the strong one. I'm not going to put this burden on you. And so I had struggled with that with us for a while, right, And so to see her open up and share something you know, so instrumental in her life, you know, I was like, Okay, she trusts me. You know this is you wouldn't just open up to somebody about that if you didn't trust them, and then being the world to me, because if you're going to spend the rest of your life with somebody, trust is a major pillar in a relation hip, right, And so you know, you know, along the journey, there was a number of ways in which had you know, this innate ability to make you want to open up and trust her and be vulnerable. But that was one of those moments where I was like, Okay, like, I really don't need to hold back now. You know this, This trust can go both ways, and I want to show you that I love you. Yeah, I mean that was a major, major I mean, you know, Katie has been open about her father passing away, but that was a major, I think moment in her life that definitely shaped her. And I mean just trying to put myself in her position. If I didn't feel comfortable with somebody, I would not have shared that story. I would have waited for somebody that I could have opened up too. So I think it's a testament to what you guys shared earlier in the day to get her to that point. And it was a really beautiful thing. And I think the way that you just supported her was incredible too. And I'm excited to see where this goes now because really, up until this point, we haven't seen a ton of you, i'd say, and so well we have, well, like not to a large extent. Okay, literally let it. We have to get into that too, because we've seen so many memes of you that are blowing up with your iconic facial expressions. So did you ever realize before going on the show like how you how you react to certain things? So yes and no. So my whole life growing up, I'd been told like you're so expressive, like you make the craziest faces like YadA, YadA, YadA, and I'm just like, oh, like okay, sure, like what I've got major my eyebrows things like whatever, like and people are like, no, it seriously, like you're so like going back to like middle school, you know, like somebody would make you know. People would always turn to me and be like, we know you're gonna do something like we know you're facing gonna give it away, and I'm like, guys, like what do you mean? Like I'm just like I'm just reacting. Everyone does that right, And it wasn't until I saw myself one screen I'm like, oh they weren't lying and there's time for Like I mean I knew. I knew like you know, drama and stuff. I was like, okay, like knowing me like I probably backted to it. But there's been some times where the camera flashed me. I'm like what was I Like, what was I doing? What was going through my head? I love it and like I'll sit back and literally like try to contort my face and remake those faces, and I can't do it. It's like such a moment and I can't control it. And you know, I'm just you know, I'm a Gemini. I'm maybe I'm just part of being super you know, the dual personality. You probably just you don't even realize. I think you're doing it in the moment too, because that's just like your actual thought. You're like this guy and like you just do like these crazy things you don't even understand. I was on my phone probably for fifteen twenty minutes other and I just laughing at your facial expressions because they are so hilarious. Like, I don't know, I wish I was a little bit more expressive like that. I literally like, I mean, yeah, I'm rolling stuff like that. It's like how I'm thinking, but I don't realize like showing y'all how I'm feeling too. Yeah. I try. I tried to stay out of a lot of the drama. I'm like, I'm gonna sit back here and sit my tea. Do you are the drama that's always there's always one person each season that it's kind of is more removed from all of the actual craziness. But when they just pan to you, it's like we always we obviously the narrator, we need somebody with the with the expression I get sent them left and right and left and right. I'm like, guys, oh, I'm sure you do. So I'm sure you do. And I feel like your gifts are going to be used for a very long time, so it keeps on giving. Um yeah, no, Justin, this has been absolutely incredible. I mean, I know that this wasn't the easiest conversation to get into, but we're so glad that you were able to join us today and not only talk about the show, but talk about some actual, real life stuff that needed to be addressed. So, um, we can let you go because I'm sure you're a busy man, But before we have you go, we ask all of our guests this that go through the show so far up until this point, what has been your rose and what has been your thorn of Katie season? Truly, like, my biggest rose has been my personal growth in a multitude of ways in terms of you know, holding myself accountable, you know, knowing that you know, I don't have to be perfect all the time. I'm a human. I make mistakes and it's okay. It's it's it's a matter of how you respond to those errors and what you do going forward to constantly try to become a better person than the bus version yourself, right, and so being okay with not being perfect and being human, being able to open up and have tough conversations not just you know, dialogues like this, but you know with you know, my family and friends and things that I just you know, said I would be I would internalize so much, you know, and just kind of breaking free of all of those things that I didn't realize we're holding back before. You know that that free me throughout this whole process. That's that's by far been my my biggest rose. Um if I have like a one B rose, it's the US. It's the friendships with some of these guys. I mean I went into this um it was like the typical I'm not here to make friends, like yeah, yeah, I really had no idea what the group of guys was going to be. Like, Um, I was really worried. I definitely had that that major sense of trepidation thinking that it's gonna be a bunch of alphas who were just you know, gonna be not nice guys, right, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. You know, my guy you know, Breg andrew S, Michael A, Mike Pete, like those those are my guys. And I've learned so much from each and every one of them. And I love the way that we support each other. We're there for each other. And I can go on about the group of guys that are that are in that house. Um, and I have I have brothers for life through this experience, and I'm so appreciab of that. And it's something that I did not expect at all. So that's my that's my one b ros. Yeah, yeah, um and my thorn. Sorry I should have an easier answer. Still worry about it. I'm really bad these things too, like coming up, like like not being able to shower and sleep when you want it whatever it is. Oh okay, yeah, my my biggest okay, yeah, my biggest thorn throughout the whole process was definitely that's a good. Definitely like the loss of the loss whoa, whoa, I'm just kidding, I just kidding, just like actually stressed. Oh that is so funny. It's like losing all control of like being a normal working human and like getting up when you want. I mean, like you and Caitlyn came in and yeah, the way y'all were beating on those pots and pants. I mean I was like, listen, like I'm not a morning person like they're like I was. I was shirt listening like guy, you can get out there, like don't put clothes, and I was like, listen, I'm gonna put these slippers on. I'm gonna put these slippers on, and I'm gonna put this hoodie on and I'll meet yall in five minutes. Uh So, So just things like that, um not being able to work out regularly and like lose his sleep and just you know, this is a story. It's crazy. It's different. Yeah, like being you know, a functioning adult in the real world and then coming to this environment where I mean, let's be honest, it's you're not on your own schedule. You have to adhere to there's so many people that work on the show, to the cruise time schedule, the producers like to katies, to everything. So it's a it's a different, much much different environment I think than anyone would ever realize unless you go through it. Um, I do want to ask this though, besides Blake, who really struggled with the what is it? The who? What do we call it? The woo woo woo whoa wow? Blake's a different animal. Um, we knew, we knew that was gonna be oh from him like that afternoon. I think I don't even want to know how you guys know that for a couple of days at this point, literally yeah no, oh my good, don't want to know this information. I know all of the who struggled the most after Blake, so uh no. So it's funny like I actually like, um, later on, like later on, you know, at Katie's checking in, like you know, how are you guys doing? You guys holding up? And I'm sitting there like I'm holding up and She's like, oh, I don't know if that's like I'm like, I'm doing it for you, and she's like, I would have been like flattering if you weren't. So I was like, alright, like no matter what, yeah, yeah, but nah, I uh shout out to my other boy. I think I think Brendan may have struggled a little bit. I think, yes, I love this, I love getting is the Canadians. What's in the water up there? The water is different out there, I don't know. Thank you so much for coming today. I know it wasn't the easiest conversation to get into, but we thank you for not only joining us, but allowing us to have this dialogue. UM. One more thing before we let you go and get out of the podcast is UM, it's so important for everyone to just continually educate themselves, especially on topics that are real and that affect just us as human beings. UM. And so for anyone who wants to learn more about what affects a queer community and how to be an ally and just resources and to learn more, UM, please head to the Trevor Trevor Project dot org. UM. You can learn more there. But also if you ever need more resources too, I'm happy to share some and justin sounds like you are a part of some as well, so I'm sure you'll have people reach out to you that we could love if you would share those as well, if and when they do. But thank you for joining us. I'm Bachelor Happy Hour. I'm sure we will see you again at some point in this weird Bachelor Nation world. But yeah, it has been a pleasure, so thank you, Thank you both for having me. All right, take care fee later, go have fun touching your avocados, avocados confidence. Justin, we thank you so much for taking time out of your day to speak with us on something that is so important within the community, within our country. We need to keep this dialogue going. And for anyone out there who wants to learn more or to get more resources on how certain things, certain topics, and certain dialogue is affecting the queer community, please head to the Trevor Project dot org. Also, we can all be better allies at any point in time, so please head to the termin Project dot org to learn more. Ah Tasha, I'm very glad that we can have conversations like yes that aren't just recaps solely focused on only the show, because this is how I think growth is made. This is how people's mindsets are shifted. It's so important to realize who we were in our past, but how we can change and grow and continue uncomfortable conversations to move forward and just push the needle forward in life. And so I'm so glad that Justin was able to join us today for that. Absolutely and again, like how you said like, cancel culture is not something that I've ever been like a fan of, and you haven't, And that's not what the purpose of holding somebody accountable is. It's more so just educating and learning and bettering ourselves but also the people around us in our communities. And if that just is, you know, holy some accountable having this conversation and being like, hey, you could do better, and this is what it looks like. But I'm so happy he is actually immersing himself within the community and helping and becoming an ally on his own. Like that just goes right there to show you, like, really what kind of man he is. Yeah, And the fact that we were able to talk about these tweets that he did when he was fourteen years old, sixteen years old. I love that he said that they were wrong then and they still are wrong now, and he wasn't trying to look for any excuses or he was just trying to say I'm sorry. Yeah, yeah, that was great. But I think so often it's easy for people like playing into the cancel culture. It's easy for people to be reactive and not proactive. And what was great about having Justin on is that he wasn't just called out a couple days ago, and now he's like, oh shit, what can I do. He's already been putting in the work before this, he's been doing it, which and now it's like he's been doing it, but now he can help others do it too and share, because I'm sure people will reach out to him and people will write still question him, and so for him to be able to already be part of that and to share what he has learned and his resources, I think is so important. And so yeah, I'm really glad we were able to have him on because at first, and I will say this, like I don't like cancel culture, but also I'm no better at times, like I'll see something, to read something and it'll be like, f them, I don't even want to have a conversation. I got really defensive at person, like you're kidding me, Like really, I was kind of disappointed, But also at the same time, it's really nice to be able to have a civil conversation with somebody out of love and yeah, oh truly's out of respect and trying to learn exactly exactly. It's so neat, and so I'm glad that the three of us could sit down hopefully, hopefully, if nothing else, that allows people to take any bit of this conversation and be able to apply to their life as well. So a huge thank you to Justin, but a huge thank you to all of our incredible Happy Hour listeners. Thank you guys for hanging out with us once again. Please make sure to hit us up on social if you don't know where to do that, it is at Bachelor Happy Hour on Instagram and at Batch Nation Pods on both Facebook and Twitter. And as always, please don't forget to subscribe to our podcasts. You can do that on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the Wandering App, or wherever you are listening to our sweet places right now. Thanks guys, take care bye,