Susie on Feeling the Sparks

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Speaker 1: What is a Bachelor Happy Hour listeners? Before we begin, I have to apologize for the state of my voice. I am a bit under the weather, so I know I sound a bit like a thirteen year old boy going through puberty. But we're going to push through because Clayton season is off to the races. It's already off with so much drama, so I didn't want to miss a week and sit it out because there's so much that I have to cover. And again with me, I have Miss Serena joining us. Yes, I mean, you can't leave me hanging all alone this week, Becca, So I'm so sorry you're sick, but I am so happy you're here. And last night's episode was packed with drama and memorable moments to say the least. So I am really excited that we have the wonderful Susie here on the podcast today, the recipient of the first One on One Day, here to chat all about it. I'm so excited Susie. As we talked about last week, I'm already she's already one of my favorites. I have high, high hopes for Susie. I think she's going to go very far, and last night did not disappoint So before we actually bring her on and chat a little bit to get to know her more, we have to talk about last night's episode. Because of course there's always drama in the world of the Bachelor, but it seems like for week one and just moving into the mansion like seconds ago, there's already so much trauma, especially around two women, so we just have to get into it. I want to do something fun on Happy Hour because Serna, you are always dressed to the nines. You are always so put together. Like I said, I need you to help style me. So I'm thinking, and I know how much our listeners love to go through people's dresses and what they choose to wear, and so each week, I really want to do your highlight and low light stand out fashion moments if you will, and I know you have some for me this week, So let's just begin with that. Okay, I am so ready to talk about the fashion little. I mean, there were some really fun looks this episode. I think I don't really have a lowlight this episode, but I will say we are seeing a lot of jean shorts and body suits. I think on both dates that was kind of the theme across the board, and I mean, do not get me wrong, I love a good bodysuit jean short combo, especially in the summer when it's hot out and you're doing activity. But I think that because we saw so much of that look, Gabby on the first group date really stood out to me. She was wearing a jump suit. It was all denim, spaghetti strap. I think it had a boot cut at the bottom, and I loved it. She has a really bold personality. We're really seeing her humor come out this season, and I can tell that she's dresses to match that. So I loved that look from her. I thought she looked super cool, super chic. And then in terms of kind of more of like a nighttime date, look, you know who I loved. I loved this whole episode and I really hope we see more of her. But this fashion look, you probably had to keep an eye out for it, but I thought she did a really fun job. Was Marlena, who is the first female Olympian to be on the show. She was wearing a hot pink dress. And if you know me, you know I love my neutral tones. I am never bold enough to go for color. But she wore a beautiful hot pink dress. She had a chunky, sparkly hoop in and I just thought it was a really fun look, especially for a night group date, because I feel like you can go a little more playful, a little more fun with those opposed to the Rose ceremonies, which are kind of more upscale and formal. So yeah, those would kind of be my shout outs fashion wise for this week. Morlena's color. Like that color of dress, I would say, it's like a magenta, right, was so beautiful, so bold, Like I'm kind of like you, I'm more neutrals and less like yeah, but you'll still had some pinks. I've seen you like rock pink. Well, if I have help, like if I have a stylist for an event, shout out Lisa rock some color. But usually, and that's actually why I will say, like being on the show with all the women and also being on Paradise with everyone was so fun because usually, like I'll just go for something simple that I know is comfortable. But when you have other people that kind of know your body, know your style, know what will look good on your shape, to pull like the fun side out of you, it helps so much. And that's what what was I would say kind of like a magical part of being on the show with all these women is everyone kind of share stuff. They share style, pointers, tips, dresses, you name it, um and that was one of my most fun things I remember, especially like first moving into the mansion, was just seeing everyone's style and seeing how much they packed, and you know, like I'm sure you remember getting ready for those rows ceremonies where all of the gowns are hung up and all the jewelries laid out and all the heels are set up and kind of like picking what goes with what and seeing everyone's you know, pieces come together each night. It was so much fun, and so it's fun to see that come together once again back at the mansion. I know, I really do love that. I remember being on the show and having people like run into each other's rooms being like, do you have an earring? This is what I'm wearing tonight, and I don't have a matching earring. And Rachel was my roommate. She has such fantastic style, and she actually went on the shopping date on our season, so I was definitely sifting through those bags when she got back. Did she come back with a ton of bags. M She came back with so many shopping bags, Oh my gosh, and they were all filled with clothes that she actually ended up wearing a lot of the clothes on the season. Like I remember watching it back on some of her dates and being like, oh, I remember that's the free People shirt that she got on her shopping date with Matt. Fun fact, Serena, I actually got this shopping date on my season of The Bachelor with Ari and it was the very first date, very first one on one, and I remember after I was with Rachel's Zoe, and thank goodness, she helped style me for that night. But they sent me home with they literally loaded me up to my shoulders full of bags and they're like, okay, walk back in the mansion. I was like, no, these girls are gonna kill me. I did not want to go back in there. I did not want to show them everything. But it was fun because a lot of it, Like there was just so much that I was able to share and we were it. Actually, I would say got me through the season because had I not had that, Like I definitely did not pack enough. Who packed the most on your season? I'm trying to remember I don't remember who packed the most, but I do remember Anna coming in with like a look book of all of her outfits, Like she had like packed her outfits like in ziploc bags and then had like look books of like what each outfit was. So I mean I had thrown a bunch of clothes in a bag. I was like form aware daytimeware, and were moving on and then just piece the other one I got there, but that was a whole other level of prepared dang, oh my gosh, kudos to Anna for I mean, I would not have had the patience for that. Okay, as much as we love to talk about fashion, thank you for that. Serena. Let's get into the entire episode, like the nitty gritty, because the very first group date already started off with some drama, which I want to get into everything with Cassidy because she seems like, I mean, if we're going off of what we were seeing so far, she seems like she's being set up to be kind of like this villain rubbing the woman the wrong way. There's already tension on this group date because of Cassidy. And it's interesting because Cassidy quite frankly like didn't do anything wrong per se. She was just very confident in her pursuits of Clayton. And I want to ask you, like, where is the line where somebody can be confident but then like not too confident, too cocky, where it starts to rub women the wrong way? Like did you have anyone on your season that kind of reminded you of how Cassidy is acting. I'm trying to remember. I don't think we had someone that was like constantly pulling him aside like we saw Cassidy do on the group date this week. But I think it is a fine line because I mean, she is saying, you know, I'm confident, I'm gonna go over, I'm going to pursue him aggressively, and I'm going to shoot my shot as much and as hard as possible. And it worked out because she did get that group date rose, so she got a lot of time with Clayton that day that a lot of the girls didn't. However, what And I mean, I think everyone has a different approach on group dates in different respect of what's appropriate or not. But I would say, if you're doing it to a point of making the other women on the group date feel almost disrespected and completely not considered. I mean, we saw Gabby on her knees grinding away trying to build that house, and Cassidy was making up with Clayton by the pool. If I'm Gabby, I'm like, this is a two man job and I need some backup. So I think she definitely took things a little far, and I can sympathize with why the girls were not happy with it. Yeah, and I think it's also up to Clayton because I understand is the lead. There's so much that he's not privy too, that he's not going to see. But also to be the lead, you still have to be mindful in certain situations on those group dates of however one is getting along, because I think for me personally, it's very telling if there's one person who's standing out that doesn't really care about the other people on the date, that is just making it solely about them. Like confidence is one thing, but then when you start to put other people down and not care about or have any regard for anyone else's feelings, that's where it would definitely rub me the wrong way. And you know, I'm sure he's busy, he's talking to other women. Too, he's in interviews, he's talking with Hilary Duff. There's so much that goes into what he has to do on each date. But I think what the interesting part was is not necessarily like her approach with Clayton, you know, face to face with him, it's interesting to see how she handles the women and her conversation with the group of women like there was I think it was twice throughout the episode where she's She's like, I feel very confident in my pursuit of him. I think he is very intimidated in a hot way by me, which like when you're saying that to a group of women who are all trying to date this man and it is still the first week and he's getting to know everyone. That is where I could see the women being very turned off by that and very like being rubbed the wrong way. And so it was her interaction with the women that I started to see kind of like, oh, okay, I see what you're doing here. I think I think Hillary Duff. Hillary Duff in an interview said something and I was like, she has said it best. She said, Cassidy has her eyes on the prize and that's not going to make her any friends, but I don't think she cares, And I really think that's exactly what's going on here. Cassidy is the girl this season that you know, quote unquote isn't here to make friends. Or maybe she is, but she's just not really you know, going about it in a great way because she just doesn't seem to know where the line is, or maybe she just doesn't care if there's a line at all. Yeah, I wished, I mean, to really make this episode gold, we should have had a little cartoon Lizzie McGuire pop up in the corner to give some context to everything that was going on. That would have made this so perfect. I would have loved that. Yes, so Cassidy's interested because not only do we see I mean, her boldness, I will take up her that that group date rose, But then she goes and she's kind of like coaching, mentoring Cheney. It was that very I almost it was odd, like I don't know what other word to use to describe I've never seen anything like that, where she was almost like, this is these are the rules of the game, this is how it goes, this is like it was. It was spoken about in a very like strategic competition sense of like, I don't know. I was just very thrown off by the whole conversation they had. It was like she was gearing up to get a job like teaching, coaching. Chaney like, what you have to do to now this interview to get this role, and at the end of the day, like, look like you can have a playbook. We've seen people in the past come in to every season with some sort of idea of how it should go and like what works and doesn't work with past seasons. But if you know that, then you should know that Cassidy, what you're doing isn't gonna work. And it just gets bizarre and I feel like Cheney now it's like mister Miagi and the Karate Kid, and Shane's like trying to be Cassidy and she's like even Sane on her the next group date, like oh, well Cassidy would do this or Cassidy would do that. But it's like, yeah, you got Cassidy say you are your own human being. Yeah. It was definitely interesting watching Cassidy on the group date and then Chaney almost being like, well, Cassie would do this, or Cassidy told me to do this, and I don't understand because Cassie's ever been on the show before either, And I think, you know, do you like I just wanted to hear one of them being like, I really like Clayton, because all the conversation was around like getting to the next week, getting to the end, and like nothing was surrounding their feelings for Clayton. But I mean, I think Cheney, I don't know if Cassie would have or wouldn't have done this, but Shaney's behavior on the group date when she threw Elizabeth under the bus, I mean that kind of came out of nowhere. And I honestly think that whoever stole Clayton first was going to feel the wrath of Shaney that night, because it really felt like the only reason she was so upset was because she wanted to steal Clayton first and Elizabeth did it instead. Yes, Yeah, Cheney, I feel like she still has some figuring out to do. I feel like she's looking for this validation from not only Clayton, but Elizabeth and all the women in the house to like love and accept her, and it's I mean, it doesn't seem like it's going about the best way it'll be interesting to see. I mean, we see it being left on a cliffhanger for the two we continue next week. We didn't even get into the Rows ceremony. I want to address one major thing before we get into the one on one date. But in terms of like the group aspect and you know, thirty women living together, a lot of Elizabeth's personal and mental health issues in her adh she were brought up a lot which I don't think was anyone else's place to bring up besides Elizabeth, if and when she was indeed ready too. Um. And that's something that in Cassidy's part, I wish she would have just kept to herself, kept between her and Elizabeth. Um. It was. It was really tough to watch because I feel like that word and that phrase and what Elizabeth is dealing with in her daily life is you know, being thrown around in the wind like glitter. And it wasn't the time nor the place, And so it'll be interesting to see how it is handled next week. I hope Cassidy can just suck it up and apologize and realize where she went wrong. But Jane'll tell, Oh, Shane, what did I say? Cassidy Cassidy. Yes, sorry, but we did. I'm just going to say, there's a lot of blondes. Okay, No, we've got We're leaving on a cliffhanger with Cassidy because she has been outed for the Friends with Benefits back home, so we're finding out what Clayton's about to do with that. And then I completely agree with what you just said regarding Shane, and I just want to give a shout out to Elizabeth. She didn't really stand out to me that much in episode one. I don't know if we got to see much of her, but the way she handled the situation where you know, it was being very openly discussed her mental health and what she had confided into Chaney about, I thought she handled it with class, with maturity. She was calm, she was confident, she stood her ground, but was still you know, she wasn't disrespectful in any way. And I mean I was extremely impressed with her this episode. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Somebody else that I was very impressed with is our guest today, Miss Susie. She seemed to hit it off so well with Clayton. I think it was the best way to start the very first one on one of the season. We can get into everything, but I would rather just bring her on to bring to get into it with her because she was obviously there so much more detail that she can give us. So with that, Serena, I think we should just bring miss Susie on. I think we should. I am so excited to talk to her today. Well, Susie, welcome to Bachelor Happy Hour. Serena and I are so excited to have you because I don't know if you listened to us last week, but you were one of our favorites from night one. I already said it. I'm like, Susie's gonna go far. She's gonna be our girl. So well, I was like, she's a wedding videographer, she's wearing white. This is perfect. We're manifesting all the good things now. Oh my gosh, thank welcome. Yeah, how have you been good? I've been really good. I'm happy to be home and back in Virginia right now, and yeah, I mean I'm good. I listened to the podcast last week and I was like so honored. My best friend send it to me and she was like, hey, you got to give this a listen, and I was like in her car driving down the road and I was like, Oh my gosh, this is so crazy. I want to know, how the hell did you get on the show? Did you apply for yourself? Did somebody nominate you? Yeah, So four years ago I moved home from Japan. I was very single, I almost I mean I hadn't dated seriously in like two years. The whole time I was out there, and my best friends watched the show pretty religiously, and they convinced me to let them nominate me, and they spent a package in the mail and it didn't get there in time for casting. I guess it was already complete. But then the next year they called me and they were like, we're actually casting and we think you would be a great fit. Maybe let's see. And then I was in a relationship so didn't work out that year. And then this past year, my friend Veronica nominated me, and I actually nominated her too, and it just happened to be good time. So yeah, I feel like it's kind of like been in like the this like realm of my world where I started watching. After I got the call, I was like, oh my gosh, this is crazy. They actually called me. And so then I've kind of like had my interest peaked for a while now, but now I'm just a fan of the show, and so it's crazy to like be on this show and even be talking to you guys. I'm like, I'm like kind of freaking out. I'm a little bit in nepious, but we're fan girling over you too. So what what season was it that you like? Originally was it Colton season? Then it would be Colton season though. That's like the male submission that went out was for Colton season. Okay, oh gosha, Yeah, look you got you got your blondie NFL player, see name? We got pretty class. I worked out for the best. It definitely did, Suzy. I really want to know so much more about you, because we've loved what we've seen so far, and you have shown so many sides of your personality, and we know a little bit about your background having been in Japan, but can you just tell us more about that. I mean, you came up and I was like, oh, pageant girl, and then you were doing jiu jitsu like five seconds later, So I would love more trades. Yeah, So I moved to Japan when I was twenty two, twenty eight, right, now and I lived there until I was twenty five, and I started doing Brazilian jiu jitsu while I was in Japan, and yeah, it's it was the most incredible thing I've ever done for myself. I think leaving the country by yourself and starting kind of like a new life, a new career. I worked at Tokyo Disneyland, and I always say like that was a really special thing to do, but being in Japan was like the true gem of that job because I got to experience something like totally outside my comfort zone. I learned a lot about myself. I learned about things that I really needed to kind of work on and like how to become a better person. I think that their society puts a huge emphasis on like hard work and like grit and kind of determination, and I'm very much a free spirit, So living in that culture, I was like, wow, like I'm expected to be like top tier at everything that I do, and anything less than that will be like critiqued and I will be like held very accountable for all of my actions, whether it's being one minute late to work or anything at all. So I think like having a really like kind of strict culture for several years kind of like allowed me to grow into a stronger version of myself. So yeah, Japan was great. And then obviously learning jiu JITs, starting jiu JITs to and having like a team out there that like people that cared for me, that were like locals, and when I left Japan, like saying about them was probably the hardest part about leaving. They were just they threw me this huge going away party we went to like a sumo wrestling house and we like shared foods, giant pots. It was like it was like the coolest thing ever. And yeah, it changed my life. It changed my perspective on kind of like work ethic and just like how to be a better person. I think, wow, that's incredible. I have to say, I feel like you are one of the very first women to come through the franchise that has probably ever probably not ever done jiu jitsu, but who has talked about it and shown it. I have to give you props. One of my good friends, Dustin back home, he's been doing jiu jitsu for a couple of years now, and I know how difficult it is, how much dedication it takes. So props to you. That's incredible. I feel like you are a jack of all trades. I mean, as Serena had touched on, you did the pageants, I mean, you worked at Tokyo Disneyland or Disney World was it. It's Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea out there, okay, and you just I mean the background everything is so interesting and so I'm so glad that we got such a well rounded, cultured woman on the show. It's just very exciting and fresh for viewers. I want to get into night one because we saw your hometown package, we saw you step out of the limo, and you had quite a good entrance. We really loved that entrance. I have to say. Serena and I talked a little bit about it last week on the podcast. So two things, How did you pick up your gorgeous dress? How did you know that that was the one? And how did you come up with the fun intro where You're like, Nope, I'm not gonna hug you, but I'm gonna give you the firm handshake. Honestly, when you did the first you started that, I was like, Susie, no, Like, what are you doing with this firm handshake? Like I was like no, I like you, like, we're off to a bad start, but you turned it around and he thought it was super cute things. I'm glad I was able to turn it around because watching it back, I was like his sinking in my chair and I was like, oh my gosh, like I hope I hope this play as well. I mean it felt cringey when I did it, but I think you know, I grew up with an older brother and we were always pranking each other, and we actually used to have those pens that you would like hand to somebody and then it would shock them. And I just thought the concept of like coming out of the limo and doing something kind of silly, like kind of like a little prank would it's kind of a brand for me. It felt like, um, I felt like it was silly but not too like extravagant or like out there. Um. And yeah, I definitely am a hugger. So it was really hard to to say that because he like held his hands out for me as if he was gonna, like, you know, like extend the arms. I should grab his hands, and I'm like, oh no, no, no, like we're not we're not doing that. And I was like Oh my gosh, this is gonna feel so cringe to play back, but um, it was. Yeah, it turned out okay, I guess, and definitely a bold move. The white gown. The real reason I chose it, it it was for comfort. It was probably like my most comfortable gown after my own heart. Everyone told me it was between that and this, like fully beated red dressed, and everyone was like, it's the longest night of the entire season. You're gonna be miserable, and I was like, Okay, We're going for the white. And it was true, Like there's a couple of clips where I'm probably inappropriately sitting on the couch with like my feet underneath of me. But I was like, I was so comfortable. I felt like I was like chilling at home, so like I ended up working out great. It was beautiful. We loved it. That's smart. That's really smart. My dress was bedazzled, but like comfortable the first day. But it is so long, Like the more comfortable you can go, the better. But I can totally relate to you on your entrance because I didn't do something similar, but I did like a small like I came in with a step stool made like a little joke about his height because I was like, I want to do something because I feel like I'll feel lost just going up there and talking. But I was the same. I was like, I don't want to do anything big because then I'm gonna get like really overwhelmed. But we loved your entrance, we love your dress. Can you kind of just walk us through night one? Like? How did that feel for you? Was there any like standout moments? What was that like? Yeah, it was so fun To this day, like I look back and I'm like, it was I still can't believe I did it. Watching it back, I would get like butterflies watching it when I would see things that kind of like felt like nostalgic and it would bring me back to that moment. The girls were so awesome, and it does like tease it at the end of the episode where it's like, oh, like everyone was so supportive, and it really felt like that, like everyone was incredible. The girls were so sweet. Everyone was like very accomplished and obviously beautiful. So it's like intimidating being in there, but at the same time, I was like, this is like the most fun I've ever had. It feels like just like a really cool party and no one has their phones, so you're all just getting to know each other, like no one's distracted. It's like it's it was a really fun first night, and yeah, it was nervous and kind of freaking out. But at the same time, there's so much downtime in between, like when you actually get to speak with Clayton or when you're doing an interview, that you're just like hanging out with a bunch of cool girls. Did it feel kind of magical? Because I remember I had watched a few seasons before I left for my time on The Bachelor, and then actually being there to step out of the limo and walk through the mansion doors and to see all of the iconic things like the hot tub, the pol the different couches, didn't feel magical, Like were you in this mindset of like, holy crap, I'm actually here and it doesn't feel real. Yeah, it didn't. It did not feel real. I remember walking into the living room and I just was like, what is my life? Like, I'm in the Bachelor mansion. And there were a few times where we were like laying out back and we had a day off and we were just like hanging by the pool, and I was like, this is the most incredible thing I've ever done. It was just like so surreal and seeing like the mountains in the background, like I've never seen anything so beautiful, and like, yeah, living in those bunk beds, it was so fun and like almost felt like silly. But then you wake up and you look out this gorgeous like mansion view and you're just like, how is this happening to me? It felt surreal, It felt like a fairy tale. So you were the first one on one date. However, you were in the middle, so they read the group date card and your name wasn't on it. How did you feel when you didn't hear your name on the first date card because we know not everyone gets a date that first week? And then how did you feel hearing your name on the one on one date car? Because I can imagine those were two very different feelings. Oh my gosh. Yeah, so I was. I actually don't know if I knew that people weren't going to get a date that week. I okay, And I almost feel bad because I feel like I was like telling people in the house. I was like, oh my gosh, I don't worry. Like I was trying to be like the least dressed person in the room and just trying to like enjoy and not be worried. But turns out like nobody's safe ever. So I think I was a little bit nervous when I didn't hear my name, just not knowing like what was what to expect, Like I mean, it was it was such a strange concept. And then the second day when I heard my name on the date card, I was so nervous, Like I'm afraid to admit this, but there was a part of me that was like almost wishing I had gotten a group date first, because I was just so nervous that I was like, there's no like easing into it, like I don't know this man, and I have to go on a date with him, like right off the bat. And I was I remember, like physically shaking and I had no control. I just literally was like shaking. And you know what, I think that's a very normal feeling. I mean, Becca, I don't know how you felt because you did get the first one on them, but I know Brion Arciason said something very similar to you, which was I'm going on a full day date, Like this isn't drinks, Like we're spending a whole day together doing activity and I actually don't know him. Whereas you're right with the group that you do get to ease in a little bit. So when you spend the whole day, you have a bit of a foundation, right, That's exactly it. Yeah, I was like, I have to spend the full day, and I was like, well, what if I get in get in the car and there's chemistry, Like what if there's no like what if he actually doesn't like me? Or what if I don't like him? And so we have to hang out for twelve hours? And I was like, I was kind of freaked out. Obviously I was really great. It was just like I was so nervous, but the girls were actually so supportive, and I kind of expressed that I was like I was intimidated that I would like to be like my best self and not be able to be goofy and like just like let go and have fun. But it ended up that I was. I was totally comfortable and it was like the best thing to have the first date, Like I had a blast, but it was nerve wracking for sure. Well, I mean It's so interesting to see Clayton with different women, right, and I know, especially like night one in this first week is a lot because he's still getting to know everyone. There's still so much to process. But it truly seemed from a viewer standpoint that, like the second it was just the two of you on your date away, and like seeing him in his interviews about you, he really felt a strong connection, like he really felt comfortable. He said, how fun and adventurous you were in you, I think we're probably the best person to take on that very first date because you made him kind of slow down and be able to breathe easy and just relax. I'm sure it was probably one of the first times since he was announced as the lead, because he's go, go, go, that he could finally just like really sit and breathe and appreciate the day. Because you guys had a really incredible date. I mean, what didn't you do. You were in a helicopter, you went on a yacht, you got to go in the hot time, you got to jump in the water, and then you of course had this very romantic date at the evening portion. But just the initial chemistry and connection that you both had it was very I think, very apparent for the viewers. So did you feel like right away you could just be yourself, be free in your own skin. How did that feel like? What was that connection like for you? Yeah, that's exactly how I felt. You know how it's always worse when you think about things in your head and then you get there and you're like, oh my gosh, like this is not that scary. That's kind of what it felt like. I was building it up and I was like putting all this pressure on myself that I was going to be too nervous or too shy. And it was like ten minutes in the gwagon with him, and I was like, wait, I like this guy. I was like, he's so cute. I'm really comfortable, and yeah, they were like GoPros in the car, but there weren't cameras, there weren't other people in the car, so it felt super natural and just like it felt like we were on a real date in the real world. And it was probably ten minutes in and like my body stopped shaking and I think my hands became less clammy, and I was like starting to feel more like a human and less You're like, okay, Clayton, you can hold my hand now together literally and I was like yeah. I was like, I need to wipe them dry every time you go to reach my hand, now go for my hand. But yeah, it was It was very apparent that, like early on, I felt super comfortable with him, and I think I realized that he's like just a person, and um a nice person too, like just such a good, genuine, like real human being. And I figured that out very quickly, and then I felt like the rest of my date was fun. I was still like a little shy and like a little nervous at times because I just I'm just getting to know him, but I definitely felt like there was an instant connection for me, and I had so much fun. Jumping off the yacht was my favorite part of the whole day. I was so nervous. I thought he was joking. I thought this was him getting back at me for the buzzer prank. And I was like, I was like, are you gonna make me climb over the edge of this yacht and then you're gonna like let me jump into water by myself? Like what is happening right now? What if he was like sea Susan, I was honestly thinking that because you guys held hands and when you jumped, I was like, imagine one of them was just like, nope, see you later. I was picturing. I literally was like, if you don't jump when I go, it's like, I'm gonna be really upset because I was like, I'm gonna do this, but I'm expecting you to also do this. But yeah, I was like, it was so exhilarating, it was so fun. And that's when I feel like that moment was like such a big moment for you where I was like, wait, I like this guy a lot, Like he's exciting, you know. Yeah, I feel like we definitely almost went through those feelings with you. Like watching it, I could see you know, expressing your nerves in the beginning. I always really like it when people explicitly say like I'm nervous, just so you know, I think like it shows confidence actually, And then I feel like I saw both of you like relax as the date went on. But the Dave portion obviously was I mean, I was very jealous watching it the whole time. You guys look like you had an absolute blast going into the night portion you obviously kind of it slows down things get a little more serious. We saw you be very open and vulnerable with him. Can you just touch on how you felt sharing that with Clayton, how you felt about his response, and just what that night portion of the date meant to you. Yeah, I was. I wanted to be as open and vulnerable as possible. I think I'm a very open person in general, like with myself with other people, Like I just I feel comfortable like communicating and talking about my feelings and my life and other people's lives. And I also wanted him to know, like I didn't expect my life to be in Virginia at this point. I didn't really anticipate like being here, but just kind of what happened with my dad and the way life took me, I ended up being here at twenty eight years old, and I've started to kind of build my life here and I'm really happy here, and I'm like this is something that for me, Like I want to be in Virginia and like I'm open obviously, and I want to be like make things work with whoever I'm in a relationship with. But my family is so important to me, and I want to know that whoever I'm with if nothing else will help, make a priority to see my family or be close to my family on some level. And so I wanted to be kind of upfront with that that a lot has changed in my life in these past couple of years, but I'm looking for somebody who wants to prioritize their family, and I would do the same for my person as well. You know, like if if somebody family member is going through a health crisis, like I would want to be close and I would want to put myself out there to help and like be a part of um, you know, the care team for a partner's family member as well. So it was nice to be able to feel comfortable enough to share that with him, and for him to also kind of like acknowledge that and and just to know that and then want to move forward with me. It was reassuring. And also it's good for him to just know where I stand and like for him to know like how important my family is to me. Well, yeah, it's so important, I think, especially right away because in this process things move so quickly, like we don't have the luxury of dragging anything out, especially when they're big conversations and That's why I think it was good upfront, because we've seen it on past seasons where people haven't had those conversations of kind of like where they want to end up, where they want to be living, what they want to be doing. And so I think as as I can imagine, because I was in your shoes on that very first date, opening up about my father and you know, I had a little bit different of a situation, but still stuff with my family in the past that I was willing to share with him. And knowing that, you know, this isn't always first date talk. You don't know how the other person's going to reciprocate, you know, and deal with the heaviness that you're sharing with them. But it seemed like Clayton was so open with you, and I think he really appreciated you sharing your family and everything that you've gone through with him. So I think it bonded you. So I know that you say you felt that instant connection, I think he did too. So I just got to ask, what was it like kissing him? Oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing. But oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing. I'm gonna admit it. But like I said, I'm so nervous, but like my mouth was so dry the first time we kissed. Can I get some hydration over here? Like can I get a glass of water or something? But yeah, I mean obviously, like we shared a few kisses, but it felt so nice. It felt like I mean, it was like realizing. I was like, I've never like dated somebody like Clayton. I mean, first of all, he's like very attractive, very ends, I'm so tall, and then we have this like chemistry at least from what I was feeling. I was like, wow, like I feel like we have this instant chemistry and like it felt like I'd known him for so long. So yeah, kissing him felt like I get hate, oh god, so cheesy, like magical. But I was like I was in that moment. I was like, dang, is this like meant to be? Like I was all in after my first date. I was like, this is it? You know, like I'm going for it. Girl, you went for it. We are so thrilled that you did. I think make guess have been good this season. There's been a lot of them. No one's told him that. I mean, speaking of makeouts, Susie, I hate to do this too. But you know, we got to talk about the love and we got to talk about the drama, and I'm sure the listeners are gonna want to know what you think about it. So Makeouts brings me right back to Cassidy and Clayton by the pool. Can you just touch on this whole episode? I mean, we saw a lot with Cassidy and a lot with Chaney. What are your thoughts on all of it? Because I know you probably were in the room for some of it, not in the room for some of it. So I'll just let you pick and choose. What are your thoughts on the drama in the this episode? So I'm sure you guys experienced this as well, and it worked for like good ways and bad ways. Like there were people that I didn't even really cross paths with us and with until like week two or three because you're just on a different schedule. You're going on different group dates or whatever. So like the first week I was on the one on one and all of the drama happened on the group dates I was not there. I didn't like see it happening. I would hear it, hear about it in the morning, but I know, like one morning, I woke up, I came downstairs. There's a whole lot happening, and I was just getting a little snack, and so I'm like eating the snack and I'm like overhearing everything happening on the couches and I'm like, oh my gosh, what's going on. Well, I still don't even fully know what happened because I wasn't on the date, but I mean, I think people were just rubbing people the wrong way in the house, and I like, fortunately for me, I wasn't around to see it happening, but I definitely got like ear fools at different times, and I understand it. I think like you kind of have if you're like in a position where you're either getting a lot of attention from the lead um or whatever it is, like it's better to air on the side of caution and try to like at least remain humble and like grateful. I guess, but I think that maybe it was just rubbing people the wrong way. And obviously there's some things that are going to be addressed in the future, but I think we'll just have to like wait and see how it's handled. I don't know, I don't really know I'm not. I'm like like I wasn't in the room, but yeah, and that that is a blessing. Yeah, I was very lucky to I'm shocked that the drama started so soon. We were all like bfs after night one and then boom like it's going, Yeah, it happens quick. I want to ask you this because so knowing that you were the only person that week that had the one on one with him, like, and I don't want you to give too much away like for future weeks, but let me preface it with this. I remember going on the very first one on one and kind of like you establishing a really strong connection. I was like, okay, we click, we hit it off, you know, like he is expressing everything that I wanted in a partner and vice versa. It was it was smooth ceiling that first week. And then you obviously knowing you can't have a one on one each week, going into group dates and then being kind of thrown into the mix again of like you're not that number one you you know, are one of many and he's exploring multiple relationships. What was that like coming back from your one on one knowing that you were going to you know, still be in the running with thirty other women and knowing that he's going to start some really other strong relationships. Like where was your mindset in the kind of days and weeks to come? So I think that's like such a good point. And yeah, I mean had the first one I want, Like you get it as you're speaking, and I was like, yeah, I never this is going because I definitely experienced it. Like I said earlier, I was really set on just like going with the flow, you know. I was like, okay, like if this is meant to be, it's going to work itself out, Like that was my mentality. And that's not always like a great mentality to have. Like some like some names. You gotta put in work and effort and you got to like you know, prioritize things and you can't just always go with the flow. And that's something I've learned about myself, like in the past, but also through this process. So as much as you like try to be cool, you know, you're like, Okay, I don't like I'm gonna be cool with it, Like it's fine, Like it's hard not to see. And it was very apparent, Like it becomes very apparent, very early on that Clayton has strong connections with multiple people. So it's not easy because obviously I was very invested. Immediately ten minutes into the car ride on my one on one I was like, okay, I'm in. So it's tough, but I think it was good because I had that balance of trying to go with the flow but also like recognizing that relationships take work and effort. So um, yeah, it'll be interesting to see how it pans out. It's tough, It's it's gonna be tough. It's like the toughest dating experience I've had, probably, but but yeah, it's it's an interesting concept. I'll be interested to watch it back as well. Yeah, well as are we. Yes, So Susie bringing it back to you, can you tell us? And I know that this is a hard question, so take your time if you want to think about it. But what's something that you want people to know about you that either hasn't been shown yet or maybe you know you know is a side of you or something about you that there aren't gonna be able to learn from the show. That's a good question, That's a really good question. I think I don't know if this will come across this show. Obviously it might change as it goes down the line, but my friends and my family are like the most incredible people in the world. I truly have like such an eclectic group of people from all the different walks of life that I've had, and I just think that, like all of those people are like a part or a big part of the reason why I was able to like get through that experience and with such a positive mindset. I have like the best humans around me, and I'm just like I always think, I'm like, I'm so grateful that I've had like such great even my friends, like they are like mentors to me sometimes, like my best friend Lauren, She's like the most incredible human you'll ever meet. And like before going on the show, everyone gave me such great vice and was so encouraging, And I knew that, like, no matter what, as long as I was myself and I was like honest to who I am, that like my friends and my family would always have my back and they would always love me. And I think in all aspects of life, like doing something challenging, knowing that you have that support system like allows you the freedom to be yourself. And I think that I have that freedom on the shows, like I feel comfortable to be me because of all the great people I have in my life. I know that I'm supported, and yeah, I don't know if that'll come across in the show or not, but that's I would say, that's like the biggest thing or influence in my life are just the people that I have around me. Oh, well, this is this is I'm so glad that we're able to have you on because prior to bringing you on, Serena and I were kind of recapping everything and talking about like levels of confidence, if you will, on the show, and it's good to be confident, but not overly confident, where it comes across as cocky or insincere or rumps anyone the wrong way. And I feel like you do like the perfect job of navigating that where of course you're confident, you know you have this connection with Clayton, but you still treat others with respect and or true to who you are. So I'm glad that you were able to say that, and I'm sure it'll come across. Well. Obviously, I don't think we're gonna I think we're gonna be seeing you for quite some time here, which I'm excited about. Well, we know that there is still much more to come. We're only one week in. But without giving too much detailed away, if you could describe Clayton's season in three words, what would you say, Oh, that's a good question. I would say it's wild, it's exciting, and it's genuine. And I mean that like on All Friends, it's like there's drama, there's love and romance, there's like ups and downs. And then from Clayton's perspective, like he is such a genuine person and I got to know a really good human by going on the show. But then the women are awesome, and like I can't wait to see I can't wait to see like how the world reacts to these women because they are just like incredible and they are genuine and there are people there just like really opening up and being vulnerable and like that to me is so special. So I would say, yeah, those three words do a good job to describe what to expect. I love it. Who are you really close with out of the group of women, Oh yeah, Oh my gosh, I love the girls so much, So I would say Gabby is probably like my best friend from the show, Rachel, Teddy, Serene, and Kate. She's incredible. She's one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. Marlena is also one of my best friends. Like she's actually from Virginia Beach too, which is so crazy, but she doesn't live here currently, Um, but as soon as she's back in town, I'm I need to see you. There's like, there's so many great women and Tessa we had some really great, great conversations early on. Um, there's so many wonderful people that I met. But I mean I feel I feel like almost everyone from the show, like we have a great friendship. So it definitely do that. There's oh my gosh, like yeah, because no one else could understand that craziness that we just went through. Um. But yeah, and everyone's so funny too, Like everyone was funny. I felt like, yeah, in this episode, everything that came out of Gabby's mouth, I was like laughing out loud that this girl is such a character. A lot of people, I mean, I've heard people be like, was she drunk the first night? But like, I think she's just got this like really like quirky, fun personality. I'm honestly never seen anyone with a sense of humor like hers on the show, and I everything she says I laugh at. I genuinely think she's the funniest person I've ever met in my life, like of everyone, and like maybe even from television too, in movies, Like she is so funny, Like I can't even I mean, I just want to like be with her and be like, oh, I just love you, Like she's so great. We gotta bring her on the podcast. I know she just did click Quait last week, but we gotta have her on. You Will Be, You Will Be. You all so much fun. A lot of the women that you just mentioned that you love in her close with are all some of my favorites so far. Like I really like Kate for some reason, Like she just seems very mature and like she just says it like it is but still just like fun and comforting. But I'm I'm excited to see more of the dynamic. And I will say, like, obviously, only if it goes according to plan, one person will really fall in love and like get the man at the end of it. But you can still find so many friendships and like last eleven, the friendships and the relationships that you can build. So it sounds like you're doing it all right so far. I'm so excited to see more of you, Susie. Before we let you go, we gotta play a game with you, and so I'm gonna let Serena kick it off. Basically, it's just uh, superlatives. Who's most likely too? So we're just gonna give you a sentence and you just say whatever woman in the house comes to mind. It can be anyone, it can be you whoever. Yes, I love this game. I feel like we're gonna learn a lot about the ladies. Okay, ready to go? Yes, all right, let's start it off. So most likely to get the party started? Oh, parties started? I mean, oh gosh, I'm gonna say Gabby for everything. I guess. She's so fun. Yeah, Gabby's a blast. Oh Hunter, Oh my gosh, Hunter's got some secret dance moves that you will. I mean, I hope they get airtime. That's all I'm gonna say. Because she's Yeah, she's fun. I love it. Who is most likely to start drama? Oh? Oh my gosh. Um is Clayton a fair answer? Because everyone? I mean, that's where it all starts, right, I love that answer because it's like, I mean, I'm taking it off the girls, but like it's all because of Clayton ultimately with him. So he says, you're the drama. You're listening, He'll take it. I don't if you said that to Jimmy'd be like, yeah, okay, I'll take it. I know that. Yeah, all right, that's my answer. I already know who you're gonna say for this. Who was most likely to get the ladies laughing? Gabby's funny. I'm gonna switch this question a little bit. Who has the best dance moves? Oh, the best dance moves Hunter? Like, Hunter has some really good ones, but she's not always going to drop them out. Um, Serene, she can like dance for real. And then I feel like Sierra as well, Like I saw some I saw some moves with her. Sira, She's pretty. I feel like we saw more of Sierra this episode. But I feel like when you see more, yeah, yeah, I hope you will. I mean, I hope so because she's got such a fun personality, but um, I think she was like, yeah, shy to let it out at first. Well, the drama overshadows especially oh yeah, exactly. Okay, um. Most likely to suggest ordering a bottle instead of a glass me always. I feel like maybe Elizabeth. Um, I don't know because we haven't like gone out drinking together yet, but I feel like, if there's anyone I'm gonna get a bottle with this Elizabeth, We're gonna like get the bottle and spend the whole night chatty. She's awesome. She's your drinking buddy on the show. Yeah, okay. Who's most likely to sing karaoke? Oh, my gosh, sing karaoke? Okay, wait, so Claire Night one? She can sing? I made her. I made her sing at one point. Yeah, she can really sing, so I would say her. I don't know if anyone else would do karaoke, I'd be hiding it in the back. But oh I love good karaoke session after a few drinks, I might get up there. Or Susie, we're bringing you up to La. We're gonna get a few bottles in yet and we're gonna go Yeah. Yeah, okay, karaoke? All right. Who is most likely to steal clayst him first at a cocktail party? Oh my god, you guys are asking the tough questions. Um, I mean I guess I'm gonna give us into Cassidy, but but I don't know. I think we all we all want to feel them. Yeah, well, I think after what we saw yesterday, I would say Cassidy too. You're not far off base on that one. Who's most likely to go to bed first? Oh, Molina for sure. Molina was in bed by like nine pm if possible, every night. A woman after my own heart. I love Malina already. It's she's amazing Molina, Like I feel like every time I bring up a new name, I'm like, wait, I should have said that's who I'm really close with, because there's like all of them, but Malina is one of them as well. She's she's so awesome. She would like do group workouts and then like go to bed at nine. I loved it. That is so genius. Rachel and I used to wait up for each other if we were on separate group dates, and then we were like, what are we doing? Like it's two in the morning, I'm so tired, Like I'm going off from two hours of sleep this entire week. I need to go to bed. Yeah, I don't really, gosh, I love it. Okay, who is most likely to make a toast. Oh, make a toast. I would say, Sierra, Okay, okay, yeah, yeah, I feel like she's she has some good toasts. Were you like coming out with the toast, Susie, or were you the one that was like hiding in the back, I'm hiding in the back, and I'm like again like as I'm hiding in the back, I'm like, I feel this is wet coming, and I'm like, please, nobody, like call on me here, don't pick me. Don't pick me for all of all of our listeners out there, whoever wonder like at at the roast ceremonies at the end, once whoever you know has gone home has to leave, they'll walk out with the champagne. They'll give everyone the glass, and then they'll have everyone go around and give a different toast. And I, Susie, I'm like you. I was like, don't call on me, don't pick me, don't look at me. I'm not here. I just want to sip. I don't want to say anything. It was so nerve wracking, especially like when you're five or six people in and you're like they've already said what I was about to say. I have nothing more, no new content for you. I'm sorry. In Paradise, Becca is obviously the wonderful bachelorette. She is and has the most experience and it is such a pro when it comes to giving toes. They would always call on her to give a toes and your phase would dropped every single time, Becket. And then the one time they called on me, they fed it to me because they knew that I was not going to come up with anything on the spot. Oh my god. That is the one thing. I don't think I've ever said this before, but like before I said yes to Bachelorette, part of me wanted to say no because I knew how many toasts you had to give, how like just how much you had to talk and be on and like your speeches says like I can't do that. So part of me was like, you don't want me for the lead, And to this day, like I the amount of prep work that I had to like mentally prepare for it in my head to do that is unreal. So I totally get the anxiety, like the Becca my whole role because I'm serious, I almost because I was like, I can't do what they all have to do. Oh yeah, it's like the bast of I'm sweaty now just thinking about it. Ye, Like my arm is, I'm like everywhere, I'm like, you gotta get in there. Um okay, last question for the game. Who is most likely to be your bridesmaid in a wedding? Oh my gosh, like everyone like, that's gonna be an expensive bridal party. It's gonna be it's gonna be pricey, it's gonna be pricy. I mean there, I'm so close with so many of the women. I would say, like Marlena and Gabby are two people that I just think, like to the core, I'm like, I trust you with life and with my life with everything, And those are like two women that I just felt really connected to on the show. So I would I would say probably either both of them or one of them. Awesome. I love that. I can't wait to have them both on. Maybe we'll have like a girl session one week with all of you guys. Yes, I know, oh my gosh, like a true, a true happy hour. We come on, get on a zoom and we just hang. Let's just remember person one day, you know. Yeah, Well, we COVID tested, I'll supply on the wine back coming day at your place. Yes, please do break it in all right, Susie. That has been such an absolute blast having you on. Before we let you go, this is one thing we ask all of our guests. And I know we're only one week in and still very fresh for all of the viewers, but overall, right now on your journey, what has been your rose and what has been your thorn? Oh? Like meaning like the good in the back, like highlight, low light, whatever it is, okay up to this point that we've seen. Um, the highlight would be I had just come. I came onto the show from a really tough time in my life life, and I was unsure if it would be a good thing for me. And it was such a positive experience, like the women meeting Clayton, the mansion, everything, the yacht, the helicopter, all of it. I was like, I felt like I was just the luckiest person in the world to be there. My thorn would be, yeah, I think knowing that, I think, yeah, knowing that I'm gonna have to say goodbye to people each week, whether it's me going or them going, and that the experience would be over and like this kind of like fairy tale and incredible experience is going to be over at some point, so I think. Yeah, I got emotional every every time that people had to leave. Yeah, it's never easy, but hopefully you're bonded for life. As Serena said it, it brings people together in such a weird, crazy way. Oh my gosh. Yeah, all right, Susie. Well, thank you for taking time out of your day. I'm sure you're very busy. Hopefully we will have you back one day against and this has been such a blast, but thank you for kicking off such a fun one on one this week. And you know, I'm sure we'll see much more of you to come. So thank you so much for joining. Yes, thank you so much, Susie. We can't wait to watch the rest of your journey. Thank you, Thank you guys for having me. This was so fun and I still can't believe I was talking to the book. So pretty cool. I can't believe we're talking to you. We're the lucky ones. Thanks girl, We'll see you safe. Oh. I really like her. I like her too, She's just very comfortable to talk to, easy, confident. I mean, I feel like what you see on the show is what you get, and I love that, and I like how she had mentioned in her life how important family and friends are to her and that she's just built up like such an eclectic gray of people in her life, which I think definitely can only help on a journey like this, where you know people from all around the country, different backgrounds, everything, And it seems like she really is just miss congeniality in the house so far. So I'm glad that we were able to have her on get to know her a little bit more. And yeah, I can't wait to see where this journey takes her again. Like I don't know much about really what the hell is going to happen this season, from everything that I've gathered, it sounds like it's going to be one hell of a ride, and so hopefully Susie's long for quite some time, because you know, I'm Betty now she's making it far. I think she will be. I mean, Clayton seemed genuinely so excited about her, and I think everyone could see their connection was very obvious. But I mean, we're two for two and out back at every episode I've watched has been so much romance and even more drama, So I think we're in for one hell of a season. It's been fun. I can't wait to see where it goes. We'll just have to tune in next week to see what we have to recap. I'm sure more drama and more love and I don't know, hopefully just more of everything, because it's been good so far. This season is not disappointing me. So do you think next week we're gonna have a little more or a little less of chinane Cassidy. Oh, I think we're gonna, unfortunately, have a lot more. Yes, I don't think it's gonna end anytime soon. We'll just have to wait and see. I just want to know is Cassidy the one with the boyfriend? Will find out next week. Tune into another episode of Batchelor Happy Hour then. But in the meantime, Serena, it has been so much fun to have you again, and a huge thank you to Susie for being here, but an even bigger thank you to our Bachelor Happy Hour listeners. We love you, Thanks for tuning in each and every week. As a reminder, we're still casting for future seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette, So if you want to nominate yourself or somebody else that you think would be great for the show. You can head to www dot batchel nation dot com slash apply. Also make sure to hit us up on social Bachelor Happy Hour on Instagram, at batch Nation, on TikTok and Twitter, and then Bachelor Nation on Facebook. You can catch all the greatest and latest updates and also Bachelor Happy Hour is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you can listen, so you can listen ad free by subscribing to Wondering Plus in Apple Podcasts or the Wondering app. Thank you so much, Bachelor Happy Hour listeners. We can wait to chat with you more next week. See you then, guys. Bye,