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'Bachelor' winner: Haters should 'be ashamed'

Monday night's "Bachelor" finale was controversial to many fans, but "Bachelor" Juan Pablo Galavis and the woman he chose, Nikki Ferrell, are defending their relationship on social media — and dissing haters, while thanking supporters.Galavis shared a selfie of the new couple.And also retweeted a tweet from a fan who defended his finale actions.And Ferrell thanked now-married "Bachelor" couple J
Image: "Bachelor" Juan Pablo Galavis and winner Nikki Ferrell
\"Bachelor\" Juan Pablo Galavis and winner Nikki FerrellRick Rowell / ABC

Monday night's "Bachelor" finale was controversial to many fans, but "Bachelor" Juan Pablo Galavis and the woman he chose, Nikki Ferrell, are defending their relationship on social media — and dissing haters, while thanking supporters.

Being+in+the+public+eye+does+NOT+give+you+the+right+to+say+what+you+want+to+me.+Your+words+hurt+no+matter+what.+Be+ashamed+of+yourselves.

—+Nikki+Ferrell+(@Nikki_Ferrell)+March+11,+2014+

Galavis shared a selfie of the new couple.

And also retweeted a tweet from a fan who defended his finale actions.

When+@JuanPaGalavis+tells+@Nikki_Ferrell+he+loves+her,+it'll+be+first+time+in+#bachelor+history+that+it+means+something.

—+Traci+Christenson+(@SheSellsCondos)+March+11,+2014+

And Ferrell thanked now-married "Bachelor" couple Jason and Molly Mesnick for their online support.

@MollyMesnick+@jason_mesnick+There+is+a+lot+of+good+to+focus+on+😊+Thank+you+so+so+much+for+your+support.

—+Nikki+Ferrell+(@Nikki_Ferrell)+March+11,+2014+

The finale stirred emotions among fans when Galavis kept the show-purchased 3.5 carat Neil Lane diamond engagement ring in his pocket, offering Ferrell only a rose, not a proposal. He also said only that he liked her, never uttering the words "I love you."

Show finalist Clare Crawley said in her onscreen confessional that Galavis said "some sexual thing I don't want to repeat" to her while riding in a helicopter for one of the show's elaborate final dates.

Galavis also received negative feedback for his treatment of other women, two of whom chose to leave the show early, and his off-show remarks about homosexuals and those with intellectual disabilities.