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New ‘Bachelorette’ hopes to learn from Mesnick

Who needs one guy when you can have 25? That’s the new mantra for Jillian Harris — the 29-year-old interior designer from Alberta, Canada, who has been named ABC’s new “Bachelorette.”
/ Source: Access Hollywood

Who needs one guy when you can have 25?

That’s the new mantra for Jillian Harris — the 29-year-old interior designer from Alberta, Canada, who has been named ABC’s new “Bachelorette.”

Harris was the third-place finisher on the most recent season of “The Bachelor” — sent home by Jason Mesnick in lieu of finalists Melissa Rycroft and Molly Malaney.

“I am so excited,” Harris said during Tuesday night’s announcement during the second part of the “After the Rose” special. “It’s a very unorthodox way to find love. But we’re living in a world where people are doing things differently.”

Host Chris Harrison offered praise for Harris, noting it was an easy choice for producers to make.

“There was one girl this season who really captured America’s heart,” Harrison said. “It was a pretty easy decision.”

After her “Bachelorette” coronation, Harris seemed to take a veiled jab at the former object of her affection, Mesnick, in light of his newfound reality romance controversy.

“It’s a great opportunity for me. I fell in love once before and I know this is a great venue for me to fall in love again,” she added. “Seeing what Jason went through makes you realize there are no guarantees in life. I only hope I make the right choice the first time.”

However, she did say there would be one big difference on the new show, compared to her time on “The Bachelor.”

“I don’t need my dad to see any more hot tub scenes,” she laughed.

The new season of “The Bachelorette” debuts May 18.