Following the surprise announcement on the Bachelor Pad finale that his ex-fiance was now engaged to her new beau, Michael Stagliano is speaking out on what he calls a humiliating moment.
On Monday’s airing of the Bachelor Pad reunion, Michael was brought out on stage and told his ex Holly Durst was enaged to fellow contestant Blake Julian. Immediately following the reunion taping last week in Los Angeles, both Michael and Holly spoke to PEOPLE.
“I was caught off guard, humiliated. I know neither Holly nor Blake wanted it to go down like that,” said Michael. “I’m now even more thankful for the talk we had two weeks ago, which provided closure I didn’t have before. If we hadn’t had that that, it would have been so much worse tonight. I might have just walked off stage.”
Holly, who actually got engaged days before the reunion taping, goes on to blame ABC and the Bachelor Pad producers for setting up Michael.
“I was really upset,” said Holly. “I was thinking, “Well, at least I will be able to tell him before the show so he isn’t blindsided.” But I wasn’t allowed to speak to him prior to walking out on stage. As soon as I sat down, I whispered that I needed to talk badly and then the bomb was dropped almost immediately. He was blindsided. That was the lowest thing they could have done for ratings.”
Umm Holly, you had days to tell him but you didn’t! Michael however keeps it classy when he reveals he is actually happy for Holly despite all.
Michael states, “We were engaged and therefore I will always care about and love her so it makes me happy when she is happy. I wish we could have been happy together but we’re always going to care about and love each other. I have no reason to be mad at Holly or Blake. You can’t help who you fall for.”
Holly adds, “If we had walked out there hating each other, I don’t think we would have gotten as many votes. He’s the best guy and I can’t wait for him to find the right girl.”
Meanwhile Bachelor insider Reality Steve is reporting that Holly’s fiance Blake got the $25,000 Neil Lane diamond engagement ring for free from ABC in exchange for allowing them to tape the proposal. Classy. Holly will reportedly have to return the three carats cushion-cut diamond ring in the case that the engagement gets called off.
A picture of Holly’s engagement ring is below!
TELL US – IS ABC OR HOLLY TO BLAME FOR MICHAEL FINDING OUT ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT THE WAY HE DID?
