He’s a hunky blue-eyed pilot looking for love and ready to start a family.
And so far, new “Bachelor” Jake Pavelka actually seems to be someone who can make up his mind— and stick with it.
Pavelka, 31, was an early front-runner in the race for Jillian Harris’ heart on last season’s “Bachelorette,” but eventually lost out to computer software consultant Ed Swiderski.
He’s back on the hunt for love in the series that turned dating into a rooting proposition. The new season starts next month.
Q: You’ve said you “had your heart broken” by Jillian on “The Bachelorette.” Was it weird to watch yourself interacting with her on TV after you finished taping the show? How do you feel about her now?
A: When I left the show, I was really disappointed; I thought there was really a connection there. We spoke the same love language — we communicated well — and I fall pretty quickly.
I felt like I had been dumped out of a real serious relationship. I can’t say I was so devastated that I was lying on a train track, but I felt like I got dumped. The rejection hurt.
It was tough watching Jillian on TV. It is a real relationship with real emotion. I handed Jillian my heart — it didn’t work out.
People would come up to me in Lowe’s and Home Depot and be sympathetic — that helped me heal.
Q: You’ve said you “believe in the process” of meeting someone on “The Bachelor.” But a lot of the couples have broken up, including just recently Byron and Mary from the sixth season of “The Bachelor.”
A: I don’t understand why more couples haven’t worked out. They make it possible for the cast to completely ignore the camera. They don’t put you in weird situations on purpose. They never said “Can you retake this?” or “Can you say this?” Everything was realistic.
They really want to help you find that special girl.
Q: Do you think you’ve found your wife on this show?
A: God works in mysterious ways. One thing that I did do is stay very true to myself.
I’d heard that I’d probably know my final four as they were getting out of the limos [on the first episode]. But frankly, I had absolutely no idea for several episodes who the final four would be.
Q: If you could send Jillian a message now, what would you say?
A: “Congratulations, that’s unbelievable. [She and Ed just got engaged]. I’m a huge fan — maybe sometime in the future we could be friends.”