Bartlett native heading to 'Bachelor Pad'
After weeks of wearing his heart on his sleeve and eventually admitting he was in love, Bartlett native Chris Bukowski was axed from “The Bachelorette” Monday night.
But the 25-year-old didn't stay heartbroken for long.
An ABC spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that Bukowski will star as a contestant on “Bachelor Pad,” a raunchier reality show with a cast made up of ex-“Bachelor” and ex-“Bachelorette” contestants who live together and participate in challenges in hopes of winning $250,000 — and maybe finding love.
Some of Bukowski's closest friends said his decision to be on the show may have been a way to bounce back from his split with “Bachelorette” star Emily Maynard, but they feel it was driven more by his desire to take up the new opportunity.
“Maybe now he's going to have fun and relax a little more,” longtime friend Roland Kantor said, adding that the show will be a good fit for Bukowski's competitive nature. “I think he'll do great.”
College roommate Jon Cohen said Bukowski “was beat up” when Maynard sent him home, and that his family was disappointed because they didn't like seeing him upset over her.
“You could tell he did really care about this girl,” he said. “At the same time, Chris is a strong kid, and you can also tell he's learned from it.”
Cohen said Bukowski was feeling better when they saw each other during a month or two break his friend had in-between filming the shows.
“Chris is going to go in (to “Bachelor Pad”) a lot more laid back,” Cohen said, adding that the new show seems like a better fit for Bukowski's personality. “You're going to see a totally different side of Chris.”
Both friends think Bukowski has a great shot at winning “Bachelor Pad.”
“He's not going to lose,” Kantor said. “He's going to go for it all the way.”
“Bachelor Pad” premieres at 7 p.m. Monday, July 23.