'The Bachelorette' 2015: Show Makes History With 2 Women in Season Premiere
— -- For the first time in the history of “The Bachelorette,” 25 eligible bachelors will face not one, but two bachelorettes.
In another twist, at the end of tonight’s season 11 premiere, the men will have the final say over whether Britt Nilsson or Kaitlyn Bristowe will get to stay as the woman whose heart they’ll try win. The other woman will have to leave.
Nilsson and Bristowe were both rejected by Chris Soules during season 19 of “The Bachelor.” Soules ultimately chose Whitney Bischoff, and she accepted his marriage proposal.
Despite their heartbreak, both women are looking for love again. Bristowe recalls her reaction when she learned that another woman would be in the running for the title of bachelorette.
“When they told me, I was like, ‘OK, I'm gonna just take a second to think about this,’” she said, adding: “I was like ... ‘Why do we have to go through that to do this or to meet a husband?’”
And Nilsson’s take? “I mean, I think the fact that we went through pain doesn't mean you don't want love.”
The women talked to ABC News’ Abbie Boudreau about the first night of filming.
“I mean, obviously, the situation was very uncomfortable. ... We just kept looking at each other and like, ‘It’s not her fault that I’m in this situation,’” Nilsson said. “It’s not my fault. We’re just in it together.”
Some fans weren’t too happy about giving the men the final say over which woman will stay on the show.
“I didn't see it as being sexist or any of these other things people are saying,” Nilsson said. “To me, it just felt like they really couldn't decide so they're giving the guys a chance to decide."
Bristowe agreed, laughing as she said: “I wouldn’t have done it if I thought it was degrading and sexist.”
But they did agree on one thing. When Boudreau asked them whether they thought this new approach gave the men too much power, Bristowe replied: “It definitely did.”
Nilsson added: “It gave them a lot of power.”
Bristowe chimed in: “But for one night.”
“We’ll give them that,” Nilsson said.
Bristowe finished: “You’ve got to think about light at the end of the tunnel, where it could be happiness for the rest of your life.”
