Britt Nilsson, who will be starring on Season 11 of The Bachelorette with Kaitlyn Bristowe, has admitted to Reality TV World she didn't exactly jump at the opportunity when approached.
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"It was just kind of a whirlwind and my emotions were all over the place. Obviously it's an amazing opportunity, but it's just different from how I've seen it, so I had a lot of questions."
Although basically competing against Kaitlyn for the attention of 25 eligible bachelors and their votes to stay on the show, Britt insisted she didn't have a strategy going into the first night.
"As far as strategy goes, you know, I don't know how you can make someone want to marry you. So my strategy, honestly, was just to try to be myself. And I had, like, a pretty positive feeling about it. So there was not a lot of fear going into it. It was just kind of a blessing," Britt explained.
"But honestly, my strategy was just talking to these guys and trying to be as present as possible, even though the situation is overwhelming. [I wanted] to try to let them know who I am and understand who they are too."
The upcoming season has been criticized for being degrading towards women, especially since there will be two women -- who had just gotten their hearts broken by The Bachelor star Chris Soules -- competing for men when the show is supposed to be all about an empowered woman making important choices when it comes to her love life.
During the show's premiere, the men will vote for whether they want Kaitlyn or Britt to stick around. Producers have therefore also gotten flack for making the first night basically all about looks. Fans are wondering how well the men really could have gotten to know Kaitlyn and Britt through limo introductions and then a quick series of conversations before the first Rose Ceremony.
"It's interesting. I did hear people say that, and I've been asked that a lot. When they told me there was two, I didn't see it as degrading at all, because I didn't think it had to do with us being women. I just thought that they couldn't decide, so there was two. I know they've done that for men as well in a previous season," Britt told Reality TV World.
Back in 2004, The Bachelor's sixth season featured Byron Velvick against Jay Overbye on Night 1. The format featured the 25 bachelorettes handing a rose to either man, indicating whom they'd like to date and maybe potentially marry. The suitor who ended up with the most roses became the Season 6 star. In this case, Velvick won the opportunity to be the Bachelor and Overbye was sent home during the premiere.
"So I didn't see it as degrading, and I honestly kind of saw it as a compliment, like, we're both so great," Britt continued.
"I like Kaitlyn a lot, so to be put on the same level as her, I was like, 'I get it!' And it's interesting. It's kind of like how a real relationship would unfold, where you're choosing each other. It didn't upset me. I know a lot of people are saying that, but personally, I didn't really see it that way."
The Bachelorette's eleventh season is set to premiere on Monday, May 18 from 9-11PM ET/PT and Tuesday, May 19 from 8-9PM ET/PT on ABC.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOWAbout The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
