Sean Lowe, the former seventeenth-season The Bachelor star, has opened up about how his journey on reality television ever began and why appearing on Emily Maynard's edition of The Bachelorette was basically a last resort.

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"Never in a million years did I think I would do a cheesy reality TV show about love," Lowe said during a 12-minute video for the Christian nonprofit I Am Second.

Lowe's sister Shay sent an application to ABC when they were casting for The Bachelorette on his behalf, and when he got a call from the casting director, he was caught completely off-guard and initially wanted to just blow off the opportunity.

"I have no desire to be on reality TV," Lowe thought at the time. "And I certainly don't want to subject myself to all the public criticism that comes along with being on a show like The Bachelorette."

Lowe explained his morals just didn't seem to line up with the entertainment value of the show and he questioned whether it'd be the Christian decision to make.

"Guys go on there and get drunk and there's the fantasy suite and there's sex and nudity. It just didn't seem like something that represented me," Lowe said during the video, adding that he told the casting director at first, "Don't hold your breath, but I'll think about it."

However, around that time, Lowe had experienced a major setback in his life career-wise.

"I'm a risk-taker. I've started different business ventures. Some have succeeded, some have failed miserably. I took this one big risk and started a financial services company with a couple partners, and due to some government regulation, it all came crumbling down and it was without a doubt probably the darkest period of my life, the hardest time I've ever had," Lowe explained.

"Because not only did I lose my money, I lost investors' money. I had to tell them, 'I lost your money,' and they couldn't accept that. They threatened to sue me and I was afraid for my future and I had so many sleepless nights. I had so much anxiety and unrest."

Lowe then admitted he tried to take the easy way out so he wouldn't have to face any more disappointment or struggle.

"It was right after that, I thought, 'I can't take anymore chances. I got to do something that gives me some security.' And that's when I finally agreed to do what I swore I would never do -- and that was to get into the family business of insurance. I just hated it from the very beginning. I hated it from the very beginning. I hated putting on my slacks in the morning. I hated getting to work... I just knew it wasn't for me and I would constantly pray," he said.

Lowe then asked God what to do. He believed that God knew the desires in his heart and would lead him down the correct path. Lost and in search of happiness, Lowe then received the call from the casting director from The Bachelorette.

"After thinking about it for a week or so, I thought, 'You know what? I just want a free vacation,'" Lowe said during the video.

Lowe, who now co-owns a furniture business, then completed a series of interviews and got cast to compete against 24 other guys for Maynard's heart. And that was just the beginning.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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