Brad Womack, known for his role as the controversial lead on *The Bachelor* Season 11, 

recently opened up about the difficult moments he faced during his appearances on *The Ellen DeGeneres Show*. 

On a recent episode of the *Almost Famous* podcast, Womack, now 52, reflected on the uncomfortable encounter he had with Ellen back in 2007, 

after his shocking decision not to give a final rose to either of his top two contestants, DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft.

Womack’s choice to walk away from the season without a proposal was met with criticism, 

and Ellen DeGeneres did not hold back when she called him a “jerk” during his appearance on her talk show. 

Speaking on the podcast, Womack recalled the tense exchange, admitting that the experience was far from pleasant. “I went on Ellen and I just bombed. I mean, I just bombed,” he said, describing his nerves before the interview. “Even the publicist at the time kinda gave me the puppy eyes, like, ‘Oh, that didn’t go so well.’”

Womack explained that his decision to not choose anyone had made him the villain in the eyes of many viewers, and his public image took a hit. “That was not my intent, I wanted to stay true,” he clarified, emphasizing that he was trying to stay authentic to the premise of the show. His stance led to backlash from fans, and DeGeneres, known for her candid and comedic style, did not spare him from her criticism. However, Womack’s return to the show to promote his second time on *The Bachelor* in 2011 provided him with an opportunity for redemption. He explained that after the fallout from his first season, he became “public enemy number one,” and the experience on *Ellen* was a nerve-wracking reminder of his previous struggles.

Despite the rough start, Womack noted that DeGeneres later apologized to him after hearing his side of the story. “Thank God, she asked me back for a little bit of redemption,” he said, describing how the conversation went more smoothly the second time around. “She didn’t cut me any slack, of course, and the audience wasn’t having it. It was a bad appearance. But yeah, she did call me a jerk, but thank God she apologized.”

The podcast hosts, Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti, asked Womack why he thought DeGeneres had extended an apology. Womack suggested that DeGeneres had eventually “got the other side of the story.” He explained that DeGeneres initially misinterpreted his decision, thinking he had been arrogant or indifferent. “I think [Ellen] took her initial reaction and was thinking, ‘Who does this guy think he is?’” he said, adding that through other channels, she had come to understand his reasoning. “She invited me on, and I was able to tell my side of the story and so it went a little bit better.”

The fallout from Womack’s first season on *The Bachelor* was intense, with many viewers calling him indecisive or emotionally unavailable. Womack has since acknowledged the backlash but remains firm in his belief that he made the right choice for himself at the time. “I didn’t want to sell out,” he said, adding that he truly believed in the show’s premise of finding genuine love, but didn’t want to follow through with a relationship just for the sake of the show’s outcome.

Looking back, Womack’s time on *The Bachelor* was full of high drama and unexpected twists. His decision not to propose left viewers divided, and his early appearances on talk shows like *The Ellen DeGeneres Show* were marked by tension and harsh criticism. Yet, his eventual return to the show to promote his second season and his continued honesty about his experiences have allowed him to reflect on the challenges of navigating the public eye.

As for Womack’s current personal life, he is now in a relationship with Gabriella Nolen, a brand strategist and creative consultant. Though he has shared a few cozy Instagram photos of the two together, Womack has kept their romance largely private, preferring to focus on his life outside the spotlight. Despite the ups and downs of his reality TV career, it seems that Womack has found a more peaceful chapter in his life, away from the drama that once made him one of *The Bachelor*’s most talked-about stars.

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