Ashley Reacts to Bachelorette Producers Not Revealing Bentley's Intentions & Much More...

It was great speaking to the newly engaged Ashley and JP today during a media conference call.  They sound completely happy and ready to move on to the next phase of their lives.  I contacted Cassie Lambert, the ABC producer, who was traveling with them to NYC for their press interviews today and asked her to tell Ashley that we should go running in Central Park when she moves to New York.  When it was my turn to ask Ashley and JP questions and they announced my name, Ashley says, "So I hear we're going running in Central Park?"  We had a nice banter back and forth (I told her I needed a dentist in NYC, etc.) which I'll post when the full transcript arrives tomorrow.  Until then, here are some of the summarize highlights from the Q&A that took place:

Question: Ashley, at what point did you straighten things out with your sister?

Ashley: We actually never resolved it in Fiji. She left and it was still unresolved, and I think it was when we got home that we talked about it a little bit. But it went unresolved for awhile until she started watching the show air, and then she called me up and said, "I'm so sorry. I completely see it now. I was too quick to judge." So, it took a little while, but she came around.

Question: JP, was there ever a moment that you thought you wouldn't propose because of Ashley's sister?

JP: Nothing that happened between me and her sister had any influence on my decision to propose. I always knew that I was going to propose. I guess pretty much two or three weeks prior, I knew it was going to happen.

So, I was just afraid that her sister's comments and opinions would influence the way she felt about me, but I was hoping that she would trust her gut, trust her heart and not really listen to her sister -- it turned out alright.

Question: What was going through your head when Ben proposed? 

Ashley: Well, I can tell you for me, I know that whole thing is kind of a blur. Obviously going into it, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt Ben -- being the great guy that he is. So it's a blur to me, but I remember trying to talk to him and then feeling like I wasn't sure what to say, and then he got down on one knee and it was just -- I had to pull him up.

It really was just a whirlwind and I think it's really hard to understand unless you're there in the moment with all eyes and cameras on you. I think it's really hard for people to understand.

J.P.: I actually haven't watched any of Ben's clips from the finale, so I never even saw it. I decided weeks ago that I wasn't going to watch it. We came out the other side so happy with what we have, and what I've watched of the finale is just Ashley and me together. It's just the way I want to remember it, so, yeah.

Question: When did you realize JP was the one? 

Ashley:  That's such a hard question to answer because there's so much that's going on. You're dating other men and you're going to continue to date other men. I think pretty early on, my heart was pulling me in that direction, but I wanted to use all the time that I had to really be sure that this relationship was one that was going to last.

Early on, with everything that happened with Bentley, I wanted to make sure that my radar was on. So, I continued to be with the other guys, but my heart was pulling me in that direction for a long time.

Question: J.P., what was your confidence going into the last rose ceremony?

J.P.:  I was confident, and I don't want to sound cocky at all, but I was confident after our Hong Kong date that I would be the last guy standing. I knew that what Ashley and I had was special and there was really no way she could have with anybody else what the two of us had together.

I think I even said it in the finale that she may love both of us, but she can only be in love with one of us, and I felt it for weeks.

Question: Ashley, are you angry that the producers never revealed to you what Bentley was saying on the side?

Ashley: Well I do have to say that in my defense, I didn't know anything. I wasn't shown any videos, and in their defense, I have to say that there was a part of me for a second that was thinking, "Why wasn't I shown?" But then you have to think back like this journey is about -- the producers can't run and tell what he said and she said. It's about your own experience and you're own journey.

So, I understand there definitely was a part of me that was upset for a short period of time, but then you realize that that's what this is all about, and it's about your own journey and your own experience.

It's led me to such a great man and I wouldn't change anything, because there's a part of me that thinks the hard times really brought me and J.P. closer together. Now we have this very strong relationship and I don't know that I would go back and change anything, so.

Question: When you two were on Live! with Regis & Kelly, you guys revealed that Ashley was actually the first person to say, "I love you." Ashley, did you feel like you were breaking the rules by telling him that before the show was over?


Ashley: We lived it, so we know what happened and we both knew how we both felt about each other. So watching it, I guess we were kind of biased and we knew that we both felt the same way, but I guess I can see as a viewer how you'd be like, "Come on Ashley! Say it back!"

J.P.: But I think all the viewers know that if she were to say it back to me that quickly, it would be over. So, regardless of how she felt, I don't think we would know the truth until the end of it.

It's just kind of the nature of the beast. From my end, when you say something like that and you know you can't hear it back, it's different than being afraid that she won't say it back. I knew she couldn't say anything back, and I put myself in that position but I knew what it was all about.

The couple also discussed their future plans.  Ashley needs to finish up school related things and JP has to get back to work.  They'd like to plan a wedding somewhat soon but first they have to focus on the immediate things.  Ashley mentioned on Jimmy Kimmel that a wedding next fall is what she'd like.  

Both plan on staying out of the TV world, which was refreshing to hear, if true!

I asked about what made JP such a great kisser and the two of them started kissing over the phone. They said there's electricity between them.  

Question: Ashley, are you excited to learn about the Jewish faith and culture and have you guys talked about your different religions at all and how that might affect your future and potentially raising your kids? 

Ashley: At first, I was nervous that his family wouldn't be accepting of me, but obviously, that's not the case. I mean, we talked about it. The truth is, three of my closest friends are Jewish, so I know a lot about it.

I know a lot about the religion and the culture. I think that I'm open to whatever J.P. wants to do. If he wants to raise our kids Jewish, then yeah, whatever you want. I'm very open and I'm not really set in anything, so whatever makes him happy makes me happy.

J.P.: Religion was never really a factor for me at all. I'm going to love who I'm going to love and I can't control it. And I know my family's going to love whoever I love, so it was never an issue and we talk about splitting holidays and Christmases and Passovers with my family and it was never a stumbling block at all.

So J.P., you were never concerned your family would love Ashley but wish she was Jewish?

J.P.: Never. Never, ever, ever. My parents -- my family is not like that at all. They're accepting of whomever I would bring home. So, I wasn't worried about that.

Mazel tov!! If I missed anything else, I will post tomorrow along with my Ashley/JP banter. I love that I banter with Ashley and JP.  What else am I supposed to do on my week off from work?  Ok, it's after 1 AM, time to hit the sack.