July 17, 2020 • bachelor insider
Look Back at Jenni Croft on Season 11 of 'The Bachelor' with Brad Womack
Brad Womack altered "Bachelor" history when he opted not to propose to either of his final two women, DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft. He became infamous for his decision — or lack thereof — and that moment will forever be remembered in the Bachelorverse.
Brad’s two seasons as the Bachelor (11 and 15) will be featured on Monday’s episode of "The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever!" To prepare for double the fun, double the drama, and more, it’s important to take a look back at Jenni’s time on Season 11.
Jenni, a 27-year-old Phoenix Suns dancer, made a major impression on Brad right from the start. She was the second person to arrive at the mansion, and immediately smiled and giggled as soon as the limo door opened. She stunned in a strapless black baby doll dress, and Brad appeared to be hooked immediately.
When they introduced themselves, Brad said he lived in Austin and Jenni explained she "lived in Dallas for three years."
Brad said, "We're going to get along already."
Once the cocktail party started, Jenni said, "He is so cute. Southern gentleman is so my type."
All throughout that first night, she held his attention. She even showed off some of her professional dance moves, which Brad adored. He said in a one-on-one conversation with the camera, "The woman that stands out in my mind is Jenni and just because of her laugh. Everything that I say, she laughs at."
It’s no surprise, then, that he handed her the highly coveted First Impression Rose. He commended her for her dancing, her laugh, and infectious smile. They didn’t kiss that evening, but on a group date at the beach, they went into a room at a beach house and shared a steamy and sensual kiss.
Fast-forward to her Hometown Date in Wichita, Kansas, and Brad fit right in. He made it through intense questioning from her mom, grandma, and other family members. Jenni’s father approved of Brad and believed he’d fit in well with the Croft family.
After Fantasy Suites and on their last date together, Jenni told Brad she loved him. His feelings for her and their strong chemistry from the start made it seem as if she was a shoo-in for the proposal, but plans didn’t work out that way.
She arrived at the proposal site in a strapless turquoise dress and readied herself for him to get down on one knee.
Brad took her hands and said, "From the first moment I saw you, I was absolutely taken aback by your beautiful smile. Just stepping out of the limousine, I knew I was in trouble. I’ve never encountered anyone like you at all. You bring out a side of me that no one in my entire life has — ever."
He called her family "wonderful" and continued, "I’m standing looking at someone who does bring out such a different side to me and I hate to say this, but I want something more that I can’t find with us. I never thought I’d tell you goodbye. I truly didn’t. Here I am telling you goodbye, and it breaks my heart telling you that. I feel like the luckiest guy having spent any time with you."
Jenni's eyes welled up and she tearfully said, "This is the reason why I was scared to tell you how I felt, and now I feel embarrassed for telling you."
Brad emphasized she shouldn’t be embarrassed about sharing her feelings, but Jenni repeated how rejection makes it hard for her to tell people how she really feels.
At "After the Final Rose," Brad and Jenni reconnected and she admitted to Chris Harrison that she "lost respect" for the Bachelor after not proposing to DeAnna either.
"How come he couldn’t just say, 'I’m not going to propose to you, but I want to see how this works in real life?'" Jenni expressed. "He should’ve just given someone that chance."
Be sure to tune in to "The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever" Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC to look back at both of Brad Womack's seasons of "The Bachelor"!