February 01, 2021 • bachelor insider
Matchmaker Paul Brunson on How to Succeed as a Contestant on 'The Bachelor' or 'The Bachelorette'
Ever thought about applying to be on “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette”? If so, you might want to take some advice from Paul Brunson about how to succeed as a contestant on the franchise.
The renowned matchmaker stopped by “Talking It Out” to share his romantic expertise with co-hosts Mike Johnson and Bryan Abasolo, both of whom appeared on “The Bachelorette.” While Mike competed for Hannah Brown’s heart on Season 15, Bryan ended up marrying Season 13’s star, Rachel Lindsay.
“I would honestly tell her what it is that I adore about her,” Paul said of how he would initially approach the lead. The relationship guru — known to some as the real-life “Hitch” — went on to say that authenticity is key, even if it costs you the final rose.
“The more authentic you are to say more specifically what it is about that person that you love, that you’re attracted to, that you’re curious about — that’s you being you,” he said. “And if someone doesn’t like you off of you being you, that’s fine.”
Paul then revealed how he courted his wife, Jill Brunson, explaining that the experience wasn’t all too different from what one might endure while filming “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette.”
“I was competing against some dudes. As a matter of fact, I was competing against a good friend of mine who’s no longer a good friend,” he said. “I’m all in for the win, regardless. He won’t talk to me or nothing, which is understandable.”
The “It’s Complicated (But It Doesn’t Have to Be)” author said that he made a concerted effort to spend as much alone time as he could with Jill. He suggested that future show participants take a similar approach when trying to woo the Bachelor or Bachelorette.
“What I would do is everything I could to get as much one-on-one time with her because there is the law of proximity in psychology, which is true,” he said. “The longer you’re with someone, especially if you can do what are considered to be outrageous things with them, the closer your bond gets. That’s one thing I would do.”
Paul also noted how important it is to pick the brains of the lead’s loved ones during a Hometown Date, should you be so lucky to receive one.
“I would want to get to know her friends and her family because then I could find out about her. We think we know who we are, but we really don’t know who we are,” he said. “Collectively, our friends and family know exactly who we are. So, with the Bachelorette, I would want to get to know her crew. So that way I could understand truly who she is. What does she like? What does she not like? Then I would definitely skew to [what she likes].”
Noted, Paul! Listen to his entire “Talking It Out” interview below.