Krystal Nielson stopped by “Click Bait with Bachelor Nation” to reflect on her time competing for Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s heart on “The Bachelor” in 2018. As Bachelor Nation will recall, the gorgeous fitness coach was dubbed the “villain” of Season 22 for her cutthroat approach to courting Arie.

“Being on the show — as everyone here knows — can bring out a lot of insecurities and different sides of you. There’s a lot of stuff where you’re just really triggered,” Krystal told co-hosts Tayshia Adams, Joe Amabile, and Natasha Parker.

“Having gone through ‘The Bachelor,’ having gone through the ‘villain’ label, I always try to give a second opinion [in regard to the question], ‘Is there is more than what we’re seeing?’” she continued. “However, after watching [Matt James’] season, there are moments where I’m just like, ‘This is a very mean girl mentality going on.’ I don’t know that I’ve seen on previous seasons before this level of meanness.”

Matt did his best to quell some of the drama during the February 1 episode of “The Bachelor” by eliminating pot-stirring contestants Queen Victoria Larson and Anna Redman.

Victoria’s behavior included cutting remarks and polarizing antics such as her decision to snatch former Miss Puerto Rico Catalina Morales’ tiara from the pageant queen’s head and crown herself instead. (Catalina was also sent home by Matt during Week 5.)

Meanwhile, Anna spread hurtful rumors about Brittany Galvin. She made unfounded claims that Brittany is an “escort” and is “entertaining men for money” in Chicago, where both women reside. Victoria and MJ Snyder also notably engaged in the gossip.

“My advice for these women would be to use [the show] as a mirror [and to] take radical responsibility,” Krystal said. “Maybe they had insecurities they didn’t know. Figure out where they can grow from here. Take responsibility for what you say, what you do, and your actions.”

She pointed out, “We know editing can happen. We know post-production can happen, but the words coming out of your mouth — that is you. You can own it. When you can own your s--t, you can feel really empowered from it and not feel victimized.”

Looking back on her own “Bachelor” experience, Krystal explained how she was able to shed her “villain” reputation and evolve into the woman she is today. The blonde beauty currently runs a successful health and wellness business and is pregnant and expecting a baby girl with boyfriend Miles Bowles, whom she lives with in a new “dream home” in Southern California.

“I remember going on ‘The Bachelor’ feeling so confident. And I didn’t realize how fragile I was. I was really insecure. And did come across a little strong and a little fake,” she recalled. “And it’s because I was really insecure deep down, afraid to let people see who I was. It was acknowledging those insecurities and letting myself be vulnerable where I really realized that’s where my strength is, and I’ve been hiding it this whole life of mine. That was a huge turning point for me. So, I hope these girls can have that same beautiful growth.”

Krystal also noted that she saw “elements” of herself in Victoria. “She comes across so bold and so confident, but that’s when we know that our biggest insecurities can happen,” Krystal elaborated. “You try to be the biggest and bravest. It’s like the small dog mentality. The smaller the dog, the bigger the bark. [We were both] overcompensating.”

Listen to Krystal’s entire “Click Bait with Bachelor Nation” interview below.