June 22, 2021 • bachelor insider
Why Michael A. Believes the Opportunity to Go on 'The Bachelorette' Was a Sign from His Late Wife
When Michael A. was asked to join the cast of “The Bachelorette” Season 17, he took it as a sign from his beloved late wife, Laura, as a sign to give love another shot.
“It’s kind of strange because I really didn’t watch the show too much. My wife loved it,” Michael told Becca Kufrin and guest co-host Catherine Lowe on this week’s edition of “Bachelor Happy Hour.” “So, when production reached out to me, it was really right around my wife’s two-year anniversary [of her death]. You’re always looking for signs, right? And this one was just so obvious.”
Before Laura passed away from cancer in 2019, Michael said that she would jokingly encourage him to go on the show.
“This is a true story. So, even before cancer hit her life, like when we got married, Laura would watch the show and she would basically say, ‘We should get a fake divorce. You could go on there, you could do your thing, and then you come back to me,’” recounted the single dad, who welcomed son James with Laura in 2016.
“So, it was something that she had in her head,” he continued. “So, when this opportunity to pursue this came up, I couldn’t help but hear her kind of telling me to do it.”
As viewers witnessed on Monday night’s episode, Michael opened up to Katie about Laura’s death during an emotional one-on-one date. The handsome Ohio native told Becca and Catherine that he was delighted to feel a “spark” with the reigning franchise lead.
“From the time I got there until the time we actually kissed for the first time, we had spent some quality time together where I felt there was a connection,” he said. “I remember telling myself that if I didn’t feel that necessary initial spark, then I wouldn’t waste time. You can’t force this thing.”
Michael added, “It really is that real spark, the first time you see somebody, the first time you interact with somebody, that aura, that energy when words haven’t even been spoken, that… can’t really be replicated and it’s special.”
Hear more from Michael by listening to his entire “Bachelor Happy Hour” interview below.
“The Bachelorette” airs Mondays on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
