The Bachelor's Molly Mesnick on Finding Her Happily Ever After
Bachelor Nation is privy to dozens of extravagant dates, breakups and reunions that have occurred over the past few years—yet Jason Mesnick’s dramatic season still lingers. Eleven years ago, Molly Malaney was introduced as one of the 25 women competing for Mesnick’s heart, a certified front-runner throughout the show. In the end, Malaney placed second, as Mesnick proposed to Melissa Rycroft instead. However, the Bachelor ultimately changed his mind, severing ties to Rycroft in hopes of another chance with Malaney. Mesnick and Melaney reunited and reconciled on After the Final Rose, and they got engaged in New Zealand just a few months later. Ten years into their marriage with a seven-year-old daughter, Riley, the couple is still going strong. In honor of her season’s rerun on The Bachelor: Greatest Seasons - Ever, the former contestant explained why the complicated journey to love was all worth it.
Why did you initially submit to be on The Bachelor? Did you genuinely believe you’d find love?
I had never watched The Bachelor before going on the show! My friend wanted to go to a casting call, so she asked me to come along with her for moral support. [Eventually,] we decided I should try out as well, and the rest is history! I never thought I'd actually find love, and to be honest, I don't think I was in love on the show. I was more "in like.” Jason and I fell in love after the show, when we could start dating as a normal couple, away from cameras.
What was your first impression of Jason?
Jason is way more handsome in person! Of course, he’s handsome on TV, but he's breathtaking in real life. He also has the most calm aura about him.
What was your favorite one-on-one date you went on, and why?
I loved our one-on-one camping date. It was at the house he was living at in LA. We made dinner together and just hung out. It was the most realistic of our dates on the show.
What was the most challenging part of being a contestant?
The most challenging part was never knowing how Jason truly felt about me. He wasn't allowed to say, "I'm falling in love with you, too” or "You're the one!” He had to just listen to my feelings and smile.
What was your initial reaction when Jason broke up with you on the final day? Did you see it coming?
I did not see the breakup coming. I thought, for sure, he was going to choose me. I had the final date with him the night prior, and it was amazing and perfect. So yeah, I was shocked!
How did you cope in the weeks following the breakup?
The weeks that followed were torture, not just becuase I was recently broken up with, but mostly becuase I was reentering normal life, which I hadn't been in for eight weeks. When filming, I didn't have TV, music, magazines, movies, etc. I was told by a producer that Obama was elected president—that's how sheltered I was! Coming back into normal life was a huge culture shock.
When Jason announced that he had changed his mind on After the Final Rose, what emotions ran through your mind?
What people don't realize is that we filmed AFR for five to six hours! It was obviously condensed down to 30 minutes, so the viewers didn't even see a fraction of what actually happened. I hit every emotion during that taping: angry, confused, shocked, happy, sad...all of it!
Was it difficult strengthening your relationship after that moment, or did the chemistry come back immediately?
I wouldn't say the chemistry came back immediately. It was almost awkward at first. It definitely took a few weeks to get back in the grove of things.
How are you and Jason doing now?
Jason and I are so happy. I know that sounds cliche, but we’re so blessed in our lives. We have two amazing and healthy kiddos, successful careers, and we live a pretty normal life that doesn't involve cameras, TV or press.
What did you learn rewatching Jason’s season on Greatest Seasons - Ever?
We half-watched the show. We lived it, so there was no need to dive back into all of that. The parts I did see, though, felt like they happened a lifetime ago! I was a completely different person then, and so was Jason.