Serena (1:55)

What brought you there?

Nicole (1:57)

My second husband, actually, from New York. We were living in New York and we decided to, you know, get a place here. And then Covid happened, and then a divorce happened, and I stayed because I. Because I love, love Miami. So. Yeah.

Serena (2:11)

Yeah, we're in New York now, and, you know, the winters definitely make Miami sound appealing.

Nicole (2:16)

Yeah, the winters are hard in New York. And I was working when I was living there, too. Just. Just literally for one year. But I. The commute, just to work in the blizzards and the cold just about did me in. That's tough. Yeah.

Joe (2:30)

I mean. Well, I mean, Chicago's worse than all.

Nicole (2:33)

Of them, which is why I can't live there anymore.

Joe (2:36)

Yeah.

Serena (2:37)

Yeah.

Joe (2:38)

Where do your kids live?

Nicole (2:39)

They both live in Chicago. They're both married and they both live in Chicago. And I, you know, I mean, look, they're young and they're hearty. They can make it through the winter, but I can't.

Joe (2:49)

What did your. What did your kids think of you going on the Golden Bachelor?

Nicole (2:53)

Well, they were so supportive. My daughter especially. She's been watching the Bachelor forever, and I hadn't watched it, and I hadn't even watched the golden season one. So with. So she flew into Miami, and together we binged. Golden Bachelor. Golden Bachelorette. This was before I was cast, but in the process, and she, you know, gave me. She. She schooled me on. On all things the Bachelor, so it was very helpful.

Serena (3:21)

What else did you do to prepare for the show?

Joe (3:24)

Well, how did you. How did you get. How did you get on?

Nicole (3:27)

Yeah, I'll. I'll answer both those. I got on because I'm a. I'm a yoga instructor, but I'm just also a very. I practice yoga almost every day. And my yoga friends at the studio where I go usually, they kind of circled me one day and said, you know, we think that you would be absolutely perfect for the Golden Bachelor. And I said, oh, my gosh, I have to find out what that even is. And then I said, well, and they said, we're going to sign you up. And I said, no, no, please don't do that. Let me go research it, and if it looks good, I'll do it. And they were kind of like, well, if you don't in a week, we're signing you up, so we're going to submit your application. But it looked really good. Of course, I knew what the Bachelor, you know, franchise was. I just hadn't really watched much of it. But, yeah, and I thought, you know what? I am uniquely qualified for this. I'm going to do this. And so I sent in the application, and then I call.

Serena (4:17)

Yeah, you said that you felt you were uniquely qualified for the show. How so?

Nicole (4:23)

Yeah, I just. I think I. Well, I. For one thing, I've had two marriages and two divorces and other love relationships, and I just. I feel like I've gotten. I've gotten to know myself really well, first of all, in relationship. And I also, I think I've learned a lot about how to be in a relationship and to really be in a conscious, deep relationship. And I also think I'm uniquely qualified because I think I just, you know, I have a bubbly personality. I'm not shy. I go for it in life. And, you know, I don't know. I I'd like to. I really wanted to. To find love, genuinely. But I also knew that only one of the bachelor arts would, you know, you know, take his heart, so the rest of us would gain amazing friendships. I knew that would happen and it did. And just, I really, I just thought I was suitable for that kind of experience. I did well, I. Emotionally, I was happy, stable, you know, in my element most of the time. So, yeah, it was a lot of fun.

Joe (5:33)

How long did. What marriage lasted longer? Your first one or your second one? Are they. Your kids are from your first marriage?

Nicole (5:40)

Yeah, that was a 30 year relationship. Yeah, that was one. And yeah, both of my. Both of my children are from my first husband.

Joe (5:48)

30 years. How old were you when you got married, the first?

Nicole (5:50)

Well, we met at 19 and I got married at 23. So, yeah. And then my second husband, we were together for 10 years, so it was not short either. And it was meaningful. So just we were out of alignment in some ways, I think.

Joe (6:06)

So do you. Do you mind me asking, but do you get a. Do you get along with both your exes?

Nicole (6:11)

I have the most wonderful relationship with both of them.

Joe (6:15)

Oh, that's great.

Nicole (6:16)

I love them both and they're both wonderful men and I feel very, very grateful to have such a close, you know, relations with both of them. Especially the second. Especially the second, yeah.

Serena (6:31)

So you find out you're getting on the show. How are you feeling? What's going through your mind?

Nicole (6:36)

I knew I was manifesting getting on the show. It doesn't mean that I. It was going to happen, but I really manifested it. I really called.

Joe (6:44)

That makes sense. You do yoga, you manifest.

Nicole (6:47)

I manifest? Yeah. Yeah. I have to be at that vibrational frequency. So that's a match. So it can be a frequency match. And I really felt like I was. And I really, I envisioned it from the very beginning. I envisioned not just the process of getting the call that I was going to be cast, but I just envisioned the whole experience. And it wasn't too different from how I envisioned it, actually. I mean, it's like nothing I've ever experienced, but at the same time, you know, in terms of how I felt or how I wanted to approach it, you know, it wasn't too different, but yeah, I manifested that. And so when I got the call, I was actually on a flight and she said, can you call me? She texted, I'm trying to call you. And I said, I'm actually on a flight. Can I call you when I land? And she said yes. And then I was so Tired. I texted, can we just talk tomorrow? Because I didn't know if it was really the, that call. And she said no. And then she called me and I was in an Uber on the way home and I was like, you know, like that. So I was very excited, but I really felt like I was calling that in that I had called. Yeah.

Serena (7:51)

Was there anything that you were nervous about going on the show?

Nicole (7:56)

Not really. You know, I think I'm not a drama girl and I really didn't want to ruffle feathers.

Joe (8:05)

Would you consider Mal your type? If you have a type, you know?

Nicole (8:10)

No, no, he's not my typical type, actually. But he was so hot that he became my type for it. Yeah, I love that.

Serena (8:20)

What is your type?

Nicole (8:21)

What a great body. I mean, how can you not. How can he not be your type? I'm sorry, what was the question, honey?

Serena (8:27)

What is your typical type?

Nicole (8:29)

My typical type is, you know, I, I've had so many different. I've had two different husbands. They were very different. I've had different relationships and they were all different. So I would, but I would say my typical type is, is definitely tall, which was Mal. I mean, I have an avatar for sure and a bit more maybe I would say intellectual than Mel. Not that he wasn't really bright. He's super smart and impressed me, but you know, more intellectual, like wears glasses maybe, you know, that kind of guy.

Joe (9:00)

So looks, looks intellectual, like a little.

Serena (9:02)

Bit of a dorky vibe.

Nicole (9:03)

A little. I love a nerd. I love a nerd. Yeah, yeah, I do. But also, you know, handsome, but a nerd and fit, which, which Mel was also, he's just a lot bigger. I usually, you know, tall and sort of slim. Really, really, really slim is my typical type. Yeah, yeah, you know, that, that, that, that intellectual, sort of slightly arty looking guy, but really he's in finance or economics or something.

Serena (9:28)

Yeah, I'm with you. I'm following.

Joe (9:29)

How about age for you? Is that a factor at all?

Nicole (9:33)

You know, I don't like younger guys. I'm not that kind of girl, you know, that wants to be with somebody young. I like men my age, so, you know, I love a guy that's age starts with a six. But I. Five is okay too. You know, I like young men and what I find is that so many men, I don't know if I want to say most, but once they are over 55, they start to really look old and their body. I'm not old, so I don't want an old looking guy. You know, I want a young guy, a young look, young for their age. But I also want someone age appropriate.

Serena (10:07)

Yeah, I get it. You want a hot 60 year old.

Nicole (10:10)

I want a hot 60 year old. Thank you. Yes, I do. I do. Because I like to be able to share our. Our music. Music. Our generation. I. I'm not. I don't want a 45 year old at all. Yeah, plus my own son is 38. Like it's not. No.

Serena (10:25)

You don't want one of his friends.

Nicole (10:27)

I'm sorry, what?

Serena (10:28)

I said you don't want one of his friends?

Nicole (10:30)

I do not want one of his friends. No, no, no. I want an established gentleman. Yes.

Joe (10:40)

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Joe (13:47)

How, how often do you do yoga?

Nicole (13:51)

Almost every day.

Joe (13:52)

Okay.

Nicole (13:53)

Yeah, I believe in it for mind, body, spirit so much. I, you know, I think it keeps you limber, it keeps you mobile, keeps your brain clear. You know, spiritually, it keeps you centered. I think it's like therapy. You know, I think yoga saves. Yeah.

Joe (14:07)

What do you eat?

Nicole (14:08)

Oh, well, if you ask Mel, this is one of our jokes. If you ask Mel, he would say, I eat potatoes, salad, an apple and air. So I, and I said to him, well, you know, I think I said something like, yeah, I'm a breatheterian. I just, you know, I am a vegan. So I eat a plant based. I've been Vegan for about 19 years. I have since I've been in my 60s, added in a little bit of salmon because the research is showing that that is beneficial. I'm not a vegan just because I think that, you know, to be a hardcore vegan, I'm not that kind of person. You know, I think that vegans get kind of a bad rap. You know, that joke. How do you know if there's a vegan in the room? They'll tell you, you know.

Joe (14:54)

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Nicole (14:55)

So I'm not, I'm not, I, I.

Joe (14:57)

Same thing with marathon runners.

Nicole (14:58)

Yeah, I'm at fault for that. But ultimately I do think it's humane. And, you know, I believe in animal welfare and I believe in the health of the planet and my own body. But, but I have read the research for, you know, from longevity experts and I follow a lot of scientists. I love oh, yeah, that's really my type. Like, I love scientists. I love doctors and scientists who are into longevity, biohacking people. But, yeah, and that seems to be what the research says. So I eat a little salmon.

Serena (15:29)

Okay, let's jump to night one. You step out of the limo, you meet Mel for the first time. How are you feeling? What's your first impression of him?

Nicole (15:39)

Well, I, you know, I told myself when I step out of the limo, you know, put both feet on the ground, take a breath, just to enjoy that. That second before it all really starts. And I did that. And I remember absolutely nothing after that. I was. I don't know what happened. I was so calm and. And together. And then I got nervous. I really, truly barely remember meeting the man. So that's the truth. So I. I had a football that I was throwing to him, and I just wanted to make sure, you know, that I could throw the football properly because, you know, I don't know how to throw a football. But he caught it and it didn't go haywire, so that was good. And I, I just, I really don't remember. I remember saying. I remember blowing him a kiss and saying, I'm going to go in. Come find me or I'll come and intercept you. That's what I remember.

Serena (16:28)

Oh, I like it.

Nicole (16:29)

Yeah. But that's about it. Yeah. Yeah.

Serena (16:32)

And how did that first night go with Mel and the ladies?

Nicole (16:35)

Oh, it was a magical night. He came in and addressed us about the podcast, his podcast remarks, and that was the. That's the first thing he did. And he was very, very genuine and very heartfelt, and it felt really good to see him so vulnerable and humbled and asked for forgiveness and for us to allow him to earn it back. And that was a really great way to start. I went and grabbed him and said, I'm gonna run some interference here. And I grabbed him and took him outside so we could have a little one on one. And it was great because then I had done the limo, I had had my one on one, and the rest of the night, you know, I. Getting to know the. The other women and just relax.

Serena (17:26)

That is the best when you're like, you get out of the way, and then you're like, all right, it's out of my hands now. I had my time, we chatted, and now I can just have a drink and chat with the ladies.

Nicole (17:36)

And I just got to relax when everybody else was like, when's my one on one gonna be an hours go by that night that we're Filming that, you know, so they were waiting and kind of nervous, and I got to relax. So I was very grateful for that. But I am one to jump in and just make things happen.

Joe (17:51)

So Mel. Mel does. We do see at the top of the show, he apologizes for what he said on the podcast. But being one of the women who is casting on his season, pre. Going on to the season and you hearing those remarks, did it bother you?

Nicole (18:07)

It bothered me a lot. I really wanted to replace him. At first. My impression was he's got to be replaced because this is just bad, a bad feeling. You know, it was just a bad. I kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, so to speak. And I didn't think that would be good. But then, you know, when they didn't replace him, I thought, okay, you know what? We're just gonna have to deal with it. But the apology was, as I said, so heartfelt and so humbling. That and his humanity really showed right off the top. You'll see it. And, you know, when I met. So when I had my one on one with him, I said, thank you so much for that. Meant a lot, and we're good. So.

Serena (18:48)

Yeah, I feel like they had. He had to address it to you women right away. I think that was the best way to go about it. Or would it just been an elephant in the room?

Nicole (18:56)

Yeah, yeah. Because there were other women that were still holding, you know, onto that even more than I was. So. Yeah.

Serena (19:04)

Which women did you find yourself gravitating towards and which women did you become close with?

Nicole (19:11)

Yeah, you know, I have really strong chemistry with people when we're, you know, again, to speak in the yogi way, when we're on the same vibrate, vibrational, you know, frequency or alignment. So the people that I just instantly. There was a woman named Maya in my limo, and we just held hands and we were like best friends in five minutes. You know, she looked like Cindy Crawford. I, you know, I loved her. And then I, I had a real, you know, immediate chemistry with Carol, with Cindy, with Jerry and others as well. I. And Roxy. I, I. There are so many that I. That I loved, but those off the top of my head. Yeah.

Joe (19:52)

Were you surprised to see Maya go home?

Nicole (19:55)

Extremely.

Joe (19:56)

Yeah.

Serena (19:57)

Yeah.

Nicole (19:58)

So surprised by the outcome of every single rose ceremony.

Serena (20:02)

Were you okay?

Nicole (20:04)

Yep. Yes.

Joe (20:05)

We see episode. I was actually. Yeah, I was. I was shocked by the Maya.

Nicole (20:11)

How do you let Cindy Crawford go home? I mean, how do you do that?

Joe (20:14)

And she lives right there. He lives in California. She lives in California. I was like, yeah, this is.

Serena (20:20)

There's always one person, night one that people are surprised by.

Nicole (20:25)

Yeah. I was surprised by who stayed and who he sent home that night. But you know what? It's all about his chemistry with people. So, you know, it wasn't my show to choose, but it was just from observing it and being in it, I was very surprised. Every single rose ceremony, was it obvious.

Serena (20:45)

To the ladies at all who he had strong connections with or.

Nicole (20:50)

I think so. Yeah, I think so. And I was one of them. And I think it really upset a lot of women.

Joe (20:55)

Well, we do see a lot of the women get. Or some of the women get upset with you during the pool party because you get. You make out with them in front of everyone. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. What are your thoughts on that whole situation?

Nicole (21:09)

Yeah, you know, I had a great time at the pool party. You know, I looked around and it didn't look like anyone else was gonna go, so I decided that it would be me. And so I jumped in the pool and said, you know, made a little, you know, some other joke with football pun about, you know, whatever, intercepting. And then. Yeah, and then, you know, I don't know what happened. We just had a lot of chemistry and attraction. That was just really natural, and that makes it a lot of fun. So I was aware, though, that other women were starting to stare at me, and I. You know, so when I got out of the pool, you know, many of the other women were. I realized I sensed, you know, how you sense energy, like, oh, cold. But, you know, I wanted to balance it because I. I was new in the house. We were all new in the house. And I wanted to, you know, I wanted. I want to be liked. I want to have. Make friends. So I didn't want to upset them too much. However, I will tell you, I could have cared less what they thought.

Joe (22:06)

Okay.

Nicole (22:08)

Nicest way I can say it. Yes.

Joe (22:13)

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Nexplanon Ad (23:36)

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Serena (25:21)

So when the women kind of they say we see a sit down chat. Looks like it might be like the next day even.

Nicole (25:27)

Yeah.

Serena (25:28)

Expressing their discomfort with how you were acting at the pool party, you seem to kind of acknowledge their feelings. I Did you? Yeah. Yeah. Tell us more about that.

Nicole (25:38)

Yeah, I really, I mean I Did acknowledge their feelings. Their feelings are valid. You know, I'm a health coach. I understand it's. Which is kind of like being a life coach, which is kind of like being a relationship coach, because it all. It's all mixed. So I like to listen and validate, and I wanted them to be comfortable, but ultimately, I didn't really give a shit. I really didn't. I was having fun. It's my journey. It's my story, and they should have theirs. And I honestly feel like they were just really jealous, but they didn't know how to do what I can do. And in this. In this way, that's just one of my things. I know how to do that. And, you know, I know I'm good with people. I'm good with, you know, interpersonal communication and. And I'm confident enough to jump in a pool in a bikini and go up to the Bachelor, you know, and I think they didn't know quite how to do it. They weren't comfortable.

Joe (26:30)

Would it. Would it have bothered you if someone else did it?

Nicole (26:34)

No.

Joe (26:36)

I sense that. I sense that. Okay.

Nicole (26:39)

Yeah, yeah. Oh, no. Wouldn't it bother me at all? But, you know, interestingly enough, one of my biggest critics that day came to me, and so did two others. They actually came to me for advice. They just said, I feel like I'm not coming forward enough with my personality, with the things I really want to say to Mel and I. And they said, can you help me? And each one of them individually, I said, absolutely. What's your goal? Okay. And I said, I'm going to be Mel, and we're going to role play this until you get it down. And then we're gonna. We're gonna make sure that tonight you find us a moment.

Joe (27:18)

What was going on in this house.

Nicole (27:22)

And. And so we role played. I gave them their words that I thought they would be comfortable with, and they were. And all three of them did it. They all three did what I. What I suggested. And I would even say, now's the moment. Now. Now. Go now. Go now.

Joe (27:36)

I mean, it's definitely you.

Nicole (27:38)

You.

Joe (27:38)

You are put in a situation where you're. You're lucky because you. You're a forward person. You go after what you want. But if. If you're not, you know, it's. It's really hard to succeed in this arena because you're competing against 30 people, you know, and it's just like, there's one. There's one prize.

Nicole (27:55)

There's one prize, and. Yeah. And there's so Little time, you know, there's so little time to make your mark, to make an impression, to try to make a connection. And yeah, you're right, Joe. It's. It's, you know, so. And as a coach, I was really happy and I was honored. I was flattered that they came to me. And I think they were really, you know, my critics at the beginning. And I think in the end, they really respected and liked me, and that was important to me. But I was so happy to help them. We had Susan and Kathy when they came, so, you know, Kathy, I had a one on one with Kathy. They were both fantastic, by the way. I love them. And Kathy said, what's going on? And it was just at the time when, you know, I said, well, I think I'm being redeemed because women are coming to me in confidence to say, I need your help. And she. And she said, well, Nicole, that is really generous of you to guide them and give them, you know, pointers and tips and make sure that they follow through to do it. She said, but you shouldn't do that. This is your story. Don't. Don't feel, you know, that that's your responsibility. And I, I said, I appreciate that advice. I will do that starting now. But I really didn't feel competitive. I felt like we all had something amazing to bring. They're all incredible woman women, you know, with incredible talents, incredible skills, beauty, everything. And. But I just. I felt like, you know, I wasn't insecure about helping them. Let me put it that way. I didn't feel like it was giving me less of an edge or them more of that competitive edge. I just felt like that's what you do with your sisters. You know, we.

Joe (29:36)

We see that you win the group date, Rose. It was a kid. The comedy. The roast.

Nicole (29:41)

Yes. For the roast. For the roast.

Joe (29:43)

But I want to talk about your conversation with Mel because you asked the question that Serena was dying for someone to ask about his divorce.

Serena (29:53)

I wasn't dying for someone to ask. I just. I respected.

Joe (29:56)

She respected the fact.

Serena (29:57)

Openness about your experiences with divorce. And I also respected that. I felt like he was closed off. And that wasn't deterring you from shying away from asking questions and having that conversation? Yeah.

Joe (30:10)

So do you feel when you did ask him about his divorce, was he closed off and did he kind of give you.

Nicole (30:16)

He is not. He's a man, you know, and I don't think that. And I know that he's on a personal growth journey, and I know that he, you Know, is interested in. In expanding as a human, but he's at the beginning of that journey, and so he still has trouble, I think, at times fully expressing himself or feeling comfortable. So it was like the conversation. I. I tried to bring the conversation to the divorce, and he kept sort of going like this, and I kept this and this and this and this until I kept bringing it back and bringing it back. And he really did answer my. It was kind of a list of questions that led him down a path that. That. So he could share his story with me. And he did. And he did.

Joe (31:02)

Okay.

Nicole (31:03)

And I think he was vulnerable and honest with me, so. But it did take some, you know, redirecting, a lot of redirecting to get him there. Yeah.

Serena (31:11)

At this point in the show, we've, you know, we've just finished episode three. We saw. We've seen your connection kind of grow, and you've had this one on one time with him now. How are you feeling about your relationship with Mel?

Nicole (31:26)

I was feeling great about it, actually. I mean, I was feeling like I was solidly in the front. You know, I want to say the lead, but I was in the front section of women, for sure.

Joe (31:38)

Who else do you.

Nicole (31:39)

Who.

Joe (31:39)

Who do you else do you put in that section?

Nicole (31:41)

Well, there were people in that section that I didn't understand that they were in there, but they were. But they were in there, so. But, you know, the people that I feel like had genuine chemistry with him or that I. That I thought that they actually went together, that they would make a good couple. I thought he and Carol made a lot of sense. She lives there. They're both into sports for careers, et cetera. I think Cindy was a cute. I think they had chemistry.

Joe (32:12)

Debbie. Okay, wow. All right.

Nicole (32:19)

I don't get it. I don't get it, but okay, I love Debbie.

Joe (32:23)

Yeah.

Nicole (32:24)

Love her, but.

Serena (32:27)

All right, well, I think.

Nicole (32:30)

No comment.

Joe (32:31)

Yeah, that's fine.

Serena (32:32)

No, I love.

Joe (32:34)

I respect it. I respect it.

Serena (32:35)

I love your openness and your honesty, Nicole. I really do.

Nicole (32:38)

And Jerry, I feel like Jerry and he had a warmth that I really enjoyed watching.

Serena (32:44)

Yeah, I'm excited to see more of her. I feel like we haven't gotten a ton of screen time.

Nicole (32:48)

Very yet very special. She's a very special human. Yeah. I'm so blessed to know her.

Serena (32:55)

All right, before we let you go, if you could tease what's coming for the rest of the season, what words would you use to describe it?

Nicole (33:05)

Oh, wow. Twists and turns. My life on the show, Time in my life, but twists and some twists and turns and things that are unexpected. So you gotta stay tuned.

Joe (33:16)

Okay? Nicole, thank you so much for coming on Bachelor Happy Hour. It was great getting to know you.

Nicole (33:22)

Welcome. It was fun, you guys. Yeah, yeah. This was great together and you guys are very welcoming and warm and make it easy. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

Serena (33:32)

You made it easy too.

Joe (33:33)

And and to all our listeners, thank you guys for tuning in to BET Your Happy Hour. Make sure you download and subscribe to the podcast.

Serena (33:39)

We will have new and exclusive interviews for you every single week. Thanks for listening. My new obsession is this romance story I read about a cowboy who wants to start a family with a city girl. She's not ready for that yet, but that doesn't mean she's not ready to roll around in the hay. She has Nexplanon etonorgestrel implant 68 milligram radiopaque to prevent pregnancy Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm. It lasts for three years and can be removed by your doctor at any time. If your plans change, Nexplanon must be removed by the end of the third year. Don't use nexplanon if you're pregnant or maybe pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be. While uncommon ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs with less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year. Nexplanon is over 99% effective, no matter the fantasy. Talk to your doctor. Call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about nexplanon.

Nicole (35:20)

This is an iHeart podcast.