How did this happen? How did The Bachelorette sweetie Chris Bukowski and villain Kalon McMahon from Emily Maynard’s season completely switch personas on The Bachelor Pad?
“I definitely took a totally different approach. On [The Bachelorette], I was there for love, was close to finding it [with Emily Maynard], it didn’t work out and I was heartbroken. A little of the way I acted on Bachelor Pad was because I was hurt by that. There was only one thing on my mind – the money.”
“In real life, I’m not a mean guy, but I was presented the opportunity to win a lot of money so I’m going to do what it takes to win. You’ve got to lie and play the game. You can’t be nice to everybody.”
Why try to get rid of your partner, Blakely?
“Our partnership fell apart. Blakely is competitive and the most athletic girl in the house…but it started not being fun for me…it was a lot of work. I felt everything going in a direction [for] someone else to win, so I tried to make a bold move, change the game and break up the main alliance.”
Can you understand why fans are mad that you juggled between Jamie, Blakely and Sarah?
“People’s feelings were on the line, but I can’t take it back. I can’t really be sorry. I was playing a game…And Blakely and Jamie were a 100 percent there for the money just like I was. I wanted to be partners with Jamie but was held back by Blakely… I honestly didn’t know it was that bad for Jamie because you don’t see everything, and we talked about not getting emotionally involved or wanting a show relationship. I led her on, but I denied her more than once. It’s not 100 percent my fault. She’s smart. She could have realized, ‘Probably not the best idea for me to pursue Chris.’ But I feel for her and think about her every day.”
What about post-show? Will you be dating any of the BP girls?
“Honestly I didn’t feel this was the right time and place to find the girl of my dreams, but if it was me meeting [Jamie or Sarah] out sometime, no game, there could be something there.
I was attracted to Jamie. I wanted to kiss Jamie. I wasn’t lying when I told her she was the most attractive girl from Ben’s season. She’s a great, sweet girl. Sarah is a fun, outgoing sweetheart and would fit into my group of friends perfectly.”
[Below are photos of Chris and Michael Stagliano from their recent interview on Extra at The Grove:]