‘The Bachelor’: Ben Flajnik Is Back, But Will He Find Love?

Credit: ABC

Who can forget the dramatic scene in last season’s finale of “The Bachelorette” when Ben Flajnik got down on one knee to propose to Ashley Hebert, only to be rejected and then have the moment play out in front of a television audience of millions.

“I didn’t know she was going to turn down my proposal. Obviously it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, but I’m glad that I’m here now in this position,” Flajnik, 29, said today on “Good Morning America.” “It’s hard to look at that in retrospect and have any kind of regret really because I’m glad I followed through with something for once in a relationship. It was a good learning experience.”

The Sonoma, Calif., winemaker is back on his feet and now has 25 women clamoring for his affection on the new season of ABC’s hit reality-TV show, “The Bachelor.”  (Not bad, he admits). Still it took some reflection for Flajnik to put himself out there again, but there’s something about the setting and structure of the “Bachelor” franchise that “oddly” appeals to him.

“This forum oddly enough kind of works for me. I like the way you’re able to exercise your feelings, [you're] encouraged to get there quicker than you normally would,” he explained. “I thought long and hard about it but ultimately it was the right decision… I learned a lot about myself and pushed myself in ways that I never did before.”

This time, Flajnik is looking for a woman with “confidence, intelligence” and life experiences under her belt.

I want “someone who is worldly and … has experienced life,” Flajnik said. “At such a young age I’ve gone through so much — my father’s passing, I’ve been able to travel…I’ve had a lot of life lessons so that’s what I kind of look for in a counterpoint.”

So did he meet someone that could be the one? Flajnik’s lips are sealed of course, but he promises fans will get their share of drama and fireworks this season.

“I think any time you combine 25 women vying for one man’s heart, there’s going to be drama, there’s going to be spice. And as laid back and mellow as I am, ….I can guarantee plenty of excitement,” he said.

The new season of “The Bachelor” premieres Mon. Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.