Bachelorette Finale: Ali Fedotowsky Chooses Roberto Martinez
Ali Fedotowsky picks Roberto Martinez in season six "Bachelorette" finale.
Aug. 2, 2010 -- After a drama-filled season, and an especially drama-filled finale, Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky finally chose Roberto Martinez.
The season six finale of "The Bachelorette" ended with Martinez on bended knee proposing to Fedotowsky against a stunning Tahitian backdrop.
"I want to make you smile. I want to make sure you wake up every morning for the rest of your life knowing that you're so, so loved," he said, dropping to one knee. "Share your life with me. Be my wife. Will you marry me?"
She said "yes."
A Drama-Filled Season Six
Fans across the country had been rooting for Fedotowsky to meet her prince.
Viewers had been told by host Chris Harrison to prepare for a finale "unlike anything we've seen before." And Fedotowsky did not fail to deliver.
At the outset of her final date with runner-up Chris Lambton, the bachelorette broke down and told him that she was "in love with somebody else." She said she didn't want to put him through the final date and the rose ceremony because it would be too painful to him.
"I have to let you go here and not wait till tomorrow. This wasn't an easy decision," she told her suitor. "I just didn't want to put you through tomorrow because I knew it was going to be so hard."
A visibly shaken Lambton took the rejection in stride.
"Thank you for being honest," he told her. "Good luck tomorrow. Go find out tomorrow if he loves you."
Moments later, Lambton said he saw a rainbow streaking through the Tahiti sky and took it as a message from his deceased mother.
"That's my mom telling me it's going to be OK," he said.
Previews for the final episode, with scenes of a tearful Fedotowsky and the final two suitors saying they may not be ready to propose, hinted that Fedotowsky could walk away without a ring.
Martinez had long been the front-runner. Fedotowsky clicked with the 26-year-old ex-baseball player from Tampa from the beginning, giving him the first impression rose.
"He dropped out of my dreams," Fedotowsky said.
On top of the romantic dinners and helicopter rides, the couple's most memorable dates were a sensual performance in the Broadway musical "The Lion King," where they were suspended in mid-air, and a daring 100-foot tightrope walk between two of Los Angeles' tallest buildings.
Watch an exclusive interview with Ali Fedotowsky tomorrow on "Good Morning America" at 7 a.m. ET.
It took longer for Fedotowsky's relationship with Lambton to pick up speed. It wasn't until the 33-year-old landscaper's hometown date in Cape Cod, Mass., where the Bachelorette met his family, that he opened up and the two deeply connected.
Lambton, a family man, moved back home from New York City to support his family when his mother was dying of a degenerative disease.
"He would make a great husband," Fedotowsky said.
America first fell in love with Fedotowsky on last season's "The Bachelor," when she left Jake Pavelka and quit the show to give priority to her career. The fan favorite was then chosen to return as "The Bachelorette," where 25 bachelors vied for her love.
'Bachelorette' Season Six Highlights
"The Bachelorette's" sixth season was filled with its fair share of drama.
Suitor Frank Neuschaefer, who furiously romanced Fedotowsky and won enough of her heart to be one of the final three guys, was flown halfway around the world to Tahiti -- only to break up with the bachelorette in favor of an old flame he took up with on the side during a visit to his home town of Chicago.
Fedotowsky was completely blindsided by his change of heart.
"I think it's so selfish of you to have done this," she said to Neuschaefer. "I've given up everything to be here."
Another dramatic plotline this season involved Justin Rego, better known as "The Wrestler," who was accused of using the show to promote his career. The Canadian entertainment wrestler was ultimately kicked to the curb after Fedotowsky learned that he had two girlfriends.
Bachelor Kasey Kahl, who was eliminated in Iceland, floored Fedotowsky and viewers when he branded himself to prove his undying dedication to Fedotowsky. Kahl got a tattoo on his wrist of a shield, which he said was a symbol of his promise to "guard and protect" Fedotowsky's heart -- a line he repeated ad nauseum on the show.
Surprise Endings in 'Bachelor' History
The drama this season on "The Bachelorette" wasn't a departure from the show's history. Season three Bachelorette Jenn Schefft rejected both finalists. During the 2007 season of "The Bachelor," Brad Womack didn't choose either of his two finalists during his final rose ceremony.
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In all the incarnations of the popular show, only two couples have made it down the aisle -- Season 13 "Bachelor" Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney, and season 1 "Bachelorette" couple Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter.