On the latest season of the bachelorette, featuring JoJo Fletcher, viewers were introduced to one large, tan and headstrong bachelor; Chad Johnson. You know the one who got hard-core rejected when he tried to plant one on her onstage:
Everyone on the show seemed to either be uncomfortable with this protein fueled machine or just down right hate him. He was big, ate a lot of meat at cocktail parties and was shown threatening multiple cast members. Claiming he would find them after the show and beat the shit out of them, or just take their teeth home. JoJo was pulled aside many times by the men who were bothered and even afraid of this guy. It seemed like everyone had it out for him from the start.
The trouble really started when Chad was asked on a version of Sports Nation, dubbed "Bachelor Nation" to propose to JoJo in the most convincing way possible. While the other men tried to give original serenades about how beautiful and wonderful she was, he simply got down on one knee and said "Will you marry me?". To which everyone thought he was just being cocky and insincere. However, Chad's point was that he didn't really know JoJo, and certainly not enough to list off everything he loves about her and hence the brief proposal.
I think the scrutiny he received for being so blunt was misdirected. I love JoJo, and will always consider the Bachelor my guilty pleasure, however Chad did a great job exposing some of the bullshit that is shown to viewers as "love and good times". Chad said he was simply trying to be honest and that he couldn't truly throw his heart out at her because it was literally their first date. WHICH WE FORGET IS TRUE! It takes time to get to know someone, and even more time to love them. So I can definitely see the validity in calling out the other guys for kissing her ass without really knowing her. Chad really highlighted one of the Bachelor/ Bachelorette's major flaws as a show which is that everyone feels the need to instantly have a connection with the guy/ girl handing out the roses. It's a major head game and I commend Chad for realizing that.
From this point on everyone thought he was a terrible guy, but I honestly think the men (even more than the women) love to create a common enemy. This season Chad was the guy they all decided to provoke and make the house target. There are even scenes where the boys chant and congratulate other men for putting him down, or for exposing him. It really gets to be too much, and as Chad says "the other boys all became super cliquey".
In the end Chad was obviously not for JoJo and not very suitable for this type of show, however I think he really was just trying to make a decent connection with the girl without totally groveling at her feet. Which helps us viewers keep in perspective how fabricated the Bachelor environment is. As apart of Bachelor nation I will always keep a place in my heart for the weirdness that is 26 guys dating one girl, but it was nice to see that not all Bachelors fall into Chris Harrison's trap (even if he was a little extreme).
So farewell Chad and goodluck JoJo!
