The Bachelor (Season 13)

The **13th season** of *The Bachelor* premiered on January 5, 2009. The show features 32-year-old Jason Mesnick, a single parent (the first on *The Bachelor* franchise) from Kirkland, Washington, courting 25 women.

Jason was the runner-up of the 4th season of *The Bachelorette*.

He became the second former *The Bachelorette* suitor to become the Bachelor. The first was Bob Guiney of the 1st season of *The Bachelorette* and the 4th season of *The Bachelor*.

He ultimately chose to propose to Melissa Rycroft.

## Contestants

The season began with 25 contestants.

Melissa Rycroft
25
Dallas, Texas
Sales representative
WinnerMolly Malaney
24
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Department store buyer
Runner-upJillian Harris
29
Peace River, Alberta
Interior designer
Eliminated in week 7Naomi Crespo
24
Carlsbad, California
Flight attendant
Eliminated in week 6Stephanie Hogan
34
Huntsville, Alabama
Medical marketing representative
Eliminated in week 5Lauren Wanger
27
Marlboro, New Jersey
Teacher
Eliminated in week 4Megan Parris
25
Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Lacrosse coach
Eliminated in week 4Shannon Bair
29
Marshall, Missouri
Dental hygienist
Eliminated in week 4Nikki Kaapke
29
Blue Island, Illinois
Administrative assistant
Eliminated in week 4Erica DeSimone
25
Monroe, Connecticut
Account executive
Eliminated in week 3Kari Fajen
27
Lee's Summit, Missouri
Account executive
Eliminated in week 3Natalie Getz
27
Morton, Illinois
Human resources recruiter
Eliminated in week 3Raquel Medeiros
27
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Medical student
Eliminated in week 2Sharon Staebell
32
Batavia, New York
Teacher
Eliminated in week 2Lisa Gonzalez
28
Boise, Idaho
Public relations associate
Quit in week 2Ann Lueders
24
Phoenix, Arizona
Flight attendant
Eliminated in week 1Dominique Carta
26
Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania
Medical sales representative
Eliminated in week 1Emily
23
Seattle, Washington
Casino marketing representative
Eliminated in week 1Jackie Hickey
26
Springfield, Massachusetts
Wedding coordinator
Eliminated in week 1Julie Dermotta
26
Columbus, Ohio
Teacher
Eliminated in week 1Nicole Mah
25
Calgary, Alberta
Menswear buyer
Eliminated in week 1Renee Simlak
36
Southfield, Michigan
Jewelry designer
Eliminated in week 1Shelby
23
Stockton, California
Account executive
Eliminated in week 1Stacia Mann
24
Orem, Utah
Charity accountant
Eliminated in week 1Treasure Morgan
28
Salt Lake City, Utah
Nurse practitioner
Eliminated in week 1
### Future appearances

Jillian Harris was chosen as the bachelorette for the 5th season of *The Bachelorette*.

Natalie Getz and Nikki Kaapke competed on the 1st season of *Bachelor Pad*. Kaapke finished in 9th/11th, while Getz won the season alongside Bachelor Nation alumn David Good.

Outside of Bachelor Nation franchise, Melissa Rycroft participated in the 8th season of *Dancing with the Stars* replacing an injured Nancy O'Dell and partnering with Tony Dovolani, finishing in 3rd place. Rycroft would participate again for the all-star season of *Dancing with the Stars* and won that season.

## Episodes

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 4
 5
 6
 7
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 10
 During the "After the Final Rose" special, which aired immediately after the season finale, Jason Mesnick told Chris Harrison that he felt the chemistry with Melissa changed and that he would break up with her and then ask Molly to give him another chance. Jason explained to Melissa how he was feeling. After some arguing, she then gave him his ring back, asked him to leave her alone, and left. During Chris' interview with Molly, she admitted she still loved Jason. Jason told Molly that he broke up with Melissa and that he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. He asked her if they could have another shot and he admitted that he still loved her. She agreed to "see where things go."On the "After the Final Rose: Part Two" episode, which was taped six weeks after the "After the Final Rose: Part One" episode, Jason and Molly stated that "things were going really well" and that this had been "the happiest they had been."On the other hand, host Chris Harrison announced that Jillian became the next bachelorette for the fifth season of The Bachelorette and has insisted that the outcome was not manipulated by show producers to increase ratings.

## Where are they now?

On the season's finale, Jason had called off the engagement with Melissa Rycroft, and resumed a relationship with runner-up Molly Malaney.

Melissa Rycroft is now married to Tye Strickland and have three children together, daughter Ava Grace (b. February 16, 2011) and sons Beckett Thomas (b. April 20, 2014) and Cayson Jack (b. May 18, 2016).

Jason Mesnick would later propose to Molly Malaney in New Zealand, which she accepted and were married on February 27, 2010, in California. Mesnick and Malaney's wedding aired on national television on March 8, 2010. The couple welcomed their first child, Riley Anne on March 14, 2013.

Jillian Harris announced that she was expecting her first child with long-term boyfriend Justin Pasutto on May 4, 2016. They welcomed a son, Leo, on August 5, 2016. She announced their engagement on December 25, 2016. On April 18, 2018, they announced they were expecting her second child. They daughter, Annie, was born on September 28, 2018.

## The Ring

This engagement ring marks the beginning of the Neil Lane ring era.Molly received this Neil Lane ring when they celebrated their five year anniversary.