The Bachelor (Season 15)

The **15th season** of *The Bachelor* premiered on January 3, 2011. It featured 38-year-old Brad Womack, a bar owner.

The season re-aired in a shortened version on July 20, 2020, as a part of *The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever!*.

Brad had previously appeared as the Bachelor on season 11, where he rejected both of his final two women. He is the only person to have held the role of the Bachelor twice.

This season featured 30 contestants, unlike the typical 25. This was the first *Bachelor* season to do so, after season 5 of *The Bachelorette* first tried it in 2009.

Brad ultimately chose to propose to Emily Maynard, who accepted.

## Filming and development

### Casting

Casting began during the 14th season of *The Bachelor*. Potential candidates for this season included Womack, as well as Ty Brown and Chris Lambton from the 6th season of *The Bachelorette*. Both Brown and Lambton turned down the offer. Womack was announced during the live show of season 11 of *Dancing with the Stars*.

### Production

This season traveled to far-flung locales in Las Vegas, Nevada, Costa Rica, the British overseas territory of Anguilla, and South Africa. Musical performances featured Train and Seal.

## Contestants

The season began with 30 contestants.

Emily Maynard
24
Morgantown, West Virginia
Children's Hospital Event Planner
WinnerChantal O'Brien
28
Mercer Island, Washington
Executive Assistant
Runner-upAshley Hebert
26
Madawaska, Maine
Dental Student
Eliminated in week 9Shawntel Newton
25
Chico, California
Funeral Director
Eliminated in week 8Michelle Money
30
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hair stylist
Eliminated in week 7Britt Billmaier
25
Woodinville, Washington
Food writer
Eliminated in week 7Jackie Gordon
26
Newport, Rhode Island
Artist
Eliminated in week 6Alli Travis
24
Columbus, Ohio
Apparel merchant
Eliminated in week 6Lisa Morrisey
24
Ottawa, Kansas
Marketing Coordinator
Eliminated in week 5Marissa May
26
Mesa, Arizona
Sports Publicist
Eliminated in week 5Ashley Spivey
26
Ellerbe, North Carolina
Nanny
Eliminated in week 5Lindsay Hill
25
Plano, Texas
First grade teacher
Eliminated in week 4Meghan Merritt
30
Princeton, New Jersey
Fashion Marketer
Eliminated in week 4Stacey Quirpel
26
Quincy, Massachusetts
Bartender
Eliminated in week 4Kimberly Coon
27
Orlando, Florida
Marketing Coordinator
Eliminated in week 3Sarah Powell
27
Denver, Colorado
Real Estate Broker
Eliminated in week 3Madison Garton
25
Vail, Colorado
Model
Quit in week 3Keltie Busch
28
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Radio City Rockette
Eliminated in week 2Melissa Schreiber
32
Westport, Connecticut
Waitress
Eliminated in week 2Raichel Goodyear
29
Fullerton, California
Manscaper
Eliminated in week 2Britnee Marks
25
Holland, Pennsylvania
Paralegal
Eliminated in week 1Cristy Caserta**†**
30
Davie, Florida
Attorney
Eliminated in week 1Jessica "J" Adams
26
Seattle, Washington
Operations Manager
Eliminated in week 1Jill Ruskowski
28
Frisco, Texas
Sales director
Eliminated in week 1Lacey Garbelman
27
Tampa, Florida
Insurance agent
Eliminated in week 1Lauren Moore
26
Culpeper, Virginia
High School Teacher
Eliminated in week 1Lisa Pastrich
27
Dix Hills, New York
Sales Consultant
Eliminated in week 1Rebecca
30
Mission Viejo, California
Esthetician
Eliminated in week 1Renee Halpin
28
Palos Hills, Illinois
Nanny
Eliminated in week 1Sarah Ledtke
25
Saginaw, Michigan
Musical Theatre Performer
Eliminated in week 1
### Future appearances

Ashley Hebert was chosen as the Bachelorette for the 7th season of *The Bachelorette*.

Alli Travis, Jackie Gordon, Melissa Schreiber and Michelle Money returned for the 2nd season of *Bachelor Pad*, where they finished in 17th/18th, 15th, 11th/12th and 3rd/4th individually.

Shawntel Newton made an appearance in the 16th season of *The Bachelor*, and was eliminated by Bachelor Ben Flajnik the night she arrived.

Emily Maynard was later chosen as the Bachelorette for the 8th season of *The Bachelorette*.

Michelle Money returned again for the 1st season of *Bachelor in Paradise* and won that season with Bachelor Nation alumnus Cody Sattler.

## Episodes

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 With Brad's search for his soul mate over, emotions run high as he talks to Chris Harrison about both Chantal and Emily, recounting those final days in South Africa.

## Where are they now?

Womack and Emily broke up while their season was airing, but got back together after the show's finale. However, they called it quits for good in May 2011 but remained friends.

Emily Maynard married Tyler Johnson in 2014. They have three sons, Jennings Tyler, Gibson Kyle and Gatlin Avery.

Ashley Hebert got engaged to J.P. Rosenbaum on the 7th season of *The Bachelorette*. They got married on December 1, 2012 and their wedding aired as a TV Special on December 16, 2012. They have a son named Fordham Rhys, born on September 30, 2014 and a daughter, Essex Reese, born on November 4, 2016.

Ashley Spivey married her longtime boyfriend Steven Hunsberger on May 14, 2016. On June 28, 2020, they announced that they are expecting their first child. On July 19, 2020, they revealed that they are having a boy.

Michelle Money was engaged to Cody Sattler whom she met on the 1st season of *Bachelor in Paradise*. They have since ended their relationship. She is currently dating golfer Mike Weir.

## The Ring

A 3-carat cushion cut diamond surrounded by 263 round brilliant cut diamonds on a split shank halo setting from Neil Lane.