The Bachelor Recap: Confrontations, Ex Talk and… Parents?!

Rosemary Donahue
Jan 24, 2017

*Warning! This post contains serious spoilers, so if you haven’t watched this week’s episode of The Bachelor, STOP READING NOW.*

Nick sure is shaking things up this season, isn’t he? He’s sending women home at a moment’s notice (bye, Dominique!), skipping rose ceremonies in favor of pool parties and wearing maroon leather jackets instead of the usual black. While only time will tell if his unconventional ways are working, the last episode ended with “the worst pool party, ever” (according to Alexis), and everybody feeling mad at — guess who? — Corinne (who may or may not be engaged)! We last saw her straddling Nick in a bouncy house, so let’s talk about where she (and everyone else) stand after the latest episode of our fave alternative facts version of a romance show.

 THE POOL PARTY AND ROSE CEREMONY

Last night’s episode picked up where we left off, with Vanessa telling Nick that she wasn’t stoked about him making out with Corinne during the pool party. Then, some of the other girls confronted Corinne about her bouncy house activities (while she was — what else!? — taking a nap), which somehow led to her denying that she had any privilege (GIRL). TBH, we’re a little worried about how many naps she needs to take, as well as how much focus is on her.

The ladies then quickly transitioned from swimwear to nightwear, and the rose ceremony commenced. Half of the women cried about not having gotten enough time with Nick thus far (valid), while the other half spent their time talking about how they *really* didn’t want Corinne to get a rose. It happens every season — one woman gets so much time that the women with less traditionally “big” personalities get left behind. Poor introverts, we just aren’t made for reality TV!

TRAVELING AND A ONE-ON-ONE

Once again proving that Nick is #NotAllBachelors, he decided to take the women back to his home base super early on in the season, an event usually reserved for the final two or three… not the final, er, 15. Chris Harrison told the women to pack their things for international travel before announcing that they’d be flying to Nick’s hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nick met up with his (understandably worried) parents, who just want him to find someone, or, at the very least, stop trying to do it on reality TV. He then met back up with the group before taking Danielle L. on a one-on-one date. She seemed pretty nervous, which was understandable, because as she explained, “There’s a rose on the line, and if I don’t get it, I’m going home.”

They made out in a bakery before running into Nick’s ex at a deli. FUN! The ex, heretofore referred to as Amber, JOINED THE DATE, which visibly threw Danielle. Amber then coined the term “heartdriven,” which I will now be using in all of my recaps. (Thanks, Amber!)

Danielle opened up about how her parents’ divorce affected her, saying that consequently, she wanted to take things slow and be really sure before marrying (which kinddddd of makes her an odd candidate for The Bachelor, no?), and Nick ended up giving her the rose, followed by a slow dance at a concert from a singer/band I’m too lazy to look up. *Shrugs* Meanwhile, the other women got a card for a group date.

THE GROUP DATE

The girls showed up to a beautiful farm where Nick told them with a twinkle in his eye that he wanted to “see the women do dirtier things,” (ugh!) sooooo this should be fun. They milked cows, shoveled poop (ew). Of course, Corinne got a ton more screen time, complaining about the “farm chores” and asking for sushi, leading the other women to spend their interviews talking about her.

For the nighttime part of the date, they sat in one of the nondescript cocktail rooms with couches, trunks-as-coffee tables and multitudes of throw pillows while Nick ventured into some side rooms to talk to the women one on one. Unfortunately, Corinne was in one of the side rooms and overheard the women talking about her, after which she decided to compare herself to corn (don’t ask). Meanwhile, Vanessa continued to distinguish herself as a frontrunner by gifting Nick with a scrapbook from her students (and an adorable snort laugh).

Corinne eventually decided to confront the women, who told her they took issue with her age and her napping through the rose ceremony, rather than the plethora of OTHER issues they could’ve brought up — whatever, ladies! Rachel and Nick then got some alone time. (Full disclosure: She’s still my absolute favorite, which means I’m still standing by my initial desire for her to *almost* win — I want her to make it almost to the end, and then become the next Bachelorette). When Nick and Corinne finally had their turn to chat, she told him the “alternative facts” version of the night’s events. Then, the prickly situation of the rose came, and Nick gave it to Kristina.

THE SECOND ONE-ON-ONE

Raven nabbed the second one-on-one date and got to explore Nick’s hometown with him. These “realistic day” dates are always less exciting in the typical reality TV way, but they’re honestly the best to watch — they give more of a real sense of what the contestants (that’s what they are, let’s be honest) are actually like IRL, and what their relationship would actually be like if they were to, ya know, date. They met Nick’s little sister for soccer practice, which is probably the earliest a contestant has ever met a family member. After kicking the ball around a bit, they met his PARENTS and my jaw literally dropped — is this a sign Nick is considering Raven more seriously than the other women, or is he just doing things really differently?

After the game they took Nick’s sister (Bella) to a skating rink, and Raven was awesome with her. It was honestly a really cute date! Plus, they skated to Sixpence None the Richer’s “Kiss Me,” which is a classic skating song. At dinner (during which they don’t eat), Raven revealed that she’d been cheated on before and gave all the gruesome deets of the sitch (some of which were pretty… intense). Nick has been cheated on too, and they connected on rebuilding after feeling ashamed and undervalued. She inevitably got the rose, and Nick seems to be really into her.

THE ROSE CEREMONY… KIND OF

Danielle L. “stole” Nick immediately at the beginning of the rose ceremony, which set things off on a bad note, considering that she already HAD a rose and is guaranteed a spot for the next week. (That’s a huge Bachelor faux pas, for those not in the know.) Taylor followed quickly to interrupt, during which Josephine and Corinne enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres until Corinne grew tired of waiting, saying she was going to go “rip Taylor a new one.”

The two went around in circles, insulting each other’s intelligence on multiple levels (and after multiple glasses of wine, likely), before Corinne said that she “owns a multi-million dollar company” and Taylor said that Corinne “isn’t emotionally intelligent.” Then, we were given the black “TO BE CONTINUED…” screen again, because apparently we can’t get one normal week with dates and a rose ceremony at the end.

And that’s about it! Next week, we’ll apparently see the end of either Taylor or Corinne’s “journey” with Nick — personally, I’m betting Taylor will go, both because Corinne makes for better TV and also because Taylor and Nick just haven’t had as much time together yet. We’ll see… keep watching and reading to see where this group will end up!

What did you think of this week’s episode? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Gifs via GIPHY, photo via Craig Sjodin/Getty)

Justin Baldoni's $400 Million New York Times Lawsuit Just Stalled — Here's Why

It Ends With Us drama is seemingly never-ending, from the back-and-forth accusations of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to the multi-million dollar lawsuits. As the feud continues to escalate, the legal situations evolve daily — and now a judge just paused Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against the New York Times. Here's what's happening in this highly complex legal battle, and what it all means for the lawsuit in general.

Scroll to find out what this pause means for Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit...

On January 16, 2025, Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicists, and the New York Times. By January 30, Blake and Ryan quickly filed to dismissthe suit with a single sentence: "The Lively-Reynolds Parties intend to move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint."

According to Deadline, the New York Times also filed its own motion to dismiss the case on February 28, 2025. The media company wrote, "The Wayfarer Parties’ FAC tells a one-sided tale that has garnered plenty of headlines, but The Times does not belong in this dispute."

Now, a judge is seemingly siding with The Times by at least granting a pause on discovery for the lawsuit, according to E! News. Reporting from E! states that a motion was filed to "temporarily halt parties from having to exchange information or documents." Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the motion to pause, explaining that the media outlet has "substantial grounds" and "a strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed on the merits."

Despite the Baldoni team's claims that this new window substantially shortens their time for discovery, Judge Liman maintained that "the burden of discovery is not measured only by the number of pages." And if we know anything about Baldoni's team? It's that they love to release lots and lots and lots of documents.

Judge Liman continued his decision by stating that Baldoni's team will be able to ask for the "extent of discovery" they need if the courts ultimately deny The Times' request. Still, he explained that "The Court intends to address the motion to dismiss promptly after it is fully submitted.”

A spokesperson for the New York Times told E! News, "We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here. The court has stopped Mr. Baldoni from burdening The Times with discovery requests in a case that should never have been brought against."

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This "Outdated" '90s Pasadena Home Got A Stunning Renovation — See The Before & After!

Letting more than a decade pass without updates can quickly leave a home feeling outdated. That was the case for this Pasadena home, which remained frozen in the '80s and ’90s — until Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn of the celebrity-loved design firm House of Rolison stepped in to beautifully renovate and reimagine it. Their goal? To lean into the home's French-country architecture and transform the dated and dysfunctional space into a modern, light-filled space with moody vibes, vintage pieces, and luxury materials.

See the before and after of this French-inspired Pasadena renovation!

THE BEFORE

Courtesy of House of Rolison

Prior to the renovation, the home was stuck in the past with a lime green exterior and a late 80s/early 90s design aesthetic, including dated flooring, cramped rooms, wall-to-wall carpeting, bulky kitchen cabinets and granite (granite!) countertops. Drumroll on the after....

THE AFTER

Gavin Cater

I'm in awe of this transformation. Amanda and Taylor enhanced the home’s original features, including the floor-to-ceiling windows, slate roof with beautifully patinated gutters and accents, and kept original lighting fixtures while adding a fresh coat of paint and modern landscaping. Gorgeous!

THE BEFORE: ENTRY AND LIVING ROOM

Courtesy of House of Rolison

Before diving into the renovation, take a look at the original living area and entryway. The space feels not just overdone, but also cold and uninviting. The bulky staircases (plural) dominate the entry, while the divider adds nothing to the warmth or flow of the space. The furniture feels stuck in another era, and that tiny rug? A total eyesore!

THE AFTER: LIVING AREA

Gavin Cater

The entry now is stunning, designed to make a statement with one staircase removed to create a charming seating nook and a more open, inviting flow into the cozy living space. The home now has 20-foot ceilings, an elegant formal living room topped with custom-stained cedar paneling, and a bespoke bar area showcasing beautifully restored red oak cabinetry.

Gavin Cater

Elegant furnishings with modern silhouettes and warm, earthy tones instantly elevate the home's aesthetic. The restored fireplace adds warmth and character to the room, while a well-proportioned rug enhances the cozy, inviting space.

THE BEFORE: KITCHEN

Courtesy of House of Rolison

My eyes! This kitchen is a time capsule of outdated design, from the heavy granite countertops to the awkward circular layout that feels cramped and closed off.

Gavin Cater

"We opened up the kitchen to create a much more spacious and functional layout," says Taylor. "One of the key changes was expanding the kitchen’s visual space by installing double islands to create more prep space and an inviting area for family to gather."

Gavin Cater

They also removed a wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area, which not only opened up the space but also allowed natural light to flood in from both sides of the house. "The wood and paint-grade cabinetry allowed for contrast, and served as the perfect canvas for Calacatta Viola marble and absolute black slabs. The matte black hardware we used throughout the cabinetry and railings added a modern touch," adds Amanda.

Gavin Cater

Amanda and Taylor revamped the '90s kitchen into a chic and design-forward space by adding a moody breakfast nook for the family to gather. Find more banquette inspiration here!

Gavin Cater

Another challenge was optimizing the natural light — some rooms had very little natural light while others had plenty, so they introduced skylights where it was lacking. "We maximized the layout, lighting, and use of space while adding crucial design factors to make the property stand out," says Taylor.

Gavin Cater

Striking a balance between light and dark, the dining room features a rich brown and black palette that enhances its moody, earthy aesthetic while beautifully framing the outdoor views.

Gavin Cater

"The defining highlight for us is how we were able to preserve the home’s original charm while modernizing it to meet the physical and aesthetic needs of a modern family," says Amanda. The design duo kept the architectural integrity intact, but enhanced the functionality and warmth.

Gavin Cater

Taylor and Amanda restored the fireplace to its original brick, "but not how you might think," says Taylor. "We went through multiple processes to come to the final product. First attempting to remove paint, then micro cementing the fireplace, and at the very end we wanted to have the warmth and beauty of used brick. So we had to source used brick to satisfy the color and size needs for our room and proceeded to install."

Gavin Cater

Marble and matte black hardware was also used in the bathrooms, creating a cohesive and luxurious feel throughout the home.

Gavin Cater

"We chose natural materials like warm oak wood, used brick, and natural stones to blend with the moldings and historic feel of the home," says Amanda. The soft goods complement these harder materials with natural linens and vintage style rugs.

Gavin Cater

Touches of nature are woven throughout the home, subtly appearing in the artwork and décor.

Gavin Cater

The adorable kids room is a clean canvas with neutral decor and a rich amber-colored rug.

Gavin Cater

The outdoors is just as stunning. The pair upgraded the pool tile to a cle rust brown tile to modernize and warm up the pool. "We take landscaping our homes very seriously, so when it came to this home we had to go all out," says Amanda. Grass, olive trees, ficus, vines and more create a serene environment for years to come.

Gavin Cater

"The idea was to create a connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape — bringing the outside in," adds Taylor. "The seamless integration of indoor-outdoor living and the design of the kitchen as the heart of the home really stand out."

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The 10 Best Finds From The Whole Foods Hot Bar For An On-The-Go Meal

The Whole Foods hot bar is a buffet of delicious possibilities. It’s truly packed with fresh, flavorful dishes that make grabbing a quick meal feel like a total treat! From perfectly-seasoned roasted veggies to indulgent comfort foods like meatloaf and cornbread, you’re never missing out on good eats when you stop by the Whole Foods hot bar. If you’re wondering which options are worth piling onto your plate, these 10 picks are the best of the best!

Scroll on to discover the 10 best finds at the Whole Foods hot bar for a tasty on-the-go meal!

Kaboompics / PEXELS

1. Rotisserie Chicken

Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken is a staple you simply need to try. It’s juicy, flavorful, and perfectly-seasoned every single time! Some Whole Foods locations even give you a choice between lemon herb or garlic variations that add delicious depth of flavor. Plus, rotisserie chicken is always versatile – you can eat it on its own, shred it into salads, or pair it with any of the hot bar sides for a balanced, high-protein meal.

Foodie Factor / PEXELS

2. Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup is superior when it comes to comfort food, and Whole Foods’ recipe is no exception! It never fails to be rich, velvety, and packed with the perfect balance of sweetness from the tomatoes and freshness from the basil. It’s a fan-favorite because it pairs beautifully with everything from grilled cheese to pasta.

Public Domain Pictures / PEXELS

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These aren’t the bland, mushy veggies you avoided as a kid. Whole Foods roasts their Brussels sprouts to crispy perfection, oftentimes serving them up with garlic, a balsamic glaze, or some Parmesan cheese! If you’re looking for nutritious, yet flavorful options from the Whole Foods hot bar, you’ve just gotta scoop up some of these sprouts and witness the magic for yourself.

FOX / PEXELS

4. Grilled Salmon

Whole Foods’ grilled salmon is a standout item on the hot bar because of its buttery texture and slightly-smoky char. It pairs exceptionally well with the aforementioned Brussels sprouts or even a grain-based side like quinoa!

Angela Khebou / PEXELS

5. Mac & Cheese

Whole Foods fans go nuts for their Mac & Cheese. It’s nothing but rich, creamy, and of course, loaded with cheese. It’s ooey and gooey, but typically, the top layer boasts a slight crispiness from baking. Yum. It makes the ultimate comfort food for picky kids and hungry adults alike!

Whole Foods

6. Classic Meatloaf

Don't knock meatloaf – especially Whole Foods’ meatloaf from the hot bar. This home-style dish is made with high-quality beef, flavorful seasonings, and a tangy tomato glaze that keeps you going back for more. And more! Shoppers love it so much because it brings back that nostalgia for a hearty, homemade dinner.

Whole Foods

7. Chicken Tikka Masala

This ready-to-eat Tikka Masala is so delicious. The chicken is always tender and absorbs the spicy sauce beautifully, making it a perfect dish when served over basmati rice. It’s a great way to enjoy Indian flavors without having to visit a restaurant (and pay restaurant prices).

Nadja M / PEXELS

8. Fried Rice

Whole Foods’ fried rice can’t be beat. Often made with fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a touch of soy sauce for umami depth, it's a great side to scoop up for lunch or dinner.

Nano Erdozain / PEXELS

9. Baked Ziti

This comforting mix of al dente pasta, rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and ricotta for extra creaminess is one of the best items on Whole Foods’ hot bar. Cheese lovers, make way!

Valeria Boltneva / PEXELS

10. Nashville Hot Chicken

For those who can’t resist a little heat, the Nashville hot chicken at Whole Foods delivers a perfect balance of spice and crunch. Each bite is also slightly-sweet, so you’re going to get a balanced meal every time you stop by.

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