From the first time we met Joelle “JoJo” Fletcher on Ben Higgins’ season of The Bachelor, we knew she was going to be a reigning fave of ours. From her covetable hair to her take-no-shit family, JoJo has been one to watch, both as she had her heart broken (as one of the two women Ben told he loved) and then mended on her season of The Bachelorette. Now settled in Nashville her with fiancé© Jordan Rodgers, we caught up with JoJo when she was here in Toronto with Smartfood popcorn to chat secret single behaviours, beauty tips and tricks and what she thinks of Nick’s decision on the finale of The Bachelor.
29Secrets: How would you describe your time on The Bachelor and then The Bachelorette?
JoJo Fletcher: When I was on The Bachelor, I was one of the 27 girls, which felt kind of like being in a sorority. You’re in a house with a ton of girls that you’re meeting for the first time, you’re all trying to get ready in the three bathrooms in the house. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s total mayhem. You’re having a blast, but it’s kind of stressful at the same time. You’d think it’d be less stressful being on the other side of it, but I felt just as much stress as The Bachelorette, but I had an amazing experience meeting lifelong friends on The Bachelor. Then when I went onto The Bachelorette, I was thinking, “Okay, this is going to be a no-brainer, you’re in control, you’re going to be totally fine,” and then I was very wrong. It was emotionally, mentally, physically exhausting and stressful. While it was so amazing, it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.
Having done this and having been on both sides of it and knowing Nick, what do you think of his decision to choose Vanessa?
I think, for me, watching the season I could tell his interest was in Vanessa for a very long time. It wasn’t a surprise that he picked Vanessa. But I will say that when I was watching the finale, I did sense them being a bit uncomfortable or tense. I think most people saw that. But at the same time, I can relate to people passing judgement, because Jordan and I went through that saying, They don’t look in love, or They’re not going to last, or whatever it was that I picked the wrong guy. I think it’s just important to remember that no matter who you choose, you’re going to get that criticism, so just be prepared for it.
Once you come off the show, how did you adapt trying to create a life together?
Luckily for me, Jordan was so amazing in the sense that he was so accommodating that right after the show I wanted to be together as soon as possible and being in Dallas was very important to me. The day after After the Final Rose, we flew to Nashville, packed up all his stuff and drove to Dallas the next day. You’d like to think that after that moment your life is going to be totally back to normal, but it’s not. We still deal with different outside stresses”life doesn’t go back to normal that quickly, so you kind of just have to adjust and learn how to pick and choose what bothers you.
Not to mention learning how to live with that person.
Exactly. We do this whole thing backwards. First you get engaged and then you start dating that person. Let alone, moving in, being on top of each other. It’s definitely an adjustment, but if it works, it’s amazing and then you get to start your life together.
What were some of the biggest challenges of going through the dating process after the show?
I think for Jordan and I”I wouldn’t even call it a challenge, just something that was different for us”is going out to dinner or going to public places thinking that it’s your time alone. You have such an overwhelming amount of love from fans and supporters of the show, anytime you go somewhere you get stopped and asked for photos and it’s a lot to take in for someone who hasn’t gone through that. I think just the little things”you’re starting to get to know this person on a more personal level and it just takes time to get to that place where you have each other figured out.
What is one thing that you learned about Jordan that you weren’t expecting when you moved in together?
I always joke about this, but he can clean a kitchen faster than anyone I’ve ever met before. He’s far more patient, understanding and supportive than I ever imagined he could be. Going through great times, good times and bad times, he’s been a huge supporter and just a rock and I just didn’t see that side of him on the show.
That’s really sweet! How did you all get ready in the Bachelor mansion?
Oh gosh, I have no idea. When I was on The Bachelor, I’m pretty sure they didn’t run air conditioning through the house because they didn’t want to hear the sound when they were filming. When we were getting ready, there would be a hundred curling irons and blow-dryers on, so I just remember trying to get ready and just sweating off all the makeup I was putting on and we were all in panic mode. And when I overheat, I go into a full-body sweat.
It definitely didn’t look like that! So you guys were doing your own makeup”how did you do your routine without a glam squad?
We all kind of learned new tricks from each other and there were some girls who had different kinds of makeup and we all just kind of learned from one another and would start doing it. It’s kind of like a sisterhood, so if I did something wrong or my makeup didn’t look good, I’d have Becca or one of my girls tell me to fix it”thank god.
The nights that you girls were all at home and not on any of the dates, what did you do?
I can’t tell you how many times we painted our nails in one day. I can remember one time where we all would just sit around and some of us painted our nails three times in one day. We’d do that or we would sleep”I tried to sleep as much as I could.
What were some of the things that you did as a single girl that you might not do as often now that you’re living with someone?
Well, I still try to indulge in these secret single behaviours. All you want to do sometimes is crawl onto the couch in your ugliest, comfiest sweats, throw your hair in a bun, not wear any makeup, binge your favourite reality show and just eat”without any judgement being passed. For me, Smartfood popcormn I’m really into it right now”the new flavor Gouda & Chive is so good. You truly can’t pry it from my hands. Then you want to drink your wine, eat your food and get some crazy straws in there and just chill out and not care for a moment.
What shows are you watching right now?
So many. Of course, you have Monday nights with The Bachelor and I have Housewives. This is going to sound kind of dark, but I just started The Killing and I’m obsessed with it. Then This Is Us”I’ve got a lot going on. Oh, and then Grey’s Anatomy”that’s been a lifelong obsession.
Are you not on the Riverdale train yet?
What? No! I haven’t even heard of it. I always want more shows.
Do you still do this now that you’re living with Jordan? How do you balance that alone time?
For me, I love doing these things with Jordan because I think he needs those moments too where you can just be a total slob”it’s fun doing that together. But we’re both so busy and I think whenever Jordan is traveling and I’m home alone, I think that’s the perfect time.
I’ve heard that you did your hair yourself on your season of The Bachelorette”what are some of your beauty secrets and tips?
I think for me, you have to have your curling iron that you know how to use and you’ve used it a ton of times, but I’m all about the texture spray. Most of the time I’ll go to sleep with my hair wet so when I wake up it already has a bit of that wave and I’ll just go through and try and smooth out parts that need it and then just curl it. Then I’ll throw in as much texture spray and dry shampoo that I can fit into my hair.
Any favourites?
I’m obsessed with the Oribe Dry Texture Spray. CHI also has a good texturizing spray that I really like. But when I was on The Bachelorette, I ordered like six bottles of the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to bring with me because that was the one thing that I couldn’t live without.
Did you do your makeup yourself too?
When I was on The Bachelor, I did my own makeup, but on The Bachelorette I had a makeup artist that I learned a lot of tricks from. Now, just from being out and having my makeup down, I’m so big into mixing argan oil into my foundation and then applying it to give you that nice dewy glow. As long as my skin can glow, I’m happy. At nighttime, I’m also really into skincare, so I layer my serums, my moisturizer, my oils and let it soak into my skin overnight.
