Emily Maynard, the beautiful, sweet, young mom who captured America’s and Brad Womack’s heart on the 15th season of “The Bachelor,” finally thought she had her happy ending. She accepted Brad’s proposal and was looking forward to walking down the aisle. Unfortunately her relationship with Brad ended, along with her dream of moving to Austin with her daughter, Ricki, and starting a family. But Emily is ready for her luck to change and to bring her the love she so richly deserves. It’s hard to meet men as a single mom, but Emily will have her pick of 25 bachelors when she gets a second opportunity to find love starring in the eighth edition of “The Bachelorette” when it premieres this spring on the ABC Television Network.

Emily, 25, led a tragic but fulfilling life before meeting Brad. In 2004 she became engaged to famed NASCAR driver and team owner Ricky Hendrick. Sadly Hendrick died in a plane crash in October, 2004, leaving his fiancée pregnant with their child. The apple of Emily’s eye and legacy of their love, Josephine Riddick “Ricki” Hendrick was born June 29, 2005.

Instantly popular with “Bachelor” fans, Emily’s strength, passion and southern charm – as a mother and as a woman – would make anyone happy to make her his wife. She found love again with Brad and, even though it didn’t work out, she knows that the series can work. Among those 25 men, she is looking for someone who makes her laugh, doesn’t take himself too seriously and can be her best friend. Emily is hoping that the third time is the charm.

The Morgantown, West Virginia native who now resides in Charlotte, NC is a full-time mommy, which is something she has always wanted. Ricki, who is six years old, is a perfect blend of both her mother and father in looks and personality. Emily cherishes the unconditional love they share, which makes her smile all the time, and knows that the time they share together will serve as memories that Ricki will have forever. As busy as she is as a full time mom, Emily finds the time to do volunteer work. Her particular interest is in helping children. She has given her time to the Hendrick Marrow program, Levine Children’s Hospital, the lunch buddy program at Hidden Valley Middle School, and most recently to a jewelry class she is teaching at an underfunded middle school. Next on her list is a mission trip to Africa.

Emily feels incredibly grateful to have found her first love when she was very young, and despite not having dated a lot, knows what it’s like to be truly in love. In the past seven years, she has been looking for someone with the same spark she has for life, and she believes that she will find her soul mate on “The Bachelorette.”

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelorette” is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

PLUS: During the Special, Get a Sneak Peek at the First Act of ABC’s Heart-stopping Competition Thriller, “Take the Money & Run,” Premiering Tuesday, August 2

“The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” — With her search for her soul mate over, Ashley Hebert talks to Chris Harrison about the two final bachelors this season, Ben F. and J.P., in “After the Final Rose.” Ashley will take viewers back to exotic Fiji on the final day and what she was thinking when she made the most challenging decision of her life. She and the bachelor she rejected square off in an emotional discussion about his dramatic exit from the show – and he wants some answers. He will confront Ashley for the first time since that day he left heartbroken. Finally, Ashley and the man who received the final rose are together in public for the first time. They’ll discuss the difficulty of sustaining the relationship in secret, the roadblocks they encountered on their journey, and what the future will hold for them. It’s an emotional conclusion to Ashley’s heartfelt journey to find true love, MONDAY, AUGUST 1 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Editors Note: “Take the Money & Run” will preview the first act of its premiere episode for viewers, airing during “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” at around 10:20 p.m., ET. “Take the Money & Run” will premiere TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” are productions of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

“The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” are broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with stereo sound. This program carries a TV-14,L parental guideline.

Source: ABC Press Release

A Shocking Fight Between Ashley and Her Sister May Spell the End of One Relationship

And Immediately Following the Season Finale, Both Ben F. and J.P. Join Ashley to Look Back at the Dramatic Ending to Her Journey to Find Love, on “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose”

“Episode 710″ – In this gripping special conclusion, Ashley, who began her search for love with 25 bachelors, has survived a shocking and emotionally taxing journey and found herself falling in love with two very different, but wonderful men, Ben F. and J.P. As she prepares to make one of the most difficult decisions of her life, she invites the two remaining bachelors to tour more of the breathtaking island country of Fiji to meet her family. Ashley hopes her family will offer some crucial input into which incredible man they believe will make the better match for her. Then the men have one last chance to lay their hearts on the line, each trying to guarantee that he will be the one to get Ashley’s final rose. Once fearful that none of the men would be drawn to her, she now has two men in love with her. But which man will she choose to leave paradise with and share her life and who will go home with a broken heart?, on the Season Finale of “The Bachelorette,” MONDAY, AUGUST 1 (8:00-10:02 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

With Ashley’s search for her soul mate over, she talks to Chris Harrison about the two final bachelors this season in “After the Final Rose” special. She’ll take viewers back to exotic Fiji on the final day and what she was thinking when she made the most challenging decision of her life. Ashley and the bachelor she rejected square off in an emotional discussion about his dramatic exit from the show – and he wants some answers. He will confront Ashley for the first time since that day he left heartbroken. Finally, Ashley and the man who received the final rose are together in public for the first time. They will discuss the difficulty of sustaining the relationship in secret, the roadblocks they encountered on their journey and what the future will hold for them. It’s an emotional conclusion to Ashley’s heartfelt journey to find true love, on “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose,” MONDAY, AUGUST 1 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

When J.P. first arrives to meet Ashley’s family at the Vomo Island Resort and Spa, he appears to make a great first impression. However, Ashley’s sister, Chrystie, whose opinion she has always valued, lets her know that she doesn’t see this man as the one for her. The drama erupts as the two sisters confront one another in a sensational fight. Ashley is stunned by her sister’s frank assessment and seeks solace from her brother. Meanwhile, Chrystie offers J.P. a litany of things that she finds troubling about any future relationship he might be planning with her sister. He is shocked by this quick appraisal. Will Ashley be forced to reassess her feelings for J.P. because of her sister’s brutal opinion?

The following day, Ashley’s attempts to clear the air with her sister fail and fireworks start again – especially when Chrystie drops the bomb that she saw more chemistry between her sister and Brad than Ashley and J.P. Another heated verbal sparring session ensues while Ashley worries how her family will receive Ben F. But when this amiable bachelor arrives, he immediately charms everyone with his carefree attitude and sense of humor. Even Chrystie is happy to see Ashley be herself around Ben F., which will only make her decision ever harder.

Ashley is now down to her “last chance” dates with the final two men to bring some clarity to the situation. She and Ben F. soar in a helicopter over the Fijian seascape, landing near some natural hot springs where the couple spend a steamy time together. Later, the date turns serious when the emotional Ben F. finally completely opens up to Ashley and admits that he loves her. This outpouring of emotion has a definite effect on Ashley.

The next day, Ashley and J.P. meet and the distressed bachelor is still reeling from Chrystie’s harsh judgment of him. He begs Ashley not to let her sister’s opinion influence her decision, but Ashley is determined to make sure that the man she picks is right both for her head and heart. Desperate to convince her that he is the one for her, J.P. admits he’s falling madly in love with her. He even surprises her with a special gift that night as they snuggle.

Her journey is over and both men are ready to propose, but there is still one heart-breaking decision for Ashley to make before she can find her happily ever after.

The two remaining men are:

Ben F., 28, winemaker from Sonoma, CA
J.P., 34, construction manager from New York, NY

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” are productions of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers. “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” are broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with stereo sound.

Source: ABC Press Release

Bachelor and Bachelorette Favorites, Including Jason Mesnick, Ali Fedotowsky, DeAnna Pappas and Michelle Money, Weigh in on This Season

“The Men Tell All” — It’s an explosive reunion viewers won’t want to miss, as the most memorable bachelors from this season – including Constantine, Ryan P, Ames, Mickey, William and Jeff “The Mask” — return to confront each other and Ashley one last time on national television to dish the dirt and tell their side of the story. The men will discuss the difficulty of competing for Ashley and focus on the most controversial bachelor of the season – Bentley. William and Ben C. have a heated face-off about their dramatic two-on-one date and its aftermath. Ryan P. shares how he has changed since being on the show; and Ames, the bachelor who charmed America, explains his tactics for winning Ashley’s heart. Finally, Ashley offers her very frank assessment about her experience on the series, remembering the good and bad times. Sensational unseen moments from one of the most dramatic “Bachelorette” seasons ever will also be featured, as will a special preview of Season Two of “Bachelor Pad,” on “The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All,” SUNDAY, JULY 31 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Although one of the guys on everyone’s lips this season – Bentley – has chosen not to attend, that didn’t stop the rest of the men from discussing his shocking behavior and treatment of Ashley. Chris talks to Michelle Money about her warning to Ashley to stay away from Bentley because she had learned he wasn’t interested in her, and that it was more a game to him.

But no discussion is more emotionally charged than when William is questioned about the moment he convinced Ashley to send Ben C. home. The men – not to mention Ben C. — are skeptical of William’s story that the reason he told Ashley that Ben C. was looking forward to Internet dating when he got home was only to protect the Bachelorette. When William takes the hot seat, he can barely stand the heat. He can’t even look at the footage being played of his time on the show. And when a clip of his infamous comedy roast of Ashley is played, he can’t bear to hear it.

Ryan P. takes the hot seat to talk about his prickly relationship with the other guys. He, too, struggles to watch his emotional exit from the show. It was all too real when Ashley sent him home. Ryan admits the journey changed him – for the better. And then Ames, the unique and intellectual bachelor who fell hard for Ashley, steps into the spotlight. He explains that he took things slowly because he wanted his relationship with Ashley to last forever. Ames also looks back at his Muay Thai boxing date, which sent him to the hospital.

Things heat up as Ashley must face the men she rejected. Immediately emotional, she discusses with Chris how difficult the season was for her and how much she regretted wasting so much time and not spending it with the men who were really there for her. Then Ali, DeAnna and Jason share with Ashley their thoughts about what she went through this season as she struggled with Bentley. While it has been a trying season for her, Ashley explains that at least now she knows what she doesn’t want.

It’s the bachelors like you’ve never seen them before! The special also includes a sneak peek at the season finale and the final two bachelors, Ben F. and J.P., vying for Ashley’s heart and the final rose.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All” is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

“The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All” will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online.

“The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P).

Source: ABC Press Release