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Runner-up on ‘The Bachelorette’ proud of his Cleveland roots
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BY: CATHRYN HORWITZ Editorial Intern
Millions of television viewers know his name and recognize his dark hair and handsome face, but very few know that Jason Mesnick, 32, contestant on the fourth season of the ABC reality show “The Bachelorette,” was born in Cleveland and lived here until age 4.
Producers of the program, one of many dating shows in the reality TV genre, cast a single woman as its bachelorette. They then select 25 men for her to meet and date in hopes that she will find the man she will marry.
On the show’s July 7 finale, DeAnna Pappas, the bachelorette, 26, had to choose between Mesnick and Jesse Csincsak, a 26-year-old professional snowboarder. She turned down Mesnick for Csincsak; they are now engaged to be married.
“If I didn’t see a connection with (Pappas) early on, I would’ve left on my own,” says Mesnick, a Jewish single father and account executive. “I think, more than anything, (she and I) are the people who are willing to try anything: places to go, things to do.” These commonalities really clicked with Mesnick, who spoke to this reporter from his home in Seattle.
During the show’s finale, Mesnick showed this adventurous side to DeAnna when the two went diving with sharks as part of their final date.
Mesnick decided to audition for the show after watching a friend, one of the contestants, on season 11 of “The Bachelor.” Mesnick’s friend and Pappas became quite close, Mesnick says. Neither Pappas nor the other of the “final two” on that season of “The Bachelor” received a proposal of marriage from bachelor Brad Womack. ABC later asked Pappas to sign on as the Bachelorette.
“You’ve got to go do it,” Mesnick’s friend told him. “DeAnna seems amazing.”
When casting for “The Bachelorette” began, Mesnick sent in a five-minute video to ABC, describing himself, his career, his life with his 3=year-old son Tyler, and what he looks for in a relationship.
Once Mesnick was selected for the show, filming took place over a six week period, taking the contestants away from home and work.
“I talked to Ty every day (during taping), but I missed him a ton,” he says. Mesnick and his ex-wife have shared custody of the child.
Mesnick, who became a bar mitzvah, says he does not practice Judaism much beyond spending Jewish holidays with his family. But his Jewish identity still played a part on the show.
It came up when DeAnna was in Seattle to meet his parents, explains Mesnick. “She asked a few questions of my family about Judaism and (said) how she thought it might be similar to her view on religion.” He tries not to let religion separate people, he adds.
Because he has a great deal of family still residing in Cleveland, including his grandparents, Mesnick stays connected to the city and the state of Ohio.
“Every time my dad calls he says, ‘How about them Buckeyes?’” says Mesnick with a laugh.
Although he had his heart broken when Pappas turned him down, Mesnick retains a positive outlook.
“DeAnna’s path took her another way, and my path took me back square at home, at work and with my son,” says Mesnick. “I know first-hand you can meet somebody anywhere.”
While no one at the network has broached the issue with him, Mesnick says he would consider becoming the next “The Bachelor” if offered.
“For me,” says Mesnick, “anything is possible.”
Producers of the program, one of many dating shows in the reality TV genre, cast a single woman as its bachelorette. They then select 25 men for her to meet and date in hopes that she will find the man she will marry.
On the show’s July 7 finale, DeAnna Pappas, the bachelorette, 26, had to choose between Mesnick and Jesse Csincsak, a 26-year-old professional snowboarder. She turned down Mesnick for Csincsak; they are now engaged to be married.
“If I didn’t see a connection with (Pappas) early on, I would’ve left on my own,” says Mesnick, a Jewish single father and account executive. “I think, more than anything, (she and I) are the people who are willing to try anything: places to go, things to do.” These commonalities really clicked with Mesnick, who spoke to this reporter from his home in Seattle.
During the show’s finale, Mesnick showed this adventurous side to DeAnna when the two went diving with sharks as part of their final date.
Mesnick decided to audition for the show after watching a friend, one of the contestants, on season 11 of “The Bachelor.” Mesnick’s friend and Pappas became quite close, Mesnick says. Neither Pappas nor the other of the “final two” on that season of “The Bachelor” received a proposal of marriage from bachelor Brad Womack. ABC later asked Pappas to sign on as the Bachelorette.
“You’ve got to go do it,” Mesnick’s friend told him. “DeAnna seems amazing.”
When casting for “The Bachelorette” began, Mesnick sent in a five-minute video to ABC, describing himself, his career, his life with his 3=year-old son Tyler, and what he looks for in a relationship.
Once Mesnick was selected for the show, filming took place over a six week period, taking the contestants away from home and work.
“I talked to Ty every day (during taping), but I missed him a ton,” he says. Mesnick and his ex-wife have shared custody of the child.
Mesnick, who became a bar mitzvah, says he does not practice Judaism much beyond spending Jewish holidays with his family. But his Jewish identity still played a part on the show.
It came up when DeAnna was in Seattle to meet his parents, explains Mesnick. “She asked a few questions of my family about Judaism and (said) how she thought it might be similar to her view on religion.” He tries not to let religion separate people, he adds.
Because he has a great deal of family still residing in Cleveland, including his grandparents, Mesnick stays connected to the city and the state of Ohio.
“Every time my dad calls he says, ‘How about them Buckeyes?’” says Mesnick with a laugh.
Although he had his heart broken when Pappas turned him down, Mesnick retains a positive outlook.
“DeAnna’s path took her another way, and my path took me back square at home, at work and with my son,” says Mesnick. “I know first-hand you can meet somebody anywhere.”
While no one at the network has broached the issue with him, Mesnick says he would consider becoming the next “The Bachelor” if offered.
“For me,” says Mesnick, “anything is possible.”
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