Kasey Kahl may not have made a love connection with Ali Fedotowsky on The Bachelorette, but the advertising executive from central California did not leave empty-handed after getting a tattoo during the show's New York stop. On a conference call with reporters, Kasey, 27, discussed the body-art strategy, his now-familiar “guard and protect” mantra, the revelation that Justin the wrestler had a girlfriend back home and much more. –Carrie Bell
Any regrets over getting a tattoo? Plans to alter or remove it?
None. The tattoo’s awesome and would never change it. It is an amazing thing I got for myself. I got it to show who I am no matter where I’m at or who I’m with.
Why didn't you tell the other guys about the ink?
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to show Ali or not. I wanted to be the one to tell her. I wanted her to know the reasons I got it. I didn’t want the guys to spoil the idea or the moment we could have together over it.
Were you bummed to see the guys making fun of it later?
When I showed the guys the tattoo, they loved it. They loved the idea of me being me. A couple of the guys might have been sketchy about it but wouldn’t say it to me face. That’s okay. When I saw Craig draw a fake tattoo, I just laughed. He’s an awesome guy with a great sense of humor. I can laugh even though it was at my expense.
How about the singing? Do you regret that?
I’m obviously not a singer. You didn’t see the whole thing. We were playing a writing game. She’d do a line and I’d do a line and then she was like, “You should make up a song.” So I went with it and had fun. Good or bad, everyone loves karaoke, right?
"To guard and protect hearts" became your slogan on the show. Is this something you’ve always preached or did you make it up on the show?
Like I told Ali in the first one-on-one conversation, I’ve always had that belief because of things I saw happen to my mother. I’ve never said it, but that’s how I’ve always felt and that’s who I am. It came out naturally and it became a motto of the show.
You had the dramatic two-on-one date. Was it tough watching Justin of all go home with her?
It was a tough emotional experience watching a girl that you were going after choose a guy who you know is there for the wrong reasons over you. It’s absolutely not fun. But at the end of the day, Ali did it for her and for me. She was honest with me and didn’t want to lead me on. Letting me go when she did was very noble and kind. I thank her for that. It was not meant to be.
Next week, we find out that Justin had a girlfriend in Toronto during taping. What’s your reaction to that especially given you were eliminated in favor of him?
I didn’t know that. That’s intense. Wow. I knew he wasn’t there for the right reasons. I think I actually said on the show a couple times that I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a girlfriend back home. And sure enough. Ali obviously made the wrong choice ... It seemed like he wanted to beat me out more than he wanted to go after Ali’s heart. She made the choice and that kind of sucks.
Do you wish that she would have found out about Justin’s girlfriend earlier so you could have stayed longer? What was missing from your relationship?
No. If she wasn’t feeling the connection, she wouldn’t have felt it later. I wanted the connection to be there because I’d developed some feelings for her, but I can honestly say I wasn’t what she was looking for.
How long were you stranded alone on the glacier in Iceland?
It was real cold out there. They came and got me real quick and away I went on a freezing cold snow truck. But it was cool to see the whole glacier from the ground.
Who do you think is right for Ali?
Frank’s everything she wanted. It’s an "opposites attract" thing. Ali is driven, ambitious and strong. He is a goofy, loving, genuine guy. I think they could work out. There’s a lot of great guys and if she felt a connection, she’s definitely going to choose one of them. She’s not going to front. She’s going to tell it how it is and be who she is and that’s what I respect about her more than anything.
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