The Bachelor is a program that encourages speaking from the heart.

During Monday’s episode, contestant and Syracuse University alumna Ashley Iaconetti finally opened up about her biggest secret, her virginity.

Iaconetti’s first attempt of revealing her secret arrived after she invited on a group date where The Bachelor, Chris Soules, encouraged the women to be “all natural.”

Eight contestants arrived in a red convertible to a scenic lake, where the women frolicked in the water and ultimately spent the night camping in the woods.

“I don’t know what I am doing,” Iaconetti said. “I am a camping virgin, and I am also a virgin camping.”

While camping was not necessarily Iaconetti’s element, she said tonight was the right time to share more of herself with Soules. Under a full moon, Iaconetti took her opportunity and sneaked into Soules’s tent at night.

“I want him to know I am not a girl that hooks up,” she said. “I am wife material.”

Iaconetti attempted to explain her lack of romantic history, but her vague indirectness left Soules feeling more confused than ever.

Later at the mansion, Iaconetti was devastated when another contestant got to go on the ultimate princess date.

“All I want to do is go on a date and dress up like a princess,” said Iaconetti, who decided to throw her own “ball” and wore her ideal gown around the mansion, regardless of if she had a prince or not.

At the rose ceremony, Iaconetti said she felt Soules was still not seeing the “real her.” So during their alone time, she finally opened up about her virginity.

“I never thought Ashley I. was going to tell me she was a virgin,” Soules said. “I totally respect it.”

While Soules responded positively to her confession, Iaconetti was brought to tears upon receiving only a hug, not a kiss upon the end of their conversation. Other contestants assured her the lack of a kiss only indicated his respect for her.

“I don’t want him to respect me that much,” she said. “I feel like I really freaked him out. I feel really insecure about it.”

In a surprise twist, as Iaconetti was venting about Soules reaction to her virginity, Becca Tilley revealed she was also a virgin.

Iaconetti was still concerned about her security on “The Bachelor” as the rose ceremony began.

“I am worried,” Iaconetti said. “I feel like I left off on the most awkward moment anyone can.”

As Soules announced Iaconetti’s name for the second to last rose, a smirk spread across her face. Iaconetti has another week in search of love.

Said Iaconetti: “Who knows, maybe Chris will be my first.”

Published on January 26, 2015 at 11:47 am

Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu