This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast with iHeartRadio.

This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast with iHeartRadio.

Hey everyone, welcome to the Almost Famous Podcast. I have Ben Higgins here obviously with me, and he's about to go into an interview with his ex girlfriend Jojo Fletcher.

Hey everyone, welcome to the Almost Famous Podcast. I have Ben Higgins here obviously with me, and he's about to go into an interview with his ex girlfriend Jojo Fletcher.

How do you actually feel, Ben, Well, I feel good. I would say this she is an ex to me, meaning like it was a real relationship. I've never never in my life ever discounted or said now that was just a show relationship. Like she her really, like our relationship together is as real to me and would be like if I said, Okay, I've dated so many people in my life, like she would be one of the top people I'd say had the most impact on me when it comes to a romantic relationship.

How do you actually feel, Ben, Well, I feel good. I would say this she is an ex to me, meaning like it was a real relationship. I've never never in my life ever discounted or said now that was just a show relationship. Like she her really, like our relationship together is as real to me and would be like if I said, Okay, I've dated so many people in my life, like she would be one of the top people I'd say had the most impact on me when it comes to a romantic relationship.

Do you feel that show?

Do you feel that show?

Do you feel that way about any of the other girls from your season or is it just Jojo and then of course Lauren it's.

Do you feel that way about any of the other girls from your season or is it just Jojo and then of course Lauren it's.

It's uh, you know, I think all of them were unique.

It's uh, you know, I think all of them were unique.

I think the two.

I think the two.

Like they would be the two that stood out to me if somebody asked me what two relationships like have played the most role in your life or which ones have you thought about the most, or which ones in your single days where you like the what ifs of it would be those two. Obviously, you know, Kayla and I had something great and it was really special, but it never reached the depth of the other two. Especially I think the realization at the end where I was a mess, Right, you send somebody home that I mean, I really did love and I cared about and you're watching them walk away and like your heart is breaking and you feel like you just got out of a breakup, yet you have to be happy and you know twenty minutes when the next arrives, and it was hard for me to do. I think that's for me where I look back and I know it was real, and then post show, as clarity came in and as time spent, it was still that real to me. It's still I remember that day and I still remember the pain that was felt as I said, hey, I want you, I wish the best for you, but that it isn't here. And it was still the relationship too. After Lauren I broke up that I looked back on and I said, what if, What could I have done? Or what should I have done? Or you know, there's just all those questions and so talking to Jojo will be. I'm not nervous. And there's a reason because Jojo and from what I know about Jordan, I've met Jordan in person twice. Once was really soon after our you know time on the Bachelor and Bachelor at the other one was in an airport that I'm sure we'll talk about with them, but like he's great, I and JoJo's fantastic. Like, I'm not nervous because I don't expect this to be a oh my gosh, this is going to be super awkward. This is going to be really hard. She's a great communicator. She's very kind, but she's also very truthful, which you know, I respect because if there is things that I did or things that we look back on that we go that wasn't awesome, I know she'll tell me and it won't be this like I want to, you know, get you moment. It's like, I know I'll tell you because it hurt me, and that's good.

Like they would be the two that stood out to me if somebody asked me what two relationships like have played the most role in your life or which ones have you thought about the most, or which ones in your single days where you like the what ifs of it would be those two. Obviously, you know, Kayla and I had something great and it was really special, but it never reached the depth of the other two. Especially I think the realization at the end where I was a mess, Right, you send somebody home that I mean, I really did love and I cared about and you're watching them walk away and like your heart is breaking and you feel like you just got out of a breakup, yet you have to be happy and you know twenty minutes when the next arrives, and it was hard for me to do. I think that's for me where I look back and I know it was real, and then post show, as clarity came in and as time spent, it was still that real to me. It's still I remember that day and I still remember the pain that was felt as I said, hey, I want you, I wish the best for you, but that it isn't here. And it was still the relationship too. After Lauren I broke up that I looked back on and I said, what if, What could I have done? Or what should I have done? Or you know, there's just all those questions and so talking to Jojo will be. I'm not nervous. And there's a reason because Jojo and from what I know about Jordan, I've met Jordan in person twice. Once was really soon after our you know time on the Bachelor and Bachelor at the other one was in an airport that I'm sure we'll talk about with them, but like he's great, I and JoJo's fantastic. Like, I'm not nervous because I don't expect this to be a oh my gosh, this is going to be super awkward. This is going to be really hard. She's a great communicator. She's very kind, but she's also very truthful, which you know, I respect because if there is things that I did or things that we look back on that we go that wasn't awesome, I know she'll tell me and it won't be this like I want to, you know, get you moment. It's like, I know I'll tell you because it hurt me, and that's good.

Do you have you two spoken in depth at all since you left her on the show slash you know the tell all?

Do you have you two spoken in depth at all since you left her on the show slash you know the tell all?

No?

No?

And there's a reason. One is I would have loved to h I think it. It was always something I desired is to have some closure with Jojo because I felt like, again it was a real relationship and it needed some closure. Maybe on my end selfishly, I just needed a chance to talk to her again. But I was with Lauren following the show, and it wasn't you know, it wasn't something that I was right or wise of me to say, Hey, I need to call Jojo today, I need to talk to her like that was never something that I could do because we were working through those same issues Lauren and I post show. So I've never talked to Jojo in depth. I've never had a conversation with her other than this running at the airport. That's a super wild story that we'll you know, I'm sure we'll bring up to them and give details in during the podcast. But you know, that was a five minute conversation and Jordan was right there and I wasn't like, Hey, Jojo, I've had so much I want to tell you. You know, I wasn't. Okay, so what we haven't talked. This will be the first time, and there is a you know, years have passed and our lives are in two incredible places, but there is still that this is just a cool person that I got to meet, and I don't want there to be anything, but I don't want her to know that I feel any way other than I've always just like desperately dreamed of both of us doing really well post show. You know, that's always been and that might be the biggest what if coming off of the Lauren relationship and kind of the thing was like, yeah, but there was one human here that always wanted me to thrive, and that was Jojo. She's never publicly she had every opportunity to slam me, she had every opportunity to make me hurt and to make me feel like the bad guy, and she never once did uh. And that's just speaking to her character and who she is as a person, Like I've never doubted that Jojo has my best interests, Like she wants what's best for me, no matter what that looks like. And maybe that wasn't shown on the show all the time. It was like her just always wanting what's best for me, And that was one of the coolest parts about, you know, having her a part of a season. It's great to have that person there, but it also was again the thing that brought up the most what ifs of Wait, now I'm off the show. Now I'm hurting, you know, and there was somebody on that show that always made me feel better.

And there's a reason. One is I would have loved to h I think it. It was always something I desired is to have some closure with Jojo because I felt like, again it was a real relationship and it needed some closure. Maybe on my end selfishly, I just needed a chance to talk to her again. But I was with Lauren following the show, and it wasn't you know, it wasn't something that I was right or wise of me to say, Hey, I need to call Jojo today, I need to talk to her like that was never something that I could do because we were working through those same issues Lauren and I post show. So I've never talked to Jojo in depth. I've never had a conversation with her other than this running at the airport. That's a super wild story that we'll you know, I'm sure we'll bring up to them and give details in during the podcast. But you know, that was a five minute conversation and Jordan was right there and I wasn't like, Hey, Jojo, I've had so much I want to tell you. You know, I wasn't. Okay, so what we haven't talked. This will be the first time, and there is a you know, years have passed and our lives are in two incredible places, but there is still that this is just a cool person that I got to meet, and I don't want there to be anything, but I don't want her to know that I feel any way other than I've always just like desperately dreamed of both of us doing really well post show. You know, that's always been and that might be the biggest what if coming off of the Lauren relationship and kind of the thing was like, yeah, but there was one human here that always wanted me to thrive, and that was Jojo. She's never publicly she had every opportunity to slam me, she had every opportunity to make me hurt and to make me feel like the bad guy, and she never once did uh. And that's just speaking to her character and who she is as a person, Like I've never doubted that Jojo has my best interests, Like she wants what's best for me, no matter what that looks like. And maybe that wasn't shown on the show all the time. It was like her just always wanting what's best for me, And that was one of the coolest parts about, you know, having her a part of a season. It's great to have that person there, but it also was again the thing that brought up the most what ifs of Wait, now I'm off the show. Now I'm hurting, you know, and there was somebody on that show that always made me feel better.

What's going on.

What's going on.

One of the biggest moments in Bachelor history was the fact that you were kind of the first to say I love you to two different people. Of course we're gonna have to broach this today. What do you predict Jojo will say about you telling her that.

One of the biggest moments in Bachelor history was the fact that you were kind of the first to say I love you to two different people. Of course we're gonna have to broach this today. What do you predict Jojo will say about you telling her that.

I think she'll know. I think she'll I think she'll say, of course she did, Like, I don't think that was every I don't think Jojo ever questioned how I felt about her, at least I hope she didn't. And that was also part of my reasoning back in the day. Again, I've you know, said many times it probably wasn't wise to communicate openly, but I had already gone that far with her, Like the love you part was kind of the icing on the cake or the hey, I finally said it moment, But there were so many conversations that I had already walked way far into with her on what life could look like and what we could share together, Like we were way passed, you know. I think it was already assumed, and so I don't think she'll be I don't think she'll be mad that I said it. I think she'll just look back and like, if she's reliving that time, say yeah, that that hurt. It was it was so real to us, and that was a it was a confusing twist because I knew you did. Like that was the weirdest part about this thing was I knew you did. I know you did, and then you said goodbye to me, So yes, it hurt. I think she'll say it hurt her, But also she'll look at me and be like, what was that like for you? Like, because you're saying goodbye to somebody I know you cared about, And so I don't think there's anger. I don't think there was ever any like resentment. I think it was more just like what happened, Like what what was going on? Because again, we never had closure. I never got the opportunity to explain myself or to take a breath and be like, yeah, but this is what's going on in my life. But I don't think she'll be mad. It's gonna be a it's it's a weird conversation because, uh, you know, so many years have gone on and I think we both look back on that and be like that was a pivotal point in showing us like who we wanted and what we wanted in a relationship. Like you know, when I met Jessica, I met somebody that has always desired what's best for me, supports me no matter what, like has my back at every turn, and that, you know, I learned, or at least I saw that in Jojo and said, I want to find this in somebody, you know, in my life. And then I found it my wife in an incredible way, And and that's huge.

I think she'll know. I think she'll I think she'll say, of course she did, Like, I don't think that was every I don't think Jojo ever questioned how I felt about her, at least I hope she didn't. And that was also part of my reasoning back in the day. Again, I've you know, said many times it probably wasn't wise to communicate openly, but I had already gone that far with her, Like the love you part was kind of the icing on the cake or the hey, I finally said it moment, But there were so many conversations that I had already walked way far into with her on what life could look like and what we could share together, Like we were way passed, you know. I think it was already assumed, and so I don't think she'll be I don't think she'll be mad that I said it. I think she'll just look back and like, if she's reliving that time, say yeah, that that hurt. It was it was so real to us, and that was a it was a confusing twist because I knew you did. Like that was the weirdest part about this thing was I knew you did. I know you did, and then you said goodbye to me, So yes, it hurt. I think she'll say it hurt her, But also she'll look at me and be like, what was that like for you? Like, because you're saying goodbye to somebody I know you cared about, And so I don't think there's anger. I don't think there was ever any like resentment. I think it was more just like what happened, Like what what was going on? Because again, we never had closure. I never got the opportunity to explain myself or to take a breath and be like, yeah, but this is what's going on in my life. But I don't think she'll be mad. It's gonna be a it's it's a weird conversation because, uh, you know, so many years have gone on and I think we both look back on that and be like that was a pivotal point in showing us like who we wanted and what we wanted in a relationship. Like you know, when I met Jessica, I met somebody that has always desired what's best for me, supports me no matter what, like has my back at every turn, and that, you know, I learned, or at least I saw that in Jojo and said, I want to find this in somebody, you know, in my life. And then I found it my wife in an incredible way, And and that's huge.

It just happened to come from a show.

It just happened to come from a show.

Now, speaking of time past, it's been six years since you be doing the show, and you have never had this conversation with Jojo thus far, even with the platform. Think that that Jordan possibly has something to do with that, like he would feel awkward her talking to an ex publicly.

Now, speaking of time past, it's been six years since you be doing the show, and you have never had this conversation with Jojo thus far, even with the platform. Think that that Jordan possibly has something to do with that, like he would feel awkward her talking to an ex publicly.

No, I don't think so, because I think they're very confident in their relationship. Maybe at the beginning, I think that was part of it. Maybe you know, when it was all so fresh and new again, there were you know, we ran into them right after kind of her time on the bachelorrett I think it was too fresh, too new. There's too much happening, and I don't think either of us probably felt comfortable having that conversation now. Obviously, you know, it's funny once you meet the love of your life, your past loves, yes still significant and still meaningful and still have taught you a lot, but the awkwardness goes away because of the confidence and because of the season that you're in with your partner, and so it's a little easier I think now to sit down and have this conversation and be like you remember when, like what did that teach you? I think it is still fresh. I think it would have been harder for us, and especially you know if one of us had a partner, I think it would have There would have just been emotions and feelings probably still there, and so you're kind of trying to navigate, what's how do we have this conversation in a healthy way, knowing that we still care so deeply about each other. But once you find your forever person, I think that feeling matures into it. No, I just I still think you're the best, and I want to see you your life go so well and I want to see you thrive, But I don't I'm not worried about like feelings and romantic feelings coming back up, you know, And I think that's I think that's probably a healthier place for us to have these conversations. I also think and people are like, why didn't you ever have this conversation then in the last five years when they were healthy and you were, you know, out of relationship. Now on a podcast, I think the podcast is the only platform that we would be able to have this conversation because if not, it means me my in my life now reaching out to Jojo, be like, hey, can we talk like they were six years removed and seven years removed or whatever it is, and I just feel like we need to talk, Like I think that would be weird, right, Yeah, the podcast gives us this platform to have this conversation, be it publicly, but it makes it less weird because there's a reason that we're having it.

No, I don't think so, because I think they're very confident in their relationship. Maybe at the beginning, I think that was part of it. Maybe you know, when it was all so fresh and new again, there were you know, we ran into them right after kind of her time on the bachelorrett I think it was too fresh, too new. There's too much happening, and I don't think either of us probably felt comfortable having that conversation now. Obviously, you know, it's funny once you meet the love of your life, your past loves, yes still significant and still meaningful and still have taught you a lot, but the awkwardness goes away because of the confidence and because of the season that you're in with your partner, and so it's a little easier I think now to sit down and have this conversation and be like you remember when, like what did that teach you? I think it is still fresh. I think it would have been harder for us, and especially you know if one of us had a partner, I think it would have There would have just been emotions and feelings probably still there, and so you're kind of trying to navigate, what's how do we have this conversation in a healthy way, knowing that we still care so deeply about each other. But once you find your forever person, I think that feeling matures into it. No, I just I still think you're the best, and I want to see you your life go so well and I want to see you thrive, But I don't I'm not worried about like feelings and romantic feelings coming back up, you know, And I think that's I think that's probably a healthier place for us to have these conversations. I also think and people are like, why didn't you ever have this conversation then in the last five years when they were healthy and you were, you know, out of relationship. Now on a podcast, I think the podcast is the only platform that we would be able to have this conversation because if not, it means me my in my life now reaching out to Jojo, be like, hey, can we talk like they were six years removed and seven years removed or whatever it is, and I just feel like we need to talk, Like I think that would be weird, right, Yeah, the podcast gives us this platform to have this conversation, be it publicly, but it makes it less weird because there's a reason that we're having it.

Yeah. So that being said, Jess doesn't mind that you're about to basically FaceTime with your ex for an hour.

Yeah. So that being said, Jess doesn't mind that you're about to basically FaceTime with your ex for an hour.

If if well, I didn't tell her this morning because we were running in circles around each other, But if I was like, hey, I'm going to talk to Jojo today, she'd be like okay, yeah, yeah, this is good luck have fun, like go do it. I don't know, like you know, again, I think in Jessica and I've been very clear with each other about this, and like past relationships are really good when they're really good, when you look back on them with you know, with a smile and with a that was awesome that I got to spend this season of life with this person. They were really great. But just like the wedding song we danced to by Cody Johnson, the road led to Jessica, like the road led to her, even all the ups and downs and the heartbreaks and the good times and the things that you know, maybe I wish I would have done differently, that it all led to her. And because of that, like no, Jessica would not have any any issues with this. She'll probably listen and she'll be curious because she's never watched the show. But anytime, you know, and again going back to Jessica, when he wants best for me. One of the coolest parts about my wife is anytime I can have closure or healing to even if it's not like haunting me and even if it's not an everyday thing on my heart, like I don't think about Jojo very often at all. She wants that from me, Like she would say, take advantage of the opportunity to have some closure and healing in your life and to build rebuild a bridge that isn't broken but just has been abandoned for many years, like close that. It was the same thing when Chris, Lene and I played in the golf tournament. You know, I think Lauren's amazing. I want what's best for her. I want her to thrive and do amazing things in life. And seeing her husband and being able to hang out with him and really like him in a way? Was this like closure and healing for me to say, yes, she's doing great and that's healthy for me, I think, I mean, I think it's healthy for me now to say, Okay, it's always great when a past relationship can be healed and a past relationship can be respected and you can look back on it and go, now, that was good.

If if well, I didn't tell her this morning because we were running in circles around each other, But if I was like, hey, I'm going to talk to Jojo today, she'd be like okay, yeah, yeah, this is good luck have fun, like go do it. I don't know, like you know, again, I think in Jessica and I've been very clear with each other about this, and like past relationships are really good when they're really good, when you look back on them with you know, with a smile and with a that was awesome that I got to spend this season of life with this person. They were really great. But just like the wedding song we danced to by Cody Johnson, the road led to Jessica, like the road led to her, even all the ups and downs and the heartbreaks and the good times and the things that you know, maybe I wish I would have done differently, that it all led to her. And because of that, like no, Jessica would not have any any issues with this. She'll probably listen and she'll be curious because she's never watched the show. But anytime, you know, and again going back to Jessica, when he wants best for me. One of the coolest parts about my wife is anytime I can have closure or healing to even if it's not like haunting me and even if it's not an everyday thing on my heart, like I don't think about Jojo very often at all. She wants that from me, Like she would say, take advantage of the opportunity to have some closure and healing in your life and to build rebuild a bridge that isn't broken but just has been abandoned for many years, like close that. It was the same thing when Chris, Lene and I played in the golf tournament. You know, I think Lauren's amazing. I want what's best for her. I want her to thrive and do amazing things in life. And seeing her husband and being able to hang out with him and really like him in a way? Was this like closure and healing for me to say, yes, she's doing great and that's healthy for me, I think, I mean, I think it's healthy for me now to say, Okay, it's always great when a past relationship can be healed and a past relationship can be respected and you can look back on it and go, now, that was good.

Well, if this interview goes well, which I'm sure it will, maybe Jojo, In, Jordan, Chris, and Lauren they'll all be attending our next iHeart Retreat.

Well, if this interview goes well, which I'm sure it will, maybe Jojo, In, Jordan, Chris, and Lauren they'll all be attending our next iHeart Retreat.

Wouldn't that be wild?

Wouldn't that be wild?

I don't know? Uh, all right, I mean, I think the husbands and I could kick it. I'll let the ladies do their thing. That might be, yeah, that might be, that.

I don't know? Uh, all right, I mean, I think the husbands and I could kick it. I'll let the ladies do their thing. That might be, yeah, that might be, that.

Might might be crossing the line.

Might might be crossing the line.

That might be a little weird for me.

That might be a little weird for me.

Okay, well it definitely probably be weird for dress. So all right, well, guys, our interview with Jojo and Jordan is coming up on the next episode, but we did want to have this little intro just to like vibe Ben out.

Okay, well it definitely probably be weird for dress. So all right, well, guys, our interview with Jojo and Jordan is coming up on the next episode, but we did want to have this little intro just to like vibe Ben out.

There's nothing but excitement in my heart. Oh good, little little anxiousness, not nerves, but I'm excited to talk to the two of them because I know they're great, and I know this will go great.

There's nothing but excitement in my heart. Oh good, little little anxiousness, not nerves, but I'm excited to talk to the two of them because I know they're great, and I know this will go great.

Let's do it.

Let's do it.

Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcasts on iHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcasts on iHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.