Bachelorette contestant Brandon Jones revealed the reason why he pulled aside Michelle Young to speak to her before the rose ceremony after the fantasy suite dates. After Michelle finished her speech to the final 3 men, Brandon, Joe Coleman, and Nayte Olukoya, Brandon interrupted just before she began handing out the roses and asked if he could talk to her. They exited the room, leaving Joe and Nayte to speculate as to why Brandon would do that. When they were in private, Brandon told Michelle that he knew that she was about to make one of the most difficult decisions she would ever have to make, and he wanted her to know that he was there for her. Brandon said that he would always put her first, that he loved her, and she was truly becoming his best friend, so he would support her regardless of what decision Michelle made. He said that it might be his last day, but he just wanted to look her in the eye and "make sure that the woman I love more than anything is okay." Michelle cried, thanked him, and hugged him.
Nayte, a 27-year-old sales executive, privately said that it bothered him, and he thought Brandon was "feeling desperate" and "you only ever Hail Mary when you’re losing and you’re trying to just squeeze in the win." Nayte questioned if Brandon’s actions could change Michelle’s mind before her life-changing decision. Brandon explained in his interview that he wanted to make sure that Michelle had someone with her as she went through the rose ceremony and that she knew she was not alone, even if he was the one who was sent home. He said that even if she did not choose him, all he truly cared about was that she followed her heart. In the end, Michelle chose Brandon and Nayte as her final 2 men, letting Joe go. In the limousine, Joe cried, saying that he was in shock and that he really thought Michelle was his person, and he wondered if whatever Brandon said to Michelle was the reason that she didn’t choose him.
In a post on Instagram, Brandon revealed the reason why he wanted to speak to Michelle before the rose ceremony, posting a photograph of him and Michelle hugging. In the picture, Michelle still had tears in her eyes after letting Joe go home. He wrote, "If you look at Michelle, this is the exact reason I pulled her aside last night. Letting someone you love go is one of the hardest pains to go through in life. And to know she would have to go through it alone tore me apart inside. I pulled her aside before the rose ceremony to let her know she is not alone. That no matter the outcome, her happiness comes first. Her mental health and well being comes first. Ultimately, that she comes first." Brandon continued the post, explaining that, to him, this was about more than just the show. He wrote, "There is a bigger picture than just getting a rose, we are all people at the end of the day and in the end, we all need somebody there for us in these life changing decisions. I wasn’t there for a rose at that point, I was there for my best friend."
In that moment, all Brandon wanted was to be a friend to Michelle, and many people in the comments section of the post praised him for it, including his fellow contestant and soon-to-be Bachelor, Clayton Echard. Clayton wrote, "This is one more of countless examples that separates you from the rest! You’re a true role model for how men should treat women! Proud of you, brother!" Most fans in the comments section agreed with the future Bachelor Clayton, but, like Nayte, a few questioned the timing of Brandon’s speech to Michelle. However, the responses to Brandon’s actions were mainly positive, with most fans saying they were "Team Brandon," and hoping that he wins Michelle’s heart and her final rose.
There are moments on The Bachelorette that go beyond the traditions of the show. Before the rose ceremony, Brandon was more concerned with Michelle’s well-being than getting a rose. He cared more about being there for her as a friend than “winning” the show. Although some might have questioned his motives, Brandon appeared to be very genuine with his concern for Michelle. Time will tell if she chooses him to be her husband, but at the very least, with Brandon, she will have a friend for life.
The Bachelorette airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Source: Brandon Jones/Instagram