Much like the panda Tian Tian gleefully frolicking in snow, Ben Higgins is gleefully frolicking in a herd of women, each of whom is desperate for his heart. Ben eliminated not one but three of his sister wives during the Monday, January 25, episode of The Bachelor, and also went on a talent show group date. Because what’s more attractive than watching your future wife dress up as a clown? Answer: literally nothing.
Viva Las Vegas!
Like many terrified souls before her, JoJo Fletcher started her date with Ben by being shoved into a helicopter — but not before they made out in front of Ben’s other contestants. These lovebirds ended up having a super intimate date where JoJo talked about “trust issues” from a former relationship, and Ben said the important sentence, “I’ve had so many moments with you, like, moments when I’m in that moment, and nothing else matters? But there’s so much outside of those moments.” #moments
After bonding over JoJo’s past, Ben gave her the rose, and they kissed even more. All in all, a great date, but remember: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so thank goodness no one was filming this!
Olivia Jumps Out of Cake, Lives to Regret It (We Blame Carbs)
Please prepare yourself because what happened during this week’s Bachelor group date cannot be unseen: Ben’s girlfriends were forced to participate in a talent show. Most of the ladies killed it, but poor Olivia Caridi suffered a panic attack due to dressing up in a bedazzled bikini, being partially suffocated by a feather boa and flinging herself out of a cake.
“I don’t wanna be on camera,” Olivia wept after her performance. “Why can’t I just have a moment? I’m having a panic attack. I just don’t know if I can do this, you guys. I couldn’t even look at him because I knew he was mortified.”
Despite Olivia’s pained attempts to win Ben over, she didn’t get the group date rose. That honor went to Lauren B. — though it should probably be noted that Lauren H. went on a mini one-on-one with Ben and his ventriloquist alter-ego “Little Ben,” which gave her the opportunity to say, “Little Ben is way bigger than I would have expected.” Bow down.
Olivia Pulls a Lace
Prayer circle for Olivia! Despite delivering the flawless rhyme “I’m zen with Ben,” the frontrunner wasn’t thrilled about how many other lips he was kissing because apparently she’s never seen this show and has no idea how it works. “I think he’s my husband, and I feel like I was being cheated on,” she declared. Meanwhile, Ben was busy referring to Caila Quinn as a “sex panther.”
Olivia ruffled more feathers during cocktail hour when she stole Ben away from the other girls. “I’m not insecure,” she insisted. “I’m completely falling for you. … Olivia is here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Despite Ben not dropping the L-word, Olivia told fellow contestants that her declaration of love toward Ben was reciprocated. “I read a lot of romance novels where everything comes together,” she later mused to cameras. “That would be gigantor for me.”
![Becca and Ben](/wp-content/uploads/becca-ben-zoom-10436f12-8fae-42b6-9e7e-c914d39f3956.jpg?w=1000&quality=78&strip=all)
Becca and Ben Put a Ring on It, Talk Virginity
In case you were worried that Ben’s prospects weren’t feeling pressured to marry him, Becca had the pleasure of dressing up as a bride for her one-on-one date. The totally not-married duo rode around in Las Vegas before Ben dropped down on one knee and said, “Will you marry other people with me?” as Becca hyperventilated.
“I’m really excited that I didn’t have to say yes to getting married on our first one-on-one date,” Becca said, though she seemed to change her mind after the date: “If this relationship keeps moving forward, and it’s me at the end, I could see us with him in a tuxedo and me in a dress walking down the aisle.”
Later, Ben and Becca talked about — what else? — her virginity, and Becca agreed that it’s “really hard” to be around guys she likes and not (as Ben says) “jump their bones.”
#Twinning
Ben is no longer seeing double! The Bachelor broke up with one of the Ferguson twins this week, but first he had to decide who he liked better. “There’s no doubt I’m attracted to them both,” Ben said. “But as my feelings grow, it’s harder to comprehend how I could continue with two sisters.” In other words, #thestruggle.
Ben took Emily and Haley on a highly awkward date to their mom’s house where they took turns cuddling him, and Ben decided to cut Haley loose. “You’ve got two amazing daughters, and they really are incredible in every way,” Ben told Haley’s mom while rejecting her. Yikes, this is a Bachelor first!
And the Lack of Rose Goes To …
Say farewell to Rachel Tchen and Amber James, who both left Las Vegas on the wings of their broken hearts. “So much for putting your heart out there,” Amber wept while curled in a ball. “It’s so stupid.”
Tell Us: Was Olivia way out of line this week, or did she deserve a rose?
The Bachelor airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. EST.