Vancouver ‘Bachelorette’ star Kaitlyn Bristowe had concerns about new twist

TORONTO – Vancouver dance instructor Kaitlyn Bristowe admits her family wasn’t initially thrilled about her being on this season of “The Bachelorette.”

But they eventually came around and plan to hold a viewing party for the season premiere on Monday on ABC and City.

“I think they probably have the same concerns that I did, like do I really need to put myself through this to find a husband?” the 29-year-old said during a conference call with reporters.

“But I think once we all talked about it and, you know, people fall in love in crazy ways and this could be just one of them.”

Beyond the usual concerns that come with going on a reality TV show to find love, Bristowe and her family faced a new worry about this 11th season.

Instead of one woman deciding between a crop of men, the season starts with two Bachelorettes: Bristowe and Britt Nilsson, who were both on last season’s “The Bachelor.”

After meeting the 25 suitors vying for their affection, the men then decide which Bachelorette they’d like to keep on the show. The one who isn’t chosen has to leave.

“It was definitely unexpected and I was shocked,” said Bristowe. “I was kind of just beside myself because I didn’t know what to think.

“I wasn’t excited about it but I just really had to take a step back and think of the light at the end of the tunnel.”

As for the issue of potentially getting her heart broken again so soon after being dumped by Chris Soules on “The Bachelor,” she said there’s “always that chance of rejection” in life.

“It’s never an easy thing to put yourself through but I like to think I have tough skin,” said Bristowe, whose fanbase includes Oscar-nominated actress Anna Kendrick, who has tweeted her support for her.

“I’d do it again all in the name of love.”

Some have called the new twist sexist. Former “Bachelor” Sean Lowe even wrote on his blog that it’s “downright degrading for the women — for the two chosen and the women watching at home.”

Bristowe didn’t see it that way.

“I wouldn’t have done it if I thought it was, you know, the most degrading thing in the world,” she said.

“I think it was just a little twist and turn that they decided to do. And I just think the main thing we all have to think about was the end result and finding one person.”

Nilsson, a 28-year-old waitress from Hollywood, said she “didn’t see it as sexist or degrading at all.”

“I honestly kind of thought/saw it as a compliment like we’re both so great. I like Kaitlyn a lot, so being put on the same level with her, I was like ‘I get it.’ And it’s interesting. It’s kind of more like how a real relationship would unfold where you’re choosing each other. It didn’t upset me.”

The two say they had no idea how the first episode was going to go down.

“Every single moment was a surprise, to be totally honest,” said Nilsson.

Having already bonded on “The Bachelor,” they got along during their joint taping and are now even “better friends,” she said.

“It was actually a little bit nice to have someone’s support. And I’m glad it was Kaitlyn on the other side. We just kind laughed a lot.”