NEWS'Bachelor' Brad & Emily Are "As Good As They've Ever Been" Says Host Chris Harrison
March 15 2011, Published 11:27 a.m. ET
After their relationship seemed shaky during the After the Final Rose special last night, fans of The Bachelor became skeptical of Brad Womack's engagement to Emily Maynard. But the host of the hit reality show, Chris Harrison, has confirmed the couple — who seemed to have the perfect fairytale ending — is still going strong.
“I can assure you, they are together,” Chris told Access Hollywood on Tuesday morning.
“I’ve actually talked to Brad. We taped the final rose special about a week ago, but I’ve talked to him several times since… and they are as good as they’ve ever been,” he added. “They’re doing fantastic and Brad… he wanted everyone to know that they’re as good and as strong and as sure about their relationship as ever.”
Chris also revealed that Brad, 38, and his 24-year-old fiancée watched the "Final Rose" special together from his hometown of Austin, Texas.
“She’s in Austin and went to his home to watch the finale last night and they actually went out last night. So, they went out on the town in public for the first time,” he said. “He could not be happier, doing great … and so, again, the whole reason they’re not here today, they want to get the heck out of the spotlight and start living their life.”
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ABC released a statement today on Brad and Emily's behalf, noting the couple wishes to be left alone to continue their romance in private.
“At long last, Emily and I can be open to the world and each other about our relationship. Though we are madly in love, it has been a bumpy couple of months for us and our priority right now is to focus on our relationship. We hope that you can respect our privacy as we return to normalcy and begin our off-screen lives together,” the statement from the couple read.
As for the special TV wedding in Anguilla ABC has planned for Brad and Emily (a first for the show) Chris explained: “We planned it and we wanted to do it, but Emily was like, ‘You’re not going to make my wedding day a secret. I’m not going to be able to send out invitations, have my friends and family and make it a huge day.' ”
“A first marriage, a first wedding, you don’t steal that from a woman," the host continued. "That’s a very special day and so even though we could have brought some family in, it wouldn’t have been the event that she wants it to be.”
