Chris Soules Talks ‘Bachelorette’ Broken Heart, Says He Didn’t Feel ‘Worthy’ To Be ‘The Bachelor’

Chris Soules has been through a lot over the past few years — some of it good, some of it bad — but one thing’s for sure: He wouldn’t change any of it, even though it meant he had his heart broken twice. In a new interview on Oprah: Where Are They Now?, Soules said his break-up with Andi Dorfman on The Bachelorette had him hesitant to try for love on reality TV a second time, but he’s happy for all of the experiences he has had thanks to his participation on the ABC franchise.

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In the interview, Chris Soules also admitted that he was sad over his split from Andi and unsure how his life would be when he was sent back to his small town Iowa farm at the end of Dorman’s season of the ABC dating show. One thing Chris did know, though, was that he was headed straight “back to Iowa, where there’s no women.”

“I was actually having real feelings for [Andi], and I was sad. Honestly, I was a little scared coming back here [to Iowa], not knowing what my life would look like again.”

Still, it didn’t take long for Bachelor producers to come calling for Chris. Soules said less than 24 hours after Dorfman dumped him, he was given an offer to headline the following season of the hit ABC dating show.

“When Andi sent me home, the next morning, the producer’s like, ‘So, uh, what do you think about being the Bachelor?’ I’m like, ‘No! I just got my heart broken by this girl. I have no interest in dating other people.'”

Chris took some time to think on it and eventually came around. Soules said he first had to process his break-up and feel better about it, and then he was able to consider the life-changing offer. Still, Soules, who was dubbed Prince Farming on his season, admitted he didn’t feel worthy of being the star of the hit reality show.

“I never expected that opportunity. I never thought that I was even really worthy of it. To have 30 gorgeous women in the same room who all, I’m assuming, are interested in me was pretty overwhelming and flattering.”

While Soules’ starring stint on The Bachelor ended with an engagement to Whitney Bischoff, the couple split six months later. Chris said he has remained friendly with Whitney, despite the fact that they ended their romantic relationship. But after two high-profile splits in two short years, Chris Soules admitted he’s not diving back into the dating pool anytime soon.

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Chris’ update with Oprah comes a few weeks after he did an interview with People in which he wondered aloud if he’s meant to be single. Still, Soules said he’s “hopeful” for love — someday.

“I’m hopeful for love. But when you go through a breakup, you get stung a little bit and you pull back. There are times I wonder if I’m meant to be single. But I’m hopeful I can eventually find that person.”

Chris added that he’s taking a break from dating and is now focusing on himself and his life on the farm. Still, he has a permanent reminder of his Bachelor past thanks to the revamped barn on his property that producers for the show made over for his proposal to Bischoff. The red barn now boasts stained glass décor and gorgeous chandeliers hanging from the rafters, forever reminding Chris Soules of his past life as a reality star.

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Take a look at the video below to see Chris Soules on Oprah: Where Are They Now?

[Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park]