Meet "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" stars at this fun charity event

Jen and NIck didn't work out, but she's cheering him on anyway during this season of "The Bachelor." Photo: ABC

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Jen and NIck didn't work out, but she's cheering him on anyway during this season of "The Bachelor." Photo: ABC

Attention, charitably minded fans of “The Bachelor” everywhere: A fun event planned for 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at The Vista Room, 2836 LaVista Road in Decatur, is how to combine your passions.

Billed as "The Ultimate 'Bachelor' Viewing Party," the event features cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and the chance to meet some past contenders on both "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit Helping Mamas, which provides baby supplies to organizations serving families in need. You can buy tickets and see more details at helpingmamas.org.

Past cast members scheduled to attend include Wells Adams, Evan Bass, Carly Waddell, Robby Hayes, Chase McNary, Jared Haibon, Kelly Travis, Christy Hansen and Jen Saviano.

Saviano, you may recall, nearly sealed the deal during season 3 of "Bachelor in Paradise," but instead parted ways with Nick Viall. He's now the current Bachelor, looking for love once again Mondays at 8 p.m. on Channel 2.

We asked Saviano a few questions ahead of the fundraiser:

How did you get through your breakup?

“Rejection is never easy, but once I got past the ego bruise, I was able to see very clearly that he wasn’t good for me. I think I was trying to convince myself otherwise at the time. When you can leave a relationship with no regrets knowing you said and did everything you could, it’s easy to close the door and move on if it’s not reciprocated. And that’s what I did.”

Have you been seeing anyone since then?

“I started seeing someone shortly after Nick, and it brought me back to ‘dating reality’ a bit. It ended up not working out, but I’m a firm believer that each relationship happens for a reason and it brings you a step closer to being fully ready for the real deal. I’m back into the rhythm of dating in the real world, and I’m more ready than ever. I’ve kissed enough frogs if you will. I’m hoping 2017 is my year.”

Are you watching “The Bachelor” now, or is it too hard to watch?

“Yes, I’m watching it! I wasn’t sure I’d be able to right after Nick and I ended things, but my wounds are healed and I’ve completely moved on. It’s a little hard seeing our relationship being kinda swept under the rug, when in reality there was a lot more to what everyone saw, but I get it. It’s a TV show and I’m irrelevant when it comes to it. I’m trying not to take it personally! The part of me that deeply cared for him looks at this all and is genuinely rooting for him. I do hope he finds what he’s looking for this time.”

Any parting words for Nick?

“I think I’ve said everything I needed to say to him and he knows my thoughts on it all. I wish him the best.”

Was the show a good experience for you?

“This show was an amazing experience for me. The getting dumped part wasn’t fun, but I’ve grown so much as a person and I’ve made forever friends. I look back at it all and am so grateful.”

What’s next?

"I still own and operate my online clothing store, hotpinkhanger.com, and my lifestyle blog, misslifestyler.com. Writing and blogging has always been a passion of mine, and I'll be continuing doing just that! New doors are opening every day, so I'm just hustling hard, staying open-minded with it all and seeing where it takes me. I know good things will continue to come."