BETHLEHEM, Pa. — When it came to finding love on camera, he took a leap of faith.
While millions of fans will tune in to see who wins the "Bachelorette," former contestant Josh Young is still looking for happily ever after.
- "Bachelorette" contestant Josh Young reflects on his time on the reality show
- The Freedom alum says he is still searching for the right woman
- He is cheering for the three remaining contestants. The semi-final airs Monday at 9 p.m. on ABC.
The 28-year-old Freedom High School alum was eliminated during episode two of dating show that features Charity Larson handing out roses while searching for Mr. Right.
The season finale of the ABC show is a week away — with Dotun O., Xavier B. and Joey G. remaining.
"Everyone left is a really good person and would be a great match for Charity," he said during a recent visit to Lehigh Valley Public Media.
The road to reality
Young, who is engaging and easy to talk to, was recruited by a producer after participating in a panelist discussion with Libby Moore, former chief of staff to Oprah Winfrey.
"A women came up to me and starting asking me a lot of questions like had I ever been in love before? What was my longest relationship?" he recalled. "I was flattered and we exchanged business cards, but I didn't expect to hear from her. The next day, she emailed me."
A track and field, football and wrestling star in high school and at Franklin & Marshall College, he was accustomed to the limelight.
Though deep down, he said he knew reality TV was another type of game — with different rules and even stranger plays.
Even his faith-based family: mom, Carla, and brothers, Jake and Joe, weren't 100% sure he should appear on the show. His brothers and "best friends" are also celebrated athletes who made names for themselves at Freedom.
"They were concerned if it didn't work out, how would I feel?" said Young.
Weeks later, the same producer sent a follow-up email inquiring again, which he took as a sign.
"I'm the type of person who believes when God opens the door, you follow through until he closes it," he said. "If it's not meant for you, he'll close it."
Young was officially cast for the show in March.
Just one of the boys
While not filming, and with little else to do in between takes, he said he got to know the fellow contestants.
A handful of them became pals.
"I still see Dotun all the time in Brooklyn where he lives and we'll hang out," Young said. "Joey is also really cool. I also made friends with John B. and Warwick."
He distanced himself from the cynics of the bunch.
"I tried to avoid drama and negativity and find the silver lining in every situation, even on our group dates. I just wanted to hype up the other guys, like hey, at least we didn't have to wear speedos," he recalled, referring to a bit where bachelors wore neon-colored tight briefs during a group date game.
He said he also enjoyed chatting with Larson's brother, Nehemiah, who appeared onscreen with Young during the first episode.
"I talked to him for about four hours in between takes, he's great," he said. "We still keep in touch."
"It was very surreal to watch back and realize that had nothing to do with me. She didn't know me at all. Charity was thinking of her relationship with other guys on the show. It wasn't anything I did — wrong or right."Josh Young, on starring on the "Bachelorette"
Opening up old wounds
As part of his storyline, the producers wanted Young to open up more about his father, who died in a car accident when he was six.
It wasn't easy to dig up the past and dwelling on it made him feel more sad than usual.
About mid-way through filming, he began to reflect on his emotional state.
"Honestly, it triggered me a little it. On the show, hearing constantly, 'there's not enough time.' You can never have enough time with the people you love and who love us. For most [contestants] that motivated them to talk to Charity," he recalled.
"For me, it made me want to go back to the people who I knew loved me and who I already loved. I would rather be with people I trust. It's a reminder that we are very limited in our time on Earth, so determining how you want to live your life, I think it should be driven by the relationships."
Finding a 'silver lining'
Young and his family have been watching the "Bachelorette" season conclude with their friends.
He said he doesn't regret the decision to go on the show, nor does he take it personally that Larson chose someone else.
"The biggest thing I learned is that my perspective on what's happening around me is so limited. It's so interesting to watch the show back and think about all the things I was thinking about at the time," he noted.
"Especially being on a show where the drama is emphasized; [producers] are intentionally trying to provoke more drama. It was very surreal to watch back and realize that had nothing to do with me. She didn't know me at all. Charity was thinking of her relationship with other guys on the show. It wasn't anything I did — wrong or right."
Love in the Valley
Bachelor Nation, hold your breath. When it comes to reality TV, he's taking a break.
"I wouldn't do anymore dating shows. It's just too much [drama] and questions for me."
In the coming weeks, Young will leave for Harvard Kennedy School where he'll purse a master's degree in business administration and public policy.
Additionally, and as time permits, he'll continue to broadcast high school sports for RCN network and volunteer coaching youth sports.
After Harvard, he said he wants to settle down in the Bethlehem-area and is considering a local career in politics.
As for love, Young is still searching for the right woman.
And he remains an optimist and romantic at heart.
"I believe anyone that is willing to give their world to someone deserves someone's whole world. Everyone deserves someone to love them in a way that the sun rises and sets on them."
