In a few weeks, Ben Higgins will make his debut as the new "Bachelor" on the hit ABC reality dating show. Higgins was the second runner-up in Kaitlyn Bristowe's season of "The Bachelorette," and while the 27-year-old previously competed for Bristowe's attention along with other men, this time around, 28 ladies will be vying to be his fiancée when the show premieres next month.
Speaking with ABC News, Higgins talked about his experience on the show and what he's looking forward to now that filming for the upcoming season is over. Higgins said that he was excited about meeting women from different backgrounds and that he came on the show with an open mind. He also said that fans should not expect a lot of kissing this season, as he wanted to take the time to really get to know the women on the show.
"I wanted to you know, make sure that we spend our time getting to know each other one on one and not necessarily kissing or you know, making out the whole time," Higgins explained. "It was something I kind of want to hold back from I guess as just things start."
While Higgins is keeping mum about the lucky lady, the software salesman said that the experience was "harder than I expected" as a lot of the ladies really opened themselves up in order to get to know him.
"I think saying goodbye to these women, how hard that was, was maybe my biggest surprise," he said.
The star, who is a Christian, also added that when he joined the show, he reached out to former Bachelor Sean Lowe, who is also a Christian and a man he said he has "always looked up to." Higgins said that when he decided to be on the reality show, he wanted to make sure not to lose his roots. Now that filming is over, Higgins revealed that he is excited to get back to his life and his work.
"I have a faith in Jesus that you know, continues to remind me that I'm not the biggest thing around," he said. "And that's what I'm excited to get back to."
"The Bachelor" 2016 premieres on Monday, Jan. 4 at 8/7c on ABC.
