Brittney Schreiner Tells Why She Left 'The Bachelor'

"Ben is not for me, and I don't think I'm right for Ben," says the medical sales rep

Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC

Brittney Schreiner wasn’t feeling “the spark” when a date card arrived with her name on it.

The Denver medical sales rep, 26, explained to reporters why she walked off The Bachelor, if she had any regrets and, more importantly, how grandma took the news that Ben Flajnik wouldn’t be joining the family.

Why’d you leave?
We didn’t have that spark you look for when you start dating, and we weren’t connecting on that level. Ben is not for me, and I don’t think I’m right for Ben. It started after the second rose ceremony. I did some soul-searching, realized relationships were starting to form and that I shouldn’t be here.

What if your initial impressions were wrong?
I was torn. I thought, “If I don’t give it a try, I’ll never know.” But something didn’t feel right. I could have gone but didn’t want to take that opportunity away from one of the girls that was connecting with Ben. I decided to do a very selfless act and let him continue on with his search with [them].

Some speculation circulated that you left to avoid the humiliation of not getting a rose. True?
I don’t mind getting dumped. It has happened before. If I wanted to pursue something, it’s worth trying. But my heart wasn’t in it and [I] didn’t want to waste anybody’s time. I wanted to be upfront with Ben, because I want the best for him.

Any regrets, especially after seeing the fantastic date?
I don’t regret my decision, although I was sad because I knew this opportunity was once in a lifetime. Being honest with yourself is the most important thing in life. I knew the date was going to be amazing. It was the ideal date for me. Part of me was like, “That could’ve been me.” But I know I made the right decision and I’m happy for them. Lindzi is a great girl, and they seem to have a great chemistry.

What happened to the necklace?
I handed it back to him.

How’d your grandma take it?
She was surprised like everyone else. She really wanted it to work because she’s such a big fan of Ben and the show. She’s a great support system and was understanding of my position.

Happy you missed the Shawntel drama?
Really excited I missed that, as I tried to fly under the drama radar. I’m not surprised that the girls acted the way they did. I would have questioned it as much as they did, but fair or not fair, Ben needs to follow his heart. If he felt she was something he wanted to pursue, he should have kept her. I think he has connections with girls in the house that are obviously stronger than his relationship with Shawntel and that’s why he made the decision he did.

Which leads to next question: Who are the frontrunners?It’s really clear when you watch who he finds attractive. But it’s still early. Kacie B. is very down to earth and genuine. Emily would be a good fit for Ben. Lindzi and Nikki. They’re all great girls.