On Tuesday’s episode of “The Bachelorette,” leading lady Jenn Tran competed against many of her former suitors in front of a live audience. Among the rejected bachelors on “Men Tell All” was Brett Harris of Lancaster County, who only appeared on the dating show for a short time – but whose star power surpassed many of the men who had been on the show longer.
On “Men Tell All” – a pre-taped episode in which the contestants rehash the season’s dramas and breakups – host Jesse Palmer chose Harris for a segment in which they read some of the sauciest social media messages he’d received from fans who enjoyed his performance on the Season 21 premiere in July, which coincidentally took place the same night he went home without Rose.
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Harris, a former Millersville University football player, is originally from Fairfield, Adams County, and now lives in Manheim, Lancaster County. The 28-year-old health and safety manager was one of 25 contestants vying for Tran’s heart on this season of “The Bachelorette” and was one of seven men sent home at the end of the premiere.
Harris may have only been on screen for a few minutes in the two-hour episode, but with his hilarious catchphrase (“I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m always tea”) and ability to do the splits, he hasn’t gone quietly. Since his debut, social media users have lamented Harris’ early exit, called for his role on “The Bachelor” — or at least a spot on the “Bachelor in Paradise” spinoff — and even made T-shirts inspired by him.
“Men Tell All” began with Palmer acknowledging Harris’ newfound fame on social media.
“Brett, I have to give it to you, man, I don’t know if any of the other guys have gotten as much love on social media as you have,” Palmer said.
This point was underlined by cheering fans in the audience carrying signs reading “It’s a Brett summer” – referring to this summer’s phenomenon sparked by a Charli XCX album – and another sign telling Harris to “check her DMs.”
Harris said the response had been “overwhelming.”
“I consider myself a pretty private guy, but that’s over now,” said Harris, who now has over 15,000 followers on Instagram.
Palmer then shared some messages Harris had received from his “very kind” fans. They started off pretty innocently, with “You’re such a stud” and “You’re so hot. I just thought you should know.” Things soon got a little more exciting when one fan described a particularly unwork-appropriate way of consoling Harris for not getting a rose.
“I said, ‘I really appreciate the kindness, but my mom is watching, but that’s very generous,'” Harris said.
The last DM was pretty straightforward: “Hi, do you do foot content?”
“I don’t do foot content… yet,” Harris said, laughing.
Harris’ latest appearance continues a busy summer for the previously reserved man, as last month he was invited to appear on Bachelor alum Nick Viall’s podcast “Viall Files,” where he shared his admiration for one of Philly’s finest, former Eagles star Jason Kelce – for helping to create more physical diversity in pop culture and boosting his confidence.
“I’m definitely representing my offensive linemen on the show,” Harris said on the podcast. “Jason Kelce paved the way for me to be here. I will be forever grateful to that man.”
Despite fan campaigning, Harris was not chosen to be the next “Bachelor” — that honor goes to Grant Ellis, who made it just a little bit further into the season. However, as a fan favorite, Harris could easily earn a ticket to “Bachelor in Paradise,” a summer spinoff that welcomes outsiders from across the “Bachelor” franchise and returns next year after being skipped this summer. Two of Harris’ fellow contestants, Jonathon Johnson and Hakeem Moulton, were already invited to “BIP” during “Men Tell All.”
ABC executive Robert Mills hinted that Harris will soon receive an invitation of his own, so it will be up to him whether he heads to the beaches of Mexico to look for true love. Perhaps it will even be announced live on the final episode of “Bachelorette” next week.
Harris previously addressed appearing on BIP in a July interview on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast. That podcast happens to be co-hosted by Joe Amabile, who (like Harris) was eliminated on the first night of The Bachelorette but became a fan favorite and was invited to BIP, where he met his wife. Perhaps a nice bit of foreshadowing for Harris?
“I’ve honestly never seen ‘Paradise,’ but I’m informed because all my friends tell me I need to go,” Harris said on the podcast. “I heard it’s set on a beach and you can wear swim trunks and drink beer. Those are some good things, so it sounds like it ticks all the boxes. If the opportunity came up, it would definitely be something I would go for if I were still single.”
Harris’ silly segment on “Men Tell All,” which is available to stream on Hulu, further fueled his fans’ love for him – as posts on X (formerly Twitter) prove:
