The Bachelorette’s Matt Donald reflects on his time on the show, being a fan favorite

Bachelorette fan favorite Matt Donald was sent home on night one, sending Bachelor Nation into a frenzy. Here’s Matt’s take on his time on the show.

It’s always hard to pick a favorite on The Bachelorette‘s opening night. There are 30 contestants fighting for Hannah’s time and we only get to see short clips of each of them. That being said, fans this season instantly fell in love with Old Matt Donald. Unfortunately, he ended up being the one that got away — for Hannah and for us.

Matt is a medical device salesman from Los Gatos, California. He introduced himself on a tractor singing a tune that stayed in our heads for most of the first Bachelorette’s premiere episode. Despite a great intro, time is limited on the first night and he didn’t end up receiving a rose.

The only knock on Matt may be that he’s a Golden State Warriors fan. But even then, he moved to the area and started cheering for the Dubs before Durant got there. That clears him in my books. If you weren’t convinced that he’s the nicest guy on Earth from his Bachelorette introduction, you will be after this interview.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxc1BKOnHJd/

You’re getting a ton of love from Bachelor Nation since being on The Bachelorette. What has the social media support been like since the episode aired?

Oh man. I did not expect any of this but everyone has been so incredibly supportive. So many people have started to follow me, which, I don’t really know why because my life isn’t that exciting (laughs) but it’s been incredible. People are just naturally nice, at least to me, and I’m just so incredibly fortunate. I don’t really have words to describe how happy I am to see everybody being so nice.

Everyone’s been saying you are this season’s Grocery Store Joe, I think he even reached out if I’m not mistaken? That has to be a good feeling to get that comparison knowing how well-liked he was. 

Yeah it was really cool! I was definitely star struck when he sent out that tweet. I gotta be honest though, I don’t think there will ever be another Grocery Store Joe, but I totally loved being compared to him. That felt really, really good. Just the fact that he even recognized me, I was like “Wow, that’s so awesome.”

There’s only one Grocery Store Joe but there’s also only one Old Matt Donald! On that first night, most people watching got to know you pretty well, maybe a little more than Hannah did. Most of us had you penciled in. Do you think not getting that first rose was just a matter of not having enough time with Hannah?

Yeah. I definitely think that was it. I was really nervous talking to her and seeing all the other guys. It was like, man, all these guys want to talk to her so I have to make sure my time is important. [When we talked] I was super nervous and I don’t think I was really myself. So she got that conversation and me coming in on a tractor, signing, with a big farm hat on. So she’s probably thinking “This guy is just a goofball, I don’t know if I can take him seriously or if he’s here for the right reasons.”

So unfortunately, I think that might have been what was going through her mind. I can’t speak on her behalf but that was what I thought when I didn’t get a rose — that she just thought I was a big goofball and not there to be serious.

It’s tough because we get to see a nice clean edit on television but I don’t think too many people realize that there are 30 guys trying to talk to one person for one night. That seems like it would be exhausting.

Yeah. Oh yeah. Especially for Hannah! Imagine being totally attentive for a whole night, talking to different guys and hearing every story. Everyone gives their little spiel — personally, if I was on the other end I would be exhausted from talking to everybody. It’s a lot for her.

Yeah, exactly. It’s such a long night — you can see the sun coming up by the end of the episode. Did you bond with anyone in particular on that first night? Anyone you’re cheering for now? 

You know what? I actually bonded with a lot of the guys who left (laughs). I really became friendly with Chasen and the box king Joe. I actually thought, when I met Joe I thought he was Grocery Store Joe 2.0 because he has the whole Chicago thing going.

(Laughs) His own store and everything, yeah.

Yeah! Yeah, so I bonded with those two, specifically. I mingled with a lot of the guys and everyone was just so frickin’ nice, and incredibly endearing and sweet. So I’m super excited for Hannah — I think she’s got an amazing group of guys and I really do think she’s going to find somebody great.

It’s nice to hear that the guys all get along. Speaking of, what are your thoughts on potential visit to [Bachelor in] Paradise this summer? 

That’s a good question! I’m kind of just — no pun intended — riding the wave and seeing where it takes me. Whatever happens, happens! I wouldn’t be opposed to going to Paradise. There haven’t been any offers or anything like that yet so we’ll just have to wait and see. Like I said, I’m kind of just riding the wave and being myself. We’ll see where that takes me.

That’s the way to do it. If you were to go, is there anyone in particular you wouldn’t mind seeing there? 

I mean… There are so many past contestants I wouldn’t mind seeing there! (Laughs) I don’t have anyone specific in mind because I haven’t really met or had a true conversation with any of them but they’re all gorgeous! Every single contestant on the show is gorgeous so that’s not a concern by any means, in terms of attraction.

Oh definitely. You can’t go wrong. Okay, my last question — did you really buy your mom a Mercedez Benz for Mother’s Day? 

(Laughs) Uhh, yes, I did. My mom had a Toyota Camry that my dad told me was just slowly breaking down so I was like, you know what? Yolo! Ahh, I can’t believe I just said yolo…

(Laughs) “Yolo,” that’s awesome!

You know what? They bought me a car when I was 16 and I always told myself that whenever I had a job and was working hard and able to afford certain things, that I would give back to them. This was the perfect opportunity and what do you know — Mother’s Day was right around the corner so the timing was perfect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYSUkrniLA/

I didn’t even get my mom a card! (Sorry Mom.) You’re making the rest of us look bad. (Laughs) 

I’ll be honest with you — I contemplated even posting it for quite a while. I didn’t want to come off conceited but at the same time, I think my mom deserves all the attention in the world so at the end of the day, I felt like I should put it out there.

Yeah, I mean — jokes aside it was really cool to see. I think most mom’s would wish their kids were like you. 

Well, I wish I was like those NFL players who buy their mom’s $150k Range Rovers.

(Laughs) Or a house! 

A house, yes! Well I don’t even have my own house so there’s no way I could afford one for them! (Laughs)

You can keep up with Old Matt Donald on his Instagram or Twitter accounts linked here. Thanks Matt, we hope to see you on Bachelor in Paradise!

The Bachelorette runs every Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.