Still slaying! Bachelor alum Leslie Hughes sparkled on Sean Lowe’s season as the spunky poker deal who fans fell in love with. The reality starlet says her stint on the dating show as “one of the best experiences [she’s] ever had” and led to even bigger things. What’s she up to today — and is she dealing cards?
“Oh, yes! I love poker so much,” Leslie, 35, exclusively dishes to Life & Style. “I feel like, no matter what, I’ll just always be doing it.” However, she’s been up to a whole lot more since season 17 in 2013.
“I’m still doing TV, film and commercials. This last year, I actually got two costar roles on The Rookie, which is on ABC, as well. So, that was kind of exciting!” the Bachelor Nation babe explained. The Florida native has also been working as a model, fitness enthusiast and influencer for her over 30,000 Instagram followers.
Leslie is currently based in Los Angeles but calls her lifestyle “bi-coastal” since she travels frequently to Florida to visit her “two beautiful nephews.” She admits her busy schedule contributes to her single status. “I honestly just focus kind of on myself, on my family and friends,” she says, while noting she doesn’t do online dating or use dating apps.
Leslie’s public platform started on Sean’s season and the actress notes she “loved” being “cut off from the world” to “focus” on finding love.
“All I [had] to do was write in my journal because we didn’t have any books,” she expresses. “The girls on my show were just [some] of the best people I could’ve asked for.” Although she recalls being “really scared” entering the Bachelor mansion, she ended up meeting some of her “best friends” from the cast.
One of which includes season 17 winner Catherine Giudici, who went on to marry Sean in 2014. “I think she’s just real. Real, genuine, human, kind, loving, goofy person and is one to speak her truth, for sure,” Leslie raves about the Seattle native, 34.
As far as reliving her season when it reairs on June 8 for Bachelor Mondays, the starlet says she’ll “definitely” rewatch. “It does make me a little nervous because I’m so different from seven years ago — but not really,” the Hyundai product specialist admits while joking she “cried a lot” on the show.
We can’t wait to watch Leslie and all the amazing women who appeared on Sean’s season.