September 1, 2025 • 25 mins
If anyone can bring the juicy "boy talk," it's Mercedes from Bachelor in Paradise. And yes, she's doubling down on her current crush! But for someone who was looking for love in Paradise, why has her dating life felt more like a desert? Plus, what she regrets about her time on reality TV AND the high school sweetheart connection you have to hear to believe!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey guys, and welcome back to another week of Casual Chaos.
This week I have a really exciting guest. We are
here in Lake Tahoe, Mercedes North Up. Welcome to Casual Chaos.
Thanks for having me and my sight is so excited
to have you on. We've been having the best time
in Lake Tahoe's beautiful here. It's so beautiful. It's been
so much fun getting to know you. We are podcasting
(00:22):
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the upfront price tune. It's a famously available where Mercedes,
after being unlucky in love twice on The Bachelor franchise,
is gearing up to find love again with help from
(01:24):
Bachelor Ben Higgins. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
I've loved getting to hang out with you and Tahoe.
This has been so much fun. So you were on
the Bachelor and you made it up to week five? Yes,
this was Zach's season. What made you want to be
on the Bachelor? How old were you also?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I was twenty three four twenty four it was coo.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
So you were my age? Yes?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And I never I mean, I'm from Iowa. I grew
up on a farm. Like I never in a millionaire's
thought that I would be on a TV show like
that was like not even in my radar. But I
was dating a guy in Nashville. I live in Nashville
and we broke up. I was absolutely heartbroken and I
was calling my cousin every day like boohoo crying.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I'm like, I'm so more broken.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
And she's like, I'm gonna apply like you to the Bachelor,
and I'm like, okay, like never gonna happen.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I feel like it's always a person, like somebody else
pushing you to do something crazy. Yeah, And it was
honestly like kind of a joke like yeah, I was
like okay, yeah, got like apply me whatever, like never
gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
And then I got a.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Call on the phone one day and it was like
an older lady I forget, I wish I remember her name.
She was so sweet, but she was just talking to me.
I felt like I was talking to like my grandma
like I was. It was no pressure at all, and
I was like hey, like just kind of told my
background and she's like, we love you, like we're gonna
like keep this process going. And I feel like every
time I had an interview, I'm like, oh my gosh,
they're never gonna call me back, like this is done,
it's it's over with whatever. And then yeah, kept going
(02:51):
and got on the show and it's crazy. It was
so fun though when I met like the best girls ever.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
So how was that whole process for you? It was good?
Like were you really ready for a love at that point,
like to settle down and get married. I mean I
was kind of young.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I was twenty four, so I feel like yes, but
also no, like I always say, I wish I would
have waited like until right now to on this show,
because right now I feel like I'm more like you know,
my friends' lobes like fully developed, like you know what
I'm saying, Like I'm like, okay, like I'm actually ready
to like find someone and settle down. Yeah, but obviously
God let that happen like at that time in my life.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
So just very thankful. It was probably just a lesson
for you to learn and something for you almost like
when they say when you have three loves in your life,
one is a lesson, one is a purpose, and then
like one is your soulmate, right, So I mean God
put you through that for a reason, just to teach
you different things. It definitely made you the person that
you are today.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
It also showed you probably so many traits that you
now want in a guy, or want in your future
husband or things that you don't want and just I
mean it also shows you how girls can be too.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Which I will say, I was like so lucky with
the girls on my season, like we were all still
so close, like everyone was amazing because I was like
my biggest fear going into it. I'm like, oh my gosh, like,
are these girls gonna be assholes? Like because again I'm
from Iowa. Like I'm like not, you know what I'm saying,
What am I getting myself into? But no, all the
girls were like truly the best thing ever. And I
feel like that's kind of why God put me there too,
(04:21):
because I like got the best friendships.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
It are you friends abou any Jersey girls? No? No,
not just I feel like we need to tell the
listeners what animal you saw the other day?
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Oh my god? The bear?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
The bear?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
The bear?
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Me and you are so scared bear. You wanted to
like go pet the bear.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
She was like, do I get out of the car.
I'm like, no, sit down, what are you doing? No,
it's just cute from Afar, I will say, But like
I don't get wet. Know.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
First of all, Mercedes just showing me this video saying
that it's a baby. I was like girl at the
top of.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
It is not a baby anyway, grow almost grown?
Speaker 1 (05:09):
No, it could it could do some damage. I do
some damage. I was I when in our kitchen because
me and Mercedes are saying in the same verboe and
like tahoe in our kitchen. I don't know. If you
notice the sign it says bear country.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
No, yeah, it's a bear country country.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Mild Like I was not a country, right, So I
was just so confused. I was like, I was like, okay, Lake,
I was like lake Bear County would make a little
more sense. But bear country, what does it mean? And okay,
can we tell you that? Like the whole US is.
But that's it doesn't make sense, not true. No, Like
I don't I've never seen a bear in like California. No,
(05:45):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
This is my first time sing a bear. This is
my first time single bear like in person, you same thing.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
No, That's what I'm saying, Like I don't need to
encounter more bears here, Like there's so many bears in
my development. We what it's crazy. It's like ridiculous. I basically,
like my boyfriend calls it the boonies, but like it's
just a town in Jersey. It's like, really not the boon.
I didn't even know there was bears there. Oh yeah,
oh yeah, bears at a lot of animals, bears, deer, coyote, fox,
(06:15):
anything you could think of. Wow, oh yeah, no wild.
I was on a walk like three weeks ago. I
haven't been on a walk around my development since the
bear started really making themselves at home. Yeah. So yeah.
It was literally like so it's like my house and
then my neighbor's house, and also my neighbor like sends
a video to my mom of like eleven bears having
(06:35):
a field day, like the mom, the dad, maybe some cousins.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
The babies, like a full family.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Bear family, like jumping up and down on the trees
having a field day. I was like, this is insane.
Like my biggest fear when I come home at night
is getting out of my car and there being a
bear like by my garbage. Oh that's so fair. I
was walking like three four weeks ago around my development
because I loved doing it. One full lap around my
development is a mile, So you do like that two
(07:03):
or three times, like it's a really good walk. I'm
walking and all of a sudden I look to my left.
I'm on the phone my cousin and I go tin Now.
If I die right now, just callne one one. If
I scream, call nine one one. If you hear anything,
call nine one one. Huge Fox, I mean it wasn't
that big. Fox aren't that big, but like just sitting
there staring at me, and I'm like, you're like, so
(07:25):
this is my end? This is the end. I fully
thought he was gonna, you know, lunge at me or something.
They're aggressive, but I really think they're like the sweetest animals.
I'm like walking so slow because then I think of
people saying like if you act scared, it'll attack, So
I'm like walking your energy slow. I'm like, well, this
thing probably feels my energy already because I'm freaking out
(07:46):
inside like I'm dying. And then I just sprinted home
and my walk ended. Have you walked since then? No?
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Okay, fair, no, no, I wouldn't either.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
All right, let's get back into the Bachelor. So did
you feel a real connection with Zach and refresh my memory?
Week five? Is that like midway? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Okay, yeah, I think there was like eight or nine
weeks total, pretty far. Yeah, we were in London, it
was super fun, But did I have a real connection. No.
It's so confusing because I feel like for Bachelor, like
you don't have your phone, you're not talking to your family,
you're not talking to your friends. It's literally twenty or
(08:32):
like at this time ten like when I got off,
but like of these new girls that you don't know,
and we're all obsessed with the same guy, and you
have producers being like, oh my gosh, he's so great,
like he's and Zach is amazing, Like I love him,
He's like perfect for my best friend Katie, but like
for me personally, I'm like, like, looking back on him,
I'm like, no, not my man. But in the time,
(08:54):
I'm like, wait, do I like him like everyone else?
Speaker 1 (08:56):
I mean, of course, I feel like it's totally a
mental thing because, like you said, you're on this show,
you're very isolated, you don't have real connection with the
outside world, and I feel like you do kind of
get warped into this thing that like, Okay, I need
to like this guy. I'm on this show for a reason,
like we're fighting towards something. But I feel like it
(09:17):
could be like honestly, really mine, I mean I think
I would I would like not know what to do
with myself.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
So I came from London, I got home, I literally
like didn't talk to anyone other than my mom and
dad and my brothers for like two weeks. Yeah, I
was like, I need to like a full mental reset,
like obviously so grateful for the show, like it's brought
me very like amazing opportunities and stuff. But after I
was really like, you know yesterday, how you're like my
social battery is drained. Like I'm like that's how I felt.
(09:45):
But like time ten, it was. It was the craziest
thing ever, like coming back from the show.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Of course, I mean and also in the real world,
there's seven billion people in this world. You were with
one guy? Yes, one guy?
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:59):
I mean in retro respect, yes, does this show really
work for so many people? And is it an amazing experience?
One hundred percent? But in retrospect there's twenty girls one guy.
Mm hmm, there's seven billion people in this world, right,
it's a little you know, yes, yeah, no show. I
feel absolutely yeah no.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
And that's like what I'm saying, like Katie and him
are perfect together and like that was like supposed to happen.
I literally think God put me on the show like
literally for the friendships. I think that was like the
biggest thing that came out of it, which I'm so
grateful for.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
So do you well, because you're still close with Katie,
do you still see Zach around? Like how is it
when you see him?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Completely normal? Yeah, Yeah, it's kind of like water under
the bridge, like this happened, but it's hard. And like
me and zich I feel like we were like, like.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
I always to Kayd, I'm like we really bros like
on the show, like we're like, hey, like what's we
were like doing things we had too but like it was.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Never like we didn't. I never think we like really
like liked each other.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
So I was actually with them and because they live
in Austin and I was with them for like a
few days, I stayed with them and people were like, is.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
That so weird? And I'm like, no, not at all.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
We're like three best friends, not weird at all.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Yeah, So that's actually that's so good. That's like a
really nice feeling. Yeah. Has he changed at all since
being with his wife Katie?
Speaker 2 (11:16):
No, I feel like he's stayed very He's always been
so like kind and sweet. Yeah, and like that's exactly
what Katie needed. I think they're just like the way
that they add to each other. Like I think they've
obviously changed and like over time, because of course you
grow and you like especially like falling in love with someone.
I feel like when you do find your partner, like
(11:38):
they teach you things and you teach them things. So
definitely like change. But yeah, no, not really. I mean
I feel like he's always like stayed very true to
himself and it's always been like a great person.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
So I feel like you need to also do that
while being on reality TV as well?
Speaker 2 (11:52):
For sure?
Speaker 1 (11:53):
What made you decide to go on Bachelor in Paradise?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
All my friends are going yeah, and I was like
why not? You know, like there was a few guys
that I was like super interested in from Bachternation.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Okay, so you had also and like you had intentions
like with people going in there.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Yeah, for sure, I was like super excited. I was like,
oh my gosh, like i'might get away friend obviously.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
And how old were you when you went onto that
twenty five?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Okay, yeah it was a year after actually a little older, yes, yep.
And I loved it, like Paradise was amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
It was so fun.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
It was like a completely different experience though, because obviously
Paradise there's like more guys to choose from, Like it's
not just one guy.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
How many like how many did it start off with?
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Oh gosh, I don't even know, Probably like like.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
A loss seven Oh okay, but at least more than one, yeah,
oh for sure. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Yeah, So you had more of a choice and it
was more like not like super production y, like you
could like sit around and actually like have conversations, whereas
like on The Bachelor, I feel like, oh my gosh,
like this is your like five minutes to talk to
the Bachelor like trauma dum, like you know.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
You get it in now.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah. It's like because they always love, you know, the
stories and stuff.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
So I feel like Paradise.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Was more chill, like we're actually felt like you were
like actually trying to date.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Someone you know. And so then if on Paradise, sorry
I've never watched Paradise before, but if like you didn't
form a connection, is that when you got sent home
or did people also choose if you got sent home?
Speaker 2 (13:28):
No, so it's like same thing as Bachelor. There's rose ceremonies,
so like the girls will have the rose one week,
the next week the guys will have the rose, and
then obviously if you don't receive a rose, then that's
when you go home.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Okay, So girls choose their guys and guys choose their girls. Yes, okay, yeah,
and it starts every week. Kind of reminds me a
little bit of Love Island like Recoupling and y yes, yep,
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
And I think like Paradise this year, so it's like
in the middle of the season right now, but it's
a little different. There's like money and stuff involved in them,
like a prize. So I honestly haven't watched the last
episode where they like fully announced that, but yeah, I
don't know. So it's a little different. But ours was
like just roal ceremonies. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
So you left Bachelor in Paradise single. Do you have
any regrets? No, going on the island, No, not really.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
I mean I wish I would have dated around more
on Paradise. I feel like once I got in like
my couple, like I was just like Okay, this is comfortable,
like we're good. I wish I would have like explored
a little more that's probably my only regret.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Okay, So then what happened? Like where was your exit? So?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
I was with a guy named Tyler.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Ok.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
We were like super like chill, like we were just
I feel like we're kind of similar where like it's
we're both very chill, like not too like lovey debby whatever.
But basically it was like this whole thing he like
he told me like, so we went on a one
on one date okay, and then in his interviews he's
like there's a spark like I feel this spark whatever,
(14:55):
and I'm like, I literally, this is so funny. I
saw a raccoon and I was like, oh my gosh,
is that a sign? Like is that a good time?
It's like the weirdest thing ever, like so stupid. But anyways,
I was like, oh my gosh, like we're locked in
and we saw a shooting star. So I saw a
shooting star and a raccoon. I'm like, oh my god,
what is this.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
The shooting star? I can get behind that.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Yeah, I got trolled like people were like a raccoon,
that's not a sign, girl, Like, You're so right, I
don't know what I was thinking.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
You could. I'm you gut warped, like you were a
little little like you know, my brain.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Was fog yes, no, absolutely little maybe you know. Yes.
So anyways, then we had a conversation and he was like,
I just don't feel a spark and then it was
like this whole thing. I was like, why didn't you
tell me that earlier? Like it was kind of like
a little dramatic, and.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Then he got that rose ceremony.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Then no I did, so I didn't give him my rose. Okay,
So then he went home and then I stayed and
I gave my rose to a guy named Jordan, and
we were like friends, like we like tried to explore
a little bit. Was like not and it was like
the last like four days of filming, so it's like
there's no reason to try to get in a relationship.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
But you know what I'm saying. So yeah, oh so
you pretty much made it to the end though. Yeah. Yeah,
I was there until the last day. Oh wow. Okay, yep,
So I mean you tried though. I gave it my all. Yeah,
I gave it. Yeah. So where is your relationship with
(16:30):
Tyler now?
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I mean he's engaged too, Yeah, and they're like super happy,
which obviously like I wish nothing but the best for him, and.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
It's but after Paradise, it kind of just like that
was it.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah, that was I have not talked since, Like I
think we actually did have like one phone call after Paradise,
but it was like literally like hey, like like checking
in on each other because at the end of the day, like, yeah,
we were in a couple, We're also like it was
like we were friends.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
You know, I'm a relationship with the person, especially not
having a phone. You guys, really you bond and like
form this relationship where you get to know these people
so quickly because what else is there to do then
to get to know these people. Literally, it's not like
you're distracted by anything else. You're kind of in this
situation where it's like I'm either going to get to
know all of you or I should just leave.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Right Yes, yeah, so but no, I mean we're like
we're fine. Like there's no like hate or anything like that,
and I'm super happy for him. He just kind of
engaged like a couple months ago. So yeah, oh wait,
he's from Jersey. Oh I see, yes, he is from Jersey.
Where is he from?
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Have no idea. I'm like your real friend from Jersey. Yeah, exactly.
Have you been dating since Bachelor in Paradise.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
A little here and there, nothing serious?
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Would you consider going on dating apps? Like? No, I
get it. I mean I feel like I'm kind of
like very traditional old school in a way where I
feel like it's supposed to happen natural.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, Like I definitely want to meet my man like organically,
so I actually want my ex on Hinge And I
told myself I would never do Hinge again because I'm like.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
People have really great success rates with the dating apps.
They really do. And I mean I also feel like
the dating apps are fun to just kind of get
yourself out there again and even go on like little
speed dating type vibe and just you know, get to
know people, get yourself out there a little bit, but
just to make you like feel confident in yourself again.
I feel for sure. But I'm on Riya.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
But Riya's so confusing because it's like you'll match with
someone from like Australia.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
It's like, how is this happening? I'm never gonna know,
you know, I've always said if I you know, obviously
my boyfriend and I are in for the long haul.
Nothing's happening. But if I ever were to be single,
like Riya is one, then I'm like, oh for the hype,
guess I'll try to get on it. But I mean
I heard it's not that great. No, it's really not.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Like Honestly, I always tell people, I'm like, it's like
my little like game. Like I feel like it's like
my little game, like go on every night and like
you know, yeah, I mean I've never I mean I've
matched with people in there, but I've nothing, like nothing ever.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Comes out of it. Yeah, So well, hopefully you find
your man. I mean you never know. Yeah, who knows.
Maybe he's in like Tahoe right now. Yeah, right, and
I should look. So yesterday you went on Almost Famous
Ben Higgins's podcast, which is Iheart's podcast that's hosting this
Tahoe event, and said that you had a crush on
Greg Grippo's best friend.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Oh my gosh, I did.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
I forgot I did Andrew Spencer. Yeah, I actually had
Greg Grippo on my podcast. Wait really he was. He's
so funny, so funny, he's a cutie.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Yeah. I feel like the whole friend group was just
so funny and like Spencer is though he was on
Greg's season. He I don't know, Oh he got Paradise. No,
his they were Katie Thurston.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Greg was Bachelorette, got It, got It Okay, yep.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
And then Andrew went on Paradise this season before me. O. Yeah,
and I've only met him once and he's great, Like
I love him. Yeah, he's amazing, but he hes actually
a paradise right now and he's coupled up with alex
is her name, and yeah, so I don't know if.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Is hoping on their downfall.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
No, I would never, but no, Andrew's like literally he's
the best.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Like I did have a crush on him.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I feel like, yeah, he's just always one of those
people where I'm like, oh I could have been, you know, but.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
For sure where is he based? He's in Chicago. I
think yeah maybe one day, maybe one day. You never know,
Greg Tell Andrew track Shack. Are you friends with Greg?
Speaker 2 (20:35):
A friend?
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I never met him? Oh no, he is so sweet,
really easy, like super personable. Yeah, he seems like one
of those people that you meet and it's just like easy. Yeah,
Barry has a great person out. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
No, he's literally so funny, like I love his tiktoks.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Actually he did a TikTok after he filmed Casual Chaos,
and he did that that little like spa like dance
that he I was like, break it down. No, he's
so funny.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
I love how like unapologetically like he is like himself.
You know, it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Are you interested in anyone on this season of Bachelor
in Paradise? Yes, Andrew. Yeah, I'm like, wait, I just
answered my own question.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
Not, no, not really no, other than I mean, like
like I said, like me and Andrew have always been
like cool.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
He's just he's cute, Like if I was on Paradise,
but you think he's cute. Yeah, he is really cute.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
But if I was on Paradise, I would definitely go
for him. Probably.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Yeah, what do you see coming next for you?
Speaker 2 (21:39):
All these blessings are coming my way and they're like
so random and like all these things. So I don't
really know honestly what's next. I would love to do
another show. I think, like doing Paradise again would be
really fun, But right now I'm just kind of going
with the flow.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Is there ever any repeats on Bachelor?
Speaker 2 (21:56):
What do you mean? Like could I go on another
Bachelor season. I think it has happened before.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Oh yeah, but is that something you would want to
do or probably not?
Speaker 2 (22:04):
I mean it would it would depend on who the
Bachelor is. I mean I guess if I'm like that's
my man, Yeah, then I would do it, but probably
not just like.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Friends at least paradise. There's yea a swakshred. No, it's
so funny.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
So my ex boyfriend from high school called me and
he was like a casting producer reached out to him
for the Bachelor, and I was like, oh my gosh,
no way. I was like, you have to go through
with it, and I told him. He like decided not
to like continue talking to them or whatever. But I
was like, I literally would have shown up on your season,
Like I would have been like, behave it me, Like
(22:40):
I literally would have done like you would not have
a season without me on it.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Like there's just no hilarious yes I'm back, no like
Helo and like all.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
The girls freaking out, Oh my gosh, I would have
ate that up. The girls would die yes, literally.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Oh my god, that's hilarious because you guys already basically
would have had a connection.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Literally yeah, we because we were like seven years like
on and off. Like he we we're like best friends now,
Like we had no romantic connection at all, but I
was still gone.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yellow rekindle some multis. Literally. You also told me on
this Tahoe trip that you also maybe want to go
back to school.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
I graduated with psychology and child development as my majors,
and my original plan was to go back for school
counseling and it's like a two semesters, so it's super
easy to do. That's definitely been in my radar to
go back and do that because I feel like working
in a school's the best. Like I love cars off,
summers off. That's like literally my biggest thing. Yeah, Like
(23:39):
that's so nice. And like Christmas, like den Day's.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
At Christmas amazing. Yeah, So I'm definitely so now Like
when we're talking about yesterday, you kind of were like,
it gives me the flexibility to kind of still do
this career.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yes, it's awesome, No, for sure, Yeah, because I definitely
like right now, I'm model and I do I work
at a bar, so it's like I can take time off,
I can do whatever, and I like would have such
a hard time like giving that up because I get
to come to like Tahoe random, like I've been in
California actually for like two and a half weeks now,
so like being able to do that, and then I'm
(24:12):
literally home for a week, and then I go to
Iowa for ten days. So it's like it's so nice
that I get to like literally do whatever I want.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Yeah, free schedule, but at the same time, we can
work from anywhere. Yes, no, absolutely so we're working right
now and like jow, I know, and having so much
fun so much, Like this is crazy.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
I never thought that this would be my life, but
very blessed.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
All right, Mercedes, Well, thank you so much. Cour is
so fun and I'm so happy I got to know
you this ture. Thank you for having me. You have
a Jersey friend, a real Jersey friend.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
All right, guys, And that was it for this week's
episode of Casual Chaos. See you next time.
Hey guys, and welcome back to another week of Casual Chaos.
This week I have a really exciting guest. We are
here in Lake Tahoe, Mercedes North Up. Welcome to Casual Chaos.
Thanks for having me and my sight is so excited
to have you on. We've been having the best time
in Lake Tahoe's beautiful here. It's so beautiful. It's been
so much fun getting to know you. We are podcasting
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the upfront price tune. It's a famously available where Mercedes,
after being unlucky in love twice on The Bachelor franchise,
is gearing up to find love again with help from
(01:24):
Bachelor Ben Higgins. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
I've loved getting to hang out with you and Tahoe.
This has been so much fun. So you were on
the Bachelor and you made it up to week five? Yes,
this was Zach's season. What made you want to be
on the Bachelor? How old were you also?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I was twenty three four twenty four it was coo.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
So you were my age? Yes?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And I never I mean, I'm from Iowa. I grew
up on a farm. Like I never in a millionaire's
thought that I would be on a TV show like
that was like not even in my radar. But I
was dating a guy in Nashville. I live in Nashville
and we broke up. I was absolutely heartbroken and I
was calling my cousin every day like boohoo crying.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I'm like, I'm so more broken.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
And she's like, I'm gonna apply like you to the Bachelor,
and I'm like, okay, like never gonna happen.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I feel like it's always a person, like somebody else
pushing you to do something crazy. Yeah, And it was
honestly like kind of a joke like yeah, I was
like okay, yeah, got like apply me whatever, like never
gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
And then I got a.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Call on the phone one day and it was like
an older lady I forget, I wish I remember her name.
She was so sweet, but she was just talking to me.
I felt like I was talking to like my grandma
like I was. It was no pressure at all, and
I was like hey, like just kind of told my
background and she's like, we love you, like we're gonna
like keep this process going. And I feel like every
time I had an interview, I'm like, oh my gosh,
they're never gonna call me back, like this is done,
it's it's over with whatever. And then yeah, kept going
(02:51):
and got on the show and it's crazy. It was
so fun though when I met like the best girls ever.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
So how was that whole process for you? It was good?
Like were you really ready for a love at that point,
like to settle down and get married. I mean I
was kind of young.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I was twenty four, so I feel like yes, but
also no, like I always say, I wish I would
have waited like until right now to on this show,
because right now I feel like I'm more like you know,
my friends' lobes like fully developed, like you know what
I'm saying, Like I'm like, okay, like I'm actually ready
to like find someone and settle down. Yeah, but obviously
God let that happen like at that time in my life.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
So just very thankful. It was probably just a lesson
for you to learn and something for you almost like
when they say when you have three loves in your life,
one is a lesson, one is a purpose, and then
like one is your soulmate, right, So I mean God
put you through that for a reason, just to teach
you different things. It definitely made you the person that
you are today.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
It also showed you probably so many traits that you
now want in a guy, or want in your future
husband or things that you don't want and just I
mean it also shows you how girls can be too.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Which I will say, I was like so lucky with
the girls on my season, like we were all still
so close, like everyone was amazing because I was like
my biggest fear going into it. I'm like, oh my gosh, like,
are these girls gonna be assholes? Like because again I'm
from Iowa. Like I'm like not, you know what I'm saying,
What am I getting myself into? But no, all the
girls were like truly the best thing ever. And I
feel like that's kind of why God put me there too,
(04:21):
because I like got the best friendships.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
It are you friends abou any Jersey girls? No? No,
not just I feel like we need to tell the
listeners what animal you saw the other day?
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Oh my god? The bear?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
The bear?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
The bear?
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Me and you are so scared bear. You wanted to
like go pet the bear.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
She was like, do I get out of the car.
I'm like, no, sit down, what are you doing? No,
it's just cute from Afar, I will say, But like
I don't get wet. Know.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
First of all, Mercedes just showing me this video saying
that it's a baby. I was like girl at the
top of.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
It is not a baby anyway, grow almost grown?
Speaker 1 (05:09):
No, it could it could do some damage. I do
some damage. I was I when in our kitchen because
me and Mercedes are saying in the same verboe and
like tahoe in our kitchen. I don't know. If you
notice the sign it says bear country.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
No, yeah, it's a bear country country.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Mild Like I was not a country, right, So I
was just so confused. I was like, I was like, okay, Lake,
I was like lake Bear County would make a little
more sense. But bear country, what does it mean? And okay,
can we tell you that? Like the whole US is.
But that's it doesn't make sense, not true. No, Like
I don't I've never seen a bear in like California. No,
(05:45):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
This is my first time sing a bear. This is
my first time single bear like in person, you same thing.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
No, That's what I'm saying, Like I don't need to
encounter more bears here, Like there's so many bears in
my development. We what it's crazy. It's like ridiculous. I basically,
like my boyfriend calls it the boonies, but like it's
just a town in Jersey. It's like, really not the boon.
I didn't even know there was bears there. Oh yeah,
oh yeah, bears at a lot of animals, bears, deer, coyote, fox,
(06:15):
anything you could think of. Wow, oh yeah, no wild.
I was on a walk like three weeks ago. I
haven't been on a walk around my development since the
bear started really making themselves at home. Yeah. So yeah.
It was literally like so it's like my house and
then my neighbor's house, and also my neighbor like sends
a video to my mom of like eleven bears having
(06:35):
a field day, like the mom, the dad, maybe some cousins.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
The babies, like a full family.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Bear family, like jumping up and down on the trees
having a field day. I was like, this is insane.
Like my biggest fear when I come home at night
is getting out of my car and there being a
bear like by my garbage. Oh that's so fair. I
was walking like three four weeks ago around my development
because I loved doing it. One full lap around my
development is a mile, So you do like that two
(07:03):
or three times, like it's a really good walk. I'm
walking and all of a sudden I look to my left.
I'm on the phone my cousin and I go tin Now.
If I die right now, just callne one one. If
I scream, call nine one one. If you hear anything,
call nine one one. Huge Fox, I mean it wasn't
that big. Fox aren't that big, but like just sitting
there staring at me, and I'm like, you're like, so
(07:25):
this is my end? This is the end. I fully
thought he was gonna, you know, lunge at me or something.
They're aggressive, but I really think they're like the sweetest animals.
I'm like walking so slow because then I think of
people saying like if you act scared, it'll attack, So
I'm like walking your energy slow. I'm like, well, this
thing probably feels my energy already because I'm freaking out
(07:46):
inside like I'm dying. And then I just sprinted home
and my walk ended. Have you walked since then? No?
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Okay, fair, no, no, I wouldn't either.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
All right, let's get back into the Bachelor. So did
you feel a real connection with Zach and refresh my memory?
Week five? Is that like midway? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Okay, yeah, I think there was like eight or nine
weeks total, pretty far. Yeah, we were in London, it
was super fun, But did I have a real connection. No.
It's so confusing because I feel like for Bachelor, like
you don't have your phone, you're not talking to your family,
you're not talking to your friends. It's literally twenty or
(08:32):
like at this time ten like when I got off,
but like of these new girls that you don't know,
and we're all obsessed with the same guy, and you
have producers being like, oh my gosh, he's so great,
like he's and Zach is amazing, Like I love him,
He's like perfect for my best friend Katie, but like
for me personally, I'm like, like, looking back on him,
I'm like, no, not my man. But in the time,
(08:54):
I'm like, wait, do I like him like everyone else?
Speaker 1 (08:56):
I mean, of course, I feel like it's totally a
mental thing because, like you said, you're on this show,
you're very isolated, you don't have real connection with the
outside world, and I feel like you do kind of
get warped into this thing that like, Okay, I need
to like this guy. I'm on this show for a reason,
like we're fighting towards something. But I feel like it
(09:17):
could be like honestly, really mine, I mean I think
I would I would like not know what to do
with myself.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
So I came from London, I got home, I literally
like didn't talk to anyone other than my mom and
dad and my brothers for like two weeks. Yeah, I
was like, I need to like a full mental reset,
like obviously so grateful for the show, like it's brought
me very like amazing opportunities and stuff. But after I
was really like, you know yesterday, how you're like my
social battery is drained. Like I'm like that's how I felt.
(09:45):
But like time ten, it was. It was the craziest
thing ever, like coming back from the show.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Of course, I mean and also in the real world,
there's seven billion people in this world. You were with
one guy? Yes, one guy?
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:59):
I mean in retro respect, yes, does this show really
work for so many people? And is it an amazing experience?
One hundred percent? But in retrospect there's twenty girls one guy.
Mm hmm, there's seven billion people in this world, right,
it's a little you know, yes, yeah, no show. I
feel absolutely yeah no.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
And that's like what I'm saying, like Katie and him
are perfect together and like that was like supposed to happen.
I literally think God put me on the show like
literally for the friendships. I think that was like the
biggest thing that came out of it, which I'm so
grateful for.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
So do you well, because you're still close with Katie,
do you still see Zach around? Like how is it
when you see him?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Completely normal? Yeah, Yeah, it's kind of like water under
the bridge, like this happened, but it's hard. And like
me and zich I feel like we were like, like.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
I always to Kayd, I'm like we really bros like
on the show, like we're like, hey, like what's we
were like doing things we had too but like it was.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Never like we didn't. I never think we like really
like liked each other.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
So I was actually with them and because they live
in Austin and I was with them for like a
few days, I stayed with them and people were like, is.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
That so weird? And I'm like, no, not at all.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
We're like three best friends, not weird at all.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Yeah, So that's actually that's so good. That's like a
really nice feeling. Yeah. Has he changed at all since
being with his wife Katie?
Speaker 2 (11:16):
No, I feel like he's stayed very He's always been
so like kind and sweet. Yeah, and like that's exactly
what Katie needed. I think they're just like the way
that they add to each other. Like I think they've
obviously changed and like over time, because of course you
grow and you like especially like falling in love with someone.
I feel like when you do find your partner, like
(11:38):
they teach you things and you teach them things. So
definitely like change. But yeah, no, not really. I mean
I feel like he's always like stayed very true to
himself and it's always been like a great person.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
So I feel like you need to also do that
while being on reality TV as well?
Speaker 2 (11:52):
For sure?
Speaker 1 (11:53):
What made you decide to go on Bachelor in Paradise?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
All my friends are going yeah, and I was like
why not? You know, like there was a few guys
that I was like super interested in from Bachternation.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Okay, so you had also and like you had intentions
like with people going in there.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Yeah, for sure, I was like super excited. I was like,
oh my gosh, like i'might get away friend obviously.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
And how old were you when you went onto that
twenty five?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Okay, yeah it was a year after actually a little older, yes, yep.
And I loved it, like Paradise was amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
It was so fun.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
It was like a completely different experience though, because obviously
Paradise there's like more guys to choose from, Like it's
not just one guy.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
How many like how many did it start off with?
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Oh gosh, I don't even know, Probably like like.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
A loss seven Oh okay, but at least more than one, yeah,
oh for sure. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Yeah, So you had more of a choice and it
was more like not like super production y, like you
could like sit around and actually like have conversations, whereas
like on The Bachelor, I feel like, oh my gosh,
like this is your like five minutes to talk to
the Bachelor like trauma dum, like you know.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
You get it in now.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah. It's like because they always love, you know, the
stories and stuff.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
So I feel like Paradise.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Was more chill, like we're actually felt like you were
like actually trying to date.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Someone you know. And so then if on Paradise, sorry
I've never watched Paradise before, but if like you didn't
form a connection, is that when you got sent home
or did people also choose if you got sent home?
Speaker 2 (13:28):
No, so it's like same thing as Bachelor. There's rose ceremonies,
so like the girls will have the rose one week,
the next week the guys will have the rose, and
then obviously if you don't receive a rose, then that's
when you go home.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Okay, So girls choose their guys and guys choose their girls. Yes, okay, yeah,
and it starts every week. Kind of reminds me a
little bit of Love Island like Recoupling and y yes, yep,
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
And I think like Paradise this year, so it's like
in the middle of the season right now, but it's
a little different. There's like money and stuff involved in them,
like a prize. So I honestly haven't watched the last
episode where they like fully announced that, but yeah, I
don't know. So it's a little different. But ours was
like just roal ceremonies. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
So you left Bachelor in Paradise single. Do you have
any regrets? No, going on the island, No, not really.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
I mean I wish I would have dated around more
on Paradise. I feel like once I got in like
my couple, like I was just like Okay, this is comfortable,
like we're good. I wish I would have like explored
a little more that's probably my only regret.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Okay, So then what happened? Like where was your exit? So?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
I was with a guy named Tyler.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Ok.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
We were like super like chill, like we were just
I feel like we're kind of similar where like it's
we're both very chill, like not too like lovey debby whatever.
But basically it was like this whole thing he like
he told me like, so we went on a one
on one date okay, and then in his interviews he's
like there's a spark like I feel this spark whatever,
(14:55):
and I'm like, I literally, this is so funny. I
saw a raccoon and I was like, oh my gosh,
is that a sign? Like is that a good time?
It's like the weirdest thing ever, like so stupid. But anyways,
I was like, oh my gosh, like we're locked in
and we saw a shooting star. So I saw a
shooting star and a raccoon. I'm like, oh my god,
what is this.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
The shooting star? I can get behind that.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Yeah, I got trolled like people were like a raccoon,
that's not a sign, girl, Like, You're so right, I
don't know what I was thinking.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
You could. I'm you gut warped, like you were a
little little like you know, my brain.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Was fog yes, no, absolutely little maybe you know. Yes.
So anyways, then we had a conversation and he was like,
I just don't feel a spark and then it was
like this whole thing. I was like, why didn't you
tell me that earlier? Like it was kind of like
a little dramatic, and.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Then he got that rose ceremony.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Then no I did, so I didn't give him my rose. Okay,
So then he went home and then I stayed and
I gave my rose to a guy named Jordan, and
we were like friends, like we like tried to explore
a little bit. Was like not and it was like
the last like four days of filming, so it's like
there's no reason to try to get in a relationship.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
But you know what I'm saying. So yeah, oh so
you pretty much made it to the end though. Yeah. Yeah,
I was there until the last day. Oh wow. Okay, yep,
So I mean you tried though. I gave it my all. Yeah,
I gave it. Yeah. So where is your relationship with
(16:30):
Tyler now?
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I mean he's engaged too, Yeah, and they're like super happy,
which obviously like I wish nothing but the best for him, and.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
It's but after Paradise, it kind of just like that
was it.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah, that was I have not talked since, Like I
think we actually did have like one phone call after Paradise,
but it was like literally like hey, like like checking
in on each other because at the end of the day, like, yeah,
we were in a couple, We're also like it was
like we were friends.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
You know, I'm a relationship with the person, especially not
having a phone. You guys, really you bond and like
form this relationship where you get to know these people
so quickly because what else is there to do then
to get to know these people. Literally, it's not like
you're distracted by anything else. You're kind of in this
situation where it's like I'm either going to get to
know all of you or I should just leave.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Right Yes, yeah, so but no, I mean we're like
we're fine. Like there's no like hate or anything like that,
and I'm super happy for him. He just kind of
engaged like a couple months ago. So yeah, oh wait,
he's from Jersey. Oh I see, yes, he is from Jersey.
Where is he from?
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Have no idea. I'm like your real friend from Jersey. Yeah, exactly.
Have you been dating since Bachelor in Paradise.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
A little here and there, nothing serious?
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Would you consider going on dating apps? Like? No, I
get it. I mean I feel like I'm kind of
like very traditional old school in a way where I
feel like it's supposed to happen natural.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, Like I definitely want to meet my man like organically,
so I actually want my ex on Hinge And I
told myself I would never do Hinge again because I'm like.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
People have really great success rates with the dating apps.
They really do. And I mean I also feel like
the dating apps are fun to just kind of get
yourself out there again and even go on like little
speed dating type vibe and just you know, get to
know people, get yourself out there a little bit, but
just to make you like feel confident in yourself again.
I feel for sure. But I'm on Riya.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
But Riya's so confusing because it's like you'll match with
someone from like Australia.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
It's like, how is this happening? I'm never gonna know,
you know, I've always said if I you know, obviously
my boyfriend and I are in for the long haul.
Nothing's happening. But if I ever were to be single,
like Riya is one, then I'm like, oh for the hype,
guess I'll try to get on it. But I mean
I heard it's not that great. No, it's really not.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Like Honestly, I always tell people, I'm like, it's like
my little like game. Like I feel like it's like
my little game, like go on every night and like
you know, yeah, I mean I've never I mean I've
matched with people in there, but I've nothing, like nothing ever.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Comes out of it. Yeah, So well, hopefully you find
your man. I mean you never know. Yeah, who knows.
Maybe he's in like Tahoe right now. Yeah, right, and
I should look. So yesterday you went on Almost Famous
Ben Higgins's podcast, which is Iheart's podcast that's hosting this
Tahoe event, and said that you had a crush on
Greg Grippo's best friend.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Oh my gosh, I did.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
I forgot I did Andrew Spencer. Yeah, I actually had
Greg Grippo on my podcast. Wait really he was. He's
so funny, so funny, he's a cutie.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Yeah. I feel like the whole friend group was just
so funny and like Spencer is though he was on
Greg's season. He I don't know, Oh he got Paradise. No,
his they were Katie Thurston.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Greg was Bachelorette, got It, got It Okay, yep.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
And then Andrew went on Paradise this season before me. O. Yeah,
and I've only met him once and he's great, Like
I love him. Yeah, he's amazing, but he hes actually
a paradise right now and he's coupled up with alex
is her name, and yeah, so I don't know if.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Is hoping on their downfall.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
No, I would never, but no, Andrew's like literally he's
the best.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Like I did have a crush on him.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I feel like, yeah, he's just always one of those
people where I'm like, oh I could have been, you know, but.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
For sure where is he based? He's in Chicago. I
think yeah maybe one day, maybe one day. You never know,
Greg Tell Andrew track Shack. Are you friends with Greg?
Speaker 2 (20:35):
A friend?
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I never met him? Oh no, he is so sweet,
really easy, like super personable. Yeah, he seems like one
of those people that you meet and it's just like easy. Yeah,
Barry has a great person out. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
No, he's literally so funny, like I love his tiktoks.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Actually he did a TikTok after he filmed Casual Chaos,
and he did that that little like spa like dance
that he I was like, break it down. No, he's
so funny.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
I love how like unapologetically like he is like himself.
You know, it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Are you interested in anyone on this season of Bachelor
in Paradise? Yes, Andrew. Yeah, I'm like, wait, I just
answered my own question.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
Not, no, not really no, other than I mean, like
like I said, like me and Andrew have always been
like cool.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
He's just he's cute, Like if I was on Paradise,
but you think he's cute. Yeah, he is really cute.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
But if I was on Paradise, I would definitely go
for him. Probably.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Yeah, what do you see coming next for you?
Speaker 2 (21:39):
All these blessings are coming my way and they're like
so random and like all these things. So I don't
really know honestly what's next. I would love to do
another show. I think, like doing Paradise again would be
really fun, But right now I'm just kind of going
with the flow.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Is there ever any repeats on Bachelor?
Speaker 2 (21:56):
What do you mean? Like could I go on another
Bachelor season. I think it has happened before.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Oh yeah, but is that something you would want to
do or probably not?
Speaker 2 (22:04):
I mean it would it would depend on who the
Bachelor is. I mean I guess if I'm like that's
my man, Yeah, then I would do it, but probably
not just like.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Friends at least paradise. There's yea a swakshred. No, it's
so funny.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
So my ex boyfriend from high school called me and
he was like a casting producer reached out to him
for the Bachelor, and I was like, oh my gosh,
no way. I was like, you have to go through
with it, and I told him. He like decided not
to like continue talking to them or whatever. But I
was like, I literally would have shown up on your season,
Like I would have been like, behave it me, Like
(22:40):
I literally would have done like you would not have
a season without me on it.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Like there's just no hilarious yes I'm back, no like
Helo and like all.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
The girls freaking out, Oh my gosh, I would have
ate that up. The girls would die yes, literally.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Oh my god, that's hilarious because you guys already basically
would have had a connection.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Literally yeah, we because we were like seven years like
on and off. Like he we we're like best friends now,
Like we had no romantic connection at all, but I
was still gone.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yellow rekindle some multis. Literally. You also told me on
this Tahoe trip that you also maybe want to go
back to school.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
I graduated with psychology and child development as my majors,
and my original plan was to go back for school
counseling and it's like a two semesters, so it's super
easy to do. That's definitely been in my radar to
go back and do that because I feel like working
in a school's the best. Like I love cars off,
summers off. That's like literally my biggest thing. Yeah, Like
(23:39):
that's so nice. And like Christmas, like den Day's.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
At Christmas amazing. Yeah, So I'm definitely so now Like
when we're talking about yesterday, you kind of were like,
it gives me the flexibility to kind of still do
this career.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yes, it's awesome, No, for sure, Yeah, because I definitely
like right now, I'm model and I do I work
at a bar, so it's like I can take time off,
I can do whatever, and I like would have such
a hard time like giving that up because I get
to come to like Tahoe random, like I've been in
California actually for like two and a half weeks now,
so like being able to do that, and then I'm
(24:12):
literally home for a week, and then I go to
Iowa for ten days. So it's like it's so nice
that I get to like literally do whatever I want.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Yeah, free schedule, but at the same time, we can
work from anywhere. Yes, no, absolutely so we're working right
now and like jow, I know, and having so much
fun so much, Like this is crazy.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
I never thought that this would be my life, but
very blessed.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
All right, Mercedes, Well, thank you so much. Cour is
so fun and I'm so happy I got to know
you this ture. Thank you for having me. You have
a Jersey friend, a real Jersey friend.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
All right, guys, And that was it for this week's
episode of Casual Chaos. See you next time.
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