Millions of Americans look forward to each season of The Bachelor, allured by our worldly desires and, of course, we can’t resist all that drama! So why am I writing about this? What does this have to do with Jesus? Well, Shawntel Newton has to do with Jesus and she represents the Olivetee. Shawntel is a 27 year old Chico, CA native, she has a captivating career as a funeral director, she’s a contestant from The Bachelor Season 15 and 16, and most importantly she is a woman of faith. I sat down with Shawntel recently to ask her a few questions about her faith, her career and her experience on the The Bachelor. Mainly, I wanted my readers to get to know Shawntel like I have.

Olivetee: I understand your faith in Christ has been a part of your life since you were young. Has your faith always been strong or did you go through a point where you were sort of “going through the motions”?

Shawntel: My family was always involved in the church. My Dad was an usher and my sisters and I volunteered a lot. I remember my sisters and I sometimes went three times a week: service on Sunday and Wednesday, then Thursday for bible study. It’s just what we did. I knew I believed in Jesus and had Him in my heart, but didn’t really have a relationship with Him. When I was 15 I went to a church camp and the inspirational guest speaker made an impact on me. I felt the Spirit of Jesus for the first time. I remember thinking “This isn’t it here on earth. There’s more. And we are here for a purpose until then.” After that, I began developing a relationship with God; talking to Him, praying, feeling a more important sense of who I was to Him.

Olivetee: Is there a point in your life where you needed God more than ever? How did He show Himself to you?

Shawntel: I had been dating my boyfriend for three years. He was in the marines and his mom died and I took him in emotionally, kind of like a caregiver. He wanted me to spend every moment with him and I did. I neglected my family and my friends and everything that was true to me. I was almost done with mortuary school when he came to my apartment, said he was taking everything he owned to the Salvation Army, packed one bag and was leaving for two years. Didn’t know where he was going, but that he needed time to think. Just like that he was gone. I felt like three years had just gone down the drain. I sat in my closet all day and cried and prayed, “God, why did you let this happen to me? Why would you do this?” I was sad, angry, hurt, and confused for days. After constant prayer, I suddenly I felt a burden lift from my shoulders. God opened my eyes. I spoke with my parents who immediately told me how relieved they were. They knew I wasn’t going to leave him and this was God allowing him to leave me so I could grow and move on. God doesn’t make mistakes. I moved back home and that is when my walk with Jesus became stronger. I had experienced His calm in the storm. I trusted Him.

Olivetee: You work with so many people during the saddest part of their life. How do you stay grounded for them? Do you see an opportunity to share your faith and help encourage those hurting?

Shawntel: I view it as a ministry! It’s an honor to be a part of this intimate time of their life. I’m actually the first person people talk to before they even see a counselor, so I have a huge responsibility. Being a woman of faith has helped me maintain the confidence to do my job well. God has provided this opportunity for me and He equips me to handle each situation. I don’t know how anyone could be in my position without the God’s help. A lot of families we work with we know through church or the community and so we know where their faith is. Although, sometimes I have people ask me “What do you believe?” And it opens the door for witnessing.

Olivetee: When you decided to go on The Bachelor, were there people from church or your family who thought negatively about your decision? If so, how did you respond to them?

Shawntel: Actually, all my family and friends were supportive. My sisters are the ones who entered me in without me knowing, so of course they were excited. My friends and family friends know the person I am and were confident I would hold true to my roots. When the show aired, my Pastor watched it (only because his wife did)! He told me he was impressed at how I handled myself with all that drama! That made me feel so good.

Olivetee: How do you feel the opportunity to be on The Bachelor was a God-given opportunity? How do you think He may have used you to represent Him on national TV on front of millions of people?

Shawntel: When my sisters entered me without me knowing and I got the call that they wanted me to do the show, I thought no way. I had never watched the show but heard that it was all about drama and I’m not in to that. But something my sisters said made me think twice. They said “People need to see you because you love God.”  So I prayed, “Ok, God, you put this opportunity in front of me.” And He put it on my heart to go for it. It was hard staying out of all the drama – and there was A LOT of it! I prayed a lot and asked myself, “what would Jesus do.”Seriously!  I wanted to be classy, but still be fun. I don’t have any regrets. I was one of the final four women and I did have feelings for the Bachelor (Brad Womak), so it was very emotional. It was a time of growth for me for sure. I embraced it!

Olivetee: What passions are you exploring that you feel God has put in your heart?

Shawntel: Writing my book: Final Rose. No, it’s not all about The Bachelor. I love to write and I was given the opportunity. My book is mostly about growing up in the funeral industry and stories of my experiences there, with a little bit of my personal life, my faith, and The Bachelor as well. It is full of laughter and tears. Writing my book has made me realize that I want to go back to school and get my masters in Marriage and Family Counseling with an emphasis on Grief Counseling. I’m excited about that!

Olivetee: What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Shawntel: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” He tells me to trust Him. Be patient (which I’m not!), it will happen in His timing. My little sister gave me a ring with this verse on it right before I left for the show. I wear it all the time.

Olivetee: When approached to represent the Olivetee, what was your initial thought?

Shawntel: I was excited to be a part of something faith based! Then when I actually saw the shirts, I was even more on board. I loved the styles, fabrics, and the messages were so unique. The messages are encouraging and they attract people to want to know more. I am super excited to share my faith through fashion!

Olivetee: What’s your favorite Olivetee statement and why?

Shawntel: Love even the unlovable because it’s universal and it’s what we are called to do (and sometimes the hardest thing to do, so it’s a great reminder). Plus I love the fit: very flattering and nice and long.

Olivetee: Tell me about your return to The Bachelor!

Shawntel: Well, I was asked to come back for The Bachelor season 16, with Ben Flajnik. Ben and I had some minor connections in the past and the show thought we might have some chemistry. Again, I was hesitant to go, but the opportunity kept presenting itself and I prayed about it. The Lord put a peace in my heart to go again. Crazy, I know! And then, to be sent home the first night was a shocker! I didn’t expect THAT. But, I was totally at peace about it because my walk with God has been so close; I knew He had some reasoning for it. I didn’t argue with Him this time (she laughs).  I was actually there for a full two days even though it looks like I was there for 20 minutes. So it wasn’t like I didn’t have time to be emotionally effected. I had plenty of time to be exposed to the drama. Many of the girls acted very hurtful to me and, of course, it isn’t fun to get rejected. God helped me rise above the drama and negativity. He knew I could handle it. I’m glad I went because if I didn’t I would have wondered “what if?” But, I’m also glad I got sent home because it allowed me to finish writing my book before the end of the year.

Thank you, Shawntel, for opening your home and your heart to me and my readers. I am truly blessed that you are a part of my vision and my life.  I’m sure my readers feel a little closer to you now too!

If you have deeper questions for Shawntel, please submit them to Olivetee and we’ll get them answered for you. Also, Shawntel’s new book, Final Rose, will be released very soon! I’ll post details on where to purchase it as soon as I can.

UPDATE: Shawntel has answered some questions from viewers here: Followup to our interview.

Shawntel: Behind the Veil photo shoot by Amy Waltz Photography