The fifth season of the ABC reality television series The Bachelorette began on May 18, 2009, with a two-hour premiere. The show features 29-year-old Jillian Harris, an interior designer from Peace River, Alberta, Canada. Harris is the first Canadian Bachelorette in the American franchise. She finished in third place on season 13 of The Bachelor featuring Jason Mesnick.
The season concluded on July 27, 2009, with Harris accepting a proposal from 29-year-old technology consultant Ed Swiderski. Swiderski is the first person to win in the show's history after quitting in the same season. The couple broke off their engagement in July 2010.
Jake Pavelka was chosen as the lead of the fourteenth season of The Bachelor.
Kiptyn Locke, Juan Barbieri, David Good, Wes Hayden, and Jesse Kovacs, returned for the first season of Bachelor Pad. Juan was eliminated in week 1. Wes was eliminated in week 4. Jesse and his partner, Elizabeth Kitt, were eliminated at the beginning of week 6, finishing in 3rd place. Kiptyn and his partner, Tenley Molzahn, were eliminated at the end of week 6, finishing as the runners-up. David won the season alongside Natalie Getz.
Jake and Michael Stagliano returned for the second season of Bachelor Pad. Jake was eliminated in week 3. Michael won the competition alongside Holly Durst.
Michael, Ed Swiderski, and Reid Rosenthal, returned for the third season of Bachelor Pad. Reid was eliminated in week 3 and Michael in week 5. Ed and his partner, Jaclyn Swartz, were eliminated at the end of week 7, finishing in 3rd place.
Jesse returned for the inaugural season of Bachelor in Paradise. He quit the show in week 6.
Jake competed in the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with Chelsie Hightower and finished in 7th place.
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On November 3, 2010, Harris mourned the death of Julien Hug on her Twitter page. The 35-year-old Hug was discovered dead on a remote stretch of land off a Californian highway on Wednesday. Harris paid tribute to Hug, saying, "Please say a prayer for the loss of a friend this morning. Life is fragile, don't forget to love the ones you love," before adding, "It's very difficult to find the words to express my condolences. But I will always remember Julien's gentle demeanor and kind heart, which will be sadly missed."