After 11 weeks and innumerable hangovers, Bret has finally found his rock of love in Jes. Good girls rule!

After the jump, Jes talks about her attraction to Bret, what it's like to date a man who's more than 20 years her senior, letting her guard down and what it was like to be one of the few sane people in a house full of crazies.

Congratulations.

Thanks!

How did it feel to win?

It was a good feeling, definitely. It was weird, though, because after I won, pretty much everything stopped. The excitement was over and I was left wondering, "What do I do now?" It was a great feeling to win, but at the same time there was a sense of confusion.

From the beginning, you announced that you had no expectations when it came to Bret and the show. But you must have had something in your head. I mean, you were going on a dating show.

For the first two weeks, I was in the background. I didn't get involved and I was just kind of reading Bret and seeing what he does. You get to know him, you see he's a cool guy…it starts to become like a friendship. And that's really how all relationships are: you have a weird, awkward stage, you become friends and then you start to open up and then you start to get to know a lot about each other and then come the feelings. I don't know if it's love.

Bret took your tears during your final dinner with him as a sign of you letting your guard down. Was he correct?

Everyone has a guard. A lot of people know that they're guarded, but they don't know why or what it's for. I finally did and that was an emotional thing for me.

Is it because you were cheated on?

It was that, yes. And in relationships, I'm always afraid to say how I feel because of the fear of rejection. That was a huge thing for me from the beginning. Winning the show felt good because I didn't get rejected, but it didn't matter at that point anyway. I learned that I would have been OK with being rejected. I learned a lot about myself on the show.

What attracted you to Bret?

I think he's a good-looking guy. I definitely do. I think he has a great smile, and who doesn't love blue eyes? A lot of his physical characteristics are very attractive. And it's all especially because for a 45-year-old guy, he's a good-looking guy.

You were 4-years-old when "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" was released. That's...mind-blowing.

Yeah. And it's kinda weird that Bret is five years younger than my father. But at least, now I can say, "I made out with a guy that's 45 years old."

Do you usually go for older guys?

The oldest guy I've dated was 30. I've never dated anyone this old. (Laughs) But I do find myself getting along with and being attracted to older guys. More in common.

Heather put in some jabs during the finale about your age and whether or not you were ready for kids. Was that really ever presented as a possibility? Does Bret want more kids?

If he does, he hasn't told me. He talked about his daughters and my stance was always, "Whoever you end up choosing, they shouldn't have to be your girls' mom. They already have a mom. But the winner should be ready to be an adult figure in their life, so that if they have a problem, they can go to that person."

What's interesting about your win is that it was effectively a win for the nice girls versus the more...salacious girls.

I stuck to my morals from day one. I refused to portray myself in that manner. I'm not going to sit there and show affection to a man who's showing affection to 20 other women. I wouldn't do that in front of chicks to make them jealous. I don't play that game in my life and I refuse to play that game on TV.

But you had anticipated that sort of thing, right? I mean, you aren't living under a rock. You know what happens on shows like this.

To a certain extent, but I was really naïve. When I auditioned I figured, "Oh, this will be fun. There will probably be drama, but no big deal." I didn't expect that certain personality types would be in the house. I should have, but I just didn't. I also didn't predict how involved viewers would become. It's baffling to me.

Has your life changed?

My personal life hasn't changed a whole lot. I'm still me. I just have a ton of strangers coming up to me thinking that they know me. I know someone called me a snot because he approached me while I was eating. I asked if he could wait till I was done and he said, "That's pretty snotty of you." I said, "No offense, but I'm still a real person. If I want to eat my food in peace, that's what I'm going to do." It's weird.

What about the other side of the show, the competition aspect? How was it living with the girls? Did you make friends?

In my everyday normal life, I have maybe two girlfriends. Girls and I, we don't really mesh that well. I think sometimes that I'm too blunt and people can't stand it. On the show, that was my biggest fear: I don't get along with chicks and I have to live with 20 of them. Today, I'm friends with every single girl from Chicago. Brandi M. and I are really close. Heather and I are friends. We just got booked a gig together in October, and I'm really excited for her because I think she's an awesome chick. It's surprising to me that when it's all said and done, I've made a lot of girlfriends that I'm still friends with. I'm grateful for that. I think becoming friends with girls made me more sensitive instead of the wannabe badass that I think I am.

Lacey pulled you into the pool early on, but otherwise, it didn't seem like you had much drama on the show.

They portrayed that in my favor. I did freak out and the producers rushed outside: "Jes, do not hit her." I was screaming, "Get her the f*** out of my face right now." But I got over that quickly. I don't hold grudges.

Lacey perceived you as being snobby when she was trying to talk to you. Agree?

Yeah, I'll be honest. That was the first week in the house. It all goes back to the fact that I don't associate with people like that, meaning people who take their clothes off for guys. When she was sitting there talking to me and trying to be nice to me, I could already see through her. I knew that she was a manipulative bitch. I knew it! So no, I'm not giving into you. I'm going to be me. I'm not going to give you the time of day and I'm not going to fake and be nice to you for the sake of being nice. I'm sure it came off snotty, but that was me being me.

As a viewer, I bonded with you on the very first episode when you were openly laughing at Tiffany's antics. You reacted to the craziness like any reality-TV junkie would. Was it like entering a different dimension with all the extreme human behavior going on around you?

Yes. Words can't describe it. You put 20 chicks in the house with completely different personalities – some are psycho, some are too sensitive – and it's meant to be drama.

And then, whenever we'd cut to an interview featuring you, it brought like a moment of clarity. Like your comment about Heather's tattoo.

Right after we finished filming, I stayed for another two days to do about 14 hours of interviews. I started drinking during the sixth hour and got hammered because I mentally and physically couldn't do it anymore. It was the only way I could do it.

Was it tough dealing with the fact that you weren't allow to see Bret for about six months after the finale taped (per the rules of the show -- they weren't allowed to be seen together so that the end wasn't spoiled)?

Yeah. I was in the house for five weeks dealing with the drama and all that. It was honestly a relief to come back home. Those five weeks, you have no contact with the outside world. There's no one to convey your emotions to besides the 20 chicks you're battling with and Bret, who's battling with 20 chicks, himself.

How frequent has your communication with Bret been during the past six months?

Uh, once.

Jes should have more to say next week, after the Rock of Love reunion airs. Watch this space.

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Comments

[Lucy]

Yayyyy!! The best chick won! I Love Jes!

[heather]

I am so glad jes won, i love her!!!

[Jennifer]

Congrats Jes...I am so happy Bret choose you. Both you and he will make a great couple. Best of luck :)

[ann]

i dont think they are still together. You can tell by the way some of her answers are. GOD I HOPE NOT!! BRET AND JES= l.o.v.e.

[Marinda]

The whole 11 weeks were definately worth the wait. Congrats Bret and Jes! You two make a great couple and I (for 1) hope there will be another colaboration with vh1?!

[Linda]

Jes,
I was rooting for you the whole time. You shine compared to all of the other girls. There were a couple of girls who were nice, but Lacey and Heather were awful. Lacey was just kept on the show because everyone loved to hated her. I am glad that you would not share Bret with that big haired 80's chick.
All the best,
Linda

[Oh My Hell!]

Inner-esting post by Heather on her MySpace blog!!!

here it is: (try not to cry)

September 30, 2007 - Sunday

the truth about the final episode
Current mood: sad

HELLO ALL,
FIRST I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THROUGH OUT THE SEASON OF ROCK OF LOVE. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT EDITING PLAYS A HUGE PART IN TELEVISION, THAT'S WHAT MAKES PEOPLE INTERESTED IN WATCHING. I HAVE CRIED MANY NIGHTS OVER HOW SOME EPISODE PROTRAY ME. I AM SO HEARTBROKEN AND APPALLED THAT I LOOK SO INSENSITIVE IN THE FINALE. I LOVED BRET VERY MUCH AND HE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOREVER. IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART THAT THE EDITING MAKES ME LOOK SO INSENSITVE.ON OUR DATE IN CABO WHEN HE SAID HE WASNT FEELING WELL WE STOPPED AND I WENT AND GOT HIM SOME WATER..IT WAS HIM WHO WANTED TO KEEP RIDING TO GET ALL DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLES. I WAS
FULL OF SAND AND WOULD HAVE LOVED TO JUST CHILL ON THE BEACH IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS THE MOST REAL, DID EVERYTHING I COULD FOR HIM---U GUYS DID NOT SEE WHEN I WOULD MAKE HIM BREAKFAST IN BED OR WHEN I BOUGHT HIM BALLONS AND ROSES ON HIS BDAY.. I WENT SHOPPING FOR HIM AND HIS KIDS IN CABO AND ACTUALLY SPENT OVER 1000 THROUGHOUT THAT MONTH., BECAUSE I LOVE TO GIVE AND ESPECIALLY TO PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT.
NO, I WASNT THE SKINNIEST ONE OR THE PRETTIEST ONE, BUT I WAS HONEST AND GAVE HIM MY HEART. BRET SEES BEAUTIFUL WOMEN EVERYDAY OF HIS LIFE---REMEMBER TAMARA--BUT, ITS CHEMISTRY AND AN AMAZING BOND THAT IS HARD TO FIND.... WE BOTH FOUND IT AND ITS A SHAME ALL OF AMERICA HAS TO THINK THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST---I ABSOLUTELY, 100% DID NOT SAY I WOULD SHARE HIM.WE BOTH SAID NO..THAT WAS EDITED AND I AM SOOOO APPALLED BY THAT--AS IF THE STIPPER THING WASNT ENOUGH, (WHICH I QUIT DOING MONTHS AGO)--OR PRETTY MUCH NEVER SHOWING ONE BAD THING ABOUT JESS, I GOT RAN THROUGH THE COALS AND HEARTBROKEN ONCE AGAIN.
I JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THE TRUTH.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE THINGS IN THE WORKS, SO U WILL BE SEEING ME AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE
SINCERELY,
HEATHER

10:48 PM - 0 Comments - 13 Kudos - Add Comment

[Brandi]

I really think Heather should have won. But that's just me. And Rich where's the rest of the interview with Salt and Pepa?

[Nicolars]

I like Jes, but she could probably do better than Bret.

I hope an interview with Heather, her hair and her tatters is up soon!

[Jen]

I agree... Jes is my favorite ... but let's face it. Heather should have won. They have more in common and she's clearly a Poison fan. I'll bet she had pictures of Bret on her wall in her teens!

[Susan]

Congratulations Jess! You've won...uh...well, you beat the other girls. You also have great hair!

Don't cry Rich, there'll be a Rock of Love 2! And potentially endless other dating show sequels.

[miss belle]

This interview just proves what I've been saying all along -- Jes is too good for this crap. Snotty, snobby, whatever you want to call it, she is wise beyond her years, and doesn't need Bret or VH1.
Uh, kind of gross that Bret is just 5 years younger than her dad...

[Ronnie]

Jes is no doubt a cool girl but I think Heather was totally into Bret. I think editing does play a huge role in reality shows, so much so that I think using the word "reality" when discribing these types o programs is a stretch. Heather was the type of woman that Bret has come to relate with over the years and seems comfortable with. Jes has a lot going for her and has her whole life ahead of her, when Bret is starting to wind down(sorry Bret), not that I'm saying 45 is old but compared to a 23 year old, it's a lifetime.

[PJSwan]

I don't know if this is true but it's starting to make sense because its' obvious that Jes & Bret are not together. I have read that Bret has always and still lives with his girlfriend - Kristi Gibson (starred in a Letter from Death Row with him) with their two daughters in Arizona. Rock of Love was all about publicity.

[Terri]

So if the editing really portrayed Heather in such
a bad way, why hasn't Bret posted any comments?
Especially if he and Heather had "such an incredible bond", you'd think he would say something. I'd like to think he cares when someones
character has been unjustly villified. Most probably he's been told to keep his mouth shut and
that might not be a bad thing. Of course all of this assumes Heather is telling the truth.
Too bad Bret has only contacted Jes once in 6 mos.!

[Anna]

I always liked Jes more as a contestant (whether it was editing or not), but I never believed she had any real chemistry with Bret and I did think Heather should have won. Bret did not make many decisions I would have made in his place over the course of the entire season. Choosing Jes was proof that he had no idea which of the women in the show might be right for him. Heather should have won. Funny how I've come away from all of this liking Heather much more than I did at the beginning of the season, and respecting Bret way less.

[Amber]

U were the prettiest girl on the show. My ex thought so to. We are still friends. I just never saw you close to Bret I don't know if it was film or just you. I think it was camera in my heart. I want to be honest though you and Heather were my two top choices out of all the other ho's. Thank god Lacey got voted out she was ugly as hell anyway. I don't know how she made it that far. I think it was for ratings. Good luck in life. I love you and Heather too.

[Jackie]

I knew Jess would win from the beginning however I did wonder why she would bother going on the show. I think she is much too good for scene and too good for Bret. It seemed as if he was all out for himself (just an observation).

PS: Heather's behavior disgusted me or her portrayed behavior disgusted me.

Peace!

[Jackie]

I knew Jess would win from the beginning however I did wonder why she would bother going on the show. I think she is much too good for scene and too good for Bret. It seemed as if he was all out for himself (just an observation).

PS: Heather's behavior disgusted me or her portrayed behavior disgusted me.

Peace!

[Big Hair 80's]

Way to go Jes! Wish you the best. I hope that this does not turn out like most reality shows and in a few months........ Well you know.

As for Bret, HOT as ever! I had a framed picture in my room growing up. I saw or should I say (sneaked out) to many of his concerts.

Gotta to love Big Hair Bands!

[Stephanie]

Being a PA resident, it was nice to watch the show and see that Bret Michaels seems to be proud of where he came from (unlike other celebrities that are automatically from LA once they make it big - Kudos to Bam also for putting West Chester on the map)....also, it was nice to see that Bret seems to genuinely have a good heart and means well, and hasn't let his celebrity status/ the LA scene taint him. However, there were some particulars that bothered me throughout the season, yes it was a diappointment at viewing youtube videos of contestants (and Bret himself) stating other reasons for doing the show which immediately de-bunked any hope of "reality" in which the show made you believe was for the sole purpose of Bret finding his "true love". However, reality should tell you that putting "x" number of girls in a room (of whom I thought most, but one or two, lacked any type of class) and picking "the best one" as you would in the fresh fruit aisle in a grocery store, is for entertainment purpose only. Reality should also tell you that no matter how much any of these girls think a reality show is going to be their claim to fame, needs their own reality check, for example, Lacy thinking this could jump start her music career--I went to her website and her singing is about a good as my six year old sons! So if you can get passed thinking you may have been,in some way,"scammed" by the shows end results,at the end of the day- we were all entertained, Bret most likely got a bit more PR out of the deal and life goes on.

My husband and I saw Bret in Vegas a few years ago and he really did put on a great show! He smiled the entire time and really displayed the fact that he loves what he does and brought that same excitement to his fans, which to me, defines reality more than a "reality" show that will be yesterdays news in the next 15 minutes.

Here in Steeler country, we also live and die by the Back and Gold and one thing is for sure...no matter how hard you try you can never bullshit this blue collared, steel community....but we sure can be entertained, keep up with the best of them and have a great time doing it.

[Sara]

Jes i am soooooooooooooooooooo glad you won over heather i honestly think that you were the most down to earth and prettiest girl in the house and even better no drama with you well at least no as much... i think you were the only one who wasn't out of their mind!!!!

[Sara]

Jes i am soooooooooooooooooooo glad you won over heather i honestly think that you were the most down to earth and prettiest girl in the house and even better no drama with you well at least no as much... i think you were the only one who wasn't out of their mind!!!!

[Sara]

Jes i am soooooooooooooooooooo glad you won over heather i honestly think that you were the most down to earth and prettiest girl in the house and even better no drama with you well at least no as much... i think you were the only one who wasn't out of their mind!!!!