Where is Leslie Fhima now? 'Devastated' 'The Golden Bachelor' runner-up refuses to accept Gerry Turner's apology
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Gerry Turner met his ex, Leslie Fhima on 'The Golden Bachelor' for the first time following their tragic breakup. Leslie returned to Minnesota after Gerry chose someone else over her.
During the 'After the Final Rose' episode of 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 1 finale, which aired on Thursday, November 30, Gerry and Leslie sat down to revisit their relationship.
Leslie informed Gerry during a long embrace that she was "much better" than the day he ended things — but she still used the chance to call him out. Leslie, who had told the audience she was "devastated" when Gerry gave someone else the final rose, was candid about her feelings for Gerry as the two met once again.
“I just want to tell you, Gerry, that I fell in love with you for so many reasons. I really did. I mean, the way you looked at me and your eyes sparkled, the way her nose prickled when you talked to me, the way we made each other laugh all the time. You got my stupid humor. I was myself with you completely,” she voiced.
She added, “The most important thing I fell in love with was your integrity. And because of your integrity, your words meant so much to me. I didn’t take them for granted. I took them and I put them in my heart, OK?”
The heartbroken runner-up further said, “Everybody knows what you said on camera. But only you and I know what was said in [during the] overnight. And I would never share that with anyone. It’s our private time.”
The star continued, “Those words gave me 100 percent certainty that I was your girl. … And your words just meant so much to me, and that’s why I was blindsided. Because I wasn’t sure how it changed or what happened.”
Why did 'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner break up with Leslie Fhima?
Gerry had sent Leslie home earlier in the episode when he admitted to having stronger affection for Theresa Nist.
"I’ve worked hard to try and learn as much about you and as much about Theresa that I possibly could. You’re both wonderful, but only one of you is right," Gerry replied.
Leslie became agitated and accused Gerry of deceiving and lying to her. "You made it sound like you chose me," she told him. "You led me down a path, and then you took a turn and left me there."
'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner apologizes for hurting Leslie Fhima
Gerry was eager to apologize during the episode 'After the Final Rose'.
"I’m so sorry, Leslie. I’m so sorry. And when I came onto the show, my head was ready to go through the process [and] send people home," he explained.
"But what I realized is my heart wasn’t ready. And with each passing rose ceremony and, especially with you, it became more and more difficult," Gerry said.
Gerry went on to say that he didn't intend to "hurt anyone" but got caught up in the process. "You were the person I believed was my person until I suddenly knew you weren't," he went on to say.
"And you asked, or you mentioned, you don’t know where it went wrong. It didn’t really go wrong, Leslie," he explained, adding, "It just was better with someone else. It was the right person in another direction."
Leslie said she's not sure whether she accepts his apology, but she "understand[s] it."
Leslie Fhima returned to being 'glama' to grandchildren after 'The Golden Bachelor'
Leslie returned to Minnesota after production concluded in late August. Since then, she's been sharing glimpses of her life as a "glama". Making her renowned S'more bars with her three grandchildren and stumbling into Michelle Young at a Minnesota Vikings football game are among her recent exploits.
'The Golden Bachelor' is available for streaming on ABC.