Mohit “Mo” Sehgal was one of the contestants vying for Rachel Lindsay’s heart on the thirteenth season of “The Bachelorette.” Even though Lindsay sent him home the first night after he stumbled nervously waiting to talk to her and witnessed in agony Lindsay kissing one of her suitors, viewers instantly fell in love with 26-year-old. Mo is from Pacifica, CA, and is the founder of Questive.com, a community-based site that allows users to share and watch educational YouTube videos.
Sehgal discussed his journey through “The Bachelorette” with Blasting News in an exclusive Interview.
On “The Bachelorette”
Blasting News (BN): What was your journey like to get to "The Bachelorette?"
Mo Sehgal (MS): Definitely a long process -- took about 6 months with various rounds ranging from photos and videos to background about yourself. Made a few trips to LA as well. Each round that I passed, I was getting more and more excited that it could actually happen. They announced Rachel as the Bachelorette on Feb 13th. Then on Valentine’s Day I got a call from the casting director saying that they’d love to have me on the show.
BN: How would you describe the experience of being in the mansion and meeting Rachel on the first night? What was it like to watch yourself on the show?
MS: It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The limo pulls up to the house, and you see her standing there with this huge mansion behind her, and first thing I thought was “Wow, this is just like the show!” Getting out of the limo was one of the most nerve-racking moments I’ve experienced, but watching it on TV, it looked great.
BN: What does it mean to you to have been the first Indian-American to be on “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette?”
MS: It’s very humbling!
I never thought that I would ever be cast for a reality TV show, let alone one of the biggest ones in the US. I think there is a big push for diversity in the entertainment industry, so I feel as if that helped. I hope this inspires other Indian-Americans to not only apply for the show, but just to be different and take steps out of their comfort zones and put themselves out there like that.
BN: Can you speak to the experience of sharing your the beginnings of your journey on “The Bachelorette” dancing with your family in your home?
MS: My family has been my rock and has been supportive throughout this whole journey through the good and the bad. Dancing is our way of bonding, so it was great to have that showcased on the show.
BN: How has your family, culture, and background contributed to your success?
MS: Again, my family has been very supportive in anything that I do. My parents understand the balance of both Indian and American culture and want me to be able to forge my own path. My culture has definitely contributed to my success because it lets me look at things from two different perspectives.
I try to take the positive aspects of both cultures to form my values.
Going forward
BN: How do you feel now that America has met you and fallen in love? What have some reactions to you and the show been, and how have you been handling them?
MS: I was surprised to see how much great feedback I received with so many messages telling me that they loved my fun personality and even that they wanted to see me on “Bachelor in Paradise!” There’s been an influx of messages in my Instagram account, and I respond to all of them because if somebody goes out of there way to contact me, the least I can do is tell them that I appreciate it.
BN: You may not have been able to find love with Rachel, but other women around the nation would love to get a chance to know you better.
What are you looking for in a romantic partner?
MS: I’m looking for a best friend. Somebody who I can be myself around, be fun with, but at the same time understand the gravity of a relationship and that it takes compromise to make a relationship work. Someone who is family oriented and has similar values as me.
