JASON MESNICK GETS A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE WHEN HE STARS IN "THE BACHELOR," RETURNING TO ABC IN JANUARY 2009

Jason Hopes the "Third Time is the Charm"

Millions of viewers were stunned when DeAnna Pappas rejected Jason Mesnick's proposal, as he dropped to one knee to profess his love in the season finale of "The Bachelorette." Brokenhearted and wondering how he could have misjudged DeAnna's intentions, Jason's female fans flocked to support him, helping him heal from his very public dismissal. Now this handsome single dad will star in his own bid for true love, choosing from among 25 bachelorettes when "The Bachelor" returns to ABC in January 2009. This will be the 13th edition of ABC's popular romance reality series.

Jason, 32, became a huge viewer favorite during the chase to win DeAnna's heart, and his popularity seemed to vault even higher when he lost out to Jesse Csincsak -- who is now engaged to Pappas -- as fans rushed to e-mail him in droves, in total sympathy to his plight. Jason still believes in destiny and that he can find love through "The Bachelor," as he discovered when he fell for DeAnna. His heart-warming story as a single father from Seattle with a three-year-old son, Ty - the apple of his eye - struck a chord with many women. Divorced two years ago, Jason would like to start another family, himself the middle son in a family of three boys. His older brother, Sean, is married with children. Jason currently lives with his younger brother, Larry, and with Ty. His parents are divorced and both are happily remarried.

An account executive in estate and legacy planning, Jason is looking for a woman who has a real curiosity about the world, who loves life and can find passion in life's smallest moments. Open and honest, the good-looking and appealing Bachelor loves a variety of sports, including swimming, golf, basketball and football. In fact he used to be a golf professional at a local club. He has traveled all over Europe and continues to pursue his desire to see the world. In his spare time, he takes guitar and swing dance lessons. Perhaps not surprisingly, Jason is a "big brother" for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. A philanthropist himself, he hopes to some day form and run his own children's charity.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Jason moved to Washington at the age of eight and received his BA in psychology at the University of Washington.

Interested and eligible women can learn more about upcoming casting events and the application process by logging on to www.bachelor.abc.com or by calling 866-739-3150.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.