'The Bachelor' Pays Tribute To Gia Allemand

by uInterviewJanuary 6, 2014, 12:00 amNews >

The Bachelor aired a tribute to Gia Allemand, a former contestant who committed suicide Aug. 14, 2013, on The Bachelor “Countdown to Juan Pablo” special Sunday, Jan. 5.

Chris Harrison, Contestants Remember Gia Allemand

The touching tribute aired during the special, an extra episode preparing fans of The Bachelor for the newest season, featuring bachelor Juan Pablo. Bachelor host Chris Harrison introduced the tribute, telling viewers that Allemand had stayed in touch with many of the cast and crew of the reality show. What followed was a series of clips from interviews of past contestants about their fond memories of Allemand, and some clips collected from her time on the program and an interview of her about her life, friendship and love.

In the video, Allemand says, “I just hope people remember my kind heart. I have a kind heart for people. That’s what I hope people remember me for.”

She also speaks about her hopes and dreams for the future, expressing her desire to have a family, saying, “I want two kids, and I want to adopt a baby girl from China.”

Allemand’s mother, Donna Micheletti, was also featured in the tribute.

“Gia was always full of such life, and she’d walk into a room and you’d feel her presence. She’d light up that room like sunshine,” Micheletti said.

Very happy we did this tribute to our beautiful friend Gia

— Chris Harrison (@chrisbharrison) January 6, 2014

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The tribute also acted as an awareness campaign for suicide prevention. The Bachelor and Micheletti are encouraging fans to honor Allemand by donating to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in her name. Fans can also donate by downloading Matt White’s “Taking on Water” on iTunes – all the proceeds will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“Gia took her own life, and it is heart-wrenching, and I wouldn’t want to see any other parent go through this. There is plenty of help for everyone. I just miss her,” Micheletti said in the tribute.

The decision to raise awareness for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention echoes a statement made by Allemand’s boyfriend, Ryan Anderson, in September when he expressed his hopes that Allemand’s suicide would provide help to others struggling with depression, mental illness and suicidal thoughts.

“I know that… a lot of people are going to be helped through this… We have a huge plan to do something great, great in her name that’s gonna help a lot, a lot of people,” Anderson said at the time.

Anderson has not yet commented on Sunday night’s tribute, but he recently tweeted about Allemand on what would have been her thirtieth birthday.