Four years after ending his season of "The Bachelor" with a shocking proposal and breakup , Peter Weber is returning to reality TV with "Renegade." While the shows may look very different, the knowledge the 32-year-old pilot learned at The Bachelor's Mansion led him to the legendary Scottish castle.
"I was trying to please people [on The Bachelor ] and give people my everything and spread that to a lot of different women, and that naturally took its toll," Peter said of his Bachelor run. "It was going to catch up to me somewhere, and it eventually did." (He ended his engagement to winner Hannah Ann Sluss and then entered into a brief new relationship with runner-up Madison Prewett .)
That experience inspired Peter to deal with the traitor as a new man. "I was like, OK, I have some experience now. Tears are not going to do anything for me," he said. "While I'm a very emotionally attuned person, I would break out of that. I really wanted to be a robot, and I thought about strategy first and the human element second."
Well, it worked. Peter helps turn the tables on Renegade season 2, setting a strategic trap that ultimately ousts arch-traitor Dan Quisling and reveals more in the process.
But it's not all sunshine and roses. Peter's commitment to his band of true believers angered some of his castmates, leading to his eviction ahead of the finale, which aired on March 7.
Still, he tells Bustle, things weren't always smooth and so controversial off- camera . After the day's filming, the contestants hung out in the green room so they wouldn't know about the set's secret turret tour. “Those moments of being able to chill out, have a glass of wine, take a break from the game and shoot a blockbuster — those were super cool moments that I look back on very fondly,” he said.
Below, Peter breaks down those fiery moments, what he would have done differently, and his mom-approved relationship with devoted Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu.
Looking back, what surprises you most?
I'm super jealous. I should have accepted that traitor [recruitment] just to see the turrets. I had never seen an underground cellar, that basement.
Since you mentioned the basement, do you think you would have accepted the "join or die" ultimatum Kate Chastain received?
Yes, I wouldn't die in a cellar like that, trapped beneath a castle forever. If I have no choice, I'll take it. But as long as I have a choice, I'm willing to fight.
Your confrontation with MJ Javid in Episode 7 went viral. Looking back, how do you feel about that moment?
After getting a reaction like that, we shouldn't close or whatever, I thought... well, how does it work on other shows? Do you never have private conversations? The way the show is shot, we shoot one episode a day. Our time to talk and strategize is so short. Do you want to waste your time just so you don't hurt someone's feelings, or do you want to use your time to talk about gameplay? I feel like I'm getting hurt, but it's still worth it to stay organized.
Another viral moment is when you try to take Parvati Shoal's side. People were like, oh my god. The chemistry of that scene!
It’s the epitome of a love-hate relationship. We got along really well from the start, until I made such a change to her that she started to get angry - and rightfully so. Nothing compares to this tension. I noticed that too, but we had so much fun playing this game.
Bachelor Nation has a lot of love for your mom. Did she give you any advice before "Traitor" ?
My mom knows I have very good instincts, so she just reminds me: "Don't be fooled. Don't be manipulated. These people will know what they're doing, and they'll be smart. Follow your instincts and everything will be fine .”
She recently posted a photo with Ekin-Su and your sister-in-law. How did that outing come about?
Ekin and I became very good friends. We were very similar and hit it off immediately. I was devastated to see her leave. I would love to play longer games with her. She's actually in Los Angeles. She flew out a few days before me [for the Renegades reunion] and my mom connected with her on Instagram, so they went out to lunch with my sister-in-law Kristen. She was a very good friend and obviously, my mom cared about her very much.
Now that you've been through this experience, is there anyone else from Bachelor Nation you'd like to see on Renegades ?
I want to meet Chris Harrison. Chris has always been the host, if you will, not the player. He's a very smart guy with a lot of experience in reality TV. He could take some action.
I would say Jason Tartick. He's one of my really good friends. He is a smart, analytical man. I think he's good at strategy. I think Hannah Brown would kill it. She's a really fun, incredible personality who's also incredibly smart. She will be a pleasure to watch.
We saw Kate almost come back by the end of Season 1. As someone in a similar situation, would you come back in the future?
Absolutely. I love this game - the ups, the downs, everything. It's pure bliss.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
