"BACHELOR" FAN FAVORITE JILLIAN HARRIS GETS A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE WHEN SHE BECOMES "THE BACHELORETTE," PREMIERING MAY 18 ON ABC

Jillian Harris, the intelligent, independent, passionate woman who fell just short of her goal -- hoping that Jason Mesnick could be her best friend, soul mate and future husband on the just completed hit season of "The Bachelor" -- will have her own opportunity to find true love, starring in the fifth edition of "The Bachelorette," which will premiere MONDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The announcement was made last night on "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose, Part 2" special.

An instant fan favorite on the last edition of "The Bachelor," Jillian, 29, a restaurant interior designer who currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, came oh-so-close to being the woman Jason selected. She scored points with him the first night she met him. Finding a creative new way to "grill" a guy, Jillian disclosed her unusual theory about discovering a lot about a man from the condiments he puts on his hot dog, and she immediately put Jason to the test. Her adventurous spirit and resourceful, resilient manner of handling a stressful family situation impressed Jason, who fit in with her wonderful and warm family. He invited her to New Zealand as one of the final three women, but even after she and Jason shared one of the steamiest hot tubs in Bachelor history, he still questioned whether their chemistry would last over time and sent her home.

Enthusiastic about her work and life in general, Jillian is ready to find her best friend and settle down and is confident that she can find the love of her life on "The Bachelorette." Jillian is an only child and is excited at the thought of starting her own family.

Jillian, a native of Peace River, Alberta, Canada, graduated from British Columbia Institute of Technology with a degree in interior design. In her spare time she volunteers in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program as a school tutor and mentor.

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