The much-anticipated Women Tell All special for Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor aired on October 29, showcasing Mel Owens as he faced 15 of his former flames. While Mel emerged mostly unscathed, it was a different story for 64-year-old yoga instructor Nicolle Kate.

Throughout the season, Nicolle managed to stir controversy with her comments and behavior, leaving both contestants and viewers divided. A particularly memorable moment occurred in Episode 4 when Nicolle revealed her ambition to leverage the show for a budding influencer career. “From the start, I told myself I’m not just dating Mel, but America as a whole. That kind of exposure is unparalleled,” she said. “We could achieve the status of Housewives… unlike the previous cast, which wasn’t that remarkable in appearance.”

Given such bold statements, host Jesse Palmer didn’t hesitate to bring Nicolle into the spotlight during the Women Tell All, questioning if she had any regrets. Defying expectations, Nicolle stood by her actions. “I was fully committed to finding love with Mel. I also want to champion women’s empowerment,” she asserted. “It’s possible to discover love and simultaneously pursue personal and career ambitions. Isn’t that the essence of empowering women?”

As the audience absorbed Nicolle’s remarks, Mel’s third runner-up, Debbie Siebers, felt compelled to challenge her perspective.

“Hearing this is difficult… I must address the empowerment claim because you didn’t empower us. You dismissed us, our connections with Mel, and even the final two with comments like ‘It won’t work out. Call me,’” Debbie expressed to Nicolle. “I supported you consistently. But hearing your remarks about the first season’s women not being attractive and your intent to date America as an influencer was disheartening. I expected more from you. Remember, to succeed as an influencer, likability is key. You hurt me.”

As Debbie was talking, the camera cut to the studio audience, where Golden Bachelor Season 1 contestants Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles were nodding in agreement. Several women from Season 2’s cast also echoed Debbie’s sentiments and shared their disappointment in Nicolle, but before the whole group chimed in, Carol Freeman called for an end to the roast. Before she threw it back to Jesse, Nicolle said, “Thank you. I love you all, and I’ll do better.”

Throughout the hour-long Women Tell All episode, the women also addressed Season 2’s major lemon bar drama, with Nicolle maintaining that she “spearheaded” the baking. And when Mel came out later in the night, Nicolle tearfully addressed him and said, “I know I made some missteps, but my feelings for you were really, really genuine.”

For more Nicolle updates and Women Tell All takeaways, be sure to read Decider’s full Golden Bachelor Season 2, Episode 7 recap.

New episodes of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 premiere Wednesdays on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu.