Ed Swiderski

Alright, so how did you get on “The Bachelorette”?

I was just walking down the street one day in The Loop and this guy just walked up to me with a notepad and said he was doing recruiting for a TV show on ABC. I told him I wasn’t interested; I didn’t want any part of that show. Well first, they asked me a couple of questions like, ‘Are you married? Do you have any kids?’…

They were asking you that randomly on the street?

Yes, five questions, a 30-second interview. Then, they called and asked for me to send in an application. I said, ‘Well, no. I said I wasn’t interested, it’s not like I wanted to do this.’ They emailed me a month later and eventually flew me out to L.A.

Did any of your friends give you a hard time about being on the show?

They did at first but they definitely liked the aftermath. ‘The trail of goodness.’ [Laughs]

Do you still talk to Jillian?

I do. We just talked two days ago.

So what’s the key to being able to remain friends with an ex?

I guess it depends on the kind of person. She definitely doesn’t want to talk to me as much as I’d like to talk to her. I think she’s still kind of hurt by the whole thing. If you’re a genuine person and can’t be together I think you should at least just be friends. I respect her and she’s an amazing person but we were not perfect together. That’s the thing; I think we’re finally coming to this agreement that we can talk on a regular basis and she is fine with it. I don’t think she is happy with me being so okay with it, it hurt her initially, but I think she is okay now.

We just have to ask, do people sleep with each other on the “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” in the fantasy suites when they forgo their individual rooms?

I think so—I don’t know—I think so. [Laughs]

It’s kind of an awkward concept… [Laughs]

Well, it’s not like it’s a one-night stand. You kind of know the person. But I can’t say from experience. I’m just saying it may happen. [Laughs]

Are you dating anyone now?

No.

In your opinion, what is the perfect first date in Chicago?

I would say maybe Sunda, Hubbard Inn, Hub 51 or anything on Hubbard Street. Sushi, drinks and then Blue Frog for karaoke!

What do you consider the biggest turn off; a bad spray tan, too much makeup or unkempt fingernails?

It’s a tie between too much makeup and a bad spray tan—actually—too much makeup. Makeup scares me more than anything. When I write a book about my dating life chapter one will be called ‘Makeup is the Devil’. [Laughs] There has to be a point in a girl’s mind where they say, ‘This is too much.’ I respect it, just don’t abuse it!

How would you say the average Chicago girl ranks in your book?

A seven.

A seven!?

Is that bad or good? I think that’s pretty good!

Clearly, you’re a proud Michigan State Spartan. Are you still loyal to all of your hometown state’s sports teams?

No, I actually adopted all of the Chicago teams as soon as I moved here. It was easy, seven years ago Detroit teams were terrible. The Bears were good. Everyone was good, so I jumped.

Can you see yourself ever moving back near where you grew up?

I want to return to Michigan and raise a family in Grand Rapids. I love that town.

What’s your favorite Chicago sports bar?

Definitely The Boundary over on Division.

[Two shots of Jameson are handed over by Ed's friends]

What are you up to in Chicago now?

I am a partner in small software company. We build business applications and do consulting for businesses in the city. We are all over the place but most of our customers are here.

What exactly is “You’re Ed To Me” all about’?

It started with one of my buddies. One night we were out and he said, ‘You’re Ed to me’ and I’m like, ‘I love it.’ [Laughs] I immediately bought the domain. We were still in the media and it was kind of fun to get the reaction. I was getting 10,000 people a day hitting my site and I was just writing garbage. I could have written, ‘Today I brushed my teeth with my sunglasses on’ and people would be like, ‘Alright’ [Laughs] but they still went to it. It’s really just a site for whatever.

What has been one of your favorite Chicago moments?

Oh, great story! I’m flying back from Dallas a couple of years ago. Coach Ditka walked by me in the airport. I walked up to him and said, ‘Hi coach, how’s it going?’ and shook his hand as he explained how he was trying to get on my flight. Once I got on the plane, as I was sitting back in coach, I looked up and he was walking down the aisle. He sits down next to me and we talked the entire flight home. Fifteen minutes from O’Hare he asked what part of town I lived in. I said River North. He said he did too and said, ‘You don’t want a ride, do you?’

Are you sure this wasn’t a dream?

No! We stepped off of the plane, a limo picked us up and he dropped me off at my front door. I got pictures of it. I was just shocked. He was such a nice guy.

Now that’s a great Chicago story!

Seriously. I don’t think you can top that.

Lastly, if you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be?

Adam Sandler.

Photography by Natalie Probst