'Bachelor' Womack: 'Public reaction tough'

Bachelor star Brad Womack has admitted that he "felt like public enemy number one" following his first stint on the show.

The 37-year-old - who will front a second season of the show next year - chose not to pick either finalist Jenni Croft or DeAnna Pappas on the finale of the ABC show's 11th run.

"I turn on Ellen DeGeneres and she is talking to her audience. She says, 'Did you guys watch The Bachelor? What a jerk'. And the audience is cheering," he told People.

"It hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I was public enemy number one. It was extremely eye-opening to figure out what seemed to be all of America hating me. It was tough."

However, he now insists that he is "ready to meet someone" as he begins filming on the show's 15th season, marking the first time that a Bachelor star has been invited to return for a second chance.

"I have changed," he said. "I am not the same guy and I'm going to prove it... I have not been in a relationship since I participated on The Bachelor. Now I want to come home to a beautiful family and provide for them."

The Bachelor returns to ABC in January 2011.