ALI FEDOTOWSKY
Ali Fedotowsky shares the advice she gave to new “Bachelorette” Rachel Lindsay Ashley Burns Photography

She’s been through the experience herself, so former “Bachelorette” star Ali Fedotowsky definitely has some wise words of advice for the newest star of the franchise, Rachel Lindsay.

Ali, who first competed on Jake Pavelka’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2010 before starring on her own season later that year, tells International Business Times that she loves staying in touch with members of the franchise, especially newer stars like Rachel.

Ali admitted that she often reaches out to stars of the franchise, and says she did contact Rachel before she left on her season to give her advice about what to expect on her journey to find love.

“I just told her to really enjoy it, because it’s so easy to judge and hate it, because it’s really not that fun dating so many guys,” Ali told IBT when asked what advice she would give Rachel. “It’s actually really exhausting, and hard. I just remember being asleep when we were in beautiful places and beautiful countries, and my advice to her was just enjoy every moment. Even as exhausted as you may be, just stay in the moment as much as possible. So I hope she does that.”

Ali, who ended her engagement to her chosen winner Roberto Martinez in 2011, also revealed that she feels the franchise made a great move when it came to casting Rachel, who is the first black cast member to headline their own season.

Read: Why Nick Viall Thinks Rachel Lindsay Will Be An ‘Amazing’ “Bachelorette”

“I have been championing and rooting for Rachel from the beginning,” she said. “I thought it would have been great if she ended up with Nick, but if not, then from the very get-go, I thought that she’d be a great ‘Bachelorette.’”

However, while many are looking forward to seeing Rachel because she is the first black woman to headline a season, Ali also believes she’s a perfect choice because she is a great role model for several other reasons, something that matters to her much more now that she is a mom.

“She is such a solid human being. She’s strong and smart, and well-spoken, and I just think that we are so lucky to get to watch her on this journey,” she said. “I think she’s just such a good role model for girls too, especially now being a mother to a daughter, that’s more important to me than ever, to see strong, smart women in the public eye. I am so excited for Rachel and for all the women that she’s going to inspire watching her season.”

Though Ali isn’t looking for love herself anymore—she married TV and Radio host Kevin Manno in March—she still likes connecting back to her roots in the franchise by incorporating the women of the show into her main venture these days--an affordable fashion blog called Ali Luvs.

“I always reach out to some of the girls from new seasons... because I want to get their outfit details. So I’m always like, ‘Hey, can you tell me what you’re wearing on the show?’” she said. “I always like to still keep connecting with the newbies so it’s cool.”