Kaitlyn Bristowe not 'ashamed' of intimacy with Nick Viall

LOS ANGELES, June 23 (UPI) -- The Bachelorette season 11 star Kaitlyn Bristowe isn't ashamed of her intimacy with contestant Nick Viall.

The 30-year-old dance instructor said as much to People magazine after viewers saw her spend the night with Viall on Monday's episode. Bristowe chose the 34-year-old software sales executive for her first one-on-one date while the group were in Dublin, Ireland.

"That's something I don't think I should be ashamed of," she asserted. "I know so many people can relate, but it's so easy for them to judge at the same time [because The Bachelorette is public]. It's easier to judge than to relate to my situation!"

Bristowe explained her "heart" led her to make the choice, but the decision failed to sit well with the other contestants. Shawn Booth in particular was upset, and his reaction caused Bristowe to worry she had ruined "another relationship that meant something."

"I felt a little bit of guilt," she admitted before reiterating, "I don't know if I would have done anything differently. Because, what? If if I had waited 10 days to do it in the Fantasy Suite and not talk about it, would it have been better?"

Viall showed his support for Bristowe in a series of tweets following the episode, writing, "Kaitlyn showed a lot of courage by admitting 2 having sex on national TV knowing that she will be unfairly judged by some. #TheBachelorette."

Sex is not shameful. Whether we admit it or not, sex is important part of many serious and meaningful relationships #TheBachelorette

— Nick Viall (@viallnicholas28) June 23, 2015

Both men and women have an equal right to have sex without judgement #TheBachelorette #bachelorette

— Nick Viall (@viallnicholas28) June 23, 2015

Bristowe invited Viall to join The Bachelorette in week four, causing season 10 Bachelorette Andi Dorfman to warn the dance instructor to "run" from her former suitor. New episodes of season 11 air Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.