Do not mess with Bekah M., or Ashley Iaconetti will come for you! In an exclusive interview with Life & Style, The Bachelor alum weighed in on one of this season’s most controversial contenders. Bekah — who is currently competing for Arie Luyendyk Jr.‘s heart — has gained quite a bit of attention given the fact that she’s only 22 years old, whereas her potential suitor is 36.

When it comes to their age difference, Ashley — who is now hosting The Story Of Us on KineticContentTV — had an interesting opinion. “It’s a 14-year age gap, but think about how many successful 14-year age gap couples there are in the world. My aunt and uncle are 14 years apart and it barely phases me — but of course, when they got married, my aunt was like 33,” she explained. “I don’t think that’s a big deal when you’re in your 30s or your upper 20s. I think it’s because Bekah is 22 that makes it shocking and borderline gross to some people — but I don’t think a 14-year age gap is that out of left field. I think it’s because she’s 22, and 22 is so young for a 36-year-old.”

However, the Bachelor in Paradise alum has nothing but love for the California native. “I have such a girl crush on Bekah M. She’s the coolest, and she’s the only one that I’ve been going back and forth a little bit with — like on Instagram messenger. She’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” Ashley gushed.

“She’s so smart. She’s spicy and she speaks her mind. She’s so articulate. I really had a great time watching her. I think when people were talking about her possibly being The Bachelorette at age 22 or 23, at first I was like, ‘That’s so not fair to 29-year-olds like me!’ Those are the girls that need to have a parade of men coming after them. Bekah is going to have a parade of men following her for the rest of her 20s. She doesn’t need this show,” she continued. “Now, for the sake of entertainment, I think I’d really want to see Bekah as The Bachelorette — or, at least queen of Paradise. That being, of course, if she doesn’t win Arie’s heart.”

Watch Ashley on The Story of Us, and on The Bachelor Winter Games starting Feb. 13 on ABC. For more exclusive content, sign up for our Life & Style newsletter!