Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The Bachelor' star Brad Womack narrows the field to 15 bachelorettes

The 25 women attempting to woo Brad Womack got their first chance during last night's premiere broadcast of The Bachelor's eleventh installment. But when it was over, the 34-year-old Austin, TX bar owner sent 10 packing in his journey to find true love via the long-running ABC reality dating series.

"Tonight was the biggest whirlwind of my entire life," said Brad. "I'm realizing that my decision will affect the rest of my life."

The 10 bachelorettes Brad ousted at the onset of The Bachelor 11 were Jessica, a 27-year-old news anchor from Lady Lake, FL; Juli, a 24-year-old law student from Chicago, IL; Kim, a 31-year-old realtor from Woodbridge, CT; Lori, a 33-year-old biology teacher from Annapolis, MD; Melissa, a 28-year-old event planner from Westchester, NY; Morgan, a 24-year-old graduate student from Tempe, AZ; Natalie, a 25-year-old law student from Duncanville, TX; Rigina, a 31-year-old account representative from San Diego, CA; Susan, a 35-year-old project analyst from St. Charles, IL; and Tauni, a 31-year-old emergency room nurse from St. Louis Park, MN.

"Nobody goes through this whole entire process to go home the first night. I don't what else I could have done differently. I tried to be myself," said Tauni. "I came here looking for my happily ever after. I'd love to find the love of my life and to be happily in love and married. It will happen... just not this time."

The Bachelor 11 began with the with the 25 suitors meeting Brad at his Malibu "bachelor pad" for a cocktail party that -- similar to previous installments of the show -- lasted until the next morning. Once all of the women introduced themselves to The Bachelor 11's star and host Chris Harrison hammered home the point to viewers that Brad is the "sexiest Bachelor ever," he tried to spend a little one-on-one time with each girl.

Each of the bachelorettes took a different approach in attempting to make Brad remember her for The Bachelor 11's first Rose Ceremony.

Kristy, a 29-year-old acupuncturist from Chicago, IL, examined Brad's tongue and diagnosed that he was "under some stress." Hillary, a 27-year-old registered nurse from Philadelphia, PA, gushed about the broken nose she recently suffered while Erin, a 25-year-old publishing sales executive from Tampa, FL, did one better by explaining how she suffered a broken face twice. Jessica decided to put her skills as an anchorwoman to the test to ask Brad the "hard questions."

"The girl right now that stands out in my mind is Jenni," said Brad, talking about the 27-year-old Phoenix Suns cheerleader from Wichita, KS. "It's because of her laugh. Everything I say she laughs at! It could be a bad thing maybe, but I think she's just truly happy."

Michele, a 30-year-old realtor from South Brunswick, NJ, tried to put Jenni on the spot by having her showoff some of her cheerleader moves for Brad. However the move backfired when he actually enjoyed it.

"I'm kind of annoyed. I feel that I kind of put Jenni on the pedestal by telling her to dance, and [Brad] loved it," regretted Michele.

Lindsey, a 25-year-old model who currently resides in Livania, MI but is originally from Texas presented Brad with a yellow rose and sang "The Yellow Rose of Texas" for him. It wasn't the best rendition of the song, but it was a better approach then what some of the other girls tried. Tauni flaunted her butt in the Bachelor's face; Juli contorted herself into an unflattering human pretzel; and Morgan revealed she had webbed toes.

But it was Melissa who stole the show, imbibing way too much of the ABC-supplied alcohol for the evening. When one of her breast enhancers fell out of her dress, she went on a mission to find it, which amused the other suitors who had recovered it but didn't give it back. Melissa eventually found herself in conversation with Brad, but stumbled badly over her words and couldn't stop describing him as "sweet" or "sweetness."

"Our conversation just unfortunately seemed to be going nowhere," said Brad with a laugh. "I hate to say that, but I think she was enjoying her glass of wine a little more than she was enjoying me."

Mallory, a 24-year-old nanny who currently resides in Honolulu, HI, also stole the show but it was in a much more endearing way than Melissa, as she stripped down to a bikini and jumped in the backyard pool. Brad said he had "no idea" what Mallory was doing in the pool, but quickly added he "wanted to jump in and join her." She told him she thought he should remove his pants. Like a gentleman, Brad declined.

"When I went in the pool I got to have the one-on-one time that I hadn't had," explained Mallory. "If the girls were upset, then they can be upset. I don't care if they're jealous."

Brad than felt he had seen enough and decided to give the "first impression rose" to Jenni, which meant she was safe from the first elimination. Solisa, a 25-year-old aesthetician from Georgetown, TX, was "disappointed" and Lindsey said it "sucks."

"I seriously was not expecting it at all, not even one little bit," said Jenni. "But I'm so excited and I felt so happy."

"I gave Jenni the first impression rose," said Brad. "So many women have struck a chord with me tonight and I'm a little blown away. I'm thinking not only do I believe I can find a wife, I will find my wife."

Brad and the bachelorettes than participated in The Bachelor 11's first Rose Ceremony.

"First of all I'm very confused. I'm very nervous," said Brad. "I am here to find a wife, so if I send the wrong one home tonight, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

The 15 women who received roses and remained in the running for Brad's heart were Bettina, a 27-year-old realtor from Washington, DC; DeAnna, a 25-year-old realtor from Neunan, GA; Erin; Estefania, a 26-year-old executive assistant from Atlanta, GA; Hillary; Jade, a 24-year-old boutique sales from Nashville, TN; Jenni; Kristy; Lindsey; Mallory; McCarten, a 26-year-old account manager from San Diego, CA; Michele; Sarah, a 23-year-old bar manager from O'Fallon, IL; Sheena, a 23-year-old Internet marketing executive from Walnut Creek, CA; and Solisa.

"I really did honestly think like 'sweetness.' I just thought he was sweet," explained Melissa, who appeared to have sobered up a bit since the sun had risen. "I don't know what went wrong. I had one-on-one time with him. I was myself. I smile, which usually gets guys pretty good... and nothing. I totally didn't think I'd be a reject, but I am. I totally didn't think I'd be cast off in the first episode... I thought when it was happening that it was happening for a reason and now I'm like, 'What the hell is this s**t?!'"

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