‘I wanted to come on the show to find true love.’ What it’s like to audition for The Bachelor.

Two weeks ago, I was sitting in the Westin Hotel in Chicago answering a reporter’s questions before I auditioned to be on The Bachelor. I wanted to come on the show to find true love. In the past, relationships have ended when men dumped me because I was bald.

I have Alopecia. But I also have a running career (I’ve run more than 27 marathons since 2012). And what I’m really looking for in a partner is a good heart, support, honesty and kindness.

I really do believe you can find love on a television show. It’s about the two people in the relationship, whether they really want to make it work, their willingness to compromise and their feelings about each other.

Let me rewind. I have been a fan of The Bachelor franchise since it began airing in 2002 and I proudly will admit that I have watched every single season and even recently began filling out a bracket these last few seasons. Like everything else I do, I am in it to win it.

Throughout the years I had always had thoughts about trying out for the show. I am a huge fan, I’m single, and I just love doing things in life that are exciting. One of my biggest life mottos is, life is too short, take the chance.

But, every single time auditions came to Charlotte, I was always out of town and never able to make it to a local audition. I figured this was a clear sign I shouldn’t go for it. And I wasn’t going to travel just to audition, but there are definitely people that I have met that have done so, or tried out multiple times.

It was just a few weeks ago during a commercial break that an advertisement for an upcoming open casting call was going to take place in Chicago, the same exact weekend I would already be there visiting friends. My heart skipped a beat and I couldn’t believe the perfect timing of it all. I convinced myself (with help from my friends as well) that this was my sign, and my chance to really do it. I was going to do it! I was going to try out for The Bachelor!

Then came the biggest question on my mind: What should I wear?

I found so many mixed reviews and opinions online that I felt overwhelmed and decided the best thing was to just be myself.

I printed off my application a few days before and was expecting this to be lengthy and full of in depth questions. However, to my surprise, besides just my basic information, the toughest question I came across was, “What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself that would surprise people?.

I wrote: sweet-toothed, competitive and funny.

I don’t have a criminal or crazy background story, so most of the questions didn’t apply to me. I was feeling confident at that point. I breezed through the written part and was feeling good about myself.

Fast forward to the weekend finally being here. I was in one of my favorite cities with my friends, enjoying the hot weather, Wrigley Field and all of the delicious Chicago-inspired food the day before. Then, Saturday morning finally came. After spending at least an hour earlier in the week trying on different outfits I had finally settled on my choice; a fitted, white lace, knee-length dress with sandals to keep it more casual and comfortable. And fun earrings, my favorite go-to accessory! I put on my regular make-up, nothing too much, and felt ready to go.

Disclaimer: I did have a large mimosa before to calm the nerves.

We arrived at The Westin downtown as I took a deep breath and walked through the gigantic, gold-accented front doors. The sweet gentleman at the front desk took one look at me and said, “You go girl, you get that rose,” and pointed me to the elevator to head up to the 16th floor. I immediately looked at my friend and wouldn’t let her leave my side until I actually got in the ballroom. I remember thinking to myself in the elevator, “What am I doing?”

Suddenly, we stepped off the elevator and walk into a ballroom of at least 100-plus beautiful woman in huge stiletto heels, tight dresses, long hair and tons of make up. You could smell all of the different perfumes at once; it was enough to give you a headache. But, I was there and determined to do it.

I took a deep breath and made my way to the front of the room to sign in and hand in my application. I was given lucky #39 and took a seat near the back waiting for my number to be called. The whole time, I was texting my friends to give them the play by play.

First, it was a simple round of having my picture taken several times, all from various angles. The girl in back of me started talking about her earrings from Michael Kors and all I could offer was, “These are from Target.”

After my pictures were done I took a seat again in the main ballroom, waiting for the next part. This whole time my girlfriends were keeping my pumped up and laughing through hilarious texts and memes. I was feeling excited and was ready for whatever would come next. At this point, the room was packed.

Then the reporter came up to me. She told me I was really genuinely beautiful, that she could feel my spirit in my smile. Talk about one of the sweetest compliments. Then I realized she wanted to interview me.

And take pictures of me — in the middle of the room. As I made my way to the center of the room I could feel all the stares and piercing eyes as I posed. It was safe to say I would not be making any lasting friendships here with the other contestants. After my small moment of fame I sat back down, and no one else talked to me for the rest of the wait.

What felt like an hour later I was finally called to my next portion of the interview, the camera round. The list of people still auditioning was whittled down at this point.

I went into a room with one camera woman, take a seat in a chair and wait for her to start asking questions. I was a little nervous at this point, I didn’t know what to expect. I introduced myself and then she jumped right into in depth questions about why I wanted to be on the show, past relationships, my flaws, what I was truly looking for and how I pictured my future. Surprisingly, I was able to answer all of the questions smoothly.

She told me a little more about the follow up process, when I should expect to hear back and what the next steps are. There are auditions continuing throughout the country in various cities for the remainder of the month while the current season of The Bachelorette finishes up. I can expect to hear back in one month, after all the auditions are complete.

Usually the fan favorite (or at least the last few seasons) of the current season has been chosen for the next Bachelor or Bachelorette. ABC usually waits until the current season is over to make the big announcement so right now it is unknown who the next Bachelor will be.

Becca, the current Bachelorette, is down to her final four men.

There are two who are definite fan favorites that I would hope to become the next Bachelor, if they don’t get picked for the final rose. If this is true and my lucky #39 got called I would definitely jump at the opportunity to date either of the two men (a situation that usually ends in a proposal).

I mean a girl can dream, right?

This story was originally published July 15, 2018 at 11:53 PM with the headline "‘I wanted to come on the show to find true love.’ What it’s like to audition for The Bachelor.."