The Bachelor's Texas Ties
Austin native and 3 other Texans vie for love on new season of The Bachelor
Break out the popcorn: ABC has announced the lineup of single ladies competing for the heart of The Bachelor, Ben Higgins, when the hit reality show returns January 4, 2016. This season has a Texas bent, with four contestants hailing from the Lone Star State.
Higgins was rejected by Kaitlyn Bristowe on last season’s The Bachelorette, but the 27-year-old Colorado businessman still hopes to find love. Twenty-eight girls are competing to win his heart, including twin sisters, a chicken lover, and a Dallas contestant who boasts a special tongue talent.
From romantics looking for true love to drama queens looking for trouble, the range of personas promises Monday night thrills. Here's a glimpse of the four Texas contestants on the show, along with a few other interesting singles from across the U.S.
Olivia Caridi
Hometown: Austin
The 23-year-old news anchor, currently based in Virginia, is hoping Higgins will warm up to her. A fan of cold weather, she is big on hot chocolate, scarves, flannel sweaters, and cuddling.
Lauren Russell
Hometown: Houston
It will take some work for Lauren R. to separate herself from the homogeneous Lauren pack. Could the 26-year-old math teacher be the perfect 10 for Higgins? She names chick-flick The Notebook as one of her all-time favorite movies. She also lists kitten cuddles and popcorn and movies with her sister on her to-do list for a typical lazy Saturday night.
Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher
Hometown: Dallas
Fletcher, 24, may only be average at cooking, but she boasts skills in other areas. The real estate developer declares her special talent is twisting her tongue into a three-leaf clover.
Maegan Miller
Hometown: Weatherford
How does the spunky, small-town cowgirl rope a guy in? "Ass grabbing always works great!" Definitely not timid, the 30-year-old also says, if given the choice to be any animal, she'd be a kangaroo. "They kick ass. Literally."
The best of the rest
We'll also be keeping an eye on repeat contestants Becca Tilley and Amber James, both eliminated in season 19 by Chris Soules; 22-year-old identical twins Emily and Haley Ferguson; and 26-year-old Tiara Soleim from Redmond, Washington, a “chicken enthusiast.”
For the full list of contestants head to ABC's website.