Our favorite dating show is back for its 21st season! “The Bachelorette” returns to the small screen, this time featuring its first Asian American leading lady, Jenn Tran, on her journey to find true love.
The series will be available on its usual streaming services and channels, following the beloved, strict schedule we’ve come to expect. Look forward to all the classic events: Hometowns, Fantasy Suites, Men Tell All, and more.
As always, both the bachelorette and the contestants must adhere to the production’s rules, some of which are absolutely outrageous. Here, we reveal some of the craziest ones.
How does ‘The Bachelorette’ work?
The general rules that organize the show are straightforward: The bachelorette is chosen from a previous season of “The Bachelor,” and she must select a potential husband from a pool of at least 25 men.
It all begins with the lead woman giving roses to the male contestants during the rose ceremony, held in front of the famous mansion. Here, the bachelorette decides who will continue spending time with her by handing each chosen contestant a rose after meeting them individually. At least one contestant won’t receive a rose and will go home.
This initial part of the selection process has seen many spontaneous rule changes over the years, including distributing more or fewer roses than planned.
Week after week, date after date, the pool of contenders gets smaller until the bachelorette must choose between two contestants in the final rose ceremony. In the end, one of the two male suitors proposes to the bachelorette. These are the most general norms, but there are also many others.
Craziest rules of ‘The Bachelorette’
Strict eligibility requirements
The golden question: How do they pick the bachelorette? According to the eligibility requirements, you must be at least 21 years old at the time of application. Additionally, you cannot currently be a candidate for any type of elected political office, have been convicted of a felony, or ever had a restraining order entered against you.
Moreover, your family must not be connected to any entities involved in producing the show. So, if you have, for example, a sibling who serves coffee at Warner Media, don’t even dream of participating.
Cellphones and social media are prohibited
As with any reality show involving close interaction, contestants on the production are heavily restricted in sharing their experience from the moment they are cast.
First, upon signing the contract, you agree not to tell anyone about your participation. Then, once filming begins, say goodbye to your cellphone and social media for at least 6 to 9 weeks, which is the typical duration of “The Bachelorette” in real life.
No money provided for clothing
Amidst all the expenses the production team has to cover to make the show, providing clothes for the bachelorette and contestants is not one of them. Take Jillian Harris, for example, who revealed she took out a second mortgage on her house to buy $8,000 worth of clothing for “The Bachelor.”
However, for key moments of the show, ABC producers will outfit the men in the best suits and the women in the most beautiful dresses. But they won’t give you money to buy them—they choose them for you!
No patterns allowed. Ever.
Of course, contestants on “The Bachelorette” are expected to adhere to a strict dress code, keeping up with the latest fashion trends. This means no patterns allowed. So, bid farewell to any clothing adorned with stripes, dots, or anything similar. Oh, and forget about wearing solid white altogether.
Get ready for physical evaluations (and deep conversations)
Production requires all participants to be in peak physical condition to compete. Therefore, prior to joining, you must undergo an STD test, a COVID test, and a psychological evaluation.
Additionally, contestants are also subject to psychological evaluations to ensure they can handle the emotional highs and lows of reality television.
Closeted eating
Have you ever found yourself hungry while watching those elaborate dishes prepared for the lead lady and her contestants? Well, forget about ever tasting them. It’s a strict rule that no one eats on camera. Instead, everyone is fed in their hotel rooms before and after dates.
Dreaming of having a secret persona? Not on this show
When auditioning for the show, you’re required to complete a personality test. This helps producers predict your development and compatibility with the others contestants—a standard procedure for titles of this kind.
But are you ready to tackle 150 questions? And trust us, they can get pretty bizarre. For example, be prepared to answer if you’ve ever considered that you could control things with your mind.
No secrets allowed on ‘The Bachelorette’
Think you can hide a big mistake and still make it onto the show? Think twice. Don’t assume you can bypass eligibility rules by keeping secrets from the casting people. According toAmy Kaufman, a private investigator is part of the team and can uncover any sketchy details about you long before you have a chance to confess.
The impossible packing list
According to Bachelorette Andi Dorfman, packing for the show requires a diverse and extensive wardrobe to endure at least six weeks of varied climates and occasions.
As she puts it, you need to pack “for both cold and warm weather; athletic wear; bathing suits; heels; tennis shoes; sandals; cocktail, long, and casual dresses; and heavy coats.” The craziest part? You’re only allowed to bring two to three suitcases.
You can’t always do as you please (even when it looks like you can)
It’s obvious, but interesting to learn that even moments that seem to break the rules are often orchestrated. For instance, Bachelorette Emily Maynard revealed that instances where a contestant steals time with the leading lady away from others are frequently suggested by the production team to create drama.
She also mentioned wanting to give Arie Luyendyk Jr. her first impression rose, but was recommended to give it to someone less competitive among the other contestants.
