It’s that time of year again! ABC is rolling out a fresh new batch of 25 eligible bachelors from around the country world who will be competing for the heart and hand of Emily Maynard in the eighth installment of the hugely popular romantic reality competition The Bachelorette, premiering May 14!
This season we see Emily Maynard returning for love after having won Season 15 of The Bachelor and accepting the proposal of The Bachelor retread Brad Womack. That relationship had it’s very public ups and downs before Emily eventually called things off and returned to being a single mom to her daughter Josephine Riddick “Ricki” Hendrick in her home state of North Carolina.
The combination of Emily’s kind heartedness, Southern charm, and amazingly tragic back story won over the hearts of The Bachelor viewers and once she became single again, ABC couldn’t resist giving her another very public shot at finding true love! (The network even relocated to North Carolina to make it happen!)
Today the names and photos of the 25 young men hoping to play husband to Emily and daddy to little Ricki were revealed on ABC.com as well as some brief bio info. Without further ado, here are the first 13 dudes for your brutally harsh judging pleasure! (The others are soon to come in a “Part 2” post)
UPDATE – They’re heeeere! Check out the remaining 12 eligible hunks and scroll down to the bottom to let us know who your preseason favorites are by taking the poll!
***I’ve highlighted in red some of the more, um, interesting things from the bios and Q&As.
Aaron Martell
Age: 36
Occupation: Biology Teacher
Hometown: North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Do you like to go out dancing? If yes, what is your preferred type of dancing? No. Unfortunately I am rather shy when it comes to that. I’m pretty good at bobbing my head to the beat while sitting though!
Describe your idea of the ultimate date? I’ve been on dates in a variety of settings but very few of them (if any) had conversation that was stimulating, funny, thought provoking, etc. all rolled into one. I guess what I am saying is its the person I’m with more than the activity of the date that really determines if it is an ultimate date or not.
Do you prefer a woman who wants to be pursued or a woman who pursues you and why? Because I am relatively shy on making that initial contact, I love it when a woman pursues me. It shows confidence and that she’s not your average woman. Hot.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself? Sometimes I prepare too much for the future and don’t live enough for today when I can enjoy it most. Who knows if I will be here tomorrow!
Tattoo Count: 0
Starcasm’s most likely to: get a concussion if the contestants are asked to box each other.
Alejandro
Age: 25
Occupation: Mushroom Farmer
Hometown: Medellin, Colombia
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring with you and why? A picture of my mom so I can keep fighting, a knife, and duct tape (that stuff always comes in handy!).
Do you prefer “hot spot” type clubs or low-key bars and why? Depends on the night – if I’m celebrating I like to go big, but otherwise low key nights are a blast.
Do you consider yourself a romantic and why? Yeah – my mom always says that a good man provides for his family, but a better man makes his girl fall in love with him every single day.
What super power would you choose to have? Why? See the future so I can change it!
Tattoo Count: N/A
Starcasm’s most likely to: wink a lot when he tells Emily over dinner, “No, you will really like these mushrooms, I promise.”
Alessandro
Age: 30
Occupation: Grain Merchant
Hometown: Uberlandia, Brazil
Who do you admire the most in the world and why? My mom for being an example for anyone on how to raise a family and for taking such good care of my Dad.
Do you speak any languages other than English? Portuguese and Spanish
What is your greatest extravagance? I spend too much money on outdoor gear.
Do you like to go dancing? If yes what is your preferred type of dancing? Yes. Anything, electronic the most.
Tattoo Count: 1 Location: Left Arm
Starcasm’s most likely to: be an amazing soccer player.
Arie Luyendyk
Age: 30
Occupation: Race Car Driver
Hometown: Den Bosch, Netherlands
What is your greatest achievement to date? Driving in the INDY 500!
Do you consider yourself romantic and why? Yes. I think the definition of romance is putting your partner first. I believe I do that!
What’s your best date memory? When we took my motorcycle and rode to the park for a picnic. After we rode to the lake and went cliff jumping, it was an awesome day.
What is your motto? Drive fast take chances.
Tattoo Count: 2 Locations: Arm and Ribs
Starcasm’s most likely to: win this whole damn thing! (Dude’s handsome, y’all. Plus, he’s a race car driver just like Emily’s deceased ex-fiance, and he’s from the Netherlands! No contest.)
Brent
Age: 41
Occupation: Technology Salesman
Hometown: Midland, TX
What are your favorite activities to do in a group? Love pulling out the boat in the summer and loading everyone up spending the day on the lake. Soccer, golf, etc.
Do you consider yourself a romantic and why? I’m a closet romantic. I only show the one I’m in love with.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being with your life partner and sharing memories and always making more.
What is your motto? Never give up.
Tattoo Count: 6 Locations: Arms, Legs, Chest and Back
Starcasm’s most likely to: not participate in the Speedo photo shoot.
Charlie Grogan
Age: 32
Occupation: Recruiter
Hometown: Worcester, MA
Do you have any pets, if so what kind? Yes, English Bulldog
What is your greatest fear? RATS!!!
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Every dog fed and every child with a roof over his head.
What is your motto? Live everyday like it’s your last
Tattoo Count: 2 Location: Right and Left Arms
Starcasm’s most likely to: not get a concussion if the contestants are asked to box each other.
Chris Bukowski
Age: 25
Occupation: Corporate Sales Director
Hometown: Bartlett, IL
Do you consider yourself a neat or messy or in between? Definitely in between. When I’m at home, everybody has to be neat and tidy. When I’m at work, I would say my office is an organized mess.
Who are your top 3 favorite groups/artists & why?
Rascal Flatts – Their music seriously gives me goose bumps
Zac Brown Band – Awesome chilling music
Johnny Cash – Rebellious
Do you consider yourself a romantic and why? Yes because I’m always trying to find the next best way to romanticize a woman.
Do you prefer a woman who wants to be pursued or a woman who pursues you? A woman who wants to be pursued. I like a girl that plays hard to get. It’s like a competition.
Tattoo Count: 0
Starcasm’s most likely to: be asked if he has any famous relatives.
David Homyk
Age: 33
Occupation: Singer/Songwriter
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
What is your most embarrassing moment? On stage at a packed venue I dragged my keyboard over about a foot and it was situated under a boom stand which was thereby catapulted into the 3rd row. In the live recording you can hear the clamor and unanimous “OHHH” from the crowd.
Who are your top 3 favorite groups/artists & why? Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden have all inspired me ineffably.
Do you consider yourself a romantic and why? Absolutely. When I’m romantically involved with someone they consume so much of my attention. I find myself smitten and day dreaming about her often.
What is your worst date memory? I went out on a date with a girl who was a fan and everything started out beautifully and after just a couple drinks she spiraled into this emotional tirade about how she knew she “wasn’t good enough” for me. I realized she had some serious issues *upstairs*.
Tattoo Count: 0
Starcasm’s most likely to: be the first to pull out a guitar and awkwardly serenade Emily.
Doug Clerget
Age: 33
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Hometown: Seattle, WA
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you bring with you and why? Salt water to fresh water kit, a fishing pole with appropriate lures and a flare gun with lots of flares
If you wanted to impress a woman what would you do and why? Be there very time they needed me so that they know I was dependable. Not enough guys know how to take care of people anymore.
I hate it when my date: Is hard to talk to or rude to people or only cares about superficial things.
What’s your best date memory? A really long hug at the end of a first date with my ex. Neither one of us wanted to let the other go. It was nice.
Tattoo Count: 2 Locations: Back and Ribs
Starcasm’s most likely to: get his feelings hurt every time Emily goes out with someone else.
Jackson
Age: 29
Occupation: Fitness Model
Hometown: Chicago, IL
If you could be someone else for just one day, who would it be and why? Derek Jeter – He not only plays but is one of the all-time greats at my favorite sport, baseball. Also he is like a god in New York City, the greatest city in the world.
What super power would you choose to have? Why? Flying – I’d never sit in traffic again.
What’s your worst date memory? Girl asked me where I thought “this” was going at dinner on the first date. I was speechless for the first time in my life.
What is your motto? The future is no place to put your better days
Tattoo Count: 0
Starcasm’s most likely to: be the first one to take his shirt off.
Jean-Paul
Age: 35
Occupation: Marine Biologist
Hometown: Moraga, CA
What is the most outrageous thing you have ever done? Quitting my job, selling everything I own and jumping on a plane to travel the world for 6 months – all within 3 weeks.
Who is your favorite author? Malcolm Gladwell right now. I’m very interested in Behavioral Psychology and his books are so well written and easy to read.
Describe your idea of the ultimate date? Sitting on the beach under the stars wrapped in a blanket talking about our greatest fears, biggest dreams and life. There would be tons of cool stuff before that, but this is how it would end.
What superpower would you choose to have and why? Pacifier powers. So I could calm people down preventing wars & conflicts and just get people to chill out.
Tattoo Count: 0
Starcasm’s most likely to: get picked on.
Jef Holm
Age: 27
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Hometown: St. George, UT
What are your 3 worst attributes? Impatient, Perfectionist, Fun Loving
Do you prefer “hot spot” type clubs or low-key bars and why? Low key I like to talk
Do you consider yourself romantic and why? Absolutely. I always have been more than anyone I know.
What is your greatest regret? Not playing soccer for any of the teams that recruited me after high school because I “thought” I was in love.
Tattoo Count: 1 Location: Arm/wrist
Starcasm’s most likely to: annoyingly keep having to say, “No, just one ‘F'”
Joe Gendreau
Age: 27
Occupation: Field Energy Advisor
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Would you say you’re a little bit country or more of a city person? I can do both. I drive a truck and own cowboy boots and a hat. I hunt fish and am from the south. But I also can get dressed up and hit the city for a night out on the town.
Who is your favorite actor and why? Paul Newman because of how much he gave back. He donated all profits and royalties from his food company to charity.
I love it when my date: Is smiling contagiously. If she’s happy, I’m happy.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Having no regrets, not worrying about money and having the best life partner in the whole world!!!
Tattoo Count: 0
Starcasm’s most likely to: be able to do an impersonation of a hurricane symbol just using his mouth.
CLICK HERE for Part 2 with the remaining 12 dudes as well as a poll to let us know who your favorites are!
