A former beauty queen and Northport native will be competing for the heart of a famous "bachelor" on national television.

Hannah Brown is one of 23 women competing on the 23rd season of ABC’s "The Bachelor" for the affections of Colton Underwood, a former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and a contestant on the 14th season of "The Bachelorette." On the show, she is known as "Hannah B."

The three-hour season premiere debuted Monday night and was watched by over 5.1 million people, according to Nielsen ratings.

"Hi, I’m Hannah," Brown said on the episode as she stood beneath the "Roll Tide," "Title Town" train bridge in Northport. "Welcome to Alabama."

Brown, 23, is a 2017 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in public relations. Before going on "The Bachelor," the Tuscaloosa County High alumnus worked as an interior decorator at Gracefully Done in Northport.

Brown, who has competed in beauty pageants since she was 15, was crowned Miss Alabama USA last year, but failed to place in the top 15 during the Miss USA beauty pageant in Shreveport, Louisiana.

During an interview with The Tuscaloosa News last January, Brown said she wanted to use her role as Miss Alabama USA to encourage girls who feel lonely or rejected.

"My message is that you can be confident in who you are," she said. "Life is not perfect and that’s OK."

During the season premiere, Brown’s love of the Crimson Tide was on full display.

"I grew up in 'Title Town,' home of the champions," she said.

The first time Brown meets Underwood on camera, Brown was quick to mention she was from Alabama, even getting Underwood to say "Roll Tide" with her.

"This can work," she said.

A major theme alluded to in the premiere that will likely play a role in the season is that Underwood is a virgin.

"I’m not a virgin but sex is a big deal so Colton’s ‘The Bachelor’ and that he’s a virgin is super appealing to me," Brown said. "I honestly couldn’t believe people were like, ‘What?’ I was like, ‘Oh my God! That’s so awesome!’ It’s so amazing, but then I’m like, ‘How?’"

A part of the episode featured Underwood getting to know several of the contestants before making a decision on who would move forward. During their time together in the first episode, Brown spoke about how happy she was to meet him.

"First, I wanted to tell you I am just so glad that you’re the Bachelor and I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t," she said.

During their talk, Brown asked Underwood the scariest thing he had ever done. He said it was opening up about who he was to a lot of people, but that it was "the most rewarding and best thing ever."

"That’s probably one of the most attractive things about you," she said.

When Underwood asked Brown what scared her, she said she was afraid of not being enough in everything that she did.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to excel and it’s something I totally struggle with but I’m working on it and trying to be open about it," she said.

Ultimately, Brown felt she made a connection with Underwood in that moment.

"I feel so much relief that I’ve made my presence known to him and I believe there was a connection made," she said. "So I’m hoping that he wants to keep me around."

By the end of the episode, Underwood picked Brown and 22 other women to continue on the show with him, sending six women away.

During one preview of the upcoming episodes, Brown is seen kissing Underwood and talking fondly of him.

"I absolutely see myself falling in love with Colton," she said.

"The Bachelor" broadcasts every Monday night at 7 p.m. on ABC.

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.