I made it to the final round of casting for The Bachelor. This is my story. Halle Kathryn Follow Mar 5 · 7 min read

July 24, 2018 — The Call

It was a hot and sticky day in Cleveland when I received a call from an LA number. I was working as a health insurance broker by day and a hostess by night, so at the time I was unable to answer the call because my hostess duties had just begun. They left a voicemail, so I sneaked (I hate the past tense of sneak so much) away to the bathroom to listen. They said they were calling from The Bachelor and saw my application and wanted to meet me when they came to Cleveland next week. I was in shock and could barely get through my shift and was trying to remember when/ if I ever applied for the show. Oh, but how could I forget drinking wine with my friend and submitting each other. I also remember submitting my brother and some guy I dated for a hot second because they both would make excellent TV. Alas, it was I who received the call.

I was told to take pictures to show my true personality. I enlisted my sister’s help and took some cute, relatable, quirky and not at all uncomfortable pictures. See below.

Me being fun and cute

July 29, 2018— Day of Bachelor Audition in Cleveland

I was a few minutes late to a first date with a guy I’d only messaged a couple times on Instagram. I apologized profusely and told him that it was because I was at my aunt’s funeral, and he proceeded to say that he was a little annoyed at first but he was able to walk around downtown and really enjoyed his alone time. I thought to myself, ‘Huh! Some men really are trash,” and proceeded to not feel guilty at all about going to the audition immediately afterwards. I do have to add that he barely asked me one question and instead showed me an illustrated book that was about… himself. Anyways, back to the audition.

I text my mom that I need to make a quick escape so she whisks me away from the date in her chariot and drops me off at the Marriott hotel downtown. The auditions were going to be over in five minutes and there was still a long line of girls. Since I had to sprint to my mom’s car, change and do hair and makeup in the car, I was sweaty and panting by the time I was told to sit down and fill out the first of many surveys I would have to do. I then put my name on a whiteboard and held it up for the camera like a criminal. After I name-drop the producer that called me, I’m whisked away to a secret room where they ask me all sorts of light questions on camera, like if I was ever traumatized by an ex or if I have daddy issues. Just kidding (kind of). I’m also asked about a scar I have on my cheek and I still kick myself for not making up a story about getting mixed up with Los Zetas.

When I finish up my initial interview and leave the room, I hear my name being called. I turn around and see that they’re beckoning me back to their lair. I walk back inside and am handed a thick packet. They tell me that they’re going to push me to the next round and that I need to overnight the completed packet that evening. I also was told to sneak out the back because apparently this is now a James Bond movie. I head home and start filling out the pile of questions and ship it out a few hours later.

August 7, 2018 — LA Day One

I make it to LA for my first time ever and am taken to a hotel by the airport. I am told to text the producers if I ever want anything from the outside world, and that I can order whatever food I want off the menu. They hand me $80 which I think is a good amount until I see that one waffle is $21. I still order it.

The first night I was given MORE surveys and quizzes to complete that consisted of deep questions like, “What is your favorite animal?” and “What is your favorite fruit and why?” At 11pm my hand is begging me to stop but I soldier on because I’m no quitter, and I hear a knock at the door. The producers want to approve my outfit the next day. They pick their favorite and leave me to it. I start researching guys from the previous season to see if any give me husband vibes, and I decide that I like Blake Horstmann and Jason Tartick.

August 8, 2018 — Audition Day

Day of audition, trying to look cool and smug

I’m jumping on the bed trying to calm my nerves when I hear a knock.

Stop one: Photoshoot. They hand me a mimosa and walk me to a hotel room that is set up like a photography studio. I dance around awkwardly and get some pictures taken that I will never see again, and am abruptly ushered back to my room afterwards.

Stop two: I’m brought to a bored looking human who turns out to be a psychiatrist. He asks if I ever have crazy thoughts and I tell him that sometimes when I’m driving I think about turning into a maniac and driving into a tree. He writes something down. I immediately regret saying that.

Stop three: Blood and urine. They tell me I would be surprised by the amount of people that have to get denied from the show because of STDs. So there’s your fun fact: no one on the show has STDs. They say that they’ve had to call people and be the first to tell them about it and it’s very uncomfortable. The nice woman sticks a needle in my arm. I pass out.

Just kidding!!! I’m no wuss.

Stop four: On-camera interview. I am interviewed in a typical setting for the show, with dim lights and candles. The producer looks bored. I feel dumb. She asks me about my ex and I tell her that he was great but it didn’t work out. She presses for more details and I tell her that I really have nothing bad to say. She gives up and asks about my college experience. I tell her that I went to Christian college and that we had to put a shoe in the door if we had a guy over, and it was only allowed on the weekend from 7–10pm. She hates me.

Stop five: Surprise!!!!!!!!! She walks me into the room next door where there are about 40 producers and one chair at the front. That chair is for me. I toss back my mimosa and sit down. They pepper me with questions and if I’m being honest with you, I am THRIVING. The main producer of the show (he doesn’t work there anymore) tells me that I’m funny. Then he asks if it’s important to me to be seen as funny. I tell him that I’m not trying, it’s just my state of being. They ask me which guy I like. I say Jason and Blake look cool. They nod.

I go back to my room and plank face down on the bed. I did it.