It was a night of first impressions for U.S. Navy Lieutenant Andy Baldwin and the 25 women competing for his affection during the premiere of The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman, ABC's tenth installment of the reality dating series. But when it was over, 10 girls were sent packing before they feel they probably even had a chance to make any lasting impact on the 30-year-old undersea medical officer stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI.
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The first 10 women eliminated from Officer and a Gentleman were Blakeney, a 29-year-old in radio sales who currently resides in Birmingham, AL; Candace Decost, a 23-year-old waitress who currently resides in Hilton Head Island, SC; Catherine Warren, a 23-year-old former Miss Illinois who currently resides in Lake Forest, IL; Danielle V., a 26-year-old attorney who currently resides in Bronx, NY; Jackie, a 23-year-old executive coordinator who currently resides in Minneapolis, MN; Jeanette, a 27-year-old health care manager who currently resides in Tampa, FL; Jessica, a 32-year-old hedge fund analyst who currently resides in New York, NY; Linda Malek, a 33-year-old attorney who currently resides in Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Lindsay, a 22-year-old student who currently resides in Lawrence, KS; and Tiffany F., a 27-year-old in real estate sales and development who currently resides in St. Louis Park, MN.
The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman's premiere began with the 25 women arriving at a Los Angeles-area mansion and meeting Baldwin for a cocktail party. While it was his 30th birthday, Andy was the one who gave out a gift -- a "first impression rose" that host Chris Harrison explained had to be awarded to the woman Andy felt an "immediate connection with." Andy gave the rose to Stephanie Tipper, a 27-year-old organ donor coordinator who currently resides in Folly Beach, SC -- a move that made her safe from the first elimination but also the immediate target of the other bachelorettes' jealousy for the rest of the evening.
"This rose is for a woman who makes a strong impact on me... who hits me with an energy and a nice smile, just like you did. Will you accept this rose?" Andy said to Stephanie T., who later described the bachelor as "gorgeous, confident and down to earth."
"This rose is the first of many from Andy," said a confident Stephanie T. "I plan on getting rose after rose after rose until I get a ring on my finger."
In addition to Stephanie T., the other 14 women that received roses during The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman's premiere were Alexis, a 26-year-old attorney who currently resides in Southlake, TX; Amanda, a 26-year-old financial analyst who currently resides in Dallas, TX; Amber, a 23-year-old teacher who currently resides in Sugar Land, TX; Bevin, a 28-year-old clinic research coordinator who currently resides in Palo Alto, CA; Danielle Imwalle, a 25-year-old graphic designer who currently resides in Bethel, CT; Erin, a 24-year-old financial analyst who currently resides in Dallas, TX; Kate Brockhouse, a 24-year-old boutique owner who currently resides in Charleston, SC; Nicole Clary, a 26-year-old sales manager who currently resides in Charleston, SC; Peyton, a 24-year-old sorority recruiter who currently resides in Dallas, TX; Stephanie W., a 23-year-old project manager who currently resides in Overland Park, KS; Susan, a 23-year-old boutique manager who currently resides in The Woodlands, TX; Tessa, a 26-year-old social worker who currently resides in San Francisco, CA; Tiffany W., a 28-year-old medical equipment sales representative who currently resides in Boston, MA; and Tina, a 26-year-old medical student who currently resides in Hollywood, CA.
 The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman bachelorette Kate Brockhouse holds her newly received rose as several other bachelorettes anxiously anticipate receiving one of their own. (Photo credit ABC/Adam Larkey) |
The women also pulled out all the stops in their attempts to impress the naval officer. Bevin showed-off her scars from mountain biking; Tina sang the "Star Spangled Banner" (commented Andy, "No one has ever sung personally to me... especially the National Anthem."); Tessa told the serendipitous story of how her mom met her step-father; Peyton revealed she and Andy share the same birthday (although six years apart); Nicole and Tiffany W. made him a birthday cake (but used tequila instead of eggs); Linda performed some push-ups; Kate did the worm (backwards!); and Stephanie W. did some flips while wearing a dress.
"I'm so thrilled... they have impressed me more than my wildest dreams," said Andy. "There are definitely women here who I could see myself being with for the rest of my life."
One of those women apparently wasn't Lindsay, who jealously called Stephanie T. "heinous" and also bitched-out a drunk Blakeney. As soon as she learned she was not receiving one of Andy's roses, she left the yacht.
"I want to leave. I want to go. I'm done... at that point, there was no reason for me to be in there," said Lindsay. "Truth be told, [Andy is] short and his head looks big and his teeth look big."
While Lindsay's done, the same can't be said for the remaining 15 suitors that will continue to fight for Andy's affection. The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman's second episode will air Monday, April 9 at 9:30PM ET/PT on ABC.
(Photo credit ABC/Adam Larkey) About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
