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WESTBOROUGH, Mass. -- Westborough resident Nadine, 27, is a full-time law student and Jazzercise instructor who hopes to add "Reality TV" star to that list of accomplishments.
She, along with dozens of hopefuls from across New England, auditioned to be the next contestants on "The Bachelor" during an open casting call on Saturday at Bernie & Phyl's furniture store on Route 9 in Westborough.
Nadine, who declined to give her last name, described herself as a "very private person," but said she was willing to give reality television stardom a try "as a leap of faith."
"I found out that the auditions were just down the street from my mom and dad's house, so I thought, 'let's do this,'" she said.
Ryan Lannon of Cape Cod is originally from Grafton. He said he stopped by to audition to become "The Bachelor" on his way to a friend's wedding.
"I just thought it would be a fun story to have for the wedding," he said. "I haven't even told my parents I'm here."
Would-be contestants, many who admitted to be nervous, auditioned for different reasons.
"I just love the show," said Sandra Goins of Norwalk, Conn.
Jill Hogne of Cambridge said a friend of hers convinced her to audition. "On one hand, I'm a little terrified," Hogne said, "on the other, I've been on a string of bad first dates, so why not?"
Jack Haley of Waltham said he was the only single person left in his circle of family and friends. "Any chance like this I'll take," he said. "What have I got to lose? You never know. All my friends have told me, 'you just gotta do it.'"
Bernie & Phyl's have hosted auditions for other shows, including "The Amazing Race" and "Family Feud" at their Saugus location, but this was the first time a casting call was held in their Westborough store, according to company representative Margaret Sallafia.
"The Bachelor" which first aired in 2002, pits 25 single woman in an elimination competition to woo one single man. It is most recognizable for the "rose ceremony," where the bachelor decides which woman stays for another round and who goes home.
Those who auditioned had their photo taken, answered a written questionnaire, and were interviewed about their personalities and dating experiences. The ones with the right stuff for Bachelor's casting personnel will be called back for another round of auditions.
Asked why she decided to audition, Whitney Greene of Lancaster, N.H. said, "It's a new adventure."
"Why not?" she asked.
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