Rachel Truehart, of Southampton, is a candidate on "The Bachelor".
SOUTHAMPTON -- When she first stepped out of the limousine in a red, floor-length gown, Rachel Truehart’s family and friends screamed and cheered.
“She had been texting me photos of all the clothes she bought to wear on the show and I was so excited to see her come out first,” said Kimberly Truehart, cousin to Rachel Truehart, who is among 25 women selected to be on the latest season of the ABC reality TV show, “The Bachelor.”
The show, which airs on Monday nights, pits women against each other to vie for the affections of a man -- in this case wine maker Ben Flajnik. Truehart was nominated for the show by a family friend.
“I was actually really surprised that she took a chance and went for it, since it was not something she was expecting or looking for,” said Kimberly Truehart, who now lives in Boston.
Rachel Truehart was raised in Southampton but now resides in New York City. She has been home for several weeks, preparing for the Jan. 2 debut of the show and celebrating the holidays with her family, many of whom are thrilled to see her on television.
“It was so exciting to see her on the show. She looked beautiful,” said Darcy Truehart, Rachel Truehart’s aunt and a long-time resident of Southampton.
The Trueharts are no strangers to reality TV. Rachel’s sister Crystal Truehart appeared on “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency” show on the Oxygen network in 2006.
“They are both beautiful girls, and it doesn’t surprise me that they would be chosen for shows like this,” Darcy Truehart said.
People in town seem excited about the show and keep asking if Rachel is her daughter, Darcy Truehart added.
“I have three girls close in age to Rachel and Crystal, and the five girls grew up very close, so I often get confused as her mom,” she said.
The family held a catered party for over 100 people to watch the first episode last week.
Rachel Truehart made it through the first round of the show, making her one of 18 women who received roses as Flajnik decided who he wanted to spend more time with; she had told Flajnik when she first arrived that her middle name is, appropriately, “Rose.” She also confided in the first show that she had given up her job in fashion merchandising to head to California and take a chance on “The Bachelor.”
Ted Blais, of Ted’s Creative Jewelers in Southampton, was at the Truehart family event.
“It was a great party. The food was wonderful, and the family was so happy to have Rachel home. I have known the family for a long time, and Rachel is an amazing girl. She is really down to Earth, and she hasn’t changed because of the show, which is the best part,” he said.
A 2002 graduate of Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton, Rachel Truehart, 27, is being closely watched by teachers at the school.
“I had her and her sister Crystal when they went to school here. I believe Rachel was in my Spanish class,” said Laura Facteau, a teacher at the high school. “I just remember her as being a very likable and sweet girl.”
Facteau said many people are rooting for Truehart.
“I know a lot of teachers who would never watch the show, who are watching just to see Rachel and are hoping she does well,” she said.
Blais said he will be watching the show as long as Truehart is on it.
“She is just a hometown girl, very fun-loving and kind. She is a warm person, and she deserves this opportunity,” he said.
The show airs Mondays at 8 p.m.