He’s back! Chris Soules won viewers over on “The Bachelorette,” and now he’s returned to ABC for his own chance to find love on Season 19 of “The Bachelor.” A 33-year-old heartthrob from Iowa, Chris is giving up a lot to travel to the bachelor mansion to meet not 25, but 30 gorgeous and single women. The fourth generation farmer is leaving behind 6,000 acres of land in Arlington – during harvest season, no less – in order to find his future wife … so let the journey begin!

Limo Arrivals Part 1

The premiere episode of “The Bachelor” kicked off with the always-hilarious limo arrivals. Britt, a 27-year-old waitress from Hollywood, California, was the first one out to meet Chris. After an awkward long hug and some weird huffing noises, Britt was able to finally to introduce herself and let him know how excited she was. Before heading into the mansion, Britt slipped Chris a note and told him to come find her later – the note read “free hug from Britt.”

Following Britt was Whitney, a 29-year-old fertility nurse from Chicago, Illinois; Kelsey, a 28-year-old guidance counselor from Austin, Texas; Megan, a 24-year-old make-up artist from Nashville, Tennessee; and Ashley I., a 26-year-old freelance journalist from Wayne, New Jersey. Trina, a 33-year-old special education teacher from San Clemente, California, spiced things up with her limo arrival, greeting the bachelor by saying, “Helloooo, Farmer Chris!” But it was Reegan, a 28-year-old “donated tissue specialist” who really made a splash. Exiting the limo with a medical chest, Reegan began to tell Chris a little bit about her profession.

“I kind of have this really fun job where I sell human tissue,” she revealed. Reegan continued that she wanted to get him something “from the heart,” and reached for the chest. Almost ripped from the screen of a horror movie, Reegan opened up the box to reveal a bloody heart.

“It’s not real, it’s not real,” the contestant said quickly with a laugh. “It’s just a joke.”

Fortunately Reegan went inside without taking any tissue from Chris, giving him the chance to meet Tara, a 26-year-old “sport fishing enthusiast” from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tara had an interesting entrance because she wasn’t wearing the normal gown or little black dress – she was rocking cowboy boots, denim cutoff shorts and a flannel shirt. Chris didn’t seem to mind the wardrobe choice, but the other contestants weren’t impressed. Although Tara told the cameras that she didn’t care what the other women thought, she still changed into a tight black dress to reintroduce herself to Chris.

After the bachelor met Amber, a 29-year-old bartender from Chicago, and Nikki, a 26-year-old former NFL cheerleader who flew in from Peru, Tara snuck back into the limo to meet Chris again.

“Hey … you’re back,” Chris laughed when he saw her. “What just happened?”

Tara explained that she wanted to show him that “you could take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.”

The crazy limo gimmicks continued with Amanda, a 24-year-old ballet teacher from Lake in the Hills, Illinois. But Chris didn’t meet Amanda … because she wanted to act as his secret admirer. She made the limo driver give Chris a letter that made him turn around while she slipped into the mansion.

Jillian, a 25-year-old news producer from Washington, D.C., and Mackenzie, a 21-year-old single mom from Maple Valley, Washington had normal introductions with Chris, but Ashley S., a 24-year-old hair stylist from Brooklyn, New York, gave Reegan and Amanda a run for their money.

“I’m really happy to see your face,” Ashley S. told him before diving into a story about finding a lucky penny on the road. She then proceeded to ask if she could put it in his shoe … and he let her.

Rounding out the limo arrivals was Kaitlyn, who probably had the best limo arrival of the night.

“I know your name is Chris,” she told him. “I know you are a farmer … So you can plow the f--- out of my field any day.”

When Chris didn’t respond, Kaitlyn began to panic that she got her facts wrong. Fortunately Chris reassured her that she got it right, she simply just took his “breathe away.” But before she went inside, Kaitlyn delived one more zinger.

“You have a sparkle on your face,” she said before brushing it away. “WHO IS SHE?!”

Although only 15 women arrived, host Chris Harrison brought the bachelor into the house to meet the ladies. He was ready to begin the process, but the women were not. Despite being there “for Chris,” a majority of the ladies couldn’t get over the fact that there were only 15 of them when there are normally 25 contestants competing.

While some women gossiped, Britt took advantage of having Chris there to steal him for some one-on-one time. When he brought up her “free hug” note she explained that she wanted him to feel “safe” with her. “I want to be the one you come give a hug to,” Britt told him, revealing that she believes a girlfriend and wife should be a “safe haven.” Her tactic to catch his attention worked because Chris called her “amazing,” and told the cameras that she “speaks to my heart.”

Other contestants got the chance to tell Chris a little bit about themselves, but things turned tense when Chris Harrison dropped off the first impression rose. Chris didn’t have a chance to give it out though … because another batch of limos arrived.

Limo Arrivals Part 2

The second batch of limos brought Samantha, a 27-year-old fashion designer from Los Angeles, California; Michelle, a 25-year-old wedding cake decorator from Provo, Utah; Juelia, a 30-year-old esthetician from Portland, Oregon; Becca, a 25-year-old chiropractic assistant from San Diego, California; and Tandra, a 30-year-old executive assistant from Sandy, Utah … who rolled up on a motorcycle!

Alissa, a 24-year-old flight attendant from Hamilton, New Jersey had a cute entrance that involved seat belt safety, and was followed by Jordan, a 24-year-old student from Windsor, Colorado. Nicole, a 31-year-old real estate agent from Scottsdale, Arizona went bold by wearing a pig nose to “ham it up” and make Chris feel at home. Meanwhile, Brittany, a 26-year-old “WWE Diva-in-training,” caused a fuss in the house thanks to her skimpy outfit and cheesy “#Soulesmates” poster board.

Carly didn’t make a good impression with the other girls either. The 29-year-old cruise ship singer from Arlington, Texas arrived with a karaoke machine and proceeded to sing Chris a song she wrote about meeting him.

“What is she singing?” one contestant asked as they spied from the window.

“I don’t know but I think she’s going to get eliminated,” another answered.

Rounding out the limo arrivals was Tracy, a 29-year-old fourth grade teacher from Wellington, Florida; Bo, a 25-year-old plus-size model from Carpinteria, California; Kimberly, a 28-year-old yoga instructor from Long Island, New York; Kara, a 25-year-old high school soccer coach from Brownsville, Kentucky; and Jade, a 28-year-old cosmetics developer from Los Angeles, California.

First Impression Rose

With all the ladies in the house, Chris had a chance to sit down with them for some one-on-one time. Things got a little wild for Tara, who partied a little too hard with her best friends “Jameson, Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels.” But it was Ashley S. who had viewers scratching their heads by handing out a rose of her own to another women.

In the end, Chris decided to gift his first impression rose to Britt, who gladly accepted it. In a surprising move, the pair shared a steamy kiss before entering the house arm-in-arm.

First Rose Ceremony

With a record 30 women there, Chris was a little nervous for the first rose ceremony. However, he told Chris Harrison that he knew what he had to do – he had to follow his heart. Britt had the first impression rose, but the first rose of the ceremony went to Kaitlyn. After Kaitlyn, Chris handed roses to Jade, Samantha, Ashley I., Tandra, Nikki, Kelsey, Megan, Alissa, Amber, Juelia, Becca and Trina. In the middle of the rose ceremony, Tara’s drinking began to catch up with her. The “sport fishing enthusiast” whispered that she was “getting delirious” before stumbling, yawning and rubbing her shoulders as if she were cold. There were still plenty of roses to give out, but Chris walked out of the room without a word.

Turns out Chris had noticed Tara’s behavior, and didn’t know what to do. Pulling Chris Harrison aside, Chris confessed that he wanted to pick her … but that she was very drunk. The host said it was up to him, and Chris returned to the rose ceremony with his decision made. Mackenzie and Tracy received roses … followed by Tara. Needless to say, some of the other rose-less girls were not happy. But fortunately a couple of them ended up getting a second chance from the bachelor. After Tara’s shocking rose, Jordan, Jillian, Whitney and Carly received roses from Chris. The final rose of the evening went to Ashley S., who told Chris, “I thought you would never ask.”

Amanda, Bo, Brittany, Kara, Kimberly, Michelle, Nicole and Reegan were eliminated in episode 1 of “The Bachelor” Season 19 – but one bachelorette wasn’t ready to go. Kimberly exited the mansion, but then decided to walk inside and asked Chris for a second of his time.

Did Chris give Kimberly another chance? Fans of “The Bachelor” will have to wait until episode 2 to find out!

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