'The Bachelor' premiere recap: Colton Underwood's journey begins as 6 women head home

Get the full recap!

January 8, 2019, 10:04 AM

"The 23rd season of "The Bachelor"" kicked off Monday night with Colton Underwood arriving in Mexico looking to rebound after being rejected on season 14 of "The Bachelorette" by Becca Kaufrin.

The 26-year-old Indianapolis, Indiana, native had nothing to lose when he arrived in Mexico, and one by one, the ladies arrived at the mansion hoping to make a memorable first impression, some more over-the-top than others.

For instance, there was 23-year-old Alex D., who stepped out of the limousine wearing a full sloth costume that even covered her face. She also moved and spoke v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, which is the way she planned to take things with Colton.

Tracy, a wardrobe stylist from Santa Monica, arrived in a police car, siren blaring, explaining that she was the fashion police. Luckily, she didn't have to arrest Colton.

Erin, 28, whose occupation is listed as "Cinderella," arrived at the mansion in a horse-drawn carriage and left Colton a glass slipper.

Catherine, a DJ from Fort Lauderdale, came with her beloved Pomeranian, whom she left in Colton's care.

Finally, there was Caitlin, who greeted Colton with a cherry-red balloon, which she popped -- a not so subtle hint at what she envisions happening between her and Colton.

The ladies were all on their best behavior, until host Chris Harrison brought out the first impression rose, presented to the lucky one with whom Colton an instant connection. That's when "the claws came out," according to one woman.

The ladies seemed to politely take turns spending a little alone time with Colton, until Catherine -- the DJ -- felt her time was cut short by Katie. She went quietly but returned to steal him back.

PHOTO: Colton Underwood hands a rose to Onyeka on "The Bachelor," on ABC, Jan. 7, 2018.
Colton Underwood hands a rose to Onyeka on "The Bachelor," on ABC, Jan. 7, 2018.
Rick Rowell/ABC

Onyeka, a 24-year-old risk consultant from Dallas, decided to give Catherine a taste of her own medicine by breaking up the conversation.

"I heard you were drowning in some b-------!" she said. Still not satisfied, Catherine broke up another conversation between Colton and 23-year-old Hannah B., prompting Colton to comment, "Third time's the charm."

That led to a confrontation between Onyeka and Catherine, with the former telling Catherine she was "rubbing people the wrong way." Catherine ignored the warning, interrupting 25-year-old Colorado-based business developer's time with Colton. Tahzjuan tells the camera that the ladies will lose it if she gets a rose.

Ultimately, the first impression rose went to Hannah G., who “owned” her “nervousness” and “imperfections,” according to Colton. Addressing the camera, he added that “there was a nice chemistry and a spark with Hannah” and that he “didn’t want to stop kissing her.”

The first rose ceremony concluded with six ladies -- Alex D., Tahzjuan, Devin, Erin, Laura and Revian -- going home. Catherine remains for now, ensuring more drama to come.

Here are the remaining women:

  • Alex B., 29, dog rescuer from Vancouver, Canada.
  • Angelique, 28, marketing salesperson from Hamilton, New Jersey.
  • Annie, 23, financial consultant, New York, NY
  • Bri, 24, model from Los Angeles, California
  • Caelynn, 23, Miss North Carolina 2018 from Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Caitlin, 25, realtor from Toronto, Canada
  • Cassie, 23, speech pathologist from Huntington Beach, California
  • Catherine, 26, DJ from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Courtney, 23, caterer from Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Demi, 23, interior designer from Red Oak, Texas
  • Elyse, 31, makeup artist from Soldotna, Alaska
  • Erika, 25, recruiter from Encinitas, California
  • Hannah B., 23, Miss Alabama 2018 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Hannah G., 23, content creator from Birmingham, Alabama
  • Heather, 22, from Carlsbad, California
  • Adianne "Jane", 26, from West Hollywood, California
  • Katie, 26, medical sales rep from Sherman Oaks, California
  • Kirpa, 26, dental hygienist from Whittier, California
  • Nicole, 25, social media coordinator from Miami, Florida
  • Nina, 30, sales account manager from Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Onyeka, 24, risk consultant from Dallas, Texas
  • Sydney, 27, NBA dancer, New York, NY
  • Tayshia, 28, phlebotomist from Corona Del Mar, California
  • Tracy, 31, wardrobe stylist from Los Angeles California

Join the Official Bachelor Fantasy League to compete with family, friends and the rest of #BachelorNation for a chance to win a Grand Prize trip! Set your own weekly lineup of Bachelorettes based on weekly categories ranging from who will get a rose to who kisses Colton. Click here to learn more!

Related Topics