In the reality TV world, Trista Rehn is a real trendsetter. Appearing on the inaugural season of ABC's "The Bachelor," Rehn was rejected by bachelor Alex Michel, but she quickly became a fan favorite and the first "Bachelorette." The contestant found love with firefighter Ryan Sutter and now is the proud mother of two children.
As far as "The Bachelorette" goes, Rehn's success is the exception, not the rule. Though the show's producers continue to use "The Bachelor" as an informal audition process for the companion show, Rehn's enduring, made-on-television relationship is one of the rare ones. When it comes to romance, most women on "The Bachelorette" actually have found their love and passion in other places:
Emily Maynard (The new "Bachelorette): Single mom Emily Maynard broke off with fiancé Brad Womack, even though she planned to move into his Austin home. Now she's ready to call the shots, and has finished shooting her season of "The Bachelorette," which debuts on ABC on May 14.
Meredith Phillips (Season 2): Though she and bachelor Ian McKee broke up after her season's completion, Phillips has found a new career and guy thanks to culinary classes. Phillips, a graduate of the New School of Cooking, is now the author of the "Date Night Cookbook" and reportedly is dating a fellow student from cooking class.
Jennifer Schefft (Season 3): Though the expressed goal of "The Bachelorette" is to find a mate, Season 3 contestant Schefft walked away with enough insights to write her own book, "Better Single than Sorry." In what may have been a producer's nightmare, Schefft ultimately rejected her final two bachelors. She later married Joe Waterman and the couple now has a daughter, Mae Elizabeth Waterman.
Melissa Rycroft (Season 13 of "The Bachelor"): OK, OK, she wasn't "The Bachelorette," but she was a bachelorette on Season 13 of "The Bachelor," and this former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and "Dancing With the Stars" finalist is moving on up with a CMT reality series all her own! Well, not all her own. " Melissa & Tye" follows her as she moves to LA to pursue a career in twinkle town while managing her long-distance relationship with Tye Strickland. They've been married since December 2009.
Jillian Harris (Season 5): "The Bachelorette" from Season 5 broke up with finalist Ed Swiderski, but found a home on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Canada's Handyman Challenge."
Ali Fedotowsky (Season 6): Fans were so enthusiastic about Fedotowsky's season that some took to calling themselves "Team Roberto" in honor of suitor Roberto Martinez. Team Roberto members may have been disappointed, though, when the couple broke up about a year after her season's completion. Fedotowsky is now hosting NBC's travel show " 1st Look."
Ashley Hebert (Season 7): When Brad Womack was looking for redemption on his second season of "The Bachelor," Ashley Hebert was a front-runner, but she had doubts about her feelings for Womack. By all accounts, including an article on Hollywood Life, Hebert and fiancée J.P. Rosenbaum are still very much in love and plan to get married.
