Is it just us, or do contestants on NBC’s summer dating show Love in the Wild (premiering June 1) look less annoying than their counterparts on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette? Maybe that’s just because we know they’ve signed up for finding love while paddling down crocodile-ridden waters and navigating through bat-infested caves in Costa Rica, which should mean there’s no one talking about wanting to be a princess. Of course, only time will tell. Here’s the photo, how NBC describes them, along with our first impressions.
Image Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
Top row, left to right:
Name: JASON JACKSON
Age: 28
Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.
Occupation: Sales
This trained opera singer and adrenaline junkie is surprisingly terrified of ants. However, his combo of good looks, great career, and awesome personality would seemingly make him the complete package for one of the ladies.
Our first impression: Agreed.
Name: STEELE DEWALD
Age: 24
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Occupation: Pro Golfer
A pro athlete, killer looks and charm for days — he’s the one the viewers will love — or love to hate. The ladies will all want him but need to decide if he’s the typical player or really in this for love.
Our first impression: His name is Steele. Player.
Name: BENJAMIN HOOKER
Age: 27
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Occupation: MBA Graduate
He’s the guy that will tell it like it is and women are going to fawn over him. A guy’s guy — he’s the buddy you want go have a beer with.
Our first impression: Well, we’d definitely recommend his bride keep her last name.
Name: JARED INES
Age: 28
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: MBA Student
This is the guy who will keep the party going. Women will dig his hotness, but will he let his guard down to really connect with someone like he says he wants to?
Our first impression: If this is a question you need to ask, then he shouldn’t be on the show?
Name: MIKE SPIRO
Age: 29
Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.
Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Broker
This self-proclaimed “brains and brawn” type is an entertaining guy for sure. The girls will be attracted to his wit, and his swagger will surprise the guys.
Our first impression: Nice smile, wit, and swagger? Contender!
Name: SKIP SULLIVAN
Age: 30
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
Occupation: Loan Underwriter
Buff and tough– underneath it all he’s a fun guy who’s going to hit on every girl he can. He’ll be a risk taker when it comes to switching partners. And if he finds the right one, it could be life changing.
Our first impression: “Hit on every girl he can” sorta cancels out “fun guy,” right?
Name: DEREK LEACH
Age: 28
Hometown: Venice, Calif.
Occupation: Medical Sales Representative
This mama’s boy is the romantic of the group and truly looking for the one. And because he’s a risk taker, look for him to switch it up if the girl he’s with isn’t the one for him.
Our first impression: This is how you frame a “risk take,” ladies and gentlemen.
Middle row, left to right:
Name: VANESSA GUERRERO
Age: 26
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Occupation: Law Student
She knows she’s hot, isn’t afraid to speak her mind and will stir up the pot amongst the contestants. Definitely one who thinks any guy there is lucky to be with her.
Our first impression: Sounds like she could be one of those, “I came here for him, not to make friends with you ladies” contestants that doesn’t realize how unattractive that is. But let’s hope we’re wrong.
Name: JESSICA DEBOLT
Age: 24
Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.
Occupation: Travel Executive
America will fall in love with her… and so will the guys. She’s the girl next-door — cute, vibrant, fun, and very memorable.
Our first impression: If that’s all true, we do love her.
Name: SAMANTHA WOODS
Age: 23
Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Occupation: Wedding Planner
Sweet, smart, and put together. Not only are the guys going to go for her big time, she’s the one that viewers may fall in love with too.
Our first impression: Wait, two women we’ll genuinely like. WHAT?!
Name: KIM NGUYEN
Age: 24
Hometown: Quincy, Mass.
Occupation: Hair Stylist
A self-proclaimed natural beauty, look for her to possibly fall fast for someone even though she will try her hardest not too.
Our first impression: Translation: Tears?
DARREN McMULLEN (Host)
Name: JESSICA SOARES
Age: 23
Hometown: Bridgewater, Mass.
Occupation: Retail Supervisor
Loud and boisterous — she can hang with the guys or gossip with the girls. No matter what, she will make sparks fly good or bad.
Our first impression: “She will make sparks fly good or bad” = too much drama.
Name: ERICA SCHERLE
Age: 24
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Self-Employed/Songwriter Management
Once accused of being a gold digger, there’s more to this ugly duckling turned swan than meets the eye. A fiercely private person it will take the right guy to help her let her guard down.
Our first impression: “Once accused of being a gold digger” — we hope she’s around long enough for us to hear that story.
Name: DAWN CHRISTJAENER
Age: 27
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Occupation: Hotel Guest Services
A firecracker! She’ll totally throw herself into the experience, speak her mind, and the viewers will be grateful she did.
Our first impression: “Firecracker” is more likable than “she will make sparks fly good or bad.”
Bottom row, left to right
Name: ADAM ROSE
Age: 25
Hometown: Taunton, Mass.
Occupation: Bouncer
A bouncer with heart. He’s tough on the outside, but peel it away just a bit and you’ll see a young man with emotion who’s ready to meet someone special.
Our first impression: Nice calves. Fingers crossed he references Road House.
Name: HEATHER POND
Age: 26
Hometown: Sonoma, Calif.
Occupation: Public Relations Professional
A vibrant, no-nonsense woman who will go to extreme lengths in her quest for love. She once even ran a marathon just to win a box from Tiffany’s. Fun and athletic — the guys will be sprinting to be with her.
Our first impression: She’s either someone we’d be friends with or someone we’d be jealous of.
Name: THERESA TRUJILLO
Age: 24
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Occupation: Hooters Girl/Real Estate Agent
The guys will need a bib for their drool. Beyond that, she’s a hot girl who’s not afraid to be herself. Whether she likes you or not — you’ll know it.
Our first impression: We would have thought pageant girl before Hooters Girl. Compliment? Hoping she’s a Hooters Girl with heart (who ends up with the bouncer).
Name: MILES HAEFNER
Age: 28
Hometown: Saint Louis Park, Minn.
Occupation: Client Services Manager
A guy the girls will be fighting over. He won’t be the one making trouble, but rather the one trying to get a good laugh from the bunch. He’ll definitely throw himself into the experience because he’s serious about finding love.
Our first impression: Nice smile, sexy forearms, and a sense of humor. Contender!
Name: BRANDEE DILLEHAY
Age: 25
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Mental Health Specialist
Unlucky in love with numerous bad dating stories that are guaranteed to trump anything viewers have been through. The guys will want to turn the tables for this southern sweetheart and give her a fairytale romance story.
Our first impression: We can’t wait to hear her stories, but if she mentions the word “Cinderella,” it’s over.
Name: PETER PARIS
Age: 31
Hometown: Venice, Calif.
Occupation: Surf Camp Owner
The consummate hot surfer dude will be sure not to make any waves with the ladies. His laid-back style will attract those who are not seeking any drama.
Our first impression: Great name, great smile, fun job, and no drama. Swoon.
Read more:
Why NBC’s ‘Love in the Wild’ could be awesome
‘The Bachelor’ is ‘fluffy, not real’ says NBC’s new jungle dating show team
Haha. Why waste so much time ‘analyzing’ contestants on a show which no one will be watching?
This looks like that “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here” show – except much more boring.
Your second sentence explains why your first sentence is a FAIL lol. In other words, even if you are NOT into the host or gorgeous Costa Rica, peeps shall watch for the conjoining…
I like that everyone isn’t white like on The Bachelor.
Are you blind? Two of the men appear to be black, and five of the women appear to be Asian or Hispanic.
Yeah, I just saw the “‘t” there. Isn’t. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
no lo voy a mirar.
Obviously Massachusetts, Southern California and Arizona were casting stops. I probably won’t watch this show because you can only stand so many reality dating shows before enough is enough.
I would also like to add it’s nice not to see a bunch of bleach blond girls though. Go Brunettes!!!
I love brunettes they are hot n fun to spend time with =)
Glad I’m not the only one to notice this. I find it humorous to play the “How Many Reality Show Contestants are from California?” game. 9 out of 21 for this show!
Which number will be higher – the number of contestants or the number of viewers?
This is currently my favorite show on TV. It’s funny and cute!
Those NBC descriptions for the contestants are so lame and cheesy.
the number of cases of crabs!!!
They’ve got the token in there.
He’s an opera singer. Some needs to check the weight of his loafers.
Hey! Male opera singers can be perfectly straight…and when they are, this girl totally swoons. Especially when they’re a bass or baritone. Mmmmm.
That title sounds a bit dirty. lol
Like the divresity but it’s a shame the African American couple get voted off in the first episode. (I worked on the show)
Joe Schmoe 2?
you probably shouldn’t be posting info like that before it airs then.
I cant wait to see the girls and guys get busted for having sexual intercourse at night!!! BUSTED!!!! BRING IT!!!!!
I know Jared from school (USC). He’s super fun and girls jock him hard. He’ll be funny to watch for sure.
Jessica is going to be the best one! She is already my favorite character!
Jessica S is probably going to be the chillest one there.. seriously she sounds so amazing I cant wait to watch this show. Helmets ready!
I can’t wait to see Jessica S. She looks adorable and sounds like a lot of fun!
I’m hoping Adam wins, something about him is interesting already, I can’t wait to watch him on this show.