This is the eighth in a series of interviews with former reality show contestants, an idea inspired by my new reality show-themed mystery novel Sink or Swim, Where Reality TV Turns to Murder. For more information on Sink or Swim, and the interview schedule which features contestants from Survivor, Top Chef, Beauty and the Geek, Shark Tank, Bachelor Pad, Big Brother and I Love New York, please visit this link.
Today’s interview is with Natalie Getz, who viewers will know from The Bachelor, Season 13 and Bachelor Pad. Last fall, David Good and Natalie were the winning couple during the finale of Bachelor Pad, an ABC reality competition which featured former The Bachelor bachelorettes and The Bachelorette bachelors competing for a $250,000 cash prize.
1. Natalie, if you could boil down your experience on the Bachelor Pad to one paragraph, what was your overall feeling about being on this show?
By far the most entertaining, craziest, challenging and rewarding four weeks of my life. The entertainment factor came with the territory due to the fact that I got to film a reality TV show with some of my best friends! All of our inside jokes and ridiculous statements that we said on air to make each other laugh will always be with me. It was crazy in a sense that we had no clue what to expect going into it, except that we were competing for money. I had no clue I would fall for Jesse Beck and get dumped in the first week and then go on to explore my romantic feelings for my bestie David Good. The dating/love component was something I didn’t expect nor want. I think the biggest challenge was to orchestrate the game with Dave to ensure we kept our closest pals in the game at whatever cost to keep us safe. They didn’t show a lot of us brainstorming, but BELIEVE me, that was pretty much all we did. It was nerve wracking- I lost 5 lbs during filming! Dave and I were very fortunate to never be in hot water, simply because we were neutral and friends with everyone- the lives of the party so to speak. All of this paid off in the end when David and I were each rewarded with $125k and gained financial freedom from our debt.
2. What was it like to have cameras rolling all the time? How hard was it to get used to being in the public eye?
During my stint on The Bachelor Season 13, I could NOT get used to the cameras. They scared the be-jesus out of me and I got sweaty and nervous whenever they approached causing me to be way too shy and guarded with every word or statement I spoke. It doesn’t matter, however, because through the power of editing, I looked like an idiot. Bachelor Pad was incredible to film, because at that point I had already went on to do so much more with reality television and honestly didn’t even recognize the camera anymore. We even had them on us when we were sleeping (on The Bachelor and Bachelorette they do not) and it didn’t phase me. I maybe got a little too comfortable now looking back at some of my make out scenes…..it was like a less glorified version of Days Of Our Lives– hahaha. As for the public eye, that wasn’t hard at all. I already am a total Midwest chatter box who has long conversations with complete strangers all throughout the day, so for me, I love talking to fans about the show. I’ve actually made a couple friends from girls who have approached and recognized me. So fun! The first couple times I saw myself in a magazine or googled my name, I found it hilarious and embraced it as a once in a lifetime experience;) I’m not one to change my personality or watch what I say for an interview because that’s me and that’s reality TV! I do not have a filter, I’m raw, slightly obnoxious, and I have no intentions of hiding that. Works for me!
3. What was the best part about being on the show?
Hands down being back together, with no distractions from life’s daily interruptions, with some of my best friends and a bunch of other cool people! I can’t tell you how many incredible lifelong friends I’ve made whether they are cast, crew, or friends of cast mates. It’s real life Facebook! The fact that all of us already did Bachelor/ette, some of us got super close before filming. It pretty much felt like they filmed an ultimate dream vacation of me and my friends- AND I got paid! The next best part was living in a mansion, traveling to Vegas in a private jet and staying in a villa, being waited on hand and foot, and crazy expensive experiences I would never had done had it not been for the show. Thanks, Mike Fliess:)
4. What were your favorite challenges on the show? Least favorite?
My favorite challenges were the water balloon toss and the DWTS competition. Reason being they were the only athletic challenges, and being an athlete and ex college soccer player, I love active challenges! David and I would have won the dance competition if we hadn’t completely forgot the routine. Reason we forgot the routine? Well, because I know David as a man’s man and he is ALL dude, and all of the sudden it hit me how feminine he looked and I started laughing so hard and we completely got off track….whoops! Up until the performance that mattered, our dance was flawless. The music ran out before our awesome finish….dang! The Pie Eating Contest and Twister Contests were so lame. Hello- BORING!!! I’d rather watch paint dry. I hate cherry pie and the reason I lost Twister is because there were too many of us on the board and the board ran out of dots! They said right hand red, and there were zero red dot’s left to place my hand on! Gah! I thought the survey challenge was juvenile and ridiculous, but secretly thought it was damn good TV.
5. What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for a reality show?
If you are not yourself, a producer will see right through that. When people go over the top trying to get on these shows, it more then likely annoys the producers more then anything. Just be yourself. If you are what they are looking for, they will pick you. If not? Well, don’t quit your day job. They are looking for several different personality types. When you audition, there are probably 100 of you with the same character and it’s only a matter of luck if they pick you.
6. What else have you been up to lately?
I have been keeping extremely busy focusing on fashion. I attend as many fashion shows as humanly possible, write about fashion, style clients, style cast on commercial and movie sets, and most importantly myself for all of my events! I am involved in hosting events and TV shows, as well as having fun as a commercial actress. I’M DEFINITELY NOT trying to be an actress or in commercials, but people keep asking me so I’m not going to say no! It’s a nice little side job;) Socially, I spend as much time with my family as possible back in Chicago and when I’m home in LA, I frequent comedy clubs and hang out with good friends and drink good wine. Riding my bike to the beach, shopping (of course), and style research is a daily must. I’m currently in the process of developing my website www.GetzStyle.com. The site will be all things fashion with a comedic twist. I will be blogging style about TV shows, movies, etc. I will also write weekly articles based on trend and style and have a Q&A advice section. The site will also feature interviews I will conduct with fashionistas, Bachelor/ette contestents, and others. Stay tuned and keep up with me on Twitter: @nataliegetz and Facebook: Search “Natalie Getz” and like my public page for all updates, interviews, articles, and nonsense!
This series will conclude June 22 with 8 Tips On Trying Out For A Reality Television Show. To read other interviews in this series, click here.
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Stacy Juba has written sweet and sassy chick lit novels, mysteries about determined women sleuths, and entertaining books for young adults and children. Her books include the Storybook Valley chick lit series and the Hockey Rivals young adult sports novels.
Stacy is also a freelance developmental editor and online course creator. Sign up for her free masterclass, How to Create Your Editing Game Plan.
Stop by her other websites and blogs: Shortcuts for Writers and Hockey Rivals.
