The Bachelorette (American TV series) season 1

The Bachelorette (American TV series) season 1 premiered on ABC on January 8, 2003, featuring Trista Rehn, a former Miami Heat dancer and physical therapist, as the first Bachelorette. The season chronicled Rehn's journey of meeting and dating 25 eligible bachelors, participating in various group dates and one-on-one dates, and gradually eliminating contestants in her search for a potential husband. The season's premise revolves around Rehn narrowing down the field of suitors through rose ceremonies, culminating in her accepting a marriage proposal from one of the remaining finalists.

The season introduced the format and tropes that would become standard for future seasons of the franchise, including extravagant dates, emotional confrontations, and dramatic eliminations. The show aimed to portray Rehn's genuine desire to find love and highlighted the challenges of navigating romantic relationships within the context of a reality television environment. The finale aired on February 19, 2003, where Trista Rehn chose Ryan Sutter, a firefighter, and accepted his proposal. Their wedding was subsequently televised in a three-part special in December 2003. The success of the first season led to the continuation of The Bachelorette series and cemented its place within the reality television landscape.