The farmer wants a wife is the wholesome love story currently missing from reality television. (Cough: Scandoval.) At least, that’s what host Jennifer Nettles thinks.
As the hit international dating franchise makes its revamped US debut on Wednesday night, Yahoo spoke with Nettles about what viewers can expect from the Fox iteration. Is Farmers Only Really Dating The single person? Are the ladies here for the right reasons? And are these guys In fact Farmers? Here are some of the answers to your burning questions about The farmer wants a wife.
What is this show about?
Well, the title pretty much sums it up. Four hard-working and, yes, real-life farmers — Hunter Grayson, 31, of Watkinsville, Ga.; Ryan Black, 32, of Shelby, North Carolina; Allen Foster, 32, Williamsport, TN; and Landon Heaton, 35, of Alva, Okla. – are looking for their soul mates. Each farmer welcomes a group of single women ready to leave their big cities for love and country life.
“It’s a love story,” says Nettles. “I love telling stories and I’m super romantic so I love being a part of those relationships and watching those romances bud and evolve and blossom.”
The Grammy winner says “romantic reality shows were never really my thing,” but she thinks this one is different.
“What drew me to this show was how unique it is and so absolutely authentic, so organic and so heartwarming and endearing because these people, you know, they’re not here trying to be Instagram influencers or for 15 seconds of fame,” she explains. Nettles says the show isn’t about creating a scandal or female ‘caddies’ “crying for a rose and a suitor. at the end of the evening”.
“It’s four guys who are farmers. They’re real people looking for real love,” she says. “The women who have been selected have watched these farmers and want the opportunity to get to know them and have a chance to love…it’s like that every time you watch them.”
Farmers and women ‘examined’ each other before production
Contrary to The single person Or Love is blindcompetitors on The farmer wants a wife already knew each other before the cameras started rolling. Nettles calls the process legitimate.
“The way it works for this show, which also sets it apart and makes it unique and interesting, it’s been a two-way street from the start,” she explains. “Women interested in being on (the show) were able to look at these farmers and say, outside of this group, these are the ones I’d like to eventually meet and find out more about. It’s like an online dating profile . They watch a video, they see a profile, they get information about them.”
Each farmer was then able to watch the group of women and choose who they wanted to meet. However, Nettles explains that by empowering women first, it established a sort of “security and openness” necessary for the show to run smoothly.
“It goes on like this, both ways. Because there are times when some women are like, ‘I don’t feel any connection, this isn’t for me,'” she says. “It’s real life. It goes both ways, you know? Farmers and ladies put their hearts on the line and make themselves vulnerable.”
Are all 32 women really on the show to find love?
Of course there’s no way to know This. The women are between 22 and 39 years old and hail from cities like Los Angeles, Nashville and Miami. They have real jobs – one woman is a cybersecurity analyst, another a recruiter and two are therapists – which is different from The single person as the occupations listed were “dog lover” and “free spirit”. But while Nettles admits instant fame “could become a problem” once the show premieres, overall she doesn’t think the all-girl group is just hoping to become Instagram influencers.
“Especially as this is the first season, everyone came in with wide eyes and open hearts not knowing exactly what to expect,” she says. “Everyone felt really authentic to me. I didn’t see anyone who felt like an opportunist. It all felt very authentic to me.”
The show aimed to get a diverse cast
Unlike the problems that constantly afflict The single personNettles says representing a diverse group of candidates was important.
“What I saw on camera was amazing in terms of diversity, especially when you think that we have a stereotypical image in our minds of what a cowboy is or isn’t. So I think they did a great job in terms of – I hate to use the word ‘cast’, but that’s basically what it is. (The producers) did a great job of selecting a diverse group.”
What is Nettles’ role as host, exactly?
Although the 48-year-old admits she is both a therapist and a storyteller, she says she truly considers herself “a fairy godmother”.
“I can come to group dates and help encourage, and sometimes advise and guide, especially guys that I’ve found,” she says, calling the guys “overwhelmed in a lot of ways.”
“They’re real guys, they’re real farmers. They come from small towns. The joke is, you know, they know all the women in their town and half of them, that they’re with relatives,” she laughs. “Then suddenly they have a group of wonderful women with them on their farms.”
Nettles says the guys were “anxious” and “shy” at times. “They live life on land with animals…to get in front of a camera (to find love). I mean, it’s, it’s pretty telling.”
The Exorcist The actress says she was happy “to be there and offer encouragement and advice.”
“You know, ‘Come in there little buckaroo, let’s go. You can do that boy!’ It was a fun part of the job,” she shares.
Wait – so this is actually a successful show?
Of course, buckaroo. Although there was a short-lived version of The farmer wants a wife aired in 2008 on CW, the show has really met with international success, especially in Australia. According to Fox, which bills the series as “the most successful dating show in the world,” the franchise has resulted in 180 marriages and 410 children.
“Sometimes when you say ‘reality TV,’ people get this idea of what’s actually hyper-reality and not reality. It’s very realistic and it’s heart-warming,” promises Nettles. “Who doesn’t love a real love story?”
The farmer wants a wife airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.