ABC’s The Bachelor has shared dozens of extravagant dates, romantic rose ceremonies and intimate fantasy suites for the past 18 years—and Trista Sutter, the franchise’s first-ever Bachelorette, was present at the very start. Sutter made her debut in the opening season of The Bachelor in 2002, when then-31-year-old Alex Michel was given the opportunity to search for a lasting relationship. Sutter made it all the way to the top two, only to be blindsided by Michel on the final day; nonetheless, she was soon chosen as the Bachelorette and had the chance to find a forever companion of her own. Twenty-five hopefuls competed for her affection, but in the end, Ryan Sutter stole her heart, and the couple tied the knot in 2003. Married for 17 years, the Sutters are happier than ever, living alongside their two children, Maxwell (12) and Blakesley (11). In honor of her season’s rerun for The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever, on the way to pick her daughter up from a play date, the “Godmother” of The Bachelorette went back in time to recount her journey to everlasting love. (Full disclosure: the experience was a lot more exciting than her current quarantine in Vail, Colorado.)

How did you first become involved with the Bachelor franchise?

I was living in Miami at the time, around 28 years old. I was sitting on my couch watching Extra, and a casting director was talking about this new reality show. They were looking for singles, those who wanted to meet someone, maybe travel. I applied, and the rest is history.


What was it like to be a part of the first-ever season of the show?

It was crazy. I mean, who knew [the show would become so big]? I'm honored to have been one of the first people connected to the franchise and am lucky to have grown this crazy family, which includes the Bachelor Nation cast members, crew and fans. It has been one of the greatest parts of my story. 


How do you think the show has changed since the first season? Have you been watching it over the years?

I haven't missed a season. I've watched every spinoff, too. I've seen a lot of changes. I mean, obviously, the presence of social media has come about. We had message boards back in the day, and that was people's way of commenting on what they thought of everybody. They weren’t always kind, that's for sure, and I dealt with a lot of hate. We also used to have date boxes. On the first season of The Bachelorette, the guys got a VHS tape. They had to play it, and it told them who was coming on the dates and what the next date was. Also, now there’s high definition, technology changes, better fashion and trips all around the world. 


Is there any moment you wish you could go back and change from your experience?

On The Bachelorette, I held back when it came to letting people know about my feelings, especially Ryan. He had been open with me in terms of his feelings and where he stood. I didn't give him any reciprocation besides being loving and telling him that I enjoyed getting to know him. I held back because, on The Bachelor, I had my heart broken. I didn't want that to happen to someone else if I changed my mind at the last minute. I held my cards close to my chest. I wish I wouldn't have, though. I wish I would‘ve given him some inclination of how I was feeling so that he wouldn't have struggled so much.


Where were you when you found out you were becoming The Bachelorette? What was that moment like?

I got the call from Mike Fleiss [,the creator of the show,] when I was watching the finale of The Bachelor. By that time, it had been a few months, and the heartbreak had definitely gotten better. I was in a much better place, and I was just super excited. It was pretty monumental that they were asking little old me to be the first Bachelorette!

What was your main objective going into your season?

My main objective was finding someone that I was compatible with, could share my life with and had similar goals to. I wanted to have my own love story and stay true to myself in the process.


Was there a particular limo entrance that stood out to you?

Ryan’s, for sure. The fact that he used the word “ravishing” to describe me, which he hasn’t used again to this day, was memorable. And he didn't even say his name! He was so nervous and ready to bolt to the house without even talking to me. As you can see, when you replay the episode, he's kind of still walking as we're shaking hands. I think he was out of his element, but he still stood out. 

What was your favorite date you went on with Ryan?

All of them. I mean, the first group date was amazing. We were at this resort and had some one-on-one time, and we came across three weddings that were happening. It was a sign. I also loved the SeaWorld date where we got to swim with the dolphins and saw a polar bear. The [producers] put “T + R” in cream cheese on the window that was between us and the polar bear, and the polar bear came up to it and lifted it off. It was so weird but so cool. Going to Seattle and coming home to Vail were also incredible. Honestly, every single date I had with him was amazing—I guess that's why we're still together. We always had a great time. 

What was it about Ryan that made you choose him in the finale?

I couldn’t stop thinking about him when I was on the other dates. He‘s the most genuine, humble, kind person that I‘ve ever met, as well as incredibly sensitive. He knows how to pull at my heartstrings. Oh, and he's really hot and a great kisser. (Blakesley's face right now, she's like, "Oh G-d, I don't want to listen to this.") Ryan has an amazing family and similar values in terms of what he wants to do with his life. He’s ambitious, intelligent and really funny. I could go on and on. 

What was it like for you to rewatch your season on The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever?

It's been 17 years, and Ryan never actually watched it. He saw it in a crowded room with friends and family but barely paid attention to the television. The other night, Blakesley watched with me. That was fun, just because it's only little snippets of what happened on the show. What other couples have the first moment when they met, kissed, met each other’s families and got engaged all on film? I feel really lucky.


What do you think the next season of The Bachelorette is going to be like considering our current global landscape? Do you have any advice for Clare?

It's going to be interesting because they're filming in one location. They're not traveling and are just going to have to hunker down. I think that it actually may be better in that sense. As a viewer, I love to see all the places that they go to—it’s fantastical and exciting to vicariously live through their experiences. But for Clare and all her guys, it's going to be more like real life. They're going to need to have dates at home where they might cook for each other. Who knows what they're going to be able to do because of COVID? I think it's going to be interesting to see what they come up with and show what it’s like to date in the United States at this time. I wonder if they’ll get in tune with each other quicker compared to the other seasons. The advice I have for Clare is to continue to be who she is. She should never settle, stand up for what she believes in and listen to her gut. During Juan Pablo's season, she had a lot of red flags pop up that she didn't necessarily listen to, and if that happens again, I hope she doesn’t put those red flags to the wayside.

Follow Trista on Social Media:

Instagram: @tristasutter

Twitter: @tristasutter