What do a self-proclaimed relationship expert, a Southern sweetie, a vivacious animal lover, a mid-western huntress and a competitive model who knows how to work a catwalk — but may be prone to indulge in catfights — have in common? They all have their sights set on moving to San Francisco with the Bachelor, Ben Flajnik, when the 16th edition of ABC's popular romance reality series, "The Bachelor," premieres Monday, January 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Ben, 29, the handsome winemaker from Sonoma, meets 25 potential soul mates as he begins his exciting search for true love. In the premiere, "Episode 1601," Ben prepares for the night of his life, as the 25 beautiful bachelorettes, all clamoring to meet him, begin to arrive.



Erika, the young law student, informs Ben that the verdict is in and he is convicted of being sexy. Emily, the germ conscious epidemiologist, doesn't miss a beat, quickly sanitizing both herself and Ben before grabbing the season's first kiss. And in a questionable move, Anna decides that Ben should only get a look at her before she struts right by him and straight into the mansion. But Ben is taken aback when Sheryl, a sprite senior citizen, confesses she is madly in love with him. But what is her real motive? Finally, making her grand entrance, Lindzi arrives on horseback in time to intrigue Ben and capture his attention.

As the party begins and the "first impression" rose is brought out, the competition ramps up. Shawn, a single, athletic mom, pulls Ben aside for a quick soccer game. Elyse, an attractive personal trainer, commands Ben to do pushups. Emily decides to show Ben a different side of her personality as she performs a rap she wrote just for him. However, when Jenna, a sensitive New York blogger, is brought to tears by the more forceful Monica, there are storm clouds ahead — particularly since Monica seems a lot more interested in Blakeley then Ben. The commotion and cat fighting culminate in Jenna dissolving in uncontrollable tears.

After Ben's first rose ceremony, 18 women will remain to compete for his affection and, in the end, his heart.

The 25 "Bachelor 2012" contestants are:

• Amber Bacon, 23, labor and delivery nurse, Port Coquitlam, Canada
• Amber Tierney, 29, critical care nurse, Waverly, NE
• Anna Snowball, 25, student, Detroit, MI
• Blakeley Shea, 34, VIP cocktail waitress, Charlotte, NC
• Brittney, 26, medical sales rep, Denver, CO
• Casey Shteamer, 26, trading clerk, Leawood, KS
• Courtney Robertson, 28, model, Santa Monica, CA
• Dianna Martinez, 30, non-profit director, San Gabriel, CA
• Elyse Myers, 24, personal trainer, Chicago, IL
• Emily O'Brien, 27, PhD student, Chapel Hill, NC
• Erika Uhlig, 23, law student, Chicago, IL
• Holly, 34, pharmaceutical sales rep, Salyersville, KY
• Jaclyn Swartz, 27, advertising account manager, Newton, MA
• Jamie Otis, 25, registered nurse, Dryden, NY
• Jenna, 27, blogger, New York City, NY
• Jennifer, 28, accountant, Oklahoma City, OK
• Kacie Boguskie, 24, administrative assistant, Clarksville, TN
• Lindzi Cox, 27, business development manager, Seattle, WA
• Lyndsie J., 29, internet entrepreneur, Scottsdale, AZ
• Monica Spannbauer, 33, dental consultant, Salt Lake City, UT
• Nicki Sterling, 26, dental hygienist, Hurst, TX
• Rachel Truehart, 27, fashion sales rep., New York City, NY
• Samantha Levey, 26, advertising account manager, Los Angeles, CA
• Shawn Reynolds, 28, financial advisor, Phoenix, AZ
• Shira, actress, Los Angeles, CA

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.