Helene Eksterowicz and Gwen Gioia make their way past a predominantly female audience, proving to be just as glamorous as they appeared to be on ABC’s second edition of the hit reality television show, “The Bachelor.” Confident and poised, the girls make themselves comfortable in the sofa chairs on stage, and a smiling Gioia quickly presents their tentative agenda for the night: explanations of themselves and why they’re there, a question-and-answer session (that she insists will be answered honestly, for anyone “brave enough to ask”) and an eventual book signing of the work she co-authored with Eksterowicz.
Some die-hard fanatics of the show are probably aware that both Eksterowicz 28, and Gioia, 32, both hail from Philadelphia, but the similarities don’t end there. Both took up psychology in college and both found a simple B.A. degree insufficient.
Gioia’s extended learning adventure found promise in none other than our very own, top-of-the-line educational institute, West Chester University. Completing her graduate program here, she was then well on her way to her current job as a pharmaceutical industry consultant. Eksterowicz found her happiness as an elementary school psychologist. Both, however, would soon be taking a different direction towards a man by the name of Aaron Buerge.
Eksterowicz and Gioia both explain to the students that neither even tried out for their roles on the show. Both were pushed and prodded by friends and family to try out before eventually being plucked into the cast, even after reluctant replies as to why they wanted to be there and what they hoped to gain from such an overwhelming experience.
As Gioia put it herself, it seemed like a definite sign when her friends and her mother separately suggested she try out, but even more so when another girl was apparently dropped in the beginning and the powers-that-be personally called and asked her to come be on the show.
The two women put on their most positive fronts when relaying their time spent away, but don’t forget to mention the lengthy contracts that they naively signed – which would later prevent them from ever discussing the show in great detail.
They also giggled incredulously at the memories of absurd questionnaires they were given that begged to know their favorite snack foods, how many hours a week they watched television, etc. Neither seemed to know quite what they were getting themselves into, probably until they were told that there would be no television in the house, no books, no radio, and basically no communication whatsoever with the outside world in the next six weeks.
Helene shared a story of how she managed to smuggle her cell phone into her room and call her mother one night. Consequences followed a short hour later, when it was swiftly removed from her possession.
The two ladies also reveal that cameras were constantly pushed in their faces, whether it was two-thirty in the morning and they had just returned home from a date with Aaron, or they were being woken up in the middle of the night.
Sometimes it was all they could do not to be slightly dramatic and dishonest just so they could get a hard-earned rest.
The tactics of the producers seem rather harsh and manipulative, to hear about them first-hand from Eksterowicz and Gioia. Both women agreed that they were lied to on the night of the One Rose Ceremony, when they were instructed not to eat din-ner beforehand because it would be provided at the event.
There was nothing to be found but an occasional appetizer, though, and the ritual ended up lasting from eight at night until six the next morning, leaving the attendants famished, exhausted, and undoubtedly emotional. The girls also remember the great times they spent and shared amongst each other, taking note that none of these grand adventures were ever broadcast on-screen, but the rare fights always managed to make their way through the cutting room.
Although Gioia kept herself in the race for Aaron’s affections almost until the bitter end, Eksterowicz came out on top a few episodes later.
The engagement wouldn’t last long though and finally her problems with the bachelor escalated and they just couldn’t make it work. Not the usual jealous type, Esterowicz admitted that it was obviously hard to watch girls invade the few dates they were able to find time for, going so far as to ask Aaron for pictures, autographs and even kisses.
She doesn’t seem to be taking the break-up too hard anymore, and is currently selling her engagement ring on eBay for the small amount of $17,500.
In their new book, “Nobody’s Perfect,” Gioia and Eksterowicz offer stories, advice, and insight into why males are the way they are and how girls can learn to accept the baggage these guys will inevitably be bringing with them.