SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah women made their debut on the season premiere of “The Bachelor” on Monday night.
Both Marikh Mathias and Maquel Cooper, who hail from Salt Lake City and Orem, respectively, appeared on the show's opening show to meet Arie Luyendyk Jr., the season’s bachelor of choice.
The bachelorettes introduced themselves to Luyendyk by giving him gifts to help him remember them. For example one woman, Bekah, drove up in an early Mustang.
Cooper made her own special entrance, which might have been the highlight of the night. She rolled up in a race car, which is a call-back to Luyendyk’s career as a race car driver.
“Sorry I’m late,” Cooper said, stepping up to meet the bachelor for the first time.
The two engaged in a hug. Cooper asked if Luyendyk liked her car, and he said yes.
“Good, because that’s going to be us soon,” she said, nodding back to the car.
The other bachelorettes watched with dropped jaws, amazed to see the stunning Cooper step out of the race car.
Cooper caused some drama in her appearance too, interrupting a conversation Luyendyk was having with another contestant, Chelsea, who later complained to the other women about Cooper’s appearance, immediately causing friction in the household.
Cooper and Luyendyk took a selfie together while having a private conversation.
“I don’t even remember what we talked about,” she said.
Mathias’ introduction was a little tamer. She stepped out of a limo and hugged Luyendyk, introducing herself as a restaurant owner.
“I want some salt and pepper in my life,” she said.
Mathias’ opening conversation with Luyendyk created less drama. The two spoke about the hope to find love.
“I was so nervous in the limo,” Mathias said. “And when I got out, I saw you and I was instantly calm.”
The rest of the episode included the entire cast of women battling it out for Luyendyk’s attention.
The First Impression Rose also made an appearance. The First Impression Rose is a staple in “The Bachelor” lore, as it's seen as an early indicator of Luyendyk’s interests It also provides immunity from being let go in the show’s first ceremony event. And the rose also creates drama among the contestants.
Chelsea, who complained several times throughout the show's premiere and interrupted another woman's conversation with Luyendyk, won the rose.
Luyendyk finished the episode handing out roses to the women who would survive until next week’s show. Mathias earned the second rose. Cooper, though, had to wait until the final rose to learn she would continue on the show.
Both Cooper and Mathias will continue at least for one more week, having not been eliminated in the first episode. The two Utah contestants will join the rest of the cast as they all continue to vye for Luyendyk’s heart.
“The Bachelor” airs on Monday nights on ABC.