Former Miss El Paso Competing for Love on New Season of ‘The Bachelor’

The 25th season of "The Bachelor" debuted on Monday (1/4) and among the cast competing to win the love and affection of real estate broker and entrepreneur Matt James is a pageant queen with ties to the Sun City.

Twenty-seven-year-old Jessenia Cruz, who is a former Miss El Paso winner, is one of the single ladies looking for everlasting reality show love. Although her bio on the show’s website says she was born and raised in San Antonio and currently lives there, Cruz spent a few years in El Paso and attended the University of Texas El Paso from 2013 to 2016. She was crowned Miss El Paso in 2016.

In a “Meet the Women” video on the Bachelor Nation Youtube channel, show host Chris Harrison references Jessenia's pageant past saying, “I can hear the groans, I can see the eye-rolls” before noting that she is “not your typical pageant girl,” and adding that she’s “opinionated" and "not afraid of ruffling some feathers.”

Harrison also offers this bit of a spoiler: That sass will create a situation where Cruz “will find herself in more than a little drama,” which he promises “will have all of Bachelor Nation talking” after she gives someone an insincere gift. Meow, amirite?

Jessenia isn't the first contestant with ties to El Paso to appear on a "Bachelor" franchise show.

Alex Brusiloff, a Coronado High grad who now lives in Dallas, was among the suitors rounded up for Clare Crawley on the fall 2020 season of The Bachelorette. Alas, Brusiloff’s attempt at finding his forever love on a reality show was brief as he was sent packing before filming even began.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app