18 women compete on the dating show, not knowing which of the bachelors is the millionaire.
Amanda Pace is one of the women featured on this season.
How did Pace end up on Joe Millionaire?
So, how did you end up going on “Joe Millionaire?”
It [said], “We think you’d be great for this show.
Are you interested?”
I worked with them on and off for six months.
Because of COVID, I had some free time.
Was going on a reality TV show like this ever something you ever pictured doing?
I love pushing myself to the limit of doing something that I’m not used to doing.
I definitely was open to TV, but I didn’t know a dating show was on the radar.
What was your experience like on the show?
Do you feel like you knew what to expect, or was it different than what you imagined?
It definitely was different than what I imagined.
My anxiety was definitely through the roof when I arrived because I had no idea what was going on.
I think the timing was the biggest thing I wasn’t expecting.
Was that something you were planning to share on the show at any point?
No, I definitely wasn’t planning on sharing the money because I feel like in the past …
I work really hard, and I own my own business.
I want people to see my talent and my skill.
The money’s an extra added thing.
I feel like, especially in this day and age, everyone wants to own a business or travel.
I don’t really like that rep because I do work really hard for everything I do have.
I’m thankfully blessed with that as well.
I leave it on the back burner until it comes up.
I owned a bikini business, and I worked really hard for everything I grew with the company.
They don’t get to see the bigger picture.
How did Kurt and Steven respond to her wealth?
Were you worried about how Kurt or Steven would respond when they heard that (you have money)?
Yeah, I definitely was nervous.
I always thought Steven had the money because of the farming industry.
I would say about two to three days before family weekend.
I felt pretty secure, and I won’t let a guy use me for money either.
I’m definitely aware of that.
I don’t think it made a difference.
I could feel Kurt starting to form feelings for me regardless of the money.
Did you feel better after seeing the way Kurt reacted and everything?
It was really cute seeing the way Kurt reacted.
I feel like more than anything, me and Kurt love to laugh, and so does my family.
I think having my family there and them bonding and …
He really didn’t touch on the money.
They both were like, “Yeah, that’s great as long as we’re all hardworking.
I support Amanda being a girl boss.”
They (Kurt and Steven) both own their own businesses.
It was more of the bonding between Kurt, my mom, and my sister that I really liked.
What was it like dating on reality TV?
What was that like when you’re getting to know someone in this TV show setting?
You don’t have your friends to be like, “Oh, what do you think?”
It is raw and real feelings.
I’m not very aggressive.
I hung in the back until it was my time.
In the beginning, it’s definitely a little bit challenging because of there being 18 girls.
As time moves forward, you definitely do get to know them.
It’s cute because everything’s removed.
It’s raw and real.
I wish I had a little bit more time, one on one time.
It moves so quickly that it’s like, you get your time.
Did you have any favorite dates that you did while on the show?
There are a few dates that haven’t happened yet on the show, so those are my favorites.
I like authentic, real situations and that moment felt real and as it would in reality to me.
Do you feel like that changed your perspective as you were on the show?
Going into the show, they didn’t tell us that it was “Joe Millionaire.”
They just told us it was called “Love for Real.”
I was going with the flow, open to the process.
I was like, “This is fun.
Once in a lifetime experience, go for it.”
[Then] they told us it was two Joes, one has millions, one doesn’t.
I’ve dated really rich guys who have come from money handed down and really poor guys.
I like a guy that has drive and that really has goals.
Ultimately, no, it didn’t have an effect because I think both guys were working men.
I don’t even do my hair day-to-day.
In the beginning, [it was hard] adjusting to cameras being in your face and being authentic.
You’re like, “How am I going to navigate this?”
But then you truly forget that the cameras are there, and you have fun with it.
It was definitely challenging being on someone else’s time.
Like the producers, you have to …
If you’re exhausted, they’re like, “All right, well, time to get up.
We have this A, B, and C plan.”
It felt like a big sorority house.
I adjusted pretty well after a week.
It felt like a big family after a while with the producers.
We were able to form a friendship and we really could rely on each other for like support.
I talk to my family ten times a day.
Not having them as a soundboard to be like, “How are you?”
because it’s a routine, it was really hard.
You said you kind of felt like it was almost like a sorority house.
Did you feel like you were able to really bond with most of the girls on the show?
We’d have some downtime, and we’d all do hair masks and face masks.
Do you think that you’ll keep in touch with them after the show and everything?
I definitely [will].
I’ll stay close with some of them.
When I saw Kurt and Steven, for me, personality is everything.
If you could make me laugh, that’s huge.
I definitely thought they both were cute.
That made me more interested in him.
Over time, and growing a real relationship, you learn more about someone.
Do you feel like you learned anything about yourself through this experience?
Going into it, you don’t know how you’re going to react.
I need to get my time."
If it’s meant to be, I’ll attract it naturally."
I didn’t go into this being like, “I’m going to win.”
So, I think just staying true to myself and realizing that you don’t have to chase something.
If it’s meant for you, it’ll come.
Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer airs Thursdays on FOX at 8/7c.
