Initially appointed Bachelorette who identifies as bisexual. - Fifteen individuals identifying as male to five individuals identifying as female.
Stella Stegmann (27) shares her background in front of cameras with both genders in the initial episodes of "Die Bachelorette" (August 26 on RTL+, then weekly on Mondays). She vows to not let any technology hinder her actions, having previously participated in the German version of "Too Hot to Handle." There, physical contact was prohibited and penalized by an automated voice.
The crowd is eager for a taste of what's to come with plenty of kissing, fifteen males and five females competing for Stella's affection. As a Munich-based model and fitness trainer, she openly discusses taboo topics like sexuality. The women are well-prepared, while the men are taken by surprise.
Size is not a significant factor... yet
The men begin clueless. Three of them arrive in suits on jet skis, including Erik (30), who crafts metal sculptures, Martínez (35), the Hyrox world champion from Augsburg, and Brian (24), who humbly introduces himself as "Brian, not Bryan."
Introductions of the contestants are brief in this season. Only brief snippets of family voices are heard.
Stella must eliminate three men instantly, with only two roses available. She awards the first rose of the season to the six-foot-tall Martínez, followed by Erik. Despite being significantly shorter than Stella, Erik frets about fitting in. However, it's Brian who is left standing on shaky ground with trembling nerves. Stella finds him endearing but not quite enough to catch her eye.
"Could be sausage with something in the head"
Later in the premiere, Stella picks up the next four men in a typical tuk-tuk. The first is Markus (32), nicknamed "sausage with something in the head" by his friend, handball player Mimi Kraus. Next is Lukasz (29), a contestant on the Polish version of "Love Island." Then, Stella meets the heavily tattooed Jan (34) over coffee and pastries. Finally, Devin (28) showcases his singing skills on the guitar. The competition is pleased by his performance. Unfortunately, there are fewer roses than men, and Lukasz walks away empty-handed.
Meanwhile, four more men without a rose preselection move into the villa: Bennett (27), a former soldier; Fabian (33), the blonde optimist; Smith (23), the quiet and loud train conductor; and Musty (30), the self-assured one. The viewers and the men themselves are left in the dark about what precisely will happen to them.
The men discover a secret area in the villa with five beds. Smith thinks it's a sign of five more women, but he mistakenly believes they're all potential "Bachelorettes." The men retire, confused and unaware of what the future holds.
Stella must rely on her senses
The following morning, even Stella is left in the dark as she enters the villa blindfolded. She must select three men based on scent, touch, and voice. Max (33) impresses with his scent, Ferry (29) makes a lasting impression with his dancing skills, and Aarón (31) stands out in the listening exercise.
Peter (36) and Aaron go home empty-handed in all three categories. Peter's overly enthusiastic hugging leaves Stella with labored breathing, while Aarón's response to Stella's questions has her captivated.
The men are now complete. Now, it's time for the women's turn. They ride to the beach for their date with Stella on quad bikes, sparking curiosity among the men about the incoming participants. The idea that Stella might be bisexual is beyond their wildest imaginations.
The women revitalize Stella's social battery
The women engage in one-on-one conversations with Stella on the beach. Emma (21), a guitar-playing rock bar employee, begins the dialogue. Luna (33) may have met Stella before, having attended a "sex-positive" party in Vienna, which Stella attended as well. Stella is drawn to Luna's unique scent and body language. Emma impresses Stella with her musical talents, while Luna is captivated by Stella's shoulder strength. Stella connects with Akousa (21), also known as Ako, over their shared passion for modeling and creativity. Ako aspires to be a rapper.
Leila (27) is smitten by Stella's "extremely handsome" face. Leila is interested in holistic health and discusses topics such as social batteries as if they were scientific concepts. Aysun (24), an emergency medical technician and bartender, offers to make Stella drinks and administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Aysun is the only woman who identifies as strictly lesbian, while the others maintain openness to the possibility of finding a man who could sweep them off their feet.
Stella feels more comfortable around the ladies than the gents. She openly expresses that she was eagerly anticipating connecting with the females. Initially, there's no tension between the genders, leaving viewers hanging for the forthcoming episode. On the other hand, Aysun shows a hint of pessimism about cohabiting in a villa with "heterosexual, cisgender males."
The women's arrival at the villa adds a new dynamic to the competition, with stellar personalities like Emma, Luna, Akousa, Leila, and Aysun joining men and boys alike. Stella seems particularly drawn to the women, finding a deeper connection with them than with some of the male contestants.
As the men explore the secret area in the villa, they speculate about the arrival of more "Bachelorettes," unaware of the unexpected twist that awaits them.
