TV show contestant has Clovis ties

Amanda Rantuccio, one of the three final finalists on “The Bachelor: London Calling,” was born in Clovis.

She is a 27-year-old account executive who lives in Orlando, Fla.

She talked to the CNJ before Monday’s final episode. She signed a non-disclosure agreement about the show.

The beginning: My parents lived in Clovis for four years while my dad was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in 1977 through 1980.

What her mother told her about Clovis: "Cannon was our first duty station. It was culture shock coming from New England, but we grew to like it a lot. We loved the food, this is where you got your love of Mexican food. I ate it the whole time I was pregnant. The people were really down to earth. We made a lot of friends. And of course we loved the climate. We were extremely sad when we heard the base may be closing down. We would love for you to go there and see where you were born."

Having an Air Force father: I went to two different elementary schools every year of elementary and my second-grade year I went to three. We were constantly moving and I think it just gave me the ability to get along with almost anyone and have a good sense of self, because at one school I would be a nerd and the next school I would be cool, but I knew I was the same person. It’s always other’s perceptions of who you are, so you just have to know who you are.

Living in a small town: I think the great thing about being in small towns is that you can’t escape. Like if you do something, people are going to find out about it, which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. You always have to maintain who you are, and how you want people to see you.

Reality television: I tried to always be aware of what I’m doing and how that would affect somebody else. I guess, going onto the show you realize people are going to be watching it, but you also forget that the cameras are on. So, at the same time, just maintaining who I was and asking would I normally do this in my real life? You always want to present yourself well and there were times I completely forgot about that, like calling him a name. There are certain things you know you’d take back.

On dating: I think you shouldn’t do anything just to get a guy’s attention that you wouldn’t normally do. If he’s the right guy, then he will come to you because he likes you as a person. I don’t have any talents, but if I did, I don’t think it would be something I would want to showcase just to get a guy’s attention. And staying out of the drama is definitely a good thing to do, especially if you are going on a reality TV show.

— Compiled by CNJ staff writer Keely McDowell