Ready, willing and available

By Nancy Kriz
MONROE — As area fans anxiously await the newest season of “The Bachelorette” to begin on May 28, there’s one other thing they will go gaga over:
A Monroe man is among the 28 contenders looking for romance, a rose and to be picked as the potential husband by this single lady looking for love.
Kamil Nicalek is one of the reality show’s cast members recently announced by ABC who will be vying for the affection of Becca Kufrin on Season 14 of the popular reality show, a spinoff of “The Bachelor.”
Kufrin won Season 22 of “The Bachelor,” but Arie Luyendyk Jr. later broke up with her, putting her in a pool of candidates as a future “Bachelorette” contestant.
The rulesAll of the show’s rules follow the rules of “The Bachelor.” The series revolves around an unmarried woman, usually rejected from a previous “Bachelor” season, and a pool of romantic interests, with one possibly becoming her future husband.
The first episode starts with the bachelorette standing in front of a mansion in an undisclosed location, individually greeting her eligible suitors as they arrive.
There, the men seek to make a memorable first impression, followed by more chatter and banter in a reception-like atmosphere.
Soon, she must determine who stays or goes through the franchise’s infamous rose ceremony. After each ceremony is complete, the pool of contenders gets smaller, eventually leaving her to decide between two contestants in the final rose ceremony.
For the final selection, one of two male suitors proposes to her. And in two of the show’s seasons, the pairs have married.
To get to that point, however, there are always twists and turns in each episode to support the drama, romance, intrigue, infighting, heartache and related commotion that makes “The Bachelorette” popular among viewers.
Nominated by unknown friendNicalek - a 30-year-old graduate of Washingtonville High School and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill - was selected for the show after being nominated by “an unknown friend.”
“Somebody called me from the network to say I was nominated,” he said. “They asked to meet me in the city. I later flew out to Los Angeles to cast and was picked out of 2,000 guys.”
The audition process pretty straight forward, Nicalek explained.
“I met with the cast and director,” he said. “They ask you what you’re looking for in your future wife, what’s important to you, your family values and morals.”
Beyond that, Nicalek - who was born in Poland - said he is contractually obligated to not discuss much of what happens behind the scenes.
But former “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor” contestants have said in published reports the process also includes having a clean bill of health - including psychological health, passing a background check, living in a sorority/fraternity-like environment and being available for an extended period of time.
“I didn’t find out who the girl was until three weeks before the show,” Nicalek added.
A lot of different thingsFor reasons unknown, the show defines Nicalek’s occupation as a “social media participant,” something he said is incorrect.
“I think they kind of labeled me as ‘a social media participant’ out of nowhere,” he said. “I want to clear it up, that’s not my job function or title. I’m a model with the Wilhelmina agency, a real estate agent with Keller Williams in Chester and an online fitness coach designing diet plans and fitness regimes. I have an entrepreneurial mindset. I do a lot of different things in my life.”
Entrepreneurism aside, Nicalek admitted - while not divulging any plot lines - that being on the show gives him a chance to meet someone new.
Even mom asked: 'Why not?'“I’ve been in two, long-term relationships and single now for over a year and a half,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why, it’s another date, it’s an opportunity to meet someone different.’ You never know if you’d find true love on TV, so I thought, ‘Why not?’”
Even his mother Malgorzata Nicalek supported the idea.
“My mom said, “Do whatever you want to do, something good might come from it,’” Nicalek said. “In the beginning, I didn’t want to go on the show out of fear of ruining my reputation or what people may think of me. But I did it because my family and friends said, ‘Why not? Not everyone gets this opportunity.’ I’ve been in the spotlight before so it’s not a big deal.”
Nicalek remained careful to not give away anything that viewers will see this season, saying only filming was done in California and “Becca is a lovely person,” adding he made a lot of great connections and is keeping in touch with some of his fellow contenders.
And of course, he declined to say if he makes it to the final rose ceremony.
However, he added: “They’re (viewers) are in for a lot of excitement and drama when they tune in.”
Host Chris Harrison supported that, telling Entertainment Tonight the drama includes “maybe the most ridiculous fight you've ever seen in the history of our show, which is saying a lot...it's just magnificent to watch. It's going to be one of those (seasons where) you're watching through your fingers because you're embarrassed for everybody involved but you can't stop watching.”
InstagramSince ABC announced Season 14’s cast, the 28 contenders seeking Kufrin’s love and affection have been scrutinized by swooning fans watching television previews, reading content in print and online outlets in addition to television programs and social media platforms.
Nicalek welcomed people to follow him on Instagram at “Kamiloo.” He’ll be posting commentary as the show progresses.
Contrary to what many may think, Nicalek has no idea how producers will edit all the completed filming, but he’ll get his first taste next Monday when he watches the show with his family and friends by his side.
“I hope to not be too nervous and shy watching it,” he said. “It’s one of those things like when you watch yourself dance at a wedding and you feel embarrassed.”
Nicalek isn’t the first area resident to be on a national television series. In 2012, Harriman resident Jermaine Paul won the second season of “The Voice,” the NBC vocal reality show. His winning song, a cover of "I Believe I Can Fly," made it up to number 83 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and he remains a notable figure in music.
Can viewers expect Nicalek to have similar success?
Nope, he’s still not saying, teasing: “You’ll have to tune in to find out.”
And Nicalek remained confident about the value of being a “Bachelorette” cast member.
“I hope this will further my career, and that I can find people who are like minded and help them with their fitness goals,” he said. “It was a good experience to be on reality TV.”