Even though she had been a huge fan of ABC's "The Bachelor," Peyton Wright wasn't prepared for the emotional roller coaster that is competing with 24 women for the same guy.

"You tend to forget what you're there for," said Wright, 24, who was sent home roseless on last week's episode. "You finish a conversation with (Andy Baldwin), and he's engulfed in another conversation with another woman. That was really hard to grasp, that you weren't the only one he was thinking about."

Wright, a sorority recruiter who lives in Dallas, was chosen to go on a two-on-one date with Baldwin and Tessa, another woman vying for the doctor's affection.

By the end of the date, which took place on an aircraft carrier off San Diego, Baldwin could give a rose to only one of the two women.

He chose Tessa.

"That whole day and whole evening was so emotional," said Wright, who cried watching Baldwin leave with Tessa on a helicopter. "I was happy for them, but at the same time, I put myself out there and told him exactly how I felt. And it didn't turn out."

Wright thought she knew what to expect from watching every season of the popular reality show, now in its 10th season.

But she didn't realize just how competitive and emotional it would get.

"I knew what it was all about and knew it was a competition, but it doesn't sink in until you're actually there," Wright said. "(You see) him talking to other women, and the jealousy just builds."

After some convincing by a coworker, Wright decided to audition for the show.

"I thought Andy was a hot man (who) looked like he had a lot going for him, who I had a lot in common with," Wright said. "I thought I'd just go and audition and see what happens."

Her plan was to be herself and not let the fact that millions of people were watching her love life on national television affect her behavior on the show.

"I wanted to be completely, 100 percent myself," she said.

And though in the end, Baldwin chose someone else, Wright said she has no regrets.

"I think Andy is an amazing person," Wright said. "He has worked so hard to get to where he is in his life. I really hope he finds someone through this show. ... I hope he's really happy, and I hope there's a wedding to come out of this."

Surprisingly, Wright is cheering on the woman who nabbed that rose on the aircraft carrier.

"(Tessa) was one of my favorites on the show," Wright said. "Her personality just shines, and she was very comfortable around Andy. I would say she definitely goes far. She's the one I'm rooting for in the end."

Though she didn't walk away with a husband — or even a one-on-one date with Baldwin, Wright feels the experience was worthwhile.

"(It) has definitely taught me (that) you have to open yourself up to new experiences and take some risks," Wright said.

Another thing she's learned? She loves, loves being on TV.

"I love just the hustle and bustle of everyone getting us ready for the different scenes and dates," Wright gushed. "There's something about being in front of the camera I just really, really enjoyed."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.