Evan Picks Zora and Splits $1 Million

By Stephen M. Silverman

Tuesday February 18, 2003 04:18 PM EST

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It's all over except for the dating.

FOX's reality smash "Joe Millionaire" finished its mini-season Monday night as the faux heir with the fab hair, Evan Marriott, picked Zora Andrich, the good-girl schoolteacher from New Jersey, to go steady.

"It's been a roller-coaster ride," Marriott, 28, told Andrich, 29, before adding the dramatic, "I've chosen you."

That left in the lurch Sarah Kozer, 29, an assistant to a mortgage broker and one-time bondage-video actress.

Both women, however, learned the awful truth. Rather than being a scion to a $50 million fortune, Marriott is really a $19,000-a-year imposter ... until now.

In the long-promised "shocking twist" by the show's producers, Evan and Zora were presented a check for $1 million.

But right before that, Marriott fessed up to Andrich: "There's been something else I'd like to say to you that's been really weighing on my nerves ... I don't have $50 million. I don't have $50,000. I'm sorry I lied to you, but I wanted to find someone who loved me for who I am, not for what I may or may not have."

Andrich rolled her eyes and went silent. After having time to think about it, Zora decided not to stand up her man. "The good news is, I really was turned off by the fact that you inherited all that money," she said. "I would like to continue the journey and see what happens."

Marriott then slipped a diamond ring on her right finger.

As for Kozer's kiss-off, "I haven't chosen you," Marriott blurted out to her, leaving her to say before they hugged goodbye, "It's been an adventure -- absolutely."

For everybody.