Jen Schefft
Roger Wong/INFGoff
Schefft, 28, the former fiancee of Bachelor Andrew Firestone, tells PEOPLE of this initial audition: "The best part of tonight is that it wasn't empty – that people actually showed up."
Looking enticing in a satiny-pink, sleeveless top, Levi jeans and black, pointy-toed three-inch heels, Schefft admitted: "I was afraid that no one would be here – I'm just thrilled that people actually came out to do this, relieved that there was such a good turnout."
All told, about 200 would-be suitors turned out at the Windy City's Rockit Bar & Grill, 120 of whom were asked by ABC to do five-minute taped interviews. Circulating through a room packed with eager males of all shapes and sizes, Schefft shook hands and chatted up those who could be her husband one day.
Scott Shudnow, 27, an attorney and licensed real estate broker, said he came to the casting because, "I'm a pretty picky guy, and I haven't met a girl that meets all my standards – classy, intelligent, sexy, with a job and (who) cares about bettering herself. I heard that Jen from The Bachelor was going to be here, and she looks pretty good to me."
Meanwhile, John Melahn, 31, a health care consultant from the Chicago 'burbs, came "to find out if the girl I see on TV is as special inside as she is on the outside."
Throughout the evening's selection process, Schefft – who'll ultimately pick one final lucky guy when the ABC series returns to the air in January – consulted with staff from the network. "They definitely told me to come up to them if I was talking to anyone or they would point someone out to me and ask, 'What did you think of this person?'"
So, what is she looking for? "I guess I like the guys who are just straightforward and want to talk to you. I'm not into the pick-up lines … they don't need to make funny jokes right off the bat – just someone who's natural and easy."
