Jennifer Nettles, country star and host of Farmer Wants a Wife, opens up about the search for love, filming reality TV, and more.
The hit reality series premiered its second season on February 1, 2024, bringing in a new group of contestants looking for love. Jennifer Nettles joined us to provide the details on this latest season of Farmer Wants a Wife.
C&I: Were you an automatic “Yes” when Farmer Wants a Wife first invited you to be the host?
Jennifer Nettles: Yes and no. There are some reality shows that I loved. But in terms of dating reality shows, I’ve never been into those. I guess I’m more of an old-school romantic. Then, as I looked more into it, I found it so endearing and so heartwarming. I love telling stories, and I love a love story. I want all of them to find true love. They are all so charming, genuine, and just super earthy, grounded people. I want them to win.
C&I: It seems that their search for love would be difficult, since they’re all out in the middle of their farm towns without any kind of nightlife to speak of. Can you relate to that?
Jennifer: I’m from a super small town and so are they. And everybody knows everybody there, so how are you going to be able to find someone? Especially if you’ve devoted a certain part of your life to the land, to the work, to your calling, and to your vocation. So, you definitely root for these guys, for sure.
C&I: Are all the contestants the same kind of farmers?
Jennifer: Every season is different, so on this one we have cattle, horses, citrus, potato, and barley. All kinds of farming there. I have found that a common thread is that the guys are very respectful, and they don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. And they don’t want to show favorites, except the whole point is that you do find a favorite. [Laughs.]
C&I: What was the first overnight camping trip like at Chattooga Belle Farm in South Carolina?
Jennifer: The properties are always so beautiful. And not only is it a beautiful setting, but it was the first overnight mixer that we’ve had. They do all like to come together. There is a community that gets formed. So it’s nice for them to be able to chat about this very surreal experience that they’re having, to be able to get out of the day-to-day life on the farm and have a chance to be out of their element, but in a new way.
C&I: It’s kind of your job to make the farmers and the women feel comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. How do you approach that?
Jennifer: I feel sort of like the fairy godmother. I get to swoop in and give them encouragement, because parts of this are the elements of the heart. The emotional elements of this are exactly like they are in real life in the sense that falling in love is a vulnerable thing. When you put your heart out there and try to get to know someone, there are all of these vulnerabilities: the possibility of rejection, the possibility of love, the excitement of newness, the excitement of something you haven’t felt before, the excitement of connection. All of those are present if you meet someone at a football game or a bar or a church event. All of those same elements are there, but it’s hyper concentrated in the sense that obviously it’s a TV show, so there are cameras around and the context of there being multiple women at one time and one man. That’s what can be the most challenging.
C&I: So, it’s surreal, but it’s also real? Can you explain that a little more?
Jennifer: The situations are surreal, but the people are real. And the goal here is real: real love. So, what you’re hoping for is something really grounded and really true. You have to approach that with all of your authenticity. I just try to come in and remind them of the actual reality. And that is that these are real human feelings you’re having, and you need to communicate them in this way. And sometimes that means offering someone the dignity of her discomfort.
Illustration: Courtesy Raul Arias
This article appears in our April 2024 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy Fox Broadcasting Company
