Trista Sutter: Bachelor Franchise Is "Tainted Now"

Season two Bachelorette is happy she was one of the first rather than one of the more recent folks looking for love on television

Reality television has come a long way since Trista Sutter found the love of her life on The Bachelorette.

"The show is a little tainted now," the 37-year-old mother of two told us recently at JC Penney's Holiday Tasting and Tree Trimming at West Hollywood's Sunset Tower. "People know the right things to say and do, and how to act."

Trista and Ryan Sutter said "I do" in 2003 after she picked him as the bachelor she wanted to marry. Their wedding aired as a television special on ABC.

"When we were on it, it was more innocent," she continued. "It came from a pure place...I'm sure many people go on now to be a part of the public eye."

In fact, Trista believes it's probably best that recent Bachelor contestant Melissa Rycroft ended up marrying outside of reality TV.

"Melissa knew Tye [Strickland] for awhile before she went on The Bachelor, so it's kind of a mature relationship," Trista said. "She seems very, very, very happy and I'm happy for her."

Perhaps Rycroft and her new hubby can take marital tips from Trista and her husband Ryan Sutter. The couple, who tied the knot six years ago, showed up at the JC Penney event looking happier than ever. The duo toted along their adorable eight-month-old daughter Blakesley Grace Sutter.

"It's all about the kids for the holidays," Trista said. "We are hanging out in the mountains where we live. Ryan's parents are coming, and we're just going to chill out and have good family time."

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Not so happy? The Gosselins. Check out our Reality of Jon & Kate + 8 photo gallery.