Ryan's Life Post-Bachelorette
Where's Ryan Sutter been since he and Trista Rehn were reportedly paid $1 million to marry on prime-time TV? Unlike his Bachelorette runner-up, Charlie, he's not clinging to showbiz for dear life. The newlyweds moved to Sutter's hometown of Vail, Colorado, where he still writes poetry and works as a firefighter/EMT. He's also training for the Iron Man Triathlon World Championship taking place this fall in Hawaii, where he aims to raise cash for the Firefighters' National Trust.
"I love the job I have," he says. "People assume that if you go on reality television, you automatically are cast into this celebrity role and it's a springboard into the entertainment industry. It really isn't. We're not actors, we're just normal people."
Tell that to stunned fans who can't get over "Trista's Ryan" answering their 911 calls! "They think I'm filthy rich and I don't need to work," he says. "They have a lot of misconceptions." Like that he's free to sign autographs and shake hands while on duty. "It's definitely strange. When they come by the fire station, I'm not really doing anything and I'm happy to talk to people. But when I'm actually out on a call, someone is in need of our assistance.
"For people to come up and tap me on the shoulder while we're treating someone, it's rude," he adds. "And very inconsiderate of the person who's sick or hurt." On the bright side, Sutter's celebrity does add a silver lining to some dark situations. "Sometimes, when [patients] see me, they're not quite as sick as they were before," he chuckles. "Hopefully, it makes them feel better."
Sutter's never been as seduced by TV fame as his bride. "Not really," he says. "As far as being on television — especially on reality TV — I don't think there's a place for me. Just like anyone else, I'd love to be in a movie with Tom Cruise. But I know that that's never going to happen because I can't act. If Vin Diesel called me up, said he was making a movie and he wanted me to be in it, I might come. But I'm not expecting that phone call!"
