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Area newlyweds weather high pressure of reality TV storm
Couple formerly of Middletown come in a respectable second place on ABC show
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Former Middletown residents Lance and Heather Holmes feel confident their marriage will last — not just because they love each other, but because they've been through the reality TV wringer.
The Holmeses recently wrapped their run on the six-week ABC reality show, "Here Come the Newlyweds," which pitted couples against each other in a series of challenges. One couple was voted off at the end of each show; Lance and Heather made it all the way to second place.
Extras
The couple are adjusting to a normal married life in Denver, Colo., where they moved last September after Lance accepted a job transfer. For several weeks, however, they withstood the reality TV pressure cooker, which made the old "Newlywed Game" show look like a breeze.
"Just being put in stressful situations such as those made you look at communicating and staying calm. ... I learned how to laugh at situations and how you could joke with each other and not take things so seriously," said Heather, a 1997 graduate of Fenwick High School.
Every couple on the show learned from each other, which is why the Holmeses didn't at all mind coming in second to the winning duo, Crystal and Johnnie Mutra of Missouri City, Texas.
"They had this unconditional love for each other, and it was nice to see a couple carry themselves like that," Lance said.
"Even though we didn't get the big prize, we feel at peace with how it turned out," said Heather.
Taping a TV show, even without the burden of having to act or learn lines, was not exactly peaceful, though. Lance recalled the first day of shooting.
"The first day was the biggest shock. There were 100 people on the set with 10 cameras everywhere. It gave me a whole new respect for the behind-the-scenes people," Lance said.
They lived in such a bubble, Heather said, that "we didn't have any communication with the outside world."
Now that they are back in the outside world, they're finding out they're rather famous.
"We get recognized when we're out and about, which is kind of surreal for us. We just appreciate everyone's support back home," Heather said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
