Former Miss Wisconsin USA, Cortney Owen, goes ‘Outback’ to meet Jack

July 12, 2004

Bug nets, makeshift canvas tents and hand-pumped showers may not be the preferable choice in accommodations as a dating-reality show contestant, but for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater alumna Cortney Owen ‘01, of Muskego, this is exactly what she must endure in Turner Broadcasting System’s (TBS) “Outback Jack.”

Owen, 2001 Miss Wisconsin USA and former public relations professional for motor sports in southeastern Wisconsin, with her fellow contestants began the show in evening gowns and stretch limousines at a mansion in the hills of Los Angeles ready to meet the ‘man of their dreams,’ when the host of the show informed them the final destination was Australia.

“We were told to pack three things: hiking boots, evening gowns and a passport,” said Owen, Alpha Sigma Sorority member at UW-Whitewater. “All we knew aside from that, was it was going to be an adventure of some sort. I kind of deduced that it would be a cross between ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘Survivor.’”

Soon after arrival in Sydney, the contestants were informed that in order to meet ‘Jack’ they would have to parachute from a small plane to the outback, evening gowns tucked into flight suits and all.

The show tests twelve ‘high-maintenance’ women vying for the affections of East Melbourne, Australia native Vadim Dale while riding camels, paddling canoes, handling reptiles and fishing with bare hands in the Australian outback.

“The experience was incredible,” Owen said. “Having a background in pageants, I expected it to be this outright competition and instead of that, I came away with some of the most incredible and genuine experience. You are so out of your element, the first thing we did was cling onto each other for support.”

Owen, a self-defined hopeless romantic who competed for a spot on the show with 2,000 other applicants, wanted to meet the man of her “dreams to connect with on a greater level.” Asked whether she would participate in “Outback Jack” all over again:
“In a second. I would give anything to go back right now.”

“Outback Jack” appears on TBS Tuesdays at 8 p.m. For more information contact Gina McKenzie of TBS media relations at (404) 855-4315 or gina.mckenzie@turner.com

Photo available upon request.