Jackson Free Press

Tripp Davis has become a modern Renaissance man. The Ridgeland native, 27, is an accountant, fitness instructor and Ironman competitor. The 2006 graduate of Delta State University was also an All-American swimmer. But Mississippi's 2010 Cosmopolitan bachelor did not become a household name until after he joined the cast of "Sweet Home Alabama." Country Music Television's newest reality show features Davis competing against 19 other men for the southern sweetheart, Devin Grissom. The show presents a cultural clash, with 10 of the men being city slickers and Davis and nine others as the country boys. Davis says living in the house with the other men reminded him of college.

"It felt like college. In college, I lived with five guys. One time we all competed for the same girl. So I had a little experience in that area," Davis says.

Davis has always wanted to participate in a reality show but getting the call from CMT was a surprising opportunity. He joined the cast in Fairhope, Ala., in the hopes of winning Grissom's heart. Davis believed the show could be a chance to search for love in a place outside of Mississippi.

"It seems like I've dated half of Jackson. I thought the show was a chance to look for love in another place," he says.

Davis knows what he wants in a woman. The show became an opportunity to find her. "My ideal woman is someone I can laugh with, run with and enjoy life with. She's a friend, someone to share the rest of my life with."

Davis' chance at love came in the form of 20-yearold Devin Grissom, a student at the University of Alabama. Tripp says the show's bachelorette is a great woman. "She's the typical Southern girl--blonde hair, blue eyes. There are so many things to love about Devin."

Davis had to adjust to life on a reality show. The constant cameras were disarming for him at first, but he learned to stop looking at them. Filming for "Sweet Home Alabama" began in May, and finished up in June. Davis has returned to Ridgeland as an accountant. But viewers can catch him on the show, which airs at 8 p.m., every Thursday on CMT.