Bethany, a 21 year old real-life amnesiac who entered the STARTING OVER house with no recollection of her childhood or adolescence, has graduated in triumph from the acclaimed real-life daytime television drama distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution (syndicated, check local listings for time and station).
Bethany (last names of cast withheld) came to the attention of TV producers during a casting call held in Charlotte, NC in October 2004. Pained by the previous loss of childhood memories, and terrified by the possibility that amnesia could strike again at any time, Bethany lived a sheltered existence with her family before entering the STARTING OVER house. Bethany´s goal for her time on STARTING OVER was to get to know herself without relying on the memories of others.
With the support of the STARTING OVER life coaches Rhonda Britten and Iyanla Vanzant and Consulting Psychologist Dr. Stan J. Katz, Bethany experienced a variety of treatments to help her regain her memory, including hypnotherapy and a trip to her hometown. Much to her surprise and happiness, Bethany recovered some lost memories and clues about her past.
Even while she recovered bits of her past, Bethany worked to develop a sense of self in her present. During the STARTING OVER process she experimented with several new experiences, including dating (something which had previously terrified her), riding a motorcycle, and she was able to try out new appearances thanks to professional makeovers. She even received an unforgettable first kiss thanks to several stars from the NBC Daytime series PASSIONS. Bethany leaves the STARTING OVER house newly confident, self-aware, and bursting with beauty, inside and out.
In honor of her graduation, Bethany received an all-expenses-paid trip to New York, including a shopping spree with professional stylist and STARTING OVER graduate Andy Paige. She also received a gift card from Dell for a computer that will help her with her desire to pursue further education.
STARTING OVER features six diverse women living in a Hollywood Hills home and striving to improve their lives with the help of Life Coaches and a Consulting Psychologist. The daily one-hour, real-life drama chronicles their progress as they attempt to make extraordinary changes in their lives.
Each woman in the STARTING OVER cast is expected to reside in the STARTING OVER house for six to twelve weeks, depending on the scope of her "project" and her rate of progress toward her goal. Those women who achieve their goals graduate in triumph. Those who falter can be asked to leave the house.
