Reality star

Features

Related Photos

Whitesboro’s Hannah Helvey is one of the stars of the reality show Texas Women, which airs Thursday nights on CMT. The show follows four rodeo-loving women around Fort Worth and includes (left to right) Anna Hunt, Brooke Jeter, Helvey and Ali Dee. CMT photo

Guest Book

Sign Our Guest Book

July 24, 2011

Reality star

Whitesboro resident shines on CMT show

By DELANIA TRIGG, Assistant Editor Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Mon Jul 25, 2011, 01:40 PM CDT

Whitesboro — Reality TV performer Hannah Helvey wants to set the record straight — she’s not a brat. Helvey — who lives in Whitesboro — is one of four women on the new CMT reality series Texas Women. The show was shot a year and half ago in the Fort Worth area and Helvey said watching herself on the first of the show’s eight episodes was an eye-opener. “I do look like an out-of-control party girl,” Helvey admitted. “I didn’t know I was that way. Shoot, no. But my friends know me. They love me for who I am, and I think if viewers watch the show they’ll see that I’ve changed a lot since we first started filming.” Helvey is originally from Edmond, Okla., but said there’s a lot to like about her current hometown. “I really do love Whitesboro,” she said. “It’s such a charming little town. When I’m at home, I’m basically just lounging by the pool but I do get into town to do some things like get a spray tan.” Helvey — an aspiring model who said she’s booked at least five jobs since her work on Texas Women — is living on a ranch where she takes care of horses during the week. The business is called Cinderella Horses, and Helvey said it’s a top roping horse operation. Like her co-stars Anna Hunt, Brooke Jeter and Ali Dee, Helvey said she loves the rodeo life. “I grew up in rodeo,” she said. “It’s a common variable in my life.” Her contacts in the professional rodeo world helped land her the Texas Women gig, she said. “The show’s creators kind of found me through their rodeo connections,” she said. She credits her “super-outgoing” personality with sealing the deal. Her big personality has also earned her the nickname “Hurricane Hannah” according to the CMT website. Helvey said working on a reality series can be a little intimidating at first. “The first episode you could tell I was nervous,” she said. “When I started modeling, I found new confidence in myself and the cameras didn’t really bother me. I just came into this weird-like security about myself and I just rocked it.” The statuesque brunette plans to continue her modeling career. “The show has totally been a huge blessing and has helped launch my career,” she said. As for the truth behind reality shows, Helvey said the cameras capture everything — even incidents, perhaps, better left unseen. “(In the premiere) I get into a confrontation with my roommate, Anna Hunt,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it happened, but that confrontation actually made our friendship better. We grew closer and learned so much about each other.” There’s no script for Texas Women. “The show is absolutely real,” Helvey said. “It was a lot of filming. A lot of stuff went on. I wish it was scripted — I probably wouldn’t have looked like such a brat.” Like other reality shows, Texas Women is a look into the private lives of its attractive cast. The women work. They play. They get their hair done at Legacy Hair Salon. Much of Texas Women was shot at popular spots inside the Fort Worth Stockyards. There are also scenes in Weatherford where cast member Hunt raises bucking bulls. Helvey said she received a lot of positive comments after the show’s premiere. “I got the sweetest emails from people, and people are already asking for my autograph,” she said. She said she’s grown up a lot since she filmed Texas Women. “I’ve been blessed monetarily in my life, but I’m not a spoiled brat,” she said. “I am very grateful.” Of the confrontation with Hunt, Helvey said she still can’t believe it happened. “I am such a lover and not a fighter,” she said. Texas Women can be seen on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. on CMT.

Text Only

Features

New members join GISD board of trustees
New school board officers Corey Hardin (Place 7) and Kent Sharp (Place 6) were sworn in by Judge Chris Cypert during the Gainesville Independent School District Board meeting Monday.

May 22, 2013 1 Photo
'Shattered Dreams' makes impact at GHS
A mock drunk driving automobile accident known as “Shattered Dreams” was staged at Gainesville High School Tuesday as teachers and students witnessed what could happen if the decision was made to ride in a car with an alcohol-impaired driver.

May 22, 2013 2 Photos
Postal workers observe 'Dog Bite Awareness' week
Gainesville postal officials recently sent a reminder about “National Dog Bite Prevention Week,” which began Sunday, spans through Saturday and is sponsored by the United States Postal Service.

May 22, 2013 2 Photos
GEDC supports NTMC Foundation balloon festival
The North Texas Medical Center (NTMC) Balloon Festival and updates on the Medal of Honor Park were on the agenda at the May 20 Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) meeting.

May 22, 2013
Valley View officials sworn in
Valley View city officials were sworn in during a recent city council meeting.

May 17, 2013 3 Photos
Gainesville Rotary club unfurls flag program
Members of the Gainesville Rotary Club are currently preparing the organization’s annual flag program which delivers and displays large American flags throughout the community and surrounding area.

May 17, 2013 1 Photo
Local damage minimal after stormy night
Wednesday storms brought negligible issues to Cooke County, with more dire effects experienced to the south.

May 17, 2013
Guest's memoir a hit at book signing
A magical summer in Gainesville in 1935 is recalled in Betty Bradley Junkin Guest’s book “Once Upon a Falling Star.”

May 17, 2013 1 Photo
United Way begins 'Caring' project
The gauntlet has been thrown to area groups, churches and local business in a friendly competition to be held May 30 to assist the Cooke County United Way (CCUW) as part of the organization’s second “Community Caring” event in 2013.

May 16, 2013 1 Photo
Antique iris beauty
May 16, 2013 1 Photo
More Features Headlines

What are your plans for this summer's travel season?