Charlotte’s Emily Maynard took “The Bachelorette” to new heights Tuesday night, scaling the side of the Mint Museum Uptown on a date with a suitor.
The ABC reality TV show has been filming across the Queen City as Maynard, a 26-year-old single mom, looks for love among a batch of men vying for her affection.
Maynard and her date, an unidentified tall man with dark hair, arrived around 9 p.m. at the museum on South Tryon Street. They held hands and chatted as they strolled toward the museum – with cameras closely following.
Police blocked Levine Avenue of the Arts as crews filmed the date, which attracted the attention of passersby and those dining at chef Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant E2, located next door.
Maynard – wearing a white tank top, black leggings and brown boots – and her date were strapped into harnesses and given helmets with small cameras attached.
Maynard could be heard saying that she was “so excited” before they began their ascent.
About halfway up the five-story building, the pair gave each other a high five. Her date waved to those below, prompting cheers.
“We love you, Emily,” a woman shouted.
“Give him a rose,” said one, referring to the show’s rose ceremony where contestants learn whether they’ll continue on the dating show.
It took them about 10 minutes to reach the top. Onlookers clapped as they climbed over the roof’s edge.
Maynard was once engaged to NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick, the son of businessman and team owner Rick Hendrick who died in a 2004 plane crash while she was pregnant with their child.
Maynard won “The Bachelor” last year when Brad Womack proposed to her, but the couple split in June. In January, she was named the new “Bachelorette.”
The show is filming the forthcoming season in a six-bedroom, 8.5-bath European-style mansion in Charlotte rather than its usual California location because Maynard didn’t want to uproot her 6-year-old daughter for the filming, according to reports.
Last week, Maynard and a date were reportedly scheduled to have dinner at the new Osso Restaurant & Lounge and then watch a concert by country-music band Gloriana at the N.C. Music Factory.
“The Bachelorette” will premiere on May 14.
