Who said all reality TV contestants are wild and out of control?

Not Alexis, the smoky 26-year-old attorney who prefers not to use her last name, who, despite being one of three women sent home Monday night on ABC's "The Bachelor," remained steadfast about her beliefs.

Oh, and she's OK about being labeled "The Virgin."

"If the worst thing they can do is show that I'm some moral, virtuous, religious girl, then I'm fine with that," Alexis said Thursday morning by phone. "I feel pretty unscathed. There are worse reputations (to have)."

Alexis, who lives in Southlake, Texas, was eliminated Monday, along with Tiffany W., a 28-year-old medical equipment sales representative from Boston; and Susan, a 23-year-old boutique manager in The Woodlands, Texas.

A self-proclaimed "Bachelor" fan, Alexis said she decided to audition for this season when she heard about Lt. Andy Baldwin.

She was attracted to his beliefs, conservative values and strong sense of family.

"He seemed like a really nice guy," she said.

The two spent more time chatting and getting to know each other than was broadcast in Monday's episode, Alexis said. But nothing clicked.

"I feel like I got to know him and he got to know me," she said. "But the sparks weren't there. It's pretty simple."

Without that chemistry connection, Alexis didn't bother wasting time on trying to win Baldwin's affections. No flirting, no foot massages, no drinking too much champagne and toppling off barstools.

"A lot of people criticize reality TV and reality TV contestants being wild and crazy, but you don't have to be that way," she said. "You can be yourself."

In her case, it was about being a virgin — and not caring what anyone thought, including Baldwin.

"In my opinion, I don't think it's so strange that it should be a make-or-break sort of deal," she said. "I mean, approaching the show, I was hoping Andy would hold the same values I did. Of course, it was a huge risk ... but I was open-minded."

Alexis wasn't surprised her virgin status became her identifying trait. Last season on "The Bachelor," Sadie Murray, who was one of the two final women vying for Prince Lorenzo Borghese, was a self-professed virgin. And Alexis saw how that got played up on TV.

"I saw how sometimes one issue can be taken and blown out of proportion, can define that person when there are so many (other) qualities," she said. "That's one thing about TV I kept in mind. I had to be careful what I revealed and what I did, because you never know what part of your personality or action would be highlighted."

Back to work as a lawyer, Alexis has no intentions of auditioning for another reality TV show. One, she said, is enough.

"I didn't go into it with the intention of starting my television career," she said. "It was a fun, unique experience that 20 years from now I can laugh at."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.