'Bachelor' Sean Throws Competition into a Tizzy

Chaos ensued as ABC's newest Bachelor Sean Lowe decided to bend the rules tonight on the series' season 17 premiere.

About a dozen girls walked into the first rose ceremony clutching a coveted stem after the Dallas native threw tradition to the wind, handing out his sign of approval with abandon on night one.

Video: Sean Lowe's Steamy 'Bachelor' Debut

As expected, the ladies left rose-less were thrown off their game when Sean first bestowed his first rose to 24-year-old brunette beauty Tierra less than 5 minutes after she stepped out of her limousine.

"Tonight I'm going to break the rules a little bit," Sean told the stunned Coloradoan hopeful within moments of their meeting. "You have such a good energy and I'd like for you to stick around a little bit longer."

The 29-year-old Bachelor's signature nice-guy persona never faltered during the good, the bad and the ugly as he politely entertained 26 starstruck women including one overly enthusiastic 50 Shades of Grey fan, a decked out bride-to-be, and a back-flipping bachelorette over the course of Monday's two-hour premiere. While many ladies put their best foot forward, only 19 were bestowed the opportunity to date Sean another day.

Video: Sean Lowe Is Most Sincere 'Bachelor' Ever, Raves Chris Harrison

Interestingly enough, Sean's first-rose sweetheart Tierra may not be as charming as she appears. In the season preview, featured directly after tonight's airing, a handful of Sean's suitors warn the Bachelor that, despite her kind demeanor, Tierra may not be the girl Sean thinks she is.

Tune in for all the drama when The Bachelor returns next Monday on ABC!