02/03/2003

Diehard "Joe Millionaire" fans think they’ve figured out the twist that’s sure to come at the end of this reality series, and it puts Lambertville’s Zora Andrich in the control seat.

Everyone knows Fox’s publicized premise for the show --the male star Evan Marriott is looking for love, and to find the right woman he’s telling a group of 20 he’s worth $50 million even though he’s really dirt poor. In his mind, this will weed out those looking only for money and those who really like him.

But how about this for an ending. What if Andrich is really a millionaire instead? And what if the whole show has been scripted by her and she’s actually testing Marriott to determine his true feelings? This is the latest gossip going around online message boards devoted to "Joe Millionaire." Though some fans are sure this isn’t true, there’s a group of people who seem to believe it.

"(This) would definitely explain why she is the only one who seems to ‘know’ that Joe is lying and why she is so secretive about herself," one fan wrote. Another used Andrich’s actions on the show as proof. The writer pointed out that Andrich never complains, she does whatever is asked of her with a smile and she’s using the hard-to-get act to win Marriott’s heart.

"He is so smitten with her, I think he loves the chase. All guys like a challenge," the fan said. "I hope she does have money."

Throughout the show, Andrich has consistently said she’s from a humble background and she refuses to talk about her past. Fans say this could be because she’s embarrassed by it, as she seems, or it could mean she does not want Marriott to know the truth about her -- that she’s heir to lots of money.

For the fans who think Andrich is rich, the final episode on Feb. 17 will be extra exciting. Assuming she’s Marriott’s final choice, they think that when Marriott goes to tell her he really has no money she will tell him it doesn’t matter because she does.

"That would be a great twist if Zora was the one with the money," a fan wrote.

And another added, "I do hope Zora turns out to have money, she is the only reason why I watch the show."

A new episode of "Joe Millionaire," during which another woman will be eliminated, airs at 9 tonight on Fox. Previews for this one show Andrich and Marriott finally sharing a kiss.