The Bachelorette's Jake reveals what you didn't see on the show
The Bachelorette runner-up opens up about his time on the show with WHO exclusively.
- by
Nicholas Fonseca
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It’s been a while since your final rose ceremony. What have the past few months been like for you?
You take awhile to settle back into the real world, and a sense of getting over a break-up, and being quite hurt. Which I was. It took a bit. It’s not often you go through a break-up or heartbreak, and then know that you’ll have to watch it back on national TV down the track. But I’ve stayed busy working on my career, trying to keep a low-profile.
You say getting over a break-up, but this was a very different set-up than a typical relationship. You didn’t get the kind of time with Georgia that you might get in a typical off-screen relationship. So how does it compare?
I grant it is a very different situation, but from the start, I was lucky enough to get the first single date, contrary to what you see I was fortunate to get quite a lot of time with Georgia. I definitely fought for her attention and more time with her, and we had some amazing, deep moments—I shared things with her that I haven’t even shared in past relationships. We opened up about our families and our parents’ battles. I don’t share those things lightly. The fact we did that so early and so quickly blew me away and made things so much more real. It all happened in the Bachelorette bubble, but there were still very real feelings.
Was fighting for time something you struggled with?
It took a bit of time to wrap my head around it. But I looked at it like, if in the outside world I was interested in a girl, I’d do everything I could to show her I cared, that I wanted her time and attention. It is a bit different. The other guys wanted Georgia, too. But I just had to focus on her and not what the other guys may or may not have had.
Were you heartbroken?
I was at the end. I was open from the start. I wore my heart on my sleeve.
Do you think that Georgia gave up too easily?
I don’t. I think she met my family, which is what means the most to me in the world. And it felt like it wasn’t her first time meeting them. She fit right in. She did tell me it would be hard to steal me away from my parents, and that’s something I will always respect and appreciate. It shocked me a little bit, the fact she put them first. That’s something I’ll always remember.
Do you think your family will feel any responsibility?
No. I’ve kind of prepared them for what’s coming. Even watching back hometowns, I was proud of my family. It’s a shame my father’s cheeky humour didn’t come across quite as well. But I do think my parents will respect that Georgia thought of not only myself but them at the time. That speaks volumes.
What do you wish audiences had gotten to see more of? Less of?
There were some corny gestures I made, a few conversations we had that didn’t get shown. And that’s a shame. We had a lot of fun together, got lost in each other’s company. I wish there had been more of that—that our story had been shown a bit more. And less of? That’s a tough question. I think everything was good. Except maybe my singing. Or rapping!
Courtesy of Network Ten
What would you say to Georgia if you saw her tomorrow?
I suppose it would be how have you been? But especially with everything that is going with her mum at the moment… it’s hard not to be able to talk to her, to get a message through to her. I was heartbroken to have heard the news. I just want to let her know we’re all thinking of her and her family.
What do you think Georgia saw in Lee and Matty J that she didn’t see in you?
I’m not too sure. I really tried not to compare myself to or be influenced by what the other guys had or didn’t have. I suppose she just saw something else. Maybe she saw that my leaving my family was such a big thing was something she couldn’t get past.
What would you say you learnt about yourself through this experience? And would you do it again?
It all surpassed any expectations I ever had. It taught me a lot about myself and opened my eyes to how much my family and friends really do mean to me. It also taught me to be a lot more open with my feelings. I’m usually not like that. Even if it was never filmed or came to air, I’d do it again. Meeting Georgia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I consider some of the guys lifelong friends.
The guys can’t say enough good things about one another!
Oh, there was a lot of bromance going on!
Are you ready to start dating again, or are you gunshy?
Gunshy! I haven’t heard that in awhile. Reliving everything again has kind of played on my mind. There was a “Jake’s Journey” video released the other day that allowed me to reflect on everything we’d been through. But I’ve just tried to focus on my career. I’m still single, but if the right girl or relationship comes along, I’m into it. It just hasn’t happened.
Who do you think Georgia is going to choose tonight?
That’s tough. I’m just as excited as the viewers to find out. I think I’ll be a little bit jealous of whoever wins. They’re both great guys, and I’m not just saying that to be safe. Lee’s got a big heart and really does care about everyone, and Matty J’s just an absolute legend. I think I’m supporting Matty J for the win. He really got emotionally involved. He’s my friend and I just want to see him happy.
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