Have you spoken to Brooke lately?
Yes, I talk to her in our Survivor group chats, but nothing one on one. We’re all still friends and I don’t think there are any hard feelings.
How did your family react when you told them you were going to be the Bachelor?
My mum and sister were pretty nervous about it. They were worried that there’s all this stuff about your personal life that comes out on The Bachelor and they were worried for me. They were also worried that I’d embarrass them. My mum gets embarrassed super-easily so she was concerned. I think they’re happy about it now, though.
Is that because you’ve fallen in love?
I can tell you right now, with the biggest, widest smile on my face that I’ve fallen head over heels in love. I’m so happy right now.
How hard is it to keep your new relationship under wraps?
It’s OK at the moment. We talk on the phone all the time. We were on a call for three hours this morning and five hours yesterday! Keeping it a secret for now is all just part of the fun of being the Bachelor.
Had you watched the show at all previously?
Not really. I’d seen like three episodes of Matty J’s season and I was aware of the premise of the show.
Did you reach out to any other Bachelors for advice?
Matty J’s a really good friend of mine so I asked him for a few tips. He told me to prepare for really long days, prepare to switch my emotions on and off between each different connection I make with the girls I meet, and be present with who I’m with in each moment.
You’re quite an action man – what are you looking for in your partner?
I want marriage and kids, 100 per cent. But I also want someone who has drive and ambition and who’s up for an adventure – but that doesn’t mean she has to jump out of planes with me!
Are you still based in Bali?
I was splitting my time between Bali, where my adventure company Four Elements is based, and Perth. Then COVID-19 hit so I’ve been based mostly in Australia now. I’m looking to get some businesses up and running here, too, like I want to build glamping huts and have a property where people can come and stay, light the fire pit or jump in the outdoor hot tub and then spend the night in a really cosy hut. I love being outdoors and building stuff myself, so that’s what I’m looking into at the moment.
If the person who receives your final rose lived interstate or overseas, would you be willing to pursue a long-distance romance?
Long-distance relationships are the hardest thing in the world. I don’t want to do that if I’m honest. The beauty of meeting someone through The Bachelor is I’ve been matched with 24 women who mostly share my interests too, so we’ve got a head start on making it work already. If long distance is an issue, we’ll be able to figure it out.
Surely you’ve never had any issues with finding a girlfriend in real life?
I’ve definitely had long-term relationships in the past. But because I’ve been so focused on my businesses, travel and my company, I never gave enough time to make a relationship work. Becoming the Bachelor has forced me to focus on finding The One. I love adventure, too, and there’s nothing more adventurous than looking for love on a reality TV show!
