Bella’s followers immediately took to her post, declaring the move an “obvious next step”.
“The only obvious next step ! You’re the perfect girl to be an influencer,” one fan commented, to which Bella replied, “I’ll take that as a compliment... I think.”
The fan clarified that she did indeed intend the remark as a positive reflection on Bella’s rising star status.
“You seem to have a lot of charisma which in my opinion makes a great influencer 😊.”
But others saw the move as confirmation of what they’ve believed all along - that Bella only signed up for The Bachelor so she could make a career for herself as an influencer.
“Congrats to @bellavarelis who has just signed with Australia’s number 1 influencer agency!! 💜👏🏼 Whoever said she went on the show to boost her profile and social media presence must have been tripping!! 😅 ,” joked So Dramatic host Megan Pustetto on the podcast’s official Instagram page.
Bella immediately clapped back in the comments, writing: “I’m actually flattered that all you do is post about me - thanks for the free publicity.”
Others in the thread on So Dramatic’s profile didn’t hold back with their criticism of the Bachie star’s bid to profit off her social media following.
"Surprise didn’t see that coming 😂,” one fan wrote, while another said, “Doesn’t want fame, yet signs up to an influencer management team 🙄 wowsers.”
Others said, “Locky made a correct choice, she wants fame and money not love!” and "Well Well Well ~Acts Surprised~."
Bella’s Bachelor journey came to an end during the show’s finale last week, after Locky dumped the brunette because he couldn’t see a clear, planned-out future together, despite confessing his love for her.
"When I told you I love you, like, I meant every single word," Locky said.
"But ... I have fallen in love with two girls. And I know you don't, like, sort of see where your future is at the moment. I think I need just a little bit of certainty. I just don't know if I can see us working," he finished.
Bella was shattered and confused by the news, after she had also declared her love for Locky.
”I just don't get it. Yesterday, you told me you were in love with me. I said to you, as long as we're together, that's all that matters. We can nail out the details,” Bella told the former Survivor star.
She then asked producers, "... Can I leave?" before declaring, “I’m going”, and leaving the set.
Following the finale, Bella took to Instagram to confirm that she is currently single and looking forward to spending some much-needed time on her own before jumping into a new relationship.
“Looking back, I’m proud of myself. I gave it my all, I was true to myself and I wore my heart on my sleeve. Whilst it’s not my fairytale ending, the laughs and the memories will last a lifetime,” she wrote.
“I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason and now was not my time, I’ll never stop being a hopeless romantic and I’m sure my happily ever after is still out there. Hopefully I don’t need to kiss too many more frogs 🐸✨."
