She rose to fame on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor but Abbie Chatfield is gaining more and more fans now she’s on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.
The reality star, 25, speaks exclusively to WHO about life in the jungle, her close friendship with Jack Vidgen and what the real deal with Ash Williams is.
WATCH BELOW: Abbie Chatfield clashes with Robert ‘Dipper’ Dipierdomenico over her bikini
You’ve done a few shows and now you’re doing the hardest show – what were you thinking?!
It’s hard but I think SAS is harder. When we’re filming Celeb we were all like ‘if we’re struggling this hard imagine what it was like for the people on SAS?!’ Celeb is like kindergarten SAS!
Did you get eaten by mosquitoes?
There were a few leech and tick incidents. I was pretty lucky. I was glad it was in Australia because we know the critters.
How did you cope with that huntsman spider on your head…what a nightmare.
I didn’t know it was on there, it was only afterwards when I saw the footage that I was like “OMG that wasn’t on my head was it?”
You’re getting a lot of love – have you been feeling that and are checking your socials or do you steer clear?
I check my socials and Ash Williams texts me every night and says “don’t’ check your DMs mate!” or he’ll call me and be like ‘what are you doing?” He gets mad at me if I’m checking my socials too much. But it has been nice to get some love. There will always be people who don’t like me just because it’s me but on the whole doing this show has been a really fun experience.
We’re loving also how you Gen Y’s/millennials are disproving any stereotypes – you guys are so hard working in camp and will have a go at anything…
The thing is with Jack and I we were so scared of everything – we’ve never been camping, we’re s*** scared of bugs but we just did it. We’d do things while crying but we did it. The first challenge was a great example of me screaming and crying but just doing it as well and getting it done. It was so good to have Jack there with me. We were besties from the start.
Why do you think you bonded?
I hadn’t met Jack before, but I knew who he was. He’s the type of person I’ll hang out with – he’s very honest, he’s very funny, he’s quite cheeky in his humour, we gave each other s***. We were very brother and sisterly, like we have the same energy, we laugh at the same things and we’re both outspoken. He’s hilarious and so mature as well. He’s been in the spotlight since he was a baby, he’s just had to mature and get through things and that’s been a huge benefit to him.
You’ve both experienced the rough side of fame..
Oh yeah, the other celebs have had their fair share of haters but Jack and I came up as social media was exploding, it’s been a really intense period of a lot of trolling. While people might so ‘oh just ignore them’ Jack and I understand that we’re not talking about one person having a go, it can be thousands of people. We bonded over that too. Friends can understand, but not really relate. But mostly we just though the same things were funny and laugh over Ash and how hot he is! You can blame Ash William’s abs for us bonding.
Did you help each other through low moments?
Absolutely, initially we were on the same team, we’re close in age and we’ve had similar social media experiences. We became instant buddies which was so nice.
Were you surprised about the reaction to the Dipper conversations?
I was surprised it blew up as much as it did but I’ve been down this road before on The Bachelor when I was slut shamed – I’m glad it was aired. I love Dip. We did the WAP 2 hours after that, he messaged me afterwards. I think it was a great conversation starter – I’ve had so many messages from people saying it made them talk to their sons, their family about what’s appropriate now. It’s been great, but I don’t’ want people to think it’s Abbie v Dipper. I think it’s real testament to what can happen when you don’t have a phone and you have 10 strangers sitting there having discussions. It was like ‘so what’s your trauma? Who here’s an alcoholic?’ It really opens up some deep conversations.
You had your Mum Toni Pearen there too?
Yes. My real mum was like “I’m so glad you had her there, she’s lovely.” Then it was funny to get Colin because he has curly hair and it was like…we do actually look alike. This is a bit deep but my dad left when I was born and I have one photo of him – he has black curly hair. So when Colin joined our team, became our dad I was like “Hmmm is there something going on here? Is Colin my real dad?” We had a really fun time us four, in my opinion we were the closest team.
Are you and Jack still close?
Yes, we talk all the time, buddy for life, all of us will have some sort of friendship. The deep conversations, the laughs, no one else can relate. Jack and I talk every day and I’ll move down to Sydney as soon as I’m allowed. I talk to Ash every night, it’s nice.
Is this one of the best TV experiences for you?
Oh yeah, this show has been the best. It literally is the best of the times and worst of times. You are starving, hot tired, frustrated and then moment when you’re crying with answers. It’s honestly been the best experience.
How do you feel about watching yourself – you’re not groomed and glam like on Bachie.
My confidence is dwindling. There is no sunlight in there, the canopy is so dense so my skin, I look ill. And my posture is terrible. It’s weird watching myself without make up – I don’t wear much make up in real life but I haven’t been on TV like that. No make up plus starving, plus no um, it’s not your best look. So it’s a bit confronting, but it’s the best show I’ve done, I’m so happy I did it.
You’re moving to Sydney – what’s the plan?
Yes, as soon as I can. Who knows? People ask me ‘what’s your five year plan’ and I’m like who knows? 18 months ago I was working in property. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve got my podcast It’s A Lot. A few things happening. But first I need to find a place to live.
Could you live with Jack?
No. I am the worst roommate in the world – I need to live alone because I’m so messy. I’m a mess and Jack is OCD clean so we couldn’t live together.
Now, what was the go with you and Ash. Are you a single girl at the mo?
Who knows? You’ll have to ask the people I’m seeing what the definition is. I’m dating. I’m not really single but I’m not really in a relationship. I get asked all the time but I’m like I don’t know! Ask them!
For more, pick up the latest issue of WHO. Out now!
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