Courtesy of Network Ten
Many Bachelor and Bachelorette favourites, like Elora from Matty J’s season or Apollo from Sophie’s, will feature in Bachelor in Paradise, which premieres March 25 on Ten. WHO gets the scoop on the contestants host Osher Gunsberg will greet first and why they are willing to risk another televised chance at love.
Blake Colman, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The Perth-based entrepreneur, 30, was in the mix for Sophie Monk’s affections last year before she turned him down. “I messed everything up with Sophie and have learnt a lot,” he says, “so I would like to have that second chance.”
Florence Moerenhout, Bachelor 5 (2017)
The Melbourne-based model, 28, taught Matty J a few words of Dutch before he decided they were better off speaking as friends. “Because I missed out on old mate Matty, so I am looking for second best,” she jokes before adding, “No I think I would have done some things differently on The Bachelor, but I did enjoy every second of it so it just feels like the perfect second chance. I love doing TV, so that is great, but also maybe find love under different circumstances as you get more time to get to know someone. I think this is a better concept for me.”
Brett Moore, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The 27-year-old personal trainer from Western Australia’s time on Sophie Monk’s season was very short-lived, so on one level, “it will be great to see the lads again,” Moore admits. “I’m friends with a lot of the former and current season’s cast. It’s a pretty small family.” The only person he doesn’t want to see in paradise? “Anyone creating drama.”
Leah Costa, Bachelor 5 (2017)
The Melbourne architure student, 25, got her flirt on with Matty J early in his season but was sent packing. Now she’s back on TV, she says, “because it’s in paradise! If it was called Bachelor in Squalor, I probably wouldn’t have been interested.” Of potential suitors, Costa says, “I’d like to see Apollo as it would give me someone I could go horse riding with.” She also says of ex David Witko from Sam Frost’s season, “we are still very good friends, so I’d be happy to see him in paradise.”
Davey Lloyd, Bachelorette 1 (2015)
The Sydney carpenter, 28, lost out to Sasha Mielczarek for Sam Frost’s final rose and has since had a series of short relationships. Dating in the public eye has been “harder,” Lloyd says, because “people have a pre-conceived idea or what I am like.” On the show, he says he wants to get to know Florence and Tara because they “seem like great girls.”
Lisa Hyde, Bachelor 2 (2013)
The Sydney-based eyewear entrepreur, 30, came second to Sam Frost in Blake Garvey’s season only to be bypassed again when Garvey dumped Frost for third-place finisher Louise Pillidge. “I think this time around will be completely different in a good way,” Hyde says, “and having more than one guy will make things interesting. Why not? I don’t think putting yourself out there to find love is of any harm.”
Eden Schwencke, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The Perth-based scaffolder, 33, busted out his breakdance moves for Sophie Monk to no avail. In thinking about a return to TV dating, Schwencke says, “Imagine if everyone gave up riding after falling off a horse—we wouldn’t have a Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation. I think that certain people have chemistry and others don’t. I’m interested in exploring the possibility again.”
Nina Rolleston, Bachelor 3 (2015)
The Brisbane-based wedding planner, 30, didn’t quite make it to hometown visits with Sam Wood. Even so, “I’m someone who definitely believes in the process of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette franchise,” Rolleston says, “so when the opportunity came up, it was an easy decision to come to paradise and have a chance at finding love again.”
Jake Ellis, Bachelorette 2 (2016)
The Gold Coast sales rep, 31, fell just short of making it into Georgia Love’s final two. “The Bachelorette was such an amazing and whirlwind adventure, one of the most exciting times of my life,” Ellis says now. “I can’t contain my excitement experiencing something like that again and more so potentially finding the right person for me.”
Luke McLeod, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The Sydney business culture consultant, 33, says another round of televised dating may be the right way to get over his heartbreak from Sophie Monk’s season. “Thing ended with Sophie and quite suddenly,” McLeod says. “Then I felt I was in the dark for a bit, then thrown in to the spotlight—it’s full on, but it’s comforting to know that people in the house can relate to a similar experience that I went through.”
Tara Pavlovic, Bachelor 5 (2017)
The Gold Coast nanny, 27, charmed Matty J with her outgoing, energetic self, but his heart was set on Laura Byrne. As for Paradise, “I’m not really looking for love here,” Pavlovic insists. “I’m looking for adventure. I had so much fun with my friends on The Bachelor so I’m happy to do that again in paradise.”
Mack Reid, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The Perth-based small business owner, 35, may have let his infatuation with Sophie Monk hinder his pursuit. “Because I wasn’t successful the first time,” Reid says, “I still haven’t found love.” Evaluating potential contestants, Reid says, “Florence is gorgeous and she seems like a really cool chick. Elora I would like to meet. And Leah I’d really like to get to know to see if she is the same as how she was portrayed on the show, because I do find her extremely attractive.”
Michael Turnbull, Bachelorette 1 (2015)
The Brisbane footballer, 36, saw Sam Frost give out her final rose to Sasha Mielczarek—now he hopes he holds the bouquet. “The first time I did it I had so much fun, I made some great friends and I’m all about life experiences,” Turnbull says. “Who knows? I might find someone special in the process too!”
OTHER CONFIRMED CONTESTANTS
Keira Maguire, Bachelor 4 (2016)
Since vying for Richie Strahan, the 31-year-old Sydneysider has also starred on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. She’s been seen in paparazzi photos smooching Jarrod Woodgate.
Jarrod Woodgate, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
When Sophie Monk chose publican Stu Laundy over the Victoria vineyard manager, 31, Woodgate was devastated. Now, promos seem to have Woodgate chasing Keira and Ali.
Apollo Jackson, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The Queensland magician, 25, deemed too young by Sophie Monk is back on the scene.
Laurina Fleure, Bachelor 2 (2014)
The Melbourne model on Blake Garvey’s season also did a stint on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. In promos, she is seen listing a lot of the traits she wants in an ideal man, which she begins, “Ultimately I would love to be with someone who is intelligent, witty, loving, affectionate, funny, spontaneous, adventurous, committed, respectful, playful, adoring, accepting and understanding.”
Ali Oetjen, Bachelor 1 (2013)
The Adelaide real estate agent, 31, competed on Tim Robards’s season and then was engaged to David Waldeck for two years.
SEEN IN PROMOS
Sam Cochrane, Bachelorette 3 (2017)
The Sydney voice artist, 31, got the double delight rose from Sophie Monk but seemed more enamoured of his bromance with Blake.
Megan Marx, Bachelor 4 (2016)
The 28-year-old model from Richie Strahan’s season dated, then went into business, with her fellow contestant Tiffany Scanlon. She’s been teased in Paradise heading for a hookup with Elora Murger.
Elora Murger, Bachelor 5 (2017)
The 27-year-old fitness trainer from Matty J’s season is taking a practical approach this time. “I wouldn’t mind coming out of it with a relationship,” she says. “I don’t think you can really fall in love on the island because it is such a short amount of time, but you could probably find out who you would want to pursue things with.”
Simone Ormesher, Bachelor 5 (2017)
The 26-year-old personal-trainer-in-training reunites with her pals from Matty J’s season.
To understand how the show will work, check out Osher’s Guide to Paradise, and to follow your favourites on social media, click on our list here.
Want to follow the BIP contestants on Instagram? Check out all their accounts here.
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