EXCLUSIVE: Bachelor In Paradise's Mack Reid reveals Leah Costa is not engaged

WHO: Things got emotional when Ali broke down. How did you handle that?

I really did feel sorry for her.

WHO: Did you feel sorry for yourself?

No way. I told her from day dot, there’s no expectation at all. I’ve given you my rose because I genuinely like you. Please, I’ve given you my rose I’m not expecting you to fall in love with me and you do not have to give one back. When she was crying I understood how hard it was for her to decide – she maybe liked Michael and I but it completely backfired because we didn’t know she was talking about Grant. I was blindsided to think that Grant would be apart of it.

WHO: So it was Grant she was thinking about when you guys had your chat?

Yeah, I didn’t know it. I thought she was swaying towards Michael and before that conversation she and I had Michael came up to me and said look, “it’s most likely between us.” At that stage I thought, wow, okay does that mean she’s likely to pick me? This is great. But then when she cried as we had that chat I knew that she was struggling and I just wanted to be there for her.

WHO: Do you regret courting Leah?

No! Not at all. She was the only one who paid any attention towards me. Maybe Nina did but I was never going to encroach on her connection with Eden. I was really interested in Megan Marx, and her and I – which is obviously not shown to the viewers – we were getting along like a house on fire. She was interested in Jake, but we had a few conversations… At the time, all the girls were talking about Jake, she started to think “maybe Jake’s not the best option for me I want someone who that’s stable.” And so when Megan and I were speaking, we probably had the best conversations – the most intelligent conversations, our one-on-one conversations were great and I adored her. But no, I don’t regret my time with Leah I still adore her. She’s a friend, but I still find her incredibly attractive.

WHO: There are reports Leah is engaged. Is she really engaged?

I would say that’s utter crap, but she would probably feed into that. I doubt that very much. I know her, we speak still, this was five months ago you have to remember and we still speak once or twice a week. I have a lot of respect for her, but she’s not getting engaged anytime soon, no.

WHO: Are you dating at the moment? 

No.

WHO: Would you do another Bachie/Bachelorette show? 

Never say never, but I’m just too sensitive for reality TV. I didn’t like the way they portrayed me the first time on The Bachelorette. Some of my gentleman ways and chivalrous character came out but that awkward and nervous blubbering mess part – that’s just not me. I’ve never been portrayed that way, I’m rally confident in real life but it just came out that way. I probably want to get into media, maybe doing a different role.

WHO: Has anyone forged proper relationships from Bachelor In Paradise?

Yep. I’m not going to name any names but absolutely! I definitely know that there are a few couples.

WHO: What’s next for you?

I’m loving life at the moment! My business has done very well this year but also my public life. I’m doing a lot of presenting roles and public speaking. I’m working with my agent hand-in-hand with him, within that sort of realm.

WHO: What’s your ultimate role?

Yeah presenting, whether it be online or on TV, obviously it’s all going in the online direction. I really like presenting, I like when it’s just me and the camera. I like that I can really express myself, I’m an adrenaline junkie as well. I love surfing I love skydiving, I love really stepping out of my comfort zone. What my dream is at the moment is exposing this great lifestyle we have in Perth to the general public. My ultimate dream would be a role on Getaway.