Brooke Blurton responds to Bachelorette critics: ‘Wake up … it’s not all about ratings’
It has been a success for her love life but Brooke Blurton’s season of The Bachelorette premiered to the lowest ratings in the franchise’s history. Now, the reality star has responded.
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The Bachelorette Brooke Blurton hasn’t thought twice about dating on national TV.
And it’s a case of third time lucky for the 26-year-old, who’s currently starring in the Network 10 reality show after previously appearing as a contestant on the 2018 season of The Bachelor with Nick “the Honey Badger” Cummins, and on its spin-off Bachelor In Paradise in 2019.
“Those weren’t the right times for me,” Blurton tells Stellar On Friday. “This time around felt like the right time. I have absolutely no regrets … I left everything on the table.”
Having made history as both the first Indigenous and bisexual woman to be the lead on The Bachelorette, Blurton says she felt “culturally safe to be myself in a very unusual environment. There was no uncomfortable part of being in The Bachelorette position.
“I felt like I threw myself in there. On this side [of the show], you get a lot more say in what you want to do, who you want to take on a date. I don’t regret any of my decisions.”
While the show has been a success in terms of Blurton finding love, this season has earned low ratings, with its first episode premiering to just 397,000 metro viewers – the lowest in the franchise’s history.
However, Blurton’s Bachelorette debut was number-one with its key audience: viewers aged 16-39.
“I don’t take notice of people’s commentary about the show’s ratings because I think it’s so unnecessary,” Blurton says.
“Yes, it’s an entertainment value but it’s also my life. And if people can’t see the gravity of what this show has achieved, then I think they need to wake up because it’s not all about ratings.
“It’s about representing communities where they haven’t been represented before. And it’s about showing young people that love is so undefined. I don’t really focus on [ratings] – it’s not my priority right now. My priority is my life.”
Blurton is very aware of the significance of her season – and her burgeoning status as a role model. “It’s a lot of weight on my shoulders and I’m definitely feeling it; I think more so now that it’s on air,” she says.
“I’ve always felt so much pressure for different reasons but this is like a whole other ball game, right? I’ve taken any tragedy or anything that’s happened in my life, and been optimistic and kind of turned it around.
“I think that’s my special superpower: I generally can make light of a really sh*tty situation. There’s always a silver lining. Whether people idolise that and want to role-model that, I feel extremely proud.”
Her advice to anyone who is still navigating the dating world? “I honestly believe that everything happens for a reason and at the right time for you,” she tells Stellar On Friday.
“I got everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I’m actually really, extremely happy and in love. I couldn’t ask for anything more in my life.”
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Originally published as Brooke Blurton responds to Bachelorette critics: ‘Wake up … it’s not all about ratings’
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