Bachelor 2020: Ex-contestant reveals reality of life in the mansion
A former contestant has lifted the lid on what it’s really like to live inside the Bachelor mansion, revealing food budgets, tiny bunk beds and personality clashes left many women in tears.
Entertainment
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It’s the reality TV show where women are swept off their feet but a former contestant has revealed that behind the scenes, The Bachelor is far from glamorous.
From tight food budgets to sleeping on bunk beds while crammed in bedrooms like sardines, an insider from Matt Agnew’s season told Confidential that living in the mansion was a nightmare.
“It was so hectic, I rarely fight with anyone but walking into that situation was crazy. There were 20 women in one house, so of course there were personality clashes and lots of tears,” the source said.
“There was no privacy. You’re crammed in bedrooms sleeping on bunk beds like at school camp. People walk around naked. One person is on the toilet and another will be doing their makeup right next to them.
“I live by myself so I mean, it took some getting used to. Having a shower at night was my only alone time. It was one of the hardest, best things I’ve ever done mentally.”
Contestants must sign airtight contracts prior to filming and are told they’re not allowed to tell their families about their whereabouts for the duration of filming.
They are then cut off from the outside world and placed under the care of an “adult babysitter”, who monitors their every move.
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“You’re not allowed to say anything or tell anyone where you are. So everyone just says they’re going on holidays, you can’t tell anyone not even your family,” the insider explained.
“You don’t leave the house unless you’re going on a date so you don’t get to see anyone, except the producers, the minder and the Bachelor,” she said.
“An adult babysitter lives with you and they watch everything you do. They’re also like your personal alarm clock, if you have a date they’ll come and wake you up so you can get ready for it. It’s one person and they rotate every few days.”
Contestants have limited access to TV and strict budgets for food.
“We had Netflix but that was it. As for food, they order Coles delivery. You only get chocolate on the weekends because it’s a luxury food item so girls would hide food in their shoes,” the source said.
“It’s stressful because you don’t know what’s going on in the world, you don’t know how your family is going.
“One good thing was that they had a counsellor you could talk to.”
Confidential has contacted Channel 10 for comment.
Fortunately for this year’s contestants who are vying for Locky Gilbert’s heart, the COVID-19 pandemic meant they were forced to leave the mansion early in the competition and continue filming outside.
“They got a lucky break!” the source said.
