The future of Sophie Monk and Stu Laundy’s relationship following The Bachelorette
AS speculation swirls around Sophie Monk and Stu Laundy’s relationship, experts explain why fans aren’t convinced and whether their future is real.
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AFTER saying she wanted a down-to-earth, normal Aussie bloke, Sophie Monk has settled with multi-millionaire publican Stu Laundy.
Unsurprisingly, it’s left some Bachelorette fans scratching their heads and even questioning the legitimacy of the couple’s relationship.
Leadership influencer and body language expert Louise Mahler has watched every episode of this year’s Bachelorette.
While she said there was “no question” about the authenticity of their relationship, she has serious doubts about whether they’ll go the distance.
“I don’t think it’ll last 50 seconds because he says things out of place and she won’t tolerate it,” Dr Mahler told News Corp.
She added: “I think she’ll get p****d off with him.”
MONK ‘FELL FOR THE OLD GAME’
Dr Mahler said Monk went on to the show to find someone to love and care for her but instead chose a partner who wants the same thing.
“Stu is all about Stu and she went on the program for her. Stu is all, ‘You helped me, I have changed my life since you came into my life, I’ve been depressed, you were there to help me’.
“I think their relationship is absolutely genuine, no question about it. I think she’s a sucker for looking after a man as we all are and she fell for the old game,” she said.
“We all say, ‘I want someone to look after me’ and now she’s looking after him.”
She also said Monk’s physical response to Laundy was “chalk and cheese” over the other contestants.
“There were things like eye contact and the kiss — both Jared and Apollo put their hands around her neck and pulled her towards them. She actually kissed Stu and Stu broke it off,” she said.
“Her eyes, her response to Stu was just delight. She found him funny and interesting. I don’t think he satisfied any of the criteria but that makes sense because that’s her pattern, she likes the bad boy and she just finds that sort of person interesting.”
‘LAY OFF SOPHIE AND STU’
Sexologist Nikki Goldstein said fans needed to stop criticising the new couple’s relationship, which has copped heat since the finale aired on Thursday.
“I think maybe we should give them a bit of a break and support them instead of this barrage of ‘are they together’ and analysing photos which, let’s face it, could be taken completely out of context,” she said.
“Ironically, that’s the kind of stuff that will actually undo them.”
Dr Goldstein said while Laundy was more guarded than the other contestants, there were “real emotions” between the pair.
She rejected claims from some fans who accused Monk of going on the show to increase her celebrity, saying it wasn’t necessary.
“I don’t feel like her celebrity has increased ... Sophie Monk is Sophie Monk. She was never on the D-list.”
Dr Goldstein said how well Monk got along with Laundy’s children was a big factor in determining how long the couple lasted.
“Going into a relationship with someone who has four children is a big thing so that’s going to be something that could weigh on them,” she said.
She also said the difference in their personalities could also prove difficult.
“He is that party boy socialite. I feel like they’ve tried to down play it a bit but let’s face it, we all know those guys that float around the harbour on their boats and what they get up to.
“The feeling was genuine but I think they have a lot to get over if they are to survive.”
These are some points of contention in their relationship that have left fans confused.
1. HAVING KIDS
Monk has always been very clear that she wants kids. And at 37, the former Bardot singer has said she doesn’t want to mess around with picking the wrong man.
Laundy eventually admitted he had a vasectomy to the Bachelorette star during a very awkward boat date on the show, however the couple are considering IVF as a way around having a reversal.
Laundy also confirmed he had “planned ahead” when undergoing his vasectomy a decade ago.
MORE: Sophie Monk may undergo IVF to achieve baby dream
While there are options for the couple to have kids, it’s not going to be the straightforward process Monk was hoping for.
2. HE’S STILL MARRIED, SHE WANTS TO GET MARRIED
Monk was left shell-shocked when the “bachelor” revealed he’s still married to his wife of 15 years, Rachel. Laundy said he was still finalising his divorce settlement four years after she instigated a separation.
Despite Laundy’s best efforts, it’s understood Rachel made it clear a reconciliation is off the table with plans for the couple to finalise their divorce in the coming months and ultimately share custody of their four daughters.
Monk might have to wait a bit longer for her fairytale wedding.
MORE: Stu Laundy confirms he is still married
3. WHERE’S THE CHEMISTRY?
They claim to be head over heels in love, but some fans say the couple’s on-screen chemistry is lacking.
Monk called the Have You Been Paying Attention panellists “a**holes” after they roasted her and Laundy on rumours they were no longer together.
“Can I just say, sincerely, there’s a lot of cynical people out there but congratulations,” host Sam Pang told Monk and Laundy.
“Finding love is a very difficult thing to do and I wish you all the best. I just wanted to ask Stu, what does your wife think?”
RELATED: Sophie and Stu roasted on Have You Been Paying Attention
What did @SophieMonk say to Stu in the finale of the @BacheloretteAU? 😂 #HYBPA pic.twitter.com/Pd2phxhi50
— #HYBPA (@HYBPA) October 30, 2017
What should have been a routine interview on The Project became increasingly awkward when the couple were grilled on whether they were still together.
Radio host Kate Langbroek is also among those sceptical, taking to social media to deliver a devastating assessment of their relationship.
Langbroek posted a snap of the couple’s appearance on The Project on Friday night with the words: “She hates him”.
The next day, Monk later posted a bizarre video on Instagram in defence of her relationship with Laundy.
The strange post, uploaded on Saturday afternoon, features a woman named Jan defending the couple following rumours they’ve split days after the Bachelorette finale went to air.
RELATED: Are Sophie Monk and Stu Laundy still together?
Radio star Em Rusciano has also come out criticising their relationship, saying she thinks Monk “played everyone” and had no real intention of finding love on The Bachelorette.
“She, to me, looked uncomfortable and cagey and like she didn’t want to be there,” Rusciano said of Monk’s appearance on The Project.
“I think Sophie Monk has got exactly what she wanted to get out of this show”.
4. LAUNDY’S ‘PLAYBOY’ REPUTATION
Laundy has always been open about his throwaway years after separating from his wife, where he dated a string of high profile women. The hotel heir said those days were well and truly behind him when he signed up for The Bachelorette.
But Laundy’s reputation preceded him again when he was accused of being linked to Sydney eastern suburbs socialite Tiffany Tilley.
He called the rumours “complete bulls***” and said he’d never met Tilley before.
Monk’s sister also quizzed Laundy on his playboy reputation before the final date in Fiji but said he seemed genuine with his responses.
5. MONK STOOD LAUNDY UP BEFORE
Before the show, Laundy had set up a date with Monk on his super yacht but it fell through when she turned him down.
Monk confessed she had misjudged Laundy when she first met him in the show’s finale. But there was obviously something about that first meeting in the real world that got her hackles up.
6. JARROD’S UNWAVERING DEVOTION
She described him as the perfect man on paper but Jarrod Woodgate failed to win Monk’s heart in the end.
And despite filming ending months ago, the vineyard manager said he wants her to know the door is still wide open.
“Right now if Sophie was to call me and say, ‘let’s catch up for a drink’ I’d do it. Because I’m always going to be there for Soph, even if it works out or if it doesn’t,” Woodgate told The Project.
Monk has made no indication she regrets choosing Laundy, so why is Woodgate — who fans dubbed a “stage five clinger” — insisting on hanging around? To make it into the top two, there must have been a deeper connection between the pair. Or was it all in his head?
Some fans who were critical of Monk’s and Laundy’s relationship have spoken out over social media.
Great interview. Asked all the questions people wanted answered. No chemistry between Sophie and Stu
— JMart (@JennMartell) October 29, 2017
What a hoot! Does anyone actually think #SophieMonk was looking for anything except publicity #bachelorette https://t.co/aBPn5uZgL3
— Anne Carlin (@sacarlin48) October 30, 2017
If things don’t work out with @sophiemonk and Stu, there’s always @ShaneWarne .
— Ms Mansk (@msmansk) October 29, 2017
Others, however, believe Monk didn’t choose Laundy for his millions.
It actually makes me crazy. A woman as successful as @sophiemonk and people are saying she chose a man for money. Lol as if #BacheloretteAU
— Gabriella (@gabriferraro) October 28, 2017
SOPHIE MONK HAS HER OWN MONEY AND DOESN'T NEED A MAN TO SUPPORT HER #thoughtssincethefinale #BacheloretteAU
— Gabriella (@gabriferraro) October 28, 2017
Imagine being in totally in love but 95% of the country think it’s a sham! This is @sophiemonk & Stu’s dilemma. Tomorrow across Oz & NZ...
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) October 29, 2017
#BacheloretteAU Grats Sophie & Stu, you look very happy & in love. Enjoy your beautiful future together ignore the haters. True love wins.
— Kee Tasa (@Keetasa1) October 28, 2017