Ex-Bachelor Australia star Keira Maguire slams show’s ‘editing tricks’

A former Bachelor star has attacked the reality show, saying it has gone too far and her contract’s fine print left her stunned.

Former Bachelor star Keira Maguire says sneaky editing tricks and contrived drama is to blame after the latest season of the reality romance show flopped.

The season four “villain”, who has appeared on four reality TV shows for Channel 10, told Confidential that she’s not surprised the Bachelor franchise is in decline because the show has “gone too far”.

“I feel like they have taken it too far when it comes to editing and ‘frankenbiting’ people’s voices and actually putting words in people’s mouths,” she said.

Keira Maguire has partnered up with Svedka for their Rose Vodka campaign. Picture: Jay Town

“I don’t really agree with the ethical side of it. Ultimately, I didn’t necessarily like the experience. I also didn’t like how they edited me.”

Frankenbite is a reality TV term used to describe manufacturing storylines by taking quotes from separate interviews, often about unrelated subjects, and merging them together.

Maguire, 34, has appeared on The Bachelor, I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here and twice on Bachelor in Paradise, which was scrapped last month after record low ratings.

She said anyone considering appearing on a reality TV show should be aware of the fine print.

“I remember when I was asked to do the American version of Bachelor in Paradise, in the contract they said they could literally get a lookalike version of you if they needed to and put words into your mouth and you can’t do anything about it,” she said.

Keira appeared on season 4 of The Bachelor. Pictured with Richie Strahan.

Keira Maguire on Bachelor in Paradise. Picture: Supplied

“If they want the show to go a certain way they fully narrate the way they want it to be. It’s really hectic, that’s the level Australia is getting to. You’re basically signing your life away.

“Make sure you get a lawyer to look over that contract before you move forward. I didn’t have a lawyer because I was a bit naive.”

Confidential has contacted production company Warner Bros. for comment.

Despite appearing on multiple dating shows, Maguire failed to find lasting love on any of them.

However, earlier this year she was able to meet someone special after moving from Sydney to Melbourne.

“Before I went on The Bachelor, it seemed like a Disney movie to me and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I want that’. But I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s not necessarily how the world works,” she said.

Keira is dating Love Island star Matt Zukowski. Source: Instagram

Keira Maguire poses for a photo at Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel. Picture: Monique Harmer

“I met Matt [Zukowski], 25, in a nightclub just before lockdown so everything kind of sped up but we’re stronger than ever, it’s going well.

“With my last relationship, I was just so focused on the end game like getting married and having children but I actually didn’t realise that things weren’t good and I wasn’t living in the moment.”

When she’s not spending time with Love Island star Zukowski, Maguire is focused on work which she says has surprisingly picked up during the pandemic.

She recently partnered with Svedka Rosé Vodka just in time for summer.

“It’s so refreshing and delicious. It’s my new favourite drink!” she said.