Bachelorette Ali Oetjen: ‘I’m never going to give up on looking for love’
SHE’S been labelled fake, boring and a princess — and she’s had to defend herself against allegations she cheated on her ex and has had plastic surgery. But new Bachelorette Ali Oetjen insists she’s looking for love — not fame.
TV
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Bachelorette regrets getting ‘boob job’ to impress ex
- Former Bachelor swaps reality TV for Neighbours
SHE’S been labelled fake, boring and a princess — and she’s had to defend herself against allegations she cheated on her ex and has had plastic surgery. But new Bachelorette Ali Oetjen insists she’s looking for love — not fame.
In fact, Oetjen is so certain she can find love on reality TV, she’s trying her luck a third time.
She is best remembered from the first season of The Bachelor as the bold girl who tried, unsuccessfully, to steal a kiss from Tim Robards.
And earlier this year she tried again on spin-off show Bachelor in Paradise, finding a match in former US Bachelorette contestant Grant Kemp, but the pair split shortly after filming ended.
Now the 32-year-old is stepping into the popular shoes left by the previous Bachelorette, singer, actor and TV presenter Sophie Monk.
“I definitely have nights when that one comment can just get me so down, but I put it in perspective and then the next morning comes,” Oetjen tells BW Magazine.
“I have to bounce back, I have to keep on moving forward.
“I look at my parents and they are so good together, I look up to them and I want that, so I’m never going to give up (looking for love).”
The bubbly blonde will be the fourth Bachelorette in the Australian franchise. The previous season, which followed Monk in her search for love, was a ratings success for Ten, and executives will be hoping the divisive Oetjen will keep that same pace.
“Sophie Monk changed everything for the franchise by bringing self-deprecation and humour to what had traditionally been a fairytale role,” says television commentator David Knox of TV Tonight.
“It paid off in spades and Ten has managed to repeat that with Nick Cummins, especially with more men tuning in.
“But the worry is they may have painted themselves into a corner. Ali may not be the self-confessed bogan Sophie Monk was but the expectations will be high for her to bring something down to earth and preferably funny to the role.”
Oetjen has come under almost constant criticism since her appearance on Bachelor in Paradise earlier this year.
Her split from Kemp was further marred by lurid claims that she cheated on him with his best friend.
She has even had to defend her appearance — her fit, toned body is often compared to the pretty blonde we met in 2013 and she has to constantly answer claims she has had plastic surgery.
She admits to a breast augmentation but says she has had no work done on her face.
Her fellow Bachelor in Paradise contestants have also slammed her, with Jarrod Woodgate calling her “boring and lame”, while Florence Alexander said she looked like Malibu Barbie and had a face that didn’t move.
MORE FROM MERCEDES MAGUIRE
WHY BRACES ARE NOW THE LATEST MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY
WHY IT’S DIFFICULT TO BE A TEENAGE GIRL IN THIS DAY AND AGE
Despite this, Oetjen says it was an easy decision for her to return to the mansion, because this time she will have greater control over her quest.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision for me to come back, not at all. I love ‘love’ and I want to find that person who I want to be with forever,” Oetjen says.
“And I believe that every relationship is different, so I was definitely looking for my happily ever after.
“It was very different (doing Bachelorette) because this time around I had time. I’m a person that falls fast and falls hard for the wrong person — as everyone saw in both the first Bachelor and Bachelor In Paradise. And this opportunity gave me time to date all manner of different guys and gave me time to see their traits and values and qualities.
“I got to see what they’re like over time and not just listen to their words, I am more about the actions. I was absolutely more in control this time around.
“I have always put my partner’s needs before my own, so this was a chance for me to say, ‘No, I’m not settling for that,’ and if I saw a red flag, it wasn’t going to get past me.”
Oetjen is quietly spoken and chooses her words carefully before answering questions, but her gentle chatter is punctuated by an unexpected throaty laugh as she reveals she was also inspired by the happy-ever-afters of so many past Bachelors and Bachelorettes.
Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich from season one were married in June, while Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski from season three welcomed baby daughter Willow last year.
Matty J and Laura Byrne from season five recently moved in together, sparking engagement rumours and from the Bachelorette franchise, Georgia Love and Lee Elliott are living together.
From eight seasons all up, 50 per cent of the couples who met and fell in love under the glare of the reality television cameras are still together in committed relationships.
“I think a lot of people are quick to judge the reality TV relationship,” Oetjen says.
“A lot of the Bachelors and Bachelorettes are still together … having babies, getting married. That’s a real big positive, they’re not all doomed.”
Oetjen, who still lives in Adelaide where she grew up, recalls a happy childhood running around the family’s property in the Adelaide Hills with her brother.
As a youngster she developed an interest in fitness and says she would often transform her mother’s country style dishes into healthier versions.
It’s such a passion, her Instagram account says she is a “healthy lifestyle motivator”.
There is no denying Oetjen is in a happy place now.
“I definitely feel like back then (in 2013) I was a girl and now I am a woman,” she says.
“Back then I put myself into situations that were always challenging. Now I’m more realistic and logical with my approach to things, more balanced. I feel inspired more than ever.”