Natalie Gruzlewski on Farmer Wants a Wife’s secrets to success and its special place in her heart
Natalie Gruzlewski is enjoying a simpler life since leaving TV’s most wholesome reality show, but has a surprise in store for fans.
Reality
Don't miss out on the headlines from Reality. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Natalie Gruzlewski has grown quite comfortable spending her life on the open road
– no matter what form that takes.
Despite scaling back her commitments on Farmer Wants a Wife and leaving the
travel series Getaway, Gruzlewski continues to do countless hours behind the wheel.
“I’m a mum and, like most mums, I spend much more of my time – more of my life –
driving her around,” she smiles of chauffeuring her daughter, Olivia, 11.
“That’s definitely changed from when I first started on Farmer when I was travelling
more for my career.”
When Farmer launched in 2007 Gruzlewski “had no idea how successful it would
be.”
“But with the beautiful love stories and the connections, it has always struck [a chord]
with the viewers … while the authenticity of Farmer hasn’t changed, my life certainly
has these days.”
Gruzlewski now lives a much simpler life than when she started hosting Farmer and
was also juggling work on Getaway and various other TV roles. Nowadays she largely prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
She’s also traded in the fast pace of Sydney to return home to Queensland, where
she grew up. There, she can be close to her extended family and give Olivia the
same sort of relaxed, beachside childhood that she enjoyed as a child.
Working on Farmer is something that she continues to cherish. And this year she’s
once again serving as an adviser to the participants while former Sunrise presenter
(and real-life farmer’s wife) Sam Armytage hosts.
Being away from home to film her role in the series – which has been expanded since
last year’s appearance – still involves a feat of logistics on the home front.
“When I am on the road with Farmer, visiting all these beautiful places still is a bit of
a juggle when I am away but it all works out,” she says.
Getting to be part of so many people’s milestone moments make it worth the effort
for Gruzlewski. She’s proud of the genuine happiness that Farmer has brought so
many couples.
“You know, we always talk about the stats – the 10 weddings, the nine long-term
relationships and the 27 babies. The 16 years has changed people’s lives,” she
enthuses.
“To be there from the very beginning and witness these incredible love stories as
they unfold each series is really special to be part of.”
The TV landscape has changed dramatically since Farmer debuted and viewers are
now spoiled for choice when it comes to TV dating formats.
From the sleazier sorts like Married At First Sight through to the more wholesome
Love on the Spectrum, there’s now a TV romance to suit almost every taste.
Some, like The Love Boat failed to capture viewers’ hearts while other long-running
formats, like The Bachelor have undergone dramatic makeovers to keep people
engaged.
Farmer, which was revived by Channel 7 in 2020 after a four-year hiatus, has largely
remained true to its humble beginnings.
Gruzlewski believes the reason for Farmer’s enduring popularity is simple,
enthusing: “It’s real and it’s authentic!”
“It’s the real deal. And I think that’s why people love the show so much.”
Likewise, Farmer offers viewers insight into life on the land.
“It’s not easy for the farmers to open their hearts and their homes up to the entire
nation,” she explains.
“I think the biggest point of difference [from other dating shows] is the ladies get to
experience farm life up close during the dating process. And farm life is not
everyone’s cup of tea. It’s definitely not a glamorous lifestyle.”
This year, Gruzlewski will joins the show midway through its run to host “a special
night camping under the stars” for the farmers and their chosen ladies.
“I also have a big surprise this season, but I can’t say anything about that just yet,”
she teases.
She says there’s a real camaraderie between Wamuran pineapple grower Bert, Tabilk
cattle and crop farmer Tom, Bombala cattleman Joe, Condobolin’s Dustin and
Kandangan Dean (who both have livestock and grow crops).
“There’s some amazing bonding going on and sharing stories and that’s an important
part of this journey too,” she explains.
“And for Dustin, who is our most remote farmer this year (living more than two hours
from Dubbo) so finding that someone special, can you imagine how hard it would be
for him if it wasn’t for this show?”
Towards the end of the season, Gruzlewski meets the group for one last debrief
“back in the big smoke for a black-tie dinner.
“And it’s the last time they get together before the big decision.”
That big decision is, of course, which of the women they want to continue to date
once the cameras stop rolling and, if all goes to plan, eventually become their wife.
Gruzlewski has remained in contact with many of the farmers that she has met on
the show over the years, joking: “in this day and age of social media can you stay out
of touch with people?
“So, I get lots of updates on social media and the occasional text. And whenever we
catch up for a reunion episode its fun to see all the farmers and their children.”
Although she’s hesitant to play favourites, there have been a few couples over the
show’s 13 seasons that hold a special place in her heart. None more so than
Tamworth farmer Chris Newsome and disability worker, Kim Tierney who met and fell
in love on the very first season.
Gruzlewski can still recall seeing sparks flying between the couple at their first
meeting and was later thrilled to be invited to their wedding.
“Of course I would be there, who doesn’t love a wedding?” she exclaims.
“That’s part of what I love about this show. You get to be part of their love stories.
You are chatting to these farmers before they lock eyes with their future wives and
then be there for that life changing moment.”
Despite the important role she has played in so many happily ever afters, none of the
27 babies to come out of her matchmaking efforts have been bestowed with the
name Natalie.
“Not yet, anyway,” she smiles.
FARMER WANTS A WIFE, COMING SOON TO CHANNEL SEVEN.
‘Two idiots’ crowned My Kitchen Rules winners
In a nail-bitingly close finale which came down to just a couple of points’ difference, the unlikely winners of this season have finally been named.
IAC star causes chaos on racy Oz show
I’m A Celebrity runner-up Callum Hole joined Australia’s new X-rated series Aussie Shore in the latest episode, and it’s safe to say he caused a right stir.