Sophie Monk reveals paparazzi snaps ruined the surprise of her proposal

Sophie Monk has finally dished the details of her engagement to Josh Gross – revealing the moment that ruined the surprise.

Fans were thrilled to learn of Sophie Monk’s engagement to boyfriend Joshua Gross in December, but behind the scenes, there was a slightly “heartbreaking” aspect to the joyous moment.

Speaking to Stellar as this weekend’s Valentine’s Day cover stars, Monk and her neurosurgical robotics consultant fiance revealed the engagement surprise was spoiled by paparazzi photos of Joshua leaving a ring designer’s office.

When asked if Sophie had any idea Josh was planning to propose, the former Bachelorette admitted the snaps of him leaving ring designer Luke Rose in Sydney were a dead giveaway.

“There was a paparazzi shot of him leaving Luke Rose, so I kind of guessed – and my heart broke for the surprise. But then I guess I was prepared in a way,” the TV personality said.

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Sophie Monk and Joshua Gross are this weekend’s Stellar cover stars. Picture: Stellar

Opening up about the leak, Josh said: “I was a little heartbroken when I saw (the shots). I’d gone through six months of cloak-and-dagger secrecy to get this done without Sophie knowing because I wanted her to have a good surprise. Everything is so public for her, I thought this is one thing we can have behind closed doors. So that was a little heartbreaking. I was planning on proposing a little earlier and (the media attention) sort of paused things for a while.”

He eventually popped the question on Christmas Day last year, revealing Sophie said “yes” before he’d even asked.

“It was just us, at home, having a coffee in front of the tree,” he said of the moment.

“I did have something I wanted to say but, in typical Sophie fashion, she talked over the top of me and said yes before I could get out my best spiel,” he joked.

Sophie added: “He knelt down, and I just said yes before he even asked. He’s like, “Hang on, I’ve got stuff to say!” And I’m like, “It’s good, yes!” And then I cried.”

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Joshua Gross popped the question on Christmas Day. Picture: Stellar

The star kept her promise in sharing the news with her fans before going public via the media, showing off her sparkling new engagement ring in an Instagram post last month.

“Told you I’d tell you guys first,” Sophie began. “I’m engaged. I honestly can’t thank you enough for all the love and support.

“I know I have the coolest people following me and you’ve always had my back and I feel so cared about. You’re absolute bloody legends. I’m not very good at being mushy.”

She continued: “I’m trying to say I absolutely adore you. @joshuargross and I are so happy. Josh designed a very personal ring with my favourite Aussie designer @luke_rose_jewellery and I LOVE IT.”

The pair met unexpectedly on a plane in August 2018 after “three champagnes” in business class before sharing a kiss mid-air.

The engagement is Monk’s third, after she was engaged to Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden in 2007, before they split a year later. She was also engaged to American millionaire Jimmy Esebag in 2011.

After starring on The Bachelorette in 2017, Monk began a relationship with her winner, millionaire Sydney publican Stu Laundy, but in January 2018 they announced they had split after six months together.

When asked if meeting Josh was “fate”, Sophie told Stellar: “I’ve always been a sucker for (the fate thing). I’ve always said that everything happens for a reason. I’ve always believed in that Cinderella story. It just happened for me at 41 … I thought Cinderella was younger? But even on the plane, I said to Josh, ‘You’re going to want to marry me.’”

Sophie and Joshua met on a plane in 2018. Picture: Instagram

Of their wedding plans, she revealed they would opt for something intimate after a “big engagement party” in Sydney.

As for their future as a couple, Sophie said they’d “love a family”.

“It’s just about timing. But with my work being so unpredictable, I’ve learnt to go with the flow. You learn not to plan too far ahead. We’ll play it by ear.”

Read the full interview with Sophie Monk and Joshua Gross in the current issue of Stellar, available in the Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Herald Sun, out Sunday, February 14.