Sophie Monk spills on awkward run-in with Benji Madden

SOPHIE Monk, who was engaged to Benji Madden from Good Charlotte, has detailed a cringe-worthy encounter with the musician.

SOPHIE Monk has opened up about her awkward encounter with her ex-fiancee, Benji Madden.

Monk told hit105’s Stav, Abby and Matt the run-in was the first time she’d seen the Good Charlotte rocker since they split in 2008.

“There was the time that we went to watch Jessie J do something on an aeroplane and Benji was there, that was pretty awkward,” Monk told the radio hosts.

The Love Islandhost said she had no idea Madden would be at the unique media event and said she was forced to say hello to him.

“We were right next to each other,” Monk said. “My heart dropped. I did chat to him for a little bit ... it was awkward in the end.”

Sophie Monk with Benji Madden in 2007.

Hit105 co-host Matty Acton was on the plane as well and recalled, “I remember her [Monk] clutching my arm so tight I bled from it”.

Last year Monk opened up to Stellar magazine about falling in and out of love with Madden.

“I met him at a restaurant somewhere, and the next minute he’s bringing flowers every day to my front door until I dated him,” she told Stellar. “I wasn’t really [interested at first], then he was just so sweet.

“It lasted nearly two years. He’s an amazing person. I just didn’t feel ready to get married at that point. I wanted to achieve a bit more.”

The breakup was made even worse by the fact Madden started dating Paris Hilton immediately after splitting from Monk, which resulted in a media frenzy.

“She [Hilton] started saying that she stole him off me, which is bullsh*t,” Monk told Stellar.

“I was all over E! News. Front cover of every magazine. She [Hilton] was like the Kardashians then. I couldn’t go anywhere and ignore it.

“It was like you found out on Facebook about an ex, but times a billion. I couldn’t hide from it.

Paris Hilton and Benji Madden at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

“It really hurt my feelings. It was really tough. It affected my work, which became about my relationship rather than about what I was doing, which isn’t good [in] the industry.

“All of a sudden, I looked like a socialite, just from dating someone who was dating her. It changed everyone’s perspective of me and my brand.”

Monk, who rose to fame on the Aussie TV show Popstars, was hounded by the paparazzi in the wake of the split.

“I had 20 cars following me — no lie — all trying to get pictures of me being sad,” she said. “I would be bawling my eyes out, and then have to get out of the car and smile, so they couldn’t get that story. I don’t have security and stuff like they do; it was quite lonely.”

Monk has had several relationships since then but has proven to be unlucky in love. But as she told KIIS FM’s Jackie O today, she’s quite happy being single.

“I just need a break,” Monk said. “I can’t be bothered with the drama.”

Sophie Monk will soon be seen on TV hosting Love Island. Picture: Christian Gilles