Beauty and the Geek’s season of romance and big transformations comes to an end
IT’S the race to the finish line on Beauty and the Geek but some of these dorky lads have already won after finding love behind the scenes.
IT’S the ultimate story of social redemption, when the dorky guy reveals a stunning new look, finds his confidence and lands the pretty girl.
That’s the scenario which has played on Channel Seven’s Beauty and the Geek, with several big transformations and two hot hook ups this year.
And there’s another romance brewing behind the scenes too.
Beauty and the Geek, which reaches its anticipated end tomorrow night, has a simple premise: take a group of geeks, throw them in a mansion with a bevy of beautiful women — this time both Americans and Australians — and film the results.
But it’s no shameless stunt, host James Tobin insisted. It’s about transformation — a physical and emotional one.
“Everyone is different after,” Tobin said. “The way they stand, their smiles, their self-esteem all just change straight away. They have a spring in their steps. They have swagger.”
FINDING LOVE
Finding that new sense of self was enough for Alex Tomisich to pluck up the courage to ask out one of the beauties, Sara Macnamara, when the cameras stopped rolling.
“I obviously made a reasonable impression on the show and then I think my new-found confidence after sealed the deal,” Tomisich, 19, said.
“She’s my first girlfriend and it’s pretty crazy. Oh man, there’s so much to learn about dating — women are complex creatures.”
The young couple have been going strong for the past few months, even though he’s in Melbourne and she’s in Sydney — and despite their first official date ending with a hospital visit.
“I took her to this indoor trampoline place and she dislocated her shoulder,” he said. “Our next date was much better — we went out for a nice dinner on the water, which was lovely.”
He’s not the only geek to win the heart of a beauty.
During the show, James Van Schoonhoven and Chrystal Rachuj formed a strong connection almost immediately and their romance played out to the delight of viewers.
“We occasionally get a kiss here or there, but to have the L word this year was huge,” Tobin said. “It was a proper relationship and it was really beautiful to see it blossom.
Tate Putnins also scored a few smooches from Nicole Burns — Tomisich’s competition partner — although the pair has since gone their separate ways.
“Any sort of romance on a television show is always going to be tough because the circumstances and environment are so unusual,” Tobin said. “You’re in a real pressure cooker situation.”
FINDING A NEW LOOK
A passionate kiss isn’t the only thing Putnins landed, walking away from the show with an international modelling gig with underwear brand aussieBUM.
After his makeover, regarded as one of the most significant, he competed in a photo shoot challenge that led to the global campaign.
“Tate was sensational,” Tobin said. “He shocked and wowed everyone. His new look was only part of getting the modelling job — a big part of it was his confidence.”
Of his makeover, Tomisich said he didn’t recognise himself and had worked hard to maintain the look since returning home.
“It was more than just a look for me,” he said.
“It boosted my self-esteem so much and I definitely want to keep that. I’m not rushing out to get waxes though — that was extremely painful.”
He and the rest of the geeks have come a long way from the group of bumbling and awkward blokes who were plonked in Las Vegas in episode one, he said.
Tobin agreed and said one of his highlights of the entire show was the physical transformations, which turned the geeks from dags to dreamboats.
“Oliver’s makeover was so unexpected and wonderful. It changed him as a person. It was incredible to see him go from this slouchy and mumbling shy guy to someone with the confidence of a Hollywood superstar.”
THE FINALE
Over the past few months, each of the teams have competed in a number of tough challenges that have tested their limits.
Tomorrow night, one couple will be crowned winners and walk away with $100,000 cold, hard cash in a finale that Tobin describes as “unexpected”.
“Just when you think you know how it’s going to play out, there are extra twists and turns that change everything.”
Tomisich and his competition partner Burns go in as hot favourites to take it out, after winning the most challenges during the season.
“You’ll see the competition shift from a group of mates just wanting to have fun to a very competitive scenario. Everyone wants the money — we’ve worked hard and its serious now.”
FORM GUIDE
Tobin believes it’s anyone’s game and all of the four remaining couples have their strong points and advantages.
Smartest beauty: Nicole — She’s managed to win almost every challenge.
Coolest geek: Tate — You can’t go past him considering he’s just become an international model.
Most determined team: Frances and Oliver — They’ve both got steely determination.
Best team work: Nick and Candice — They have this really great rapport and they work so well together.
Best under pressure: Nicole and Alex — In the toughest challenges, they can just get it done. They’ve really dominated.
Most improved: Emily — She has come a long way and really impressed in the later quizzes.
Beauty and the Geek airs on Thursday at 8pm on Channel Seven.
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