Richie broke Nikki’s heart on The Bachelor. And he also broke Australia’s.
NIKKI Gogan might not have won Richie’s heart but the rest of Australia’s on her side. And they aren’t holding back.
NIKKI Gogan wasn’t the only one left heartbroken by Richie Strahan during Thursday night’s finale of The Bachelor. Australia also felt the pain.
The bubbly real estate agent from West Australia was a fan favourite throughout the series, with viewers expecting her to win Richie’s heart over single mum Alex Nation.
And while Nikki, 28, put her feelings on the table, telling the rope access technician she loved him, it wasn’t mutual.
“Going on this adventure, my family gave me some advice,” he said. “And that advice was to follow my heart. And, Nikki, I really hope you understand but my heart is with Alex.”
In that moment, fans leant their hashtags and raised their broken-heart emojis for Nikki on social media — some even calling for her to be the next Bachelorette.
Lets get this trending folks! #NikkiForBachelorette #TheBachelorau
— Gidgit VonLaRue (@GidgitVonLaRue) September 15, 2016
and somewhere in australia..probably perth...#blakegarvey is laughing..knowing he is no longer the most hated man in aus #BachelorAU
— tonia irranca (@miss_toniam) September 15, 2016
#BachelorAU Richie you're an idiot! You broke Nikkis heart for Alex???? WTF
— Lisa McClenahan (@LisaMcClenahan) September 15, 2016
PLEASE @TurnbullMalcolm IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO INTERVENE
— dan debuf (@dandebuf) September 15, 2016
DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY???#TheBachelorAU
I think I'm actually heartbroken that he didn't choose Nikki. 💔 #bachelorau
— Jade (@j_tiarra) September 15, 2016
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED #NIKKI #BACHELORAU I AM NOT OKAY
— Maya Gonzalez (@itsmayagonzalez) September 15, 2016
Nikki’s rejection came as a shock to fans who had predicted early on that she would win Richie’s heart. Even throughout the finale episode, where Richie and Nikki shared romantic final moments, viewers were convinced he would choose her.
Dear Alex,
— Melissa Sherlock (@wheretonextblog) September 15, 2016
Your scheduled date with Ritchie has been cancelled. As consolation, here is a plane ticket back to Melbourne#TheBachelorAU
Bye Alex!! Byeeeeeee! #TheBachelorAU #BachelorAU pic.twitter.com/V8Qu3inxR5
— Anita Anabel (@AnitaAnabel_) September 15, 2016
NIKKI HAS THIS IN THE BAG SLAM DUNK NIKKI
— Jacinta (@jaacintaa_) September 15, 2016
While Nikki’s heartbreak was visible, the sincerity that won viewers’ hearts remained.
“So yeah ... I don’t have his heart, that’s all,” she sobbed afterwards. “I wouldn’t change anything. I don’t regret anything. And what he has with Alex must be really, really special. And I hope they’ll be incredibly happy together. I still love Richie and it’ll take a while to get over.”
Alex caught Richie’s attention from the very first episode and she was rewarded with the coveted “white rose”. Her eagerness for Richie’s attention throughout the series earnt her the nickname of “stage five clinger” on social media.
While Nikki also developed strong feelings, she quietly stood back and waited to be noticed.
One week before the finale, she put her feelings on the table during the home visits when Richie met her family.
“I guess I’ve known for a while. I’m totally in love with you,” she told him. “And I have known that for a while, Richie. It’s been important to me that you’ve met my family. And that I’ve had the reassurance from them. I know you can’t say anything but I know that you like that I tell you how I feel.”
Turns out, some things aren’t meant to be.