Sophie Monk is probably Network Ten’s best decision to have as the new star of The Bachelorette . Her debut brought record launch ratings to the series, with 1.22 million viewers, and according to The Australian , had the biggest launch audience for any Australian version of The Bachelorette or its male equivalent, The Bachelor . Furthermore, the result was a morale booster for Ten, as Sophie’s successful launch came just two days after other creditors voted for US network CBS to take control of the network.
Sophie’s genuine candor is a refreshing sight to the series. Monk once said in an earlier promo, “I’m 37, I’m a massive bogan but I really hope Australia understands I want to find something genuine and they back me on this, and don’t think I’m a tool to be honest.”
The Australian further reports that the reality show was also massive on social media, with #bacheloretteAU trending at No. 2 globally and No. 1 in Australia. Executive producer Hilary Innes reveals that the program had upped the romance factor hugely in that a good mix of romance, drama, and comedy and classic rom-com were put together.
Sophie, on her part, only wants to find love, after a string of celebrity flames and failed engagements. She admits that she carries the weight of her not-so-successful romances on her shoulders.
“There was a time when I had baggage, when I wasn’t in the best place. I really have had to work on that to be in the place where I am today.”
She also candidly revealed on 102.9 FM’s Hot Tomato radio show that the failed relationships she’s had in the past were hers to blame as she “wasn’t in a great place” and therefore took a toll on her relationships.
“You tend to get worked over when you’re not in a good place, you just got to be happy with yourself,” Sophie told radio host Emily Jade. “Yeah, I was a loser. And now, am still a loser, just with a bit more self esteem.”
According to the Daily Telegraph , some of Monk’s failed celebrity romances included Aussie actor Sam Worthington, and Good Charlotte lead guitarist Benji Madden. She reveals that she had a huge moment of self-doubt before The Bachelorette ‘s opening cocktail party where she met her suitors, and had also felt ill on the first day of filming and second-guessed whether she should have agreed to star in the dating show at all.
Sophie happily reveals though that the show was a success, and that she has found love. The only downside is that she’s terrible at keeping secrets, and for fear that she might reveal the winner prematurely, she booked herself a flight to Mexico for three weeks.
The Bachelorette airs every Wednesday and Thursday on Network Ten.
[Featured Image by Scott Barbour/Getty Images]
