Golden Bachelor finalist Janette has revealed the truth about what happened moments after Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden told her she wasn’t his final pick.
The Melbourne Pilates instructor, 61, admitted she went into the final day utterly convinced Bear would choose her, making the rejection all the more shattering and unexpected.
‘I was sure it was me and then when it wasn’t I thought, ‘How did I ever think that?’ she told 9Entertainment, recalling the surreal moment her confidence vanished.
Janette said that she knew something was off the moment she approached him at the mountaintop proposal spot, insisting she saw the truth before he even spoke.
‘I read your eyes the minute I walked up here,’ she said, adding that she immediately felt herself shutting down emotionally.
According to Janette, she hadn’t prepared for any scenario where she wasn’t chosen, and the shock left her scrambling to keep it together.
Golden Bachelor finalist Janette (pictured) has revealed the truth about what happened moments after Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden told her she wasn’t his final pickÂ
‘I was sure it was me and then when it wasn’t I thought, ‘How did I ever think that?’ she told 9Entertainment, recalling the surreal moment her confidence vanishedÂ
As soon as Bear confirmed his heart belonged to someone else, she felt overwhelmed.
Her instinct, she said, was to flee from the cameras entirely.Â
‘I just wanted to hide somewhere and have my little cry,’ she admitted, explaining why she abruptly stormed off while Bear tried to speak to her.
But behind the scenes, Janette revealed her first message after filming wasn’t to Bear — it was to Sunny, the woman he ultimately chose.
‘I realised in the end she was in love with him, and I wished her well, and I wished them a happy life together and whatever comes from it,’ she said, explaining that she wanted Sunny to know she held no resentment.
Janette added that the pair are still loosely in contact, occasionally exchanging messages or seeing each other at events linked to the show.
Reflecting on the experience, she admitted she had no real understanding of how strong Bear and Sunny’s connection was until she watched the season back on television.
She said she kept her own feelings discreet to avoid intimidating the other contestants, and now believes Sunny did the same.
‘I was sure it was me and then when it wasn’t I thought, ‘How did I ever think that?’ she told 9Entertainment, recalling the surreal moment her confidence vanishedÂ
In much more heart-warming scenes, Bear confessed his feelings to Sunny (left) as he picked her as his final ladyÂ
She now feels ready to date again and says she has no regrets about taking part in the show.
The Golden Bachelor finale delivered one of the most dramatic showdowns in the franchise’s history.Â
Bear made his final choice between Janette and NSW CEO Sunny, 58, during a romantic getaway to South Africa.
He struggled through the breakup with Janette, telling her that while she made him feel alive again, he hadn’t fallen in love.
‘I was so nervous about doing this, because you made me feel like I haven’t felt in a long time,’ he told her.
‘I feel like I could tell you anything, Janette. You deserve a love worth fighting for. And I’m so sorry… It’s not with me.’
Janette, maintaining a stoic exterior, responded, ‘I’m fine. I read your eyes the minute I walked up here,’ before cutting him off and leaving the scene in anger.
Moments later, she broke down inside a waiting car, telling producers she felt foolish for believing she would be chosen.
The episode then shifted to a far more uplifting moment as Bear confessed his love to Sunny, telling her he couldn’t imagine a future without her.
Sunny, overjoyed, said her ‘dark days’ were behind her, and Bear presented her with a commitment ring.
