Golden Bachelor Runner-Up Janette Bendle Spotted Looking Downcast After Barry Myrden’s Rejection

Janette Bendle has been spotted in public for the first time since she was spectacularly dumped by Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden during The Golden Bachelor finale episode on Sunday night. 

The Melbourne Pilates instructor, 61, stepped out solo in Melbourne the day after her heartbreak was broadcast to the nation. 

Looking downcast, Janette wore a glum expression as she ran some errands and did a little shopping. 

She was casually chic in a grey blazer worn unbuttoned over an army green shirt. 

Janette added a pair of loose-fit black jeans with the cuffs folded and added studded, black leather boots. 

Opting for a glamorous makeup look, she chose a peachy palette and a nude, pink lipstick in a matte finish. 

She finished the ensemble with a pair of hoop earrings and piled her blonde hair into a loose bun.  

It comes after Janette revealed the truth about what happened moments after Bear told her she wasn’t his final pick.

Janette 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.

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. 

‘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 Long, 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.

Janette 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. 

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.