If reality TV has taught us anything, it’s that the most gut-wrenching moments often happen when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Case in point: this year’s Golden Bachelor.
Viewers watched in despair on Sunday as Canadian engineer Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden broke the heart of his runner-up Janette Bendle.
But we can now reveal the pain of that split was compounded by a complete lack of closure – as Bear was whisked off with his winning contestant, Sunny Long, without so much as a private debrief with Janette afterwards.
Speaking to the Mail outside her Pilates studios in Melbourne on Tuesday, Janette confirmed there had been zero contact with Bear since he let her down in the finale.
This is in contrast to some previous Bachelors who made an effort to check in with the runner-up once the dust settled.
Golden Bachelor runner-up Janette Bendle has confirmed there has been no contact with Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden after he broke her heart in the season finale, filmed seven months ago
Viewers watched in despair on Sunday as the engineer broke the heart of runner-up Janette
‘No, I haven’t heard from him,’ the 61-year-old workout instructor told the Daily Mail.
Despite Bear giving her the cold shoulder post-filming, Janette seemed unfazed and accepting of his decision.
‘You know what, I’m a strong girl, and he knew I’d be okay,’ she said.
‘When we were up on the mountain, he said: “Are you okay?” and I said, “I’m fine.”‘
Janette perked up when asked for her thoughts about a potential tilt as Australia’s first Golden Bachelorette next year.
Offering a hearty thumbs up and a smile, she declared: ‘I’m up for that – 100 per cent I would be the Golden Bachelorette.’
Despite being ghosted on reality TV, Janette says she’s attracting plenty of new admirers.
‘I’ve had a few people get in touch,’ she revealed. ‘I am open for love.’
Speaking to the Mail outside her Pilates studios in Melbourne on Tuesday, Janette confirmed she hadn’t heard anything from Bear since he let her down in the finale
This is in contrast to some previous Bachelors who made an effort to check in with the runner-up once the dust settled
Bear is now loved-up with his winning contestant, 58-year-old Sunny Long
Janette is certainly not dwelling on her reality TV dumping as she appeared very relaxed in Melbourne this week.
Stepping out for a spot of Pilates, Janette was all smiles as she enjoyed a post-coffee workout with a group of friends.
Going makeup-free for the outing, she wore a long-sleeved black Lycra top over a red shirt, leopard-print leggings and black sneakers.
It comes after 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 she knew something was off the moment she approached him at the mountaintop proposal spot, insisting she saw the truth before he even spoke.
Janette is certainly not dwelling on her reality TV dumping as she appeared very relaxed in Melbourne this week
Stepping out for a spot of Pilates, Janette was all smiles as she enjoyed a post-coffee workout with a group of friends
Going makeup-free for the outing, she wore a long-sleeved black Lycra top over a red shirt, leopard-print leggings and black sneakers
Janette admitted she hadn’t prepared for any scenario where she wasn’t chosen, and the shock left her scrambling to keep it together
‘I read your eyes the minute I walked up here,’ she said, adding that she immediately felt herself shutting down emotionally.
Janette admitted she hadn’t prepared for any scenario where she wasn’t chosen, and the shock left her scrambling to keep it together.
‘I just wanted to hide somewhere and have my little cry,’ she admitted to Nine, explaining why she abruptly stormed off while Bear tried to speak to her.
Behind the scenes, Janette revealed her first message after filming wasn’t to Bear – but to 58-year-old 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, adding that she holds no resentment towards Sunny.
Janette added that she and Sunny are still loosely in contact, occasionally exchanging messages or seeing each other at events linked to the show.
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