Competing against 22 women for the heart of one man is certainly a change of pace for Natalie Holmberg.
The 27-year-old midwife reveals she came into The Bachelor fresh off the back of a nine-month relationship. Not only that, but it was with another woman.
“I ended the relationship, which was with a woman, back in August and I had my first interview [for the show] a few weeks after that,” she confirms.
The Adelaide local admits that was the first time she had ever considered a same-sex relationship, and at the time, worried what her family and friends would think.
“I’d never dated another woman before, but I fell in love with a person,” Natalie says. “We got closer and realised it was more than a friendship.
“When we first started dating, I thought, ‘Am I lesbian? What will people think?’ But in the end, no one cared. [laughs]”
Unfortunately, Natalie couldn’t foresee them being together long-term and decided to call it quits. However, she insists they remain good friends.
“I realised that I still wanted to be with a man in the long-run,” she explains. “Also, our age difference and life goals didn’t align so we broke up. But, we’re still friends and she’s very supportive of The Bachelor. She just wants the best for me.”
Natalie with her former girlfriend.
After mending her broken heart, Nat took another plunge by entering The Bachelor. On top of trying to impress Matty J, Natalie had to learn to live in one house with 22 bachelorettes. And as any woman will attest too, it’s not easy.
“Putting huge personalities in a confined space together is always going to end in a clash, but we were quite respectful,” she says. “I didn’t agree with some of the way a few girls went about things, but that doesn’t mean I was in a fight or argument with them.
“At one point, I had a disagreement with Laura, but straight away we confronted each other and talked it out.”
As for what we can expect from her first encounter with Matty J, Natalie admits it wasn’t what she was expecting.
“I did a lot of nervous laughing!” she smiles. “I’m slightly apprehensive about watching it, but I don’t think I’d change anything – maybe to be a bit cooler and relaxed! [laughs]”
