Sophie Monk is all set for her on-screen debut as Australia’s first-ever celebrity Bachelorette.
In a move she describes as “crazy” and “exciting”, the unlucky-in-love singer-turned-actress says she signed up for hit reality show The Bachelorette Australia in the hopes of finding the man of her dreams.
After a string of failed high-profile romances, including an engagement to Good Charlotte guitarist and former The Voice Australia coach Benji Madden, the 37-year-old had been left heartbroken and wallowing in self-doubt.
But after meeting 18 of the country’s most eligible bachelors and eight long weeks of elaborate dates and rose ceremonies, Sophie reveals she’s fallen madly in love.
“Now, when I look back, I feel like I haven’t really been in love before, until now,” Sophie tells TV WEEK.
“I’m so badly in love. I usually date people who are really competitive, especially if they’re in the [film and television] industry – they can get a bit jealous,” she explains. “But I feel like I’ve finally met my best friend, which is so different.”
With the paparazzi now following her every move, we ask the clearly smitten star just how she’s been keeping the identity of her mystery man under wraps.
“It’s been a piece of cake,” she laughs. “I’m like a pro! I would have to hide out with other boyfriends in the past, so it’s been easy.”
“I’d like to have kids and get married,” Sophie tells TV WEEK.
Sophie tells us that her time filming The Bachelorette was tough.
“I was vulnerable. I think I cried every day, and I had to learn to stand up for myself.
“In past relationships, I’d stay for years just because I couldn’t get out or stand up for myself. So this whole experience has taught me to be really strong and look after myself.”
Sophie loves being an aunt to her niece and four nephews. Now that she’s found her Mr Right, she’s keen to settle down and start her own family.
“I’d like to have kids and get married,” she says. “Obviously not right this second. But, yeah, definitely.”
Read the full story in the latest issue of TV WEEK.
