It was one of TV’s worst kept secrets, The Bachelor Australia’s 2017 winner was Laura Byrne.
In Matty J’s quest for love, he sadly had to crush the heart of Hockeyroos star Elise Stacy.
The dust is now starting to settle and the 30-year-old is finally allowed to talk about her pain.
Just hours after the heartbreaking moment Matty told her she wasn’t the one, NTL caught up with Elise to debrief on it all.
Relive the moment it all ended for Elise Stacy and Matty….
Australia is pretty protective of you today and saying MJ led you on?
I can feel all the love and it really is getting me through this! Thank you so much.
How hard has it been faking that you were happy while the show was airing. Did you didn’t get a chance to mourn your break-up?
I actually took time for myself and went on a holiday for about three weeks.
Coming back I was ready to pretend I was OK. I think I faked it for a while until I did feel OK.
As Matty broke up with you, he said he cared about you – how confusing was that?
It was very confusing and that’s the perfect word for it!
He obviously had feelings and did care about me but ultimately, he wasn’t in love with me. And you can’t help who you fall in love with. When it happens, it happens. And this time it was with Laura.
Elise was on “cloud nine” but it all came crashing down.
Your last date was the same day as the final rose ceremony – Matty’s mind would have been made up – how much does that mess with you?
Actually, it happened the day before! But it was such a good date… Which is why everything was so hard!
Matty has said today he knew it was Laura from night one, what’s that like to hear?
I haven’t looked! I haven’t seen it and I don’t want to put myself through that pain.
Even you saying to me he knew it was her from night one – that hurts a lot. I just don’t need to hear that.
I hope he was open to falling in love with someone else and I still have to trust that.
Matty’s brother is getting a bit of backlash for quizzing you on how many sexual partners you’ve had, it was a pretty weird question. Were you thrown off by it?
Lovers?! Haha when he asked me that he quickly said, “No I meant boyfriends!”
We both laughed at that.
I think he was just nervous. I think I said to him, “Are you sure you want to know the answer to that question?”
[Laugh] You never ask a lady that question!
The athlete never thought Matty would hurt her…
Is there anything from your time on the show that you’d want to clear up?
I don’t think so! It was quite an accurate representation of who I am. A lot of people that know me have said that they’re glad Australia has seen me.
You said last night you weren’t sure if it was all worth it after he broke up with you, do you still feel that?
Yes, I’m not happy with… Actually no. I wouldn’t change it!
I’ve learned so much about myself in this process. My dad even said it, that he saw me so happy.
For me to feel that happy even if it was just for a little while – it was great! I don’t regret that at all.
His family adored you and thought you were a better match for Matty, how does that feel?
I was on cloud nine after that day. That’s what made me keep falling in love with Matty, seeing the way he was around his family.
His mum Ellie said to me, sometimes people are intimidated by how close they are as a family. And she hit the nail on the head for me. Sometimes I’ve wondered about people coming into my family.
Our values were something Matty and I bonded over.
Elise has no regrets.
You touched on this during the finale but you spoke of having two big relationships in your life and have since hit pause on love. Given everything, are you ready to date again and what are you looking for?
I haven’t thought about it. I’ve been so caught up with finishing this chapter.
I’m probably not ready to be heartbroken again. I’m not in love with the bloke anymore but I still need time.
Well you have an entire nation protecting you!
[Laughs] Please meet my family… And Australia!
Has Nikki Gogan reached out to you or would you consider getting in touch with her for advice on dealing with this very unique situation?
Not from previous seasons no, but a lot of girls from this season have reached out which is so nice.
I was thinking of Nikki this whole time! I just wanted to call her and be like: “Do you have any tips for me?” You’ve been through this sister!
You’re such a natural in front of the camera and given your sporting background – would you ever consider doing TV?
I’m definitely interested!
Talk me through your post-Bachie life?
Just getting through this! Potentially TV, but now it’s time to focus on me.
