Sam Cochrane’s bombshell exclusive interview with Woman’s Day detailing the alleged verbal and physical abuse he suffered at the hands of former fiancee Tara Pavlovic sent shock-waves around the nation.
And now, Tara Pavlovic has responded to Sam’s explosive claims that she would punch, kick and bite him during drunken rows.
READ NEXT: Tara shares her side of the story and why it didn’t work out with Sam
Uploading a selfie to her Instagram Story showing her holding a drink of water during a layover in Singapore, the Bachelor in Paradise beauty took a thinly-veiled swipe at her ex.
“Just at Singapore waiting for my next flight. On the waters can you bloody believe it! How good is that for an apparent alcoholic,” Tara began.
“I am getting so many messages from women who have been through the same thing I recently went through. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with me and sending your love. I feel lucky that I was in a similar relationship when I was younger. So, after six months I was able to recognise the signs and walks away without guilt when he cried begging me back,” she continued.
READ MORE: Sam Cochrane EXCLUSIVE: The truth about Tara Pavlovic
“For any girls struggling in an emotionally abusive relationship, there is an article I read about dating a narcissist that really helped me understand what was going on. You’re not crazy,” Tara signed off as she directed fans to a story titled 13 signs you’re dating a narcissist.
In another pic, Tara cuddles up to a friend on a plane ahead of their European adventure as she hit out at the “terrible people in this world.”
“I reached a love I never knew I could reach and I turned into a person I have never been before. Don’t let narcissistic people with hidden agendas emotionally bring you down,” she penned.
Sam was quick to respond to Tara’s social media statement, posting a lengthy response on Instagram outlining what led him to go public with his side of the story.
You can read Sam’s post in full below, post continues…
I’ve woken up today wondering how I could have misjudged an individual so much. I never wanted to discuss the things I had experienced and wanted to move forward with my life. I put up two posts and never mentioned her name and never put her down.
Just my sadness in what is now out in public. Ultimately I didn’t talk because I was embarrassed and ashamed at what had taken place but also because I thought I would always love her. So I allowed the horrible stuff just be a moment in time and try to move on myself. I allowed over two months of nastiness to continue after the break up but we had always promised to never go to the media.
I ignored many, many requests to hear my side of the story but believed that the truth would be too damaging for someone that I ultimately loved and wished the best for. Then 5 days into me being in Bali she decided to talk about me, the relationship and painting an awful picture of me for the sake of money, branding and endorsements. I fought long and hard with the idea of shedding light on what I believe to be a very serious issue.
There is never an excuse for what I’ve experienced and it was love that prevented me ever mentioning it. I did everything I could to keep these matters private. I wished her happiness and a good life and hoped she would learn. I had moved on and past it all. She had moved in with someone within days of us ending also, so one would assume that she would have no need to mention me again. Wrong.
I am so shocked to learn from private messages the men that have gone through what I have. I plan on doing all I can to shed light on it and help both men and women. There is no excuse, no reason or way of justifying it. I hope this will be the last time I have to discuss her or the relationship. But I do plan on making a difference and doing what I can to make things better in anyway I can.
I never wanted this and I only wish for peace. To people that choose to judge me, I accept it. I really wanted the perfect story but in life, there is always a lesson. Thank you for the words of support. I pray this is the end and that the ugliness can stop. If it doesn’t I have so much more to defend with. I don’t want that.❤️
The story in question that Sam is referencing is Tara’s interview with the Daily Mail, in which she labelled him a “game player” and “toxic.”
“The relationship was just the most toxic thing,” the 27-year-old Queenslander told the publication last week.
“He would always say to me I needed someone who was ‘dumb with no feelings’, that he was too smart and deep for me.”
“I feel the biggest sense of relief now that it’s all over. I finally feel like I’m myself again. I was the worst version of myself when I was with [Sam], so it’ll be good to just find myself again.”
Sam, who is currently on a boys’ getaway in Bali, also uploaded a screenshot of Tara’s Story and responded to her comments.
“I’m terrible three days later because I finally defended myself and spoke out after her trying to attack me in the media. I never wanted to discuss any of this and had wanted to move on. I only wanted peace,” he said.
As their bitter break-up continues to play out in the public arena, here’s hoping Sam and Tara can both enjoy some time off-the-grid and look after themselves.
Sam’s response to Tara’s story.
On Monday, 31-year-old voice over artist Sam spoke to Woman’s Day about how Tara’s partying and drinking led to abuse.
“At weekends it was this binging thing and then it would be the put-downs and the verbal attacks.”
“But the next day the Tara I really liked was back and she didn’t remember what she’d said, so we’d recover,” Sam said.
The trouble got worse in early May after the finale aired.
In five weeks their relationship was over.
“As soon as the show wrapped everything spiralled. The relationship took a back seat, the drinking kicked in and then the violence started.”
If you are impacted by assault, domestic or family violence call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Sam famously proposed to Tara on the grand finale of BiP but they couple never made it to the altar.
