Don’t let the majestic beauty of the sprawling property in Sydney’s Oxford Falls fool you – life on-set is anything but rosy.
Speaking to Woman’s Day, a series of set spies reveal all the secrets from The Bachelor set.
FOOD WOES
Fans were in stitches over the show’s “drab” catering options when Areeba Emmanuel, 25, was filmed eating a plastic-wrapped sandwich in the first week, but an on-set spy insists that’s as good as it gets.
“The food options aren’t very exciting – there are no banquets or lavish catering, not unless it’s part of a date,” dishes the spy.
“They can’t have girls chowing down during filming, so if you miss the designated food breaks it’s too bad… which means the girls often go very hungry… and get very irritable.”
Behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they seem in the Bachelor Mansion.
(Ten)ON CALL 24/7
While the girls assumed they’d be playing the part of 31-year-old Locky Gilbert’s perfect princesses, one insider says they’re treated more like peasants…
“You’re expected to wake up whenever producers tell you to,” says a source.
“You barely get a chance to rest because you’re going to bed at 1am and being woken at sunrise.”
According to the insider, the producers work hard to chase the romantic lighting in the morning for dates and darkness for the rose ceremonies.
“It’s such an exhausting process, you have to be on call 24/7!”
SHOCK COLLAPSES
One source says the show’s famous rose ceremonies are drama-fuelled, not from rising tensions but rising temperatures.
“Nobody realises how hot it is on set and how small the space is. All the candles make it feel like you’re inside an oven.
Many girls were becoming very light-headed and dizzy, which led to one girl literally fainting!” says the insider.
“You’re wearing caked-on makeup, tight dresses and you haven’t eaten – it’s horrible!”
The shows famous Rose Ceremonies are exhausting.
(Ten)MIND GAMES
Fans aren’t the only ones who’ve noticed that this season’s bunch of Bachelorettes are feisty.
According to one insider, the wardrobe department was “up in arms” with the girls, who demanded they be dressed like royalty.
“They were some of the most demanding contestants,” reveals a source. “It takes a lot to get so many people TV-ready and there was no shortage of tantrums.
Whether it was ‘red’s not my colour’ or ‘this dress doesn’t do me justice’, there were some very fiery exchanges with the styling team.”
MEDICAL DEMANDS
On top of facing a gruelling psychological evaluation, one contestant tells Woman’s Day the women are subjected to a round of invasive medical tests before stepping foot on set.
“You’re ordered to a doctor and they take your spit, blood and urine as part of STD testing,” says a source.
“I had to see both a regular GP and go to a sexual health clinic before I was allowed on the show,” adds the insider, revealing she even had to pay for the tests out of her own pocket.
LOCKY LOCKED UP
Managing the emotions of a group of women is hard work, which is why an insider says there’s a “hands off policy” when it comes to talking to Locky.
“The girls are instructed not to talk to Locky when there are no cameras rolling – it causes continuity issues if conversations are had without them being recorded,” says a source, who notes the rule is also in place to avoid Locky “being overwhelmed by the women”, adding, “Locky often needed downtime.”
An insider says there’s a “hands off policy” on Locky.
(Ten)TOTAL CONTROL
While most viewers would assume producers would welcome a shock walk-off on set, our insider says there’s no escaping the mansion without the approval of production.
“A few of the girls begged to leave on their own terms, but they were forced to stay and wait for the rose ceremonies to be eliminated properly,” a source reveals.
“They just assumed they were going to make great television by packing up their bags, but they were made to glam up and tell Locky face-to-face for the sake of the show.”
WARDROBE WARS
Fans aren’t the only ones who’ve noticed that this season’s bunch of Bachelorettes are feisty.
According to one insider, the wardrobe department was “up in arms” with the girls, who demanded they be dressed like royalty.
“They were some of the most demanding contestants,” reveals a source.
“It takes a lot to get so many people TV-ready and there was no shortage of tantrums.
Whether it was ‘red’s not my colour’ or ‘this dress doesn’t do me justice’, there were some very fiery exchanges with the styling team.”
WATCH: See Locky and Izzie’s hilarious bathtub date:
