Channel 9 is completely changing the Australian reality TV game with the launch of The Golden Bachelor. Not only does it mark one of the first reality shows with an entire cast of participants over 50, but the network also pulled off something that’s never been done before to celebrate the launch.
All 20 contestants reunited at Event Cinemas in Sydney on Monday for a VIP screening, with leading man Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden also in attendance. The unique situation undoubtedly presented a challenge for Bear and his ‘winner’ to hide their romance in public, as well as the 19 other women who had to see their ‘ex’ for the first time since they were dumped on the show.
Bear admitted to Yahoo Lifestyle on the red carpet that it was definitely a strange situation seeing the entire cast months after filming wrapped.
“I came up the escalator and there they all were, so it was a bit of a shock, but they were lovely during filming and they’re lovely now,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Yahoo Lifestyle spoke with the cast about what it was like coming face-to-face with Bear post-show, and they each gave varying answers.
“We’re all treading carefully,” 55-year-old singer Nicolette remarked, while 52-year-old real estate business owner Gera added, “You have to be thoughtful of the other women, which is what we’ve done through the whole time”.
“I’d like to actually sit down and have a drink with him — although there’ll be 19 other women fighting for that moment,” 61-year-old pilates studio owner Janette joked, adding that they “all have a connection with him”.
Reuniting with the cast
60-year-old hoist operator Pip admitted that it was “so nice to see [Bear’s] face” because it’s so familiar to them, while 56-year-old interior designer Catherine — who scored the first kiss in the premiere — said it was especially lovely to reunite with the women.
“I’m a very easygoing person, I’m very amicable with everyone that’s come in my life, and I thank them for that short time or the long years and investment, and I feel the same way here with every single one of the women,” she shared.
“It’s a journey that we’ve taken, and it’s still unfolding which is amazing.”
All 20 contestants attended the VIP screening in Sydney. Photo: Channel 9
‘An absolute surprise’
66-year-old age transformation coach Jan, who emerged as a frontrunner after receiving the first impression rose in episode one, stayed tightlipped about how she felt being in the same room into Bear and instead said the event was “an absolute surprise”.
“One of the girls actually always said, ‘I think they should get us all together for the premiere’, and we all went, ‘Yeah, that’s not happening’,” she recalled.
“And when they said they were flying us all in for the premiere and there was a red carpet, we went, ‘Wow!’. So getting together with everyone and being able to enjoy this together is the icing together, it’s so much fun.”
Telling detail about who doesn’t win The Golden Bachelor
Yahoo Lifestyle observed each of the women having very different experiences at the event, with some letting loose and creating their own dance floor after a few champagnes, and others staying in a small group.
One lady, 60-year-old dressage team manager Lauren, even asked Bear if they could get a photo together after watching the episode, which was perhaps the most obvious sign that she doesn’t end up with him.
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Regardless of their own relationships with Bear, however, 51-year-old radio personality Bianca best summed up the vibe of the event when she admitted “everyone’s watching everyone”.
“Everyone’s watching Bear, everyone’s watching who he’s chatting to and what’s happening,” she detailed.
“It’s difficult, I think for everybody, to just be cool, because obviously there’s 19 women that went home, and there is one woman that’s pashing the silver fox.
“So, who is it? Who got the final rose? You’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Golden Bachelor airs Monday and Tuesday on Channel 9 and 9Now at 7:30pm
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