The efforts to make a unique first impression ramped up on The Bachelor Australia this year, with former Gunnedah girl Katrina Burgoyne securing the first rose after serenading Blake with a love song written just for him.
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The Bachelor Australia’s second season premiered on Channel Ten last night, with 24 girls vying for the heart of the Perth auctioneer and only 20 given a rose at the cocktail party.
Katrina said although she had written the song the night before, her guitar, which she calls her security blanket, put her back in her comfort zone.
“I think the fact that I had my guitar with me when I met him made me feel more secure – I had no idea what I was going to say, but I was there to perform with my guitar,” she said.
“Don’t think I’m a fool who falls in love with just anyone. I’ve been alone for so long now, and I kind of like it somehow, maybe you could change my mind, maybe you could be my type.”
- Katrina Burgoyne sings to TV’s Bachelor Blake Garvey.
Blake started to dance while Katrina was singing and afterwards said he was speechless and “she has a big smile and a big personality, she is a lovely girl – I want to experience some more of that”.
“He was such a sweetheart, he is just a genuinely beautiful guy,” Katrina said.
“He threw me off a bit when he started dancing, I wasn’t expecting that.”
Katrina said her one-on-one time with Blake went by quickly.
“We really only had time for two questions and then he went and got the rose.
“I was so blown away to get the first rose – it eased the nerves and made me feel secure for what is to come,” Katrina said.
“I just thought ok I’ve got the rose, now I’m feeling secure I’m in the running for a date.”
As if the pressure of securing one of the 20 red roses wasn’t enough, last night’s episode saw the introduction of the white rose, which Katrina said was a game changer for some contestants.
“It made a lot of people really want to fight for it, you could see that on last night’s episode,” she said.
“I think for me though it didn’t change much, if you are meant to be with someone you are meant to be and I wanted fate to step in.
“If I was meant to get it, I was meant to get it, but I got the first red rose which I am extremely happy about.”
When asked about her experiences with the other girls, Katrina said she walked in to The Bachelor mansion with an open heart to not only Blake, but to the other contestants.
“I’ve dealt with enough of my own insecurities in the past and have learnt not to feel insecure around other women,” Katrina said.
“I was genuinely happy for the other girls to spend time with Blake and just focused on my own connection with him.”
She said she has become particularly close to three of the other contestants.
“I’m closest to Sam, she is absolutely beautiful and Chantal is a fellow creative,” Katrina said.
“I loved Chantal’s little love heart on a keyring she gave Blake and when she said ‘let’s hang’, that is classic her, she is so sweet.
“I have also become close to Laurina, she isn’t all that she seemed from what was shown last night, she is a pretty special person.
“And it’s funny, Anita turns in to a nervous wreck when the cameras are on and came across a little desperado, but she really has a heart of gold.”
Katrina said, however, her biggest competition is herself.
“I’m the most uncompetitive person, but I say that I am my own competition because I have struggled with mental illness for three years – which I am quite open about on the show – and I wanted to try and remain true to myself and believe in myself and Blake’s choices,” she said.
“Being in this environment where insecurities do blossom, my biggest competition is to keep on top of the best version of myself.”
Katrina said she watched the first episode with her housemates, friends and a bottle of wine.
“It was quite surreal to see myself on the television and to be reassured that I came across as normal,” Katrina said.
“I am normally the worst flirt, I can not get a date – I friend zone people – but I was pretty proud of my efforts last night, I was a little cheeky and flirty.”
The Bachelor Australia continues tonight with the first group date at 7.30pm.
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