He’s now the second contestant to claim he knew Sophie Monk before The Bachelorette.
One of the show’s intruders, AJ Illidge, has revealed he met Sophie at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast when he was only 17.
In an interview with Woman’s Day on Monday, the 37-year old swooned over the reality star and said her personality was the first thing he noticed about her.
She seemed like such an amazing, fun woman’: Bachelorette contestant AJ Illidge, has revealed that he met Sophie Monk years before her return to the small-screen
‘She seemed like such an amazing, fun woman,’ he told the publication.
‘She’s down-to-earth, too, which is really important to me.’
Sophie worked at the theme park as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator before she found fame with all-girl band Bardot via the now-defunct talent TV show Popstars.
‘She’s down-to-earth, too, which is really important to me’: The second-oldest suitor recalls he met Sophie when he was only 17, back when she was a Marilyn Monroe impersonator
Incoming! AJ was one of the 4 intruders that debuted on The Bachelorette last month
Although AJ’s initial meeting with the blonde bombshell is not quite as romantic as the one she had with 44-year-old suitor and rumoured Bachelorette winner Stu Landy.
Last month Stu made his highly anticipated debut on the reality show, much to the surprise of Sophie Monk.
Admitting she once ‘stood him up’ in a piece to camera, Sophie recalled the first time they met.
‘I was wondering if you’d remember!’ Rumoured Bachelorette winner and millionaire Stu Laundy lavished Sophie Monk with champagne when he made his dramatic debut on the show… after she previously ‘stood him up’ on a date
‘I’ve bumped into you before,’ Sophie admitted to Stu, as he made his way out of a helicopter clutching expensive champagne.
‘I can’t believe you remember! I was wondering whether you’d remember,’ Stu said.
The pair recalled their first meeting, where he said she needed ‘transport on the harbour’ and he ‘came like a knight in shining armour’ and got her friends, but not her.
Does he win? Stu is pictured greeting Sophie on the show, holding champagne
The pair then laughed about the moment, and Sophie was shocked that he had made the effort to go on the show to try and win her over.
‘The fact that Stu’s gone to all that effort to make his way on The Bachelorette when I’ve already stood him up, he really wants me,’ Sophie said.
She added: ‘I think. And I hope.’
Stu – a father to four daughters – said he’s been separated for four years and has dated but had no luck.
Making a mark! Stu and the three other intruders arrived in a helicopter to meet Sophie