Stu Laundy and Sophie Monk never appeared to have the same opinion regarding the reason for their less-than-shocking split.
Now, with a few months to mull it over outside of the intense media scrutiny, the publican has come to terms with the fact their relationship was never going to work.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Stu began: ‘I went on the show because I thought I saw something in Sophie 12 months prior, and the show validated my decision.’
EXCLUSIVE: Stu Laundy finally comes clean on why it was NEVER going to work with Sophie Monk and how he couldn’t see it in the ‘bubble’ of The Bachelorette house
The 45-year-old was referring to the heavily reported on date the pair had arranged in 2016, that Sophie admitted to getting cold feet on and cancelling.
It appears the pair had at least shared several flirty, back-and-forth conversations around that time – enough for Stu to notice a spark.
‘The thing is, what I saw was humour and friendship,’ he said on Saturday.
‘And the way the show plays out, in the bubble you’re in, it’s easy to confuse your feelings.’
Happy beginnings: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Stu began: ‘I went on the show because I thought I saw something in Sophie 12 months prior, and the show validated my decision’
Cold feet: The 45-year-old was referring to the heavily reported on date the pair had arranged in 2016, that Sophie admitted to getting cold feet on and cancelling
Stu’s dilemma was unique, and something that can’t be replicated outside of the confines of a reality TV dating show.
Contestants are expected to be head-over-heels for The Bachelorette, and within that ‘bubble’ of expectation, he never stopped to really analyse his true feelings.
He continued: ‘I didn’t go on the show for an Insta career or to get invited to the opening of an envelope.’
What did he see? ‘The thing is, what I saw was humour and friendship,’ he said on Saturday. ‘And the way the show plays out, in the bubble you’re in, it’s easy to confuse your feelings’
Stu went on the show for love, but didn’t realise that the person he went there to be with was only ever going to be compatible as a friend.
‘I’m sure Soph and I will be mates forever,’ he said.
‘She’s a career girl who admirably supports her family and she has the world at her feet now. Couldn’t be prouder.’
How do YOU feel? Contestants are expected to be head-over-heels for The Bachelorette, and within that ‘bubble’ of expectation, he never stopped to really analyse his true feelings
After months of media speculation that the pair were ‘faking’ their relationship, Sophie and Stu announced their split in January.
Sophie announced the breakup on Instagram, writing: ‘I went into this experience looking to settle down and start a family.’
‘I gave it the best shot I could and my intentions were everything I said I was looking for, but unfortunately it just didn’t work out.’
Was never going to work! Stu went on the show for love, but didn’t realise that the person he went there to be with was only ever going to be compatible as a friend: ‘I’m sure Soph and I will be mates forever,’ he said