They were the ordinary Australians who quickly became fan favourites on reality TV this year.
And while not all walked away winners, stars such as Ronnie and Georgia from The Block, The Bachelor’s Tara Pavlovic and Married At First Sight’s Simon have revealed some exciting projects and news going into 2018 with TV Week.
From hosting a new show to launching a business, finding love and opening a musical pop-up restaurant… Find out what your favourite reality stars this year have planned for 2018.
Bachelorette – Sophie Monk
From hosting a new show to launching a business, finding love and opening a musical pop-up restaurant: Find out what your favourite reality stars this year have planned for 2018 (PICTURED: Bachelorette Sophie Monk)
Sophie Monk appears to have found more than love this year, with her media profile sky-rocketing when she became the first-ever celebrity to volunteer to become a Bachelorette on the hit match-making series.
And just last week, Sophie was announced as the most-searched Australian of 2017 by search engine Google.
Her return to the screen comes after acting in minor film roles, performing as a singer in Bardot and working as a radio host.
Loved-up: The blonde bombshell found love with millionaire Stu Laundy on The Bachelorette, but her relationship has been clouded by rumours of a premature split as he remains married but separated from his ex-wife
Fans love her! Only last week, Sophie was announced as the most-searched Australian of 2017 by search engine Google, and is set to host Nine’s Love Island in 2018
The blonde bombshell found love with millionaire Stu Laundy, but her relationship has been clouded by rumours of a premature split as he remains married but separated from his ex-wife.
Since appearing on the Channel Ten dating series, she’s appeared on UberEats commercials, presented awards at the ARIAs and AACTAs and is set to host Nine’s Love Island in 2018.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – Casey Donovan
Reality star royalty: Since former Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan was crowned the winner and ‘Queen Of The Jungle’ of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! her career has gone from strength-to-strength
Return to the stage: Casey finished off and released EP Off The Grid And Somewhere In Between this year and has been busy touring to packed crowds of adoring fans
While she rose to fame on reality show Australian Idol in 2004, Casey reminded the public of her bubbly persona and amazing vocals when she returned to screens earlier this year on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Since being crowned the winner and ‘Queen Of The Jungle’, Casey finished and released her EP Off The Grid And Somewhere In Between, and has been busy touring to packed crowds of adoring fans.
She told TV Week life has been great since appearing on the series and she is busier than ever.
Impressive! The singer also recently announced she’d shed 23kg, after famously losing a 17kg on the show filmed in the South African jungle
‘It’s been full-on, but in a great way. I’ve had amazing opportunities and have made some great friends along the way,’ Casey said.
The singer also recently announced she’d shed 23kg after famously losing a 17kg on the show filmed in the South African jungle.
The Block – Ronnie and Georgia
Shock finale! They became the first Block team in 10 seasons to be forced to pass in their property after it failed to sell under the hammer at auction day
‘We’ve been brought on board to share our love of renovating’: While Ronnie and Georgia Caceres didn’t come out on top, they claim they’ve got a few big projects in the pipeline for 2018, including signing on with Network Nine and launching their own website
They became the first Block team in 10 seasons to be forced to pass in their property after it failed to sell under the hammer on auction day.
But while Ronnie and Georgia Caceres didn’t come out on top, they claim they’ve got a few big projects in the pipeline for 2018.
The married Perth couple, who secured a profit of $161,000 for their reno after the show, told TV Week they’ve signed on with the network for future work.
‘We’ve been brought on board to share our love of renovating with Australia. We’ll talk all thing styling, offer practical advice and lots of how-to tutorials,’ Georgia revealed.
A new website dedicated to their ongoing renovations will also be launched next year.
Survivor – Jericho Malabonga
Ultimate Survivor! The Cookie Monster became a Survivor fan favourite for his cheeky sense of humour and mateship with fellow pranksters in his tribe, later being voted the winner of the reality series in October after 55 days in the harsh climate of the Samoan jungle
‘I didn’t HAVE to, but I CHOOSE to’: Despite pocketing HALF A MILLION DOLLARS in prize money, the 26-year-old resumed his job as an international Qantas flight attendant in November
The Cookie Monster became a Survivor fan favourite thanks to his cheeky sense of humour and mateship with fellow pranksters in his tribe.
So it was no surprise when Jericho Malabonga crowned the winner of the reality series in October, after 55 days in the harsh climate of the Samoan jungle.
Despite pocketing HALF A MILLION DOLLARS in prize money, the 26-year-old resumed his job as an international Qantas flight attendant in November, taking to the skies once more.
Explaining his decision to return to work so soon after winning, he told his fans on Instagram: ‘People ask why I’m back at work STRAIGHT AWAY. I mean… I didn’t HAVE to but I CHOOSE to. You can think otherwise. But to be honest- I like working. And I got a mint job.’
He added: ‘Plus I worked hard to get the job I wanted and to leave it would just devalue something I really considered an accomplishment’.
Jericho says he still has been enjoying the perks of his newfound celebrity status, being invited to many events and being recognised in public.
MasterChef – Callan Smith
Inventive star! The young aspiring chef was known for his knack for creating wacky dishes that never fail to impress judges on MasterChef
Serving up success! The star told TV Week his musical pop-up restaurant is set to open in February 2018, with his own YouTube cooking show also in the works
The young aspiring chef was known for his knack for creating wacky dishes that never fail to impress judges on MasterChef.
And despite Callan Smith being eliminated from the competition for serving up ‘dessert sushi’, he was determined to continue with his passion for cooking.
Appearing via videolink on The Project in July, the 19-year-old detailed his plans to launch a new musical pop-up restaurant.
The star told TV Week the restaurant is set to open in February 2018, with another exciting project on the horizon.
Callan is also in the process of launching his own YouTube cooking show.
The Voice – Judah Kelly
Happy tune! The shy 20-year-old Judah Kelly was named winner of The Voice Australia in July, with the young musician telling TV Week he has remained in contact with coach Delta Goodrem following the series
Going strong: Judah’s been busy travelling with his music over the past few months, with plans for a longer tour and new music in 2018
He’s the shy 20-year-old with the soulful voice who was named winner of The Voice Australia in July.
Judah Kelly’s debut single Count On Me reached No.1 on the iTunes charts, with his coach Delta Goodrem supporting him along the way.
He told TV Week the Innocent Eyes hit-maker has kept in contact since his win, offering career advice and more generic chats on life.
Judah’s been busy travelling with his music over the past few months, with plans for a longer tour and new music in 2018.
Seven Year Switch – Stacey Louise
Over: The personal trainer and fitness model split from her long-term partner Sarge after applying for Channel Seven’s controversial dating show Seven Year Switch in hopes of saving her stalling relationship
‘Hope I run into him and see where it leads my 2018’: Confirming she was still single to TV Week, she shocked the publication when announcing she’d like to date Bachelorette reject Jarrod Woodgate
She applied for Channel Seven’s controversial dating show Seven Year Switch in hopes of saving her stalling relationship.
However, after spending two weeks apart from her partner Sarge, Stacey Louise was dumped by her army beau.
The ex-army personality called off the relationship, with Stacey seen pleading, ‘please give me another chance!’
Confirming she was still single to this week’s TV Week, she shocked the publication by revealing that she ‘wanted to date Jarrod (Woodgate)!’
Watching Sophie Monk’s runner-up suitor and vineyard manager on the Bachelorette, Stacey claimed she would be up for going on a date with the vineyard manager.
‘He works at a winery near my mum’s place… and my sister told me she runs into him at the gym where she works. I hope I run into him and see where it leads my 2018,’ she said.
Married At First Sight – Cowboy Sean
Cowboy Sean was the Married At First Sight star whose love life was subject to speculation after splitting from his TV ‘wife’ Susan Rawlings
New love! Queens;and farmer Sean Hollands confirmed he had finally found love in September, but still hasn’t revealed her identity online
He was the Married At First Sight star whose love life was subject to speculation after splitting from his TV ‘wife’ Susan Rawlings.
Now Sean Hollands has confirmed he has finally found love, but won’t reveal who his mystery girlfriend is.
The Queensland farmer has posted numerous photos with his ‘very special girl’ on Instagram, but still hasn’t unveiled her face or her identity.
House Rules – Aaron and Daniella
Winners! Aaron and Daniella Winte claimed victory during the finale of House Rules season five in July, with the prize money helping pay off their mortgage
‘Our new business is going incredibly well’: The e $200,000 prize money has also helped the couple to launch their own business, Hype Build + Design, and begin flipping houses
They claimed victory during the finale of House Rules season five in July, with the prize money helping pay off their mortgage.
And the $200,000 has also helped Aaron and Daniella Winter to launch their own business: Hype Build + Design.
The company utilises their talents by offering services from interior design to building and renovating.
‘Our new business is going incredibly well… and we’ve started flipping houses ourselves, which wouldn’t have been possible without the show,’ the duo told TV Week.
Australian Ninja Warrior – Jack Wilson
Fitness fanatic! Ninja Warrior competitor Jack Wilson is known for tackling the tough obstacle course in nothing but a pair of budgie smugglers, decorated with an Aboriginal flag
Spreading positivism! Jack has been working with teaching youth in indigenous communities and has been busy training for the second season of Ninja Warrior
Ninja Warrior competitor Jack Wilson is known for tackling the tough obstacle course in nothing but a pair of budgie smugglers, decorated with an Aboriginal flag.
But as Australia’s first Indigenous Ninja, the 23-year-old said it was all for a good cause, and that’s to bring light to the heritage of which he is immensely proud.
He has used his newfound celebrity to spread a positive message, telling TV Week: ‘I’m travelling to rural indigenous communities around Australia and working with our youth to teach them the importance of having a positive mindset, eating healthy, and getting out there and moving.’
Jack is also in training for the second season of Ninja Warrior, previously telling The Daily Telegraph he wants to be the first homegrown winner of the show.
Bachelor – Tara Pavlovic
NOT his chosen lady love: She was the bubbly blonde Nanny who fans were hoping would end up with Bachelor Matty J
‘Not looking at the moment’: Still appearing single, Tara Pavlovic was announced for 2018’s inaugural Bachelor In Paradise series, with rumours also suggesting she could return as this year’s Bachelorette
She was the bubbly blonde Nanny who fans were hoping would end up with Bachelor Matty J.
Still appearing single, Tara Pavlovic was announced for 2018’s inaugural Bachelor In Paradise series, with rumours also suggesting she could return as this year’s Bachelorette.
However, Tara claimed to TV Week she’s ‘not looking at the moment’ for a partner and is taking ‘every day as it comes.’
Bachelorette – James Trethewie
Dumped: The financial advisor was left heartbroken when rejcted by Bachelorette Sophie Monk
Looking for love: james Trethewie claims he’s had ample of attention from the ladies since his stint on the reality show and hopes for a blossoming romance in 2018
The financial advisor was left heartbroken when dumped by Bachelorette Sophie Monk.
But James Trethewie claims he’s had ample of attention from the ladies since his stint on the reality show.
He told TV Week, he is hoping for a blossoming romance in 2018.
Bachelorette 201X – Sam Frost
Unlucky-in-love: While it had been two years since Sam Frost appears on reality TV, the former Bachelorette star announced her return to the screen this year
While it had been two years since Sam Frost appears on reality TV, the former Bachelorette star announced her return to the screen this year.
Sam joined the cast of Seven’s hit soap Home And Away.
Fans finally saw Sam Frost’s acting debut, which came in the form of a fatal car crash scene during Monday’s season finale.
Sam, who plays character Jasmine Delaney, was hunched over the wheel of her car when Robbo (played by Jake Ryan) came to check on her, who decided she was still alive.
From reality star to soap star: Sam joined the cast of Seven’s hit soap Home And Away
Acting debut: Fans finally saw Sam Frost’s acting debut, which came in the form of a fatal car crash scene during Monday’s season finale