No one could quite say it like it is the way Florence Alexandra Sophia did on The Bachelor Australia 2017.
It was easy to see why Matty J was completely smitten with the 27-year-old but in the end, his feelings just weren’t strong enough for her.
Now To Love caught up with the Belgium-born beauty…
And unlike Dutch pancakes, Florence has no desire to sugar-coat anything from her Bachelor experience.
Florence Alexandra Sophia, 27, Vic, Brand Manager
Florence was the Dutch beauty who took the mansion by the horns!
How do you think your home visit went?
I loved it! I was really excited for him to meet my friends and I hadn’t seen them in a long time so it was so good to be with them again.
Can you talk me through who Matty met, what their impressions of him were and how he got on with them?
I wasn’t there when he met Marly but I heard she was full on – but that’s OK! I would be the same.
They liked him but my friends told me I was holding back and they didn’t really see it. That was their opinion on Matty… And they weren’t wrong because it didn’t work out.
Despite their chemisty, Flo admits she wasn’t in love.
Were you shocked when he sent you home?
No, I wasn’t to be honest. I wasn’t in love at that point. Don’t get me wrong I really, really liked him and he’s a 10/10 but I wasn’t in love yet.
It all fell into place. When he didn’t give me a rose I was relieved because it was over and I didn’t have to struggle with the thought of ‘Am I in love?’ or ‘Will I ever fall in love with him?’ and ‘What if I make it to the top 2 and I still am not feeling it?’
It’s good he knew it wasn’t there and put me out of my misery [Laughs].
I’m glad he’s moving on with those three amazing girls.
Do you think he was worried that you might want to return to Europe to live one day?
He said he was worried about me moving back to Europe but personally I think that’s a weak excuse! I told him I wouldn’t and I have every reason to stay here.
Personally I thought that wasn’t really a reason, I think he just had better connections with the other girls.
Do you think Elise, Tara and Laura are well-suited to him?
Yes.
The 27-year-old thinks Elise will be the last one standing.
You’ve said you weren’t in love with Matty but were you falling?
The way I see it you’re either in love or you’re not.
There’s no such thing as “falling in love” or “I’m on my way to falling in love with you”.
For me it just happens. When I’m in love it just hits me. And it didn’t hit me. But in an environment like that you keep telling yourself that it might happen.
You get confused and then you get jealous of the other girls… it is a lot!
I definitely wasn’t on my way to falling in love… How would that even work?
Talk me through that final rose ceremony?
I was really nervous! It’s nerve-wracking to go into any rose ceremony but I spent one week by myself and it gave me too much time to think.
But when I didn’t receive a rose it was good!
Flo was relieved not to get a final rose.
Who do you think will win?
Ooo! I’ve got my money on Elise but at the same time Laura is a really good catch. And Tara has strong chemistry with him.
It’s so hard but I think Elise is well suited.
Do you think Matty’s found real love in there and will it go the distance?
Yes I think so! He seems ready to fall in love. And so do the girls who are left. Whoever he chooses, I’m sure it will last.
But you can’t predict the future.
Last year’s Bachelorette Georgia Love slammed your hand mould date with Matty, saying it was too X-rated. What are your thoughts on this?
I don’t know how she said it?
I watched the Bachelorette the other day, I hadn’t seen it. She seemed really lovely so I don’t think she’d say something in a malicious way.
Maybe she thinks it is more X-rated than other seasons.
If I did offend or embarrass her, then sorry… not sorry! Life moves on.
You and Matty had a few sexy dates and of course that Ghost moment, what was that like? Did it just build up the sexual tension even more?
It’s really hard to think about sex when you’re dating the same guy with 20 other girls and there’s cameras everywhere [Laughs].
It can be strange.There was definitely chemistry. I think if I had met him at the pub after a few drinks then umm… Yeap [Laughs].
Maybe that would have been a different ending.
Sparks were flying!
What about claims Matty and Elora had an overnight date, what’s your belief on this?
I think it is a very good story but if it did happen then I can’t blame him.
I mean, have you seen Elora? I would jump on her if I was a man. She’s hot and she is so sexual.
She really is such an amazing girl. I wouldn’t be surprised [if it did happen] but I don’t think it did.
What are your thoughts on Elora’s very dramatic exit and claims she burnt photos of her and Matty?
I haven’t asked her if it is true [the burning], but I think we’ve all been there – where you’ve burnt belongings of your ex-boyfriend.
At some point I did!
So if that’s what she’s done to make herself feel better then good on her.
Her exit was really dramatic and very hard to watch. It is never fun to see anyone be upset and I knew how much she wanted him.
I felt a bit guilty at the time because he said ‘Florence’ and not her name. I actually think it was my most emotional moment from the season. It was not fun.
What do you family think of your time on the show? Have they watched it?
Yes! Even my grandparents.
I didn’t really enjoy them watching it. It is so awkward knowing your granddad and father are watching you make out with a guy and making sex jokes.
I usually wouldn’t share with them that side. My family is proud and they just love it! They think I’ve come across well and I would never want to disappoint them.
One of the things the public loved about you is how blunt you are – how did that go down in the house?
They didn’t like it all the time. I did have some girls say to me during little arguments, ‘You know what Florence, I don’t like the way you speak and say what you think! You can keep things to yourself!’
But that’s not who I am. I’d rather say it upfront.
Like when the rumours about Leah started circulating I just asked her if she was a stripper or not?
Are you wearing clothes while you’re doing this? How many garments are you wearing? Is there a skimpy bikini or a t-shirt?
And she appreciated that I just asked her. Sometimes my bluntness is a good and sometimes it isn’t. Oh well! [Laughs].
Flo was definitely one of the most playful.
Have you met anyone since leaving the show or are you enjoying single life?
I’m definitely enjoying life but it’s not like I’m going d— hunting all the time. I’m not just dating anyone at the moment and I haven’t really been dating to be honest.
I’ve been focused on other things with the show happening – and people not knowing what my place on the show was… I found it really hard to trust anyone.
Maybe that will change now… I’m not desperate [Laughs].
Would you consider being on The Bachelorette?
100% I would love that!
Could she be the next Bachelorette?
What sort of guy would you be looking for? Someone like Matty J?
No! Tall, dark and handsome… Sporty, great sense of humour, great cook please and obviously he’ll cook for me.
Actually I can email you my list and if you run into someone that’s good for me then let me know!
Who are you close to from the mansion?
Laura, Elise , Lisa, Cobie, Simone , Elora
Is there one thing you’ll treasure from the Bachie?
The entire experience! It was honestly the best time!
