Zac & Viarni
Two finalists grilled by family in show’s tearful final episode
After weeks of drama, kisses, roses and intruders, the winner of Zac Franich’s heart on The Bachelor NZ has finally been revealed as Viarni Bright.
Franich chose Bright, an account manager from Mt Maunganui, over Lily McManus, from Wellington, in a tearful final episode on TV3.
Franich told McManus, “I’m not the right guy for you” and dating her would be like trying to “cage a butterfly”.
Bright was always the favourite to beat McManus, a 20-year-old free spirit whose kooky charm and offkilter sense of humour captured Franich’s attention.
Bright seemed to have a connection with Franich from the moment they met, and she was the first contestant to receive a white rose.
The Orewa surf lifesaver’s decision came after a final episode that included both Bright and McManus being grilled by Franich’s family, as well as a final date with each woman that included long, passionate kisses.
Franich admitted he’d developed strong feelings for both finalists and his decision had been difficult.
“Am I surprised that I’ve fallen for two different women?” he asked. “Yes . . . I feel like I’ve fallen for both Lily and Viarni.
“But,” he warned, “we’ve been in a bubble”.
During family visits, both contestants faced some tough questions from Franich’s family.
Franich’s mother Deb at one point asked Bright, 22, if she was ready to have children.
His sister Brearna continued to grill her, asking: “Are you the one for Zac?”
Bright replied that, “I think I could make him really happy and I think it could grow so much more”.
But that wasn’t enough for Brearna, who told Franich that Bright seemed “too perfect” and she thought “Lily might challenge you more”.
His mother disagreed, saying she’d liked Bright from the moment they’d met.
She told him that she thought McManus was “too young”.
Last’s night episode wasn’t without controversy, with radio station ZM reporting on its website that McManus may have broken a confidentiality clause by telling a fellow bachelorette she didn’t win.