Art Green talks about the men looking for love as The Bachelorette returns.
Art Green is back for another season hosting The Bachelorette New Zealand. He tells Sarah Nealon what’s different this time around.
As another group of single men prepare to enter The Bachelorette mansion, Art Green is buzzing with excitement.
“They’ve done a really great job of casting this year,” he says. “Not that they didn’t do a great job of casting last year but I feel like this year they are all really top guys. They’re really cool.”
Green is referring to the 18 single men who signed up to take part in the reality dating show’s new season.
He won’t divulge too many details surrounding the show but it’s common knowledge that because of Covid-19 restrictions, this season was shot entirely in New Zealand.
“We filmed in some great locations,” says Green. “There are a couple of love stories which happen along the way which is always the idea with this show.”
The pandemic also meant minor adjustments for some early scenes.
“Covid affected filming just at the very start,” says Green.
“So (when) we started filming, we were still at a level that required us to do a bit of social distancing. “That meant that on the scenes where the guys are walking down the red carpet to meet the bachelorette, they weren’t allowed to hug. “I think it was actually like a physical barrier between them. So they knew that they couldn’t cross it. It was like a big pile of candles at their feet so they knew they couldn’t walk over them which was quite funny.”
For The Bachelorette’s first season, the show included a visit to Argentina which meant Green had to leave his wife Matilda and their young son Milo behind in New Zealand.
But this time around it was a family affair.
“I love New Zealand and it meant that Matty and Milo were able to come away with me to some of the locations,” says Green.
The husband and wife, who live in Warkworth and are expecting their second baby in June, met on The Bachelor New Zealand’s inaugural season.
“I was just talking with Matty about that this morning and saying, ‘My God, we’ve been together for like six years’ which is crazy,” says Green.
“The time seems to have gone quite quickly. Looking back, I think that the decision to go on the show was just such a life-changing one for me. I just feel very lucky and very grateful that I was presented with the opportunity to do so.
“I’m very proud of myself to have taken the gamble and the leap to do it, because it was certainly quite a scary thing to do. It really pushes you outside your comfort zone.”
While their on-screen meeting turned into a happily-ever-after tale, for others it’s a different story.
On last season’s The Bachelorette there were two female contenders looking for love and one of the women left the show in the same way she arrived – single.
When it came to choosing between two suitor contestants, doctor and actress Lesina Nakhid-Schuster opted out.
“I don’t think that either of her two final guys were the right match for her,” says Green.
“And, knowing what I know about the way that we do things here in New Zealand, it’s very real.
“If it’s not right for the Bachelorette, you know, like, if she’s not feeling it, then they know that they have the real option of just not choosing anyone.”
On a brighter note, Lily McManus, the other female Bachelorette, found love with contestant Richie Boyens.
This season, Green is tight-lipped but optimistic for Bachelorette Lexie Brown. He is crossing his fingers for a successful love match.
“I think it’s a very good chance it will be a happily-ever-after story to be honest,” he says.
Meet the bachelors, on page 6
Aidan Uttinger Age: 39 Occupation: Entrepreneur Location: Cambridge What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done? I adopted two stars in the sky that could be seen next to each other in both hemispheres, so when my crush was working overseas she would be able to look up and see them both together no matter which part of the world she was in and would know we were together.
Bradden Hurn Age: 25 Occupation: Physiotherapist, fitness and well-being coach Location: Auckland Tell us about your dating history. I have had a few one-to-two-year relationships which all taught me very different, yet very valuable lessons which I am so thankful for. I’m still currently on good terms with them all to this day.
Josh Nielsen Age: 32 Occupation: Plumber/gasfitter Location: Auckland What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
I arranged and surprised my partner at the time with a getaway to Hawaii. She didn’t have any idea where we were going until it was time to jump on the plane.
Itay Dom Age: 27 Occupation: Electrical engineer Location: Auckland What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done? Gave a girl a label maker for her birthday. But she didn’t want to put a label on it.
Zach Preston Age: 33 Occupation: Customer service Location: Hamilton What do you think is your best quality in a relationship? Honesty and a willingness to improve myself. I am far from perfect and have many areas in my life I am improving. Also, I hope I am becoming
a better listener.
Damien Ducloux Age: 24 Occupation: Programme co-ordinator Location: Auckland What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
I once learned to play and sing the song Stand By Me on guitar, took my partner at the time to the beach, lit up a small bonfire and we spent the night talking and dancing by the fire with my lame guitar skills.
Dave Borrie Age: 25 Occupation: Radio presenter Location: Dunedin What made you want to sign up to be on The Bachelorette New Zealand? I’m desperately single. I’ve been in a couple of serious mid-term relationships but it has always been a case of the right person, wrong time. I have been enjoying a solitary life for a while now. I’d love to find a warm soul who finds me as funny as I find myself.
Alexandre Vaz Age: 27 Occupation: Software project manager Location: Auckland What do you think is your best quality in a relationship? I am very committed and overly loving. When I fall for someone, I fall hard and although I can be busy at times, that person has all my attention and heart.
Todd Dialectos Age: 26 Occupation: Sales manager Location: Auckland Have you watched any of The Bachelor franchises before? I’ve never watched an episode of any Bachelor or Bachelorette shows. I thought I’d come into this whole thing blind.
Jake Ryan Age: 29 Occupation: Primary school teacher Location: Tauranga What do you think is your best quality in a relationship? Communication and trust. I believe that being open in a relationship is very important and 100 per cent trust is key.
Jozef Weck Age: 31 Occupation: Builder, mechanical engineer Location: Whang rei What made you want to sign up to be on The Bachelorette? It was one of those F#*! moments like sky diving. Just do it. For the past 10 years I’ve been travelling and working all over the world and most recently flew back from playing rugby in Amsterdam. I looked into some options for a lifestyle change and the opportunity to find someone to create a life with – to find my other half.
Hamish Boyt Age: 30 Occupation: Content creator Location: Whang rei What would be your spirit animal? An eagle so I can fly or a pig because I love food.
Matt Bidwell Age: 27 Occupation: Roofer Location: Auckland What would be your spirit animal and why? Definitely a panda bear. They’re pure mischief – rolling around like little fluff balls, falling out of trees and what not. They also have this zen-like calmness to them which I really dig, and they just sit there eating bamboo all day looking cuddly. Also, fun story. They’re black and white and from Asia. I’m M ori, P keh with a tiny bit of Taiwanese. It’s a thing.
Ben Masara Age: 26 Occupation: Nurse Location: Dunedin What do you think is your best quality in a relationship? I have the patience of a saint and I am very empathetic. In a relationship it is important to be able to understand each other’s feelings and compromise to tackle hardships you face together.
Jack Becroft Age: 26 Occupation: Account manager Location: Auckland What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done? I wouldn’t say it’s something I’ve done specifically, but I have had The Notebook-style kiss in the rain under a streetlamp after a first date. We both laughed at how cliched it was.
Jarrod Isopo Age: 25 Occupation: Financial analyst Location: Auckland If you were going to be known for something, what would you hope it would be? Hopefully, a caring guy. I’m not into the whole external validation – your opinion is yours and I respect that.
Paul Patterson Age: 35 Occupation: Chef Location: Waiheke Island Have you watched any of The Bachelor franchises before? Only watched some since signing up to do it. Watched a few eps of the Kiwi Bachelorette. Still said yes anyway.
Nathan Loo Age: 28 Occupation: Musician Location: Auckland What do you think is your best quality in a relationship? Thoughtfulness and generosity. I always do what I can to make sure my partner feels heard and understood.