Reality of Bachelor trolling

One-time contestant speaks out

A FORMER reality TV contestant has hit out at online trolls for targeting the women in the latest season of The Bachelor.

Gold Coaster Shana Leggett, who featured in the 2014 series, discovered first-hand the brutal side of social media and the way it can change people.

After her time on the show, the 29-year-old ditched work as a model and lingerie poker dealer and gave herself a makeover from the inside out, making sure she liked the person staring back at her in the mirror.

She is now studying childhood education and raising her son Syran, 4.

“I have seen all of them struggle in one way or another by being judged or comparing one another,” Ms Leggett said.

“Which is exactly the reason why I stopped doing all types of work based on the way I look, and started altering my appearance for my own comfort and not for others’ standards.”

Reality TV contestants have become easy targets for trolls, criticised for everything from their looks to the way they act.

Former Bachelorette Sam Frost last month gave an insight into the toll of online bullying, posting on Twitter that she had been “broken”.

“To the fake accounts heavily trolling me online and into my personal life. If you wanted to break me … congratulations you have won. #broken,” the 27-year-old wrote.

Ms Leggett said these “beautiful and talented” ladies wore their hearts on their sleeves in the hopes of finding love.

Typecast as the “token mum” in the top 24 vying for the affection of controversial bachelor Blake Garvey, the Coomera woman had no idea what she was in for when she entered the show.

She said there was little of the glitz and glamour depicted on TV. Instead, the women experienced a “cold and lonely” existence while the show was being filmed.

“All you have is time to constantly think how others will view you, with no contact from the outside world. No friends or family, news, no social interactions about events or celebrations.”

Ms Leggett said although she did not become best friends with all the women she met on the show, they were all “great people” in their own way.

“I know they put themselves out there for everyone to judge but, come on, they aren’t crazy.

“They are beautiful (and) independent and I hope they all find their happiness and don’t get torn down by the public’s scrutiny for too long because that sh** can bring you down.”