‘I’VE FINALLY FOUND LOVE’
What broken heart? Life is rosy for Matty J, now back in the mansion as the new Bachelor
Life is rosy for Matty J, now back on screens as the new Bachelor.
Ayear after fan favourite Matthew “Matty” Johnson physically crumbled on national TV after learning he wasn’t the one for Georgia Love on The Bachelorette, the 30-year-old is back for another chance at finding love, realitystyle—this time, on Season 5 of the Network Ten show The Bachelor, premiering July 26. The outpouring of support that followed last year’s loss was “really unexpected,” says Johnson, a marketing manager from Brisbane. “When you first have a break-up, nothing makes sense and you’re like, ‘How can I ever move on from this?’ ” But move on he has—towards a very happy outcome, an “in love” Johnson tells WHO’S Cynthia Wang. But he still marvels at the turn of events: “If you had told me that one day I was going to be the Bachelor, I would have thought you were completely crazy!”
How different are you now compared to before
The Bachelorette? Now I’m probably just a lot more confident. It was an adjustment initially to be so open about yourself and your feelings. Guys especially are a lot more guarded,
You had an intense time with Georgia on The Bachelorette. What did you learn about yourself? You were really devastated? Did you think after The Bachelorette ended that you would become such a heart-throb? Once you realised that was happening, were you nervous or did you think, ‘I want this’? What sort of influence?
When I finally said yes after discussions with my family and everybody gave it the green light, I then wanted to start straightaway. I couldn’t wait to meet the girls and I guess I was excited to kind of put my own personal influence on the dates, more than anything. Not at all! I was actually almost embarrassed. My initial reaction was, you know, I’m sure people were going to think, ‘Thank goodness she chose Lee because Matty was a bit questionable.’ So that was a big surprise when there was an outpouring of support ... I never thought in a million years I had what it took to be the Bachelor. Yeah. It was really difficult. At the time, it didn’t make any sense and in my mind I was like, ‘This isn’t how this story is meant to end.’ But I guess now is when it kind of makes sense, and now that filming has finished and I’m really happy and I’ve met someone incredible. It really made me realise what kind of character traits I was looking for in a person, what I was drawn towards. It also made me realise that time does heal all wounds. and I think for The Bachelorette you definitely can’t be like that. You have to be brave and make yourself vulnerable. Now I know that it’s OK to be like that and to be really honest and even like talking about the excitement of falling in love again ... I’m kind of at ease.
“Waiting for the first limo, I was shaking with nerves”
I’m somebody who is pretty adventurous and I would consider myself a bit of an adrenaline junkie—i wanted to meet someone who shared that same passion, so a lot of the dates I came up with were to see if the women shared my interest in pushing the boundaries.
I hear you were looking for someone who could reverse park?
[ Laughs] One of the things I’m really drawn to is someone who is really self-assured and confident, and someone who can reverse park is kind of an analogy for someone who can do things on her own and doesn’t need the support of others.
You’ve seen your nephew grow and your sister become a great mum. Did that inspire any qualities you were looking for?
Yeah. I have a huge amount of respect for my mum, raising five kids on her own—i think she is one of the very best mums in the world, and my sister as well, and now she’s pregnant with her second. It’s really exciting and I know she’s such an incredible parent. I really want to start a family one day and I would want that person I start a family with to have that same level of respect and interest to be a mum and start a family that I do.
What was the journey like for you, meeting the women?
It’s a real mix of emotions because I had imagined, what are these women going to look like? What are they going to be like, and what are their stories? Waiting for the first limo to arrive, I was shaking with nerves and excitement.
Did you have a strategy for finding the traits you wanted?
You know who you’re drawn towards, but there were also people who held back a bit on that first night who I didn’t want to discount because everybody is nervous. I know when I was in their shoes, I was not myself. I was nervous and clammed up.
When did you know that it was love?
I think it was when I made the decision after having those dates overseas ... That’s when I realised the feelings were very much falling in love.
So you can say you are in love now?
Absolutely, and that’s the best part. I would love to talk about that one, but all I can say is I’m very, very happy at the moment and I’m definitely in love.
What do you want your fans to take away, watching you now?
More than anything, don’t let fear of any type stop you from putting yourself out there and chasing your dream, and if your dream is to fall in love again, I think you should just take a risk and go for it.