On Wednesday, July 21, we will once more be glued to our television screens as the new season of The Bachelor takes flight. As we know, this year’s lead lovelorn fellow is Jimmy Nicholson, a 31-year-old pilot from Sydney who is also a self-confessed romantic.
On being the next Bachelor, Jimmy has previously said: “I am a big believer in embracing any opportunity that presents itself, especially if it has the potential to change your life for the better.
“The journey ahead will be one of the most challenging experiences that I have ever undertaken, however, I am very excited to meet someone that I could potentially spend the rest of my life with.”
As we’ve now seen from the promotional ads airing on Network Ten, Jimmy definitely seems taken with a few of the ladies who are vying for his heart, and we are happy to say that this sports-loving romantic has met the woman who he believes is “the one.”
Ahead of the season premiere of The Bachelor, The Latch sat down with Jimmy to find out how his quest for love changed him, if he believes in love at first sight and, most importantly, how long it took to get used to making out with people in a room full of cameras.
On Why The Bachelor, Not Bumble
Jimmy Nicholson: “I tried the apps! And I think there are some great people on there, but I just hadn’t met the right person yet.
“I guess the apps are very superficial as well, aren’t they? It’s purely on looks and I don’t think that’s the best way to go about dating, especially picking someone that you want to settle down with. You can’t just swipe left or right face to face can you? You’ve got to get to know someone.
“And I think The Bachelor franchise is something that really works. There’s been some really successful partners, or people that have come out of it, who are married with kids. And so I knew that it was a genuine programme and that they’re genuine about people finding love — they want that to happen.
“I wouldn’t have gone on maybe one of the other shows, because it’s not my thing. But yeah, I knew that there was a strong possibility that I could meet some great girls on The Bachelor.”
On Love at First Sight
JN: “I don’t.
“I think I believe in lust at first sight, or you can fall in love with the look of someone. But you can’t possibly fall in love with someone by just looking at them.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of beautiful people out there in the world. And there’s attraction. But you can’t at that point realise that you can be with that person for the rest of your life without having said a word to them or finding out what their favourite food is, for example. There’s a lot more to it.”
On How He Would Make His Entrance on The Bachelorette
JN: “I would stay away from any pilot related entrance because they would probably force me to do some cringy pilot thing! I’ve tried to break mould on that. I mean, I love my job. But also my mates are already hanging a lot of sh—t on me, thanks to some of the pilot memes that are coming out.
“I would probably come riding in on a motorbike because I love motorbikes. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m motorbike crazy. I’ve got like nine bikes, I’m always in my garage, wearing my crocs and working on bikes covered in grease. So I would incorporate some sort of motorbike theme into it. But also, then I would keep it real and do something that I really liked. Probably, I don’t know, a low key little date idea or something like that.”
On His Previous Relationships
JN: “My last relationship was seven and a half years and prior to that, I was in a five-year relationship. So, I was in a relationship pretty much from my late teens to my late 20s.
“So that was I really needed a time to myself over the last few years to go out and do the things that you need to do before you settle down. The last thing I want to do is just get married, have kids and then have this thought that I haven’t done these things. I wanted to make sure that I was really happy that I’ve travelled with my mates, I’ve gone on trips and just done all these different things that you can’t do necessarily in a relationship. You know, go on a weekend away at the drop of a hat, not have to report someone, all that kind of stuff.
“But yeah, a couple of long term relationships so I guess I’ve always been a relationship person.”
On His Relationship Status Now
JN: “I’m happy to say that I did pick someone! And that I am really, really happy. We’re really happy. She’s an amazing girl. We chat all the time, whenever we can, we see each other. We get along like house on fire. She’s just incredible and I think she might be the one.
“I mean look, I’m realistic about these things. It is early days still, but she just can’t set a foot wrong. So it’s all looking really positive. She’s exactly what I always hoped for.”
On Why He Chose Her
JN: “Towards the end, I knew that she was going to be an amazing girl to date after the show. And having spent time with her since the show — and we’ve had the chance to spend quite a bit of time together in secret and also just chatting — it’s really made me realise that it’s when the cameras are off, that’s the true test.
“We bring out the best in each other, we’re always laughing… I actually can’t believe that I’ve met someone on a dating show!
“Because it’s the biggest thing for me going into it: you put everything on the line and you open yourself up to public scrutiny. You go on TV and everyone knows your business. And all you can hope for is you actually just meet someone that you can continue with and yeah, it’s worked out.”
On What It’s Like Getting Intimate With Cameras Everywhere
JN: “It’s weird! I must say the first time it did feel a bit weird. Not so much when you’re doing it, because you just put that aside and just focus on the person in front of you.
“But it’s when you finish, and the cameras got the romance they needed you and you’re sitting — there often at the end of a one on one intimacy scene — where you’re having a cheeky kiss and then someone from the crew will yell ‘Okay! Thanks, guys!’ And at that point, you realise there’s actually 20 people standing around watching. But, you get used to it.”
The Bachelor Australia will premiere Wednesday, 21 July at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
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