When you lay out the facts, The Bachelor is a sexist TV programme. It’s literally 20 plus women in literal competition for a man.
But this season on Bachelor in Paradise, viewers were treated to the warm, open and loving reality of female friendships.
Yes, Alisha and Glenn are incredibly cute and we’re all glad to see Mary find her Prince Charming with Conor, but female friendships need to be celebrated as much as romantic relationships.
In fact, nearly all of the women this season have shown kindness and respect to their fellow ladies and proved that no man is worth destroying a friendship.
Let’s start with a lesser-known fact about Abbie Chatfield and Jessica Brody – who are in fact friends on the outside world despite the show making it seem like Jess “stole” Ciarran away.
In a previous chat with Who, Abbie confessed that the two “literally ran to each other” when Jessica entered Paradise and Jessica asked if she could make a move on Ciarran after the date with Abbie.
“I was like ‘If we both like the same person then we’ll just see who they choose and there won’t be any hard feelings either way’ and she was like ‘Yeah cool’ and that’s how we were. We’re so close we wouldn’t want a guy to get between us so we pre-discussed it,” the 2019 Bachelor runner-up explained.
Then when Kiki entered the picture and Ciarran dropped Jess like a hot potato, it was Ciarran’s other ex Renee who was there to support her rather than vilify her.
Renee, who also starred on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor, even shared her thoughts on the situation with Jess on Instagram.
Renee’s name has popped up numerous times when instances of female friendship and support have occurred on BIP this season.
Not only has she stood up for herself throughout the season, but she was there for Alisha when Keira turned on her at the Bula Banquet and comforted Brittney when she didn’t want to go on the surprise single date with Niranga.
But perhaps the stand-out moment came after Renee revealed that Ciarran had said to her they’d reconcile on the show and she brought along an $800 custom-made ring for him.
Instead of being judgemental, Alisha helped Renee find the ring and stood by her side as she tossed it into the ocean and freed herself from her ex-boyfriend.
“It’s moments like this which made the journey worth while. I was so lucky to have @alisha.aitkenradburn my rock in paradise. You can’t fill your future with new adventures if you keep baggage from the past, which is why I decided to make room for happiness and throw that bloody ring in the ocean!” Renee captioned a pair of photos with Alisha in the ocean.
Alisha shared her own post honouring the moment with the caption: “Words can’t really capture how proud I am of this woman. @reneejbarrett is strong, funny, smart and thoughtful. She isn’t afraid of making tough decisions and putting her heart on the line to get herself to a place that is better for her.”
Brittany Hockley and Helena Sauzier, who avoided the majority of drama on the show, also highlighted how their friendship helped them through the Paradise experience.
“What you guys unfortunately didn’t see was @helenasauzier and I literally joined at the hip in paradise. From day one we were each other’s saviour. So many laughs and deep and meaningfuls. I literally can’t speak highly enough about her,” Brittany wrote on Instagram shortly after Helena was eliminated.
“Someone better go sweep this girl off her feet ASAP because she is one a million. Thanks for everything angel face.”
Even contestants like Mary, who made some unsavoury comments about her female co-stars early on in the show, showed that it’s never too late to support your fellow women.
The mum-of-one took to Instagram to apologise to Janey, Helena and Abbie for her words explaining: “It’s not personal, I think I just run my mouth when I’m on the show. I get too excited and I have no filter so I hope you’re doing good and just wanted to reach a hand if you ever need someone to talk to if you’re having a tough day, I’m happy to be here.”
“I’m a mum and I love doing that for people, being there and listening, giving them some nice advice if they want so love you all, love you Abbie,” she added.
The show may have focused on the male contestants’ toxic masculinity and (*shudders*) the bro code, but it’s certainly shone a light on how the women in other women’s lives can provide as much joy and love if not more than a guy with nice abs and a dazzling smile.
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