The Golden Bachelor Australia has come to a close with Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden handing out his final rose. And now, one contestant who was dubbed a “villain” by fans has broken her silence to clear her name.

This article contains The Golden Bachelor spoilers. Proceed with caution.

On Sunday, The Golden Bachelor officially wrapped up its first season Down Under, with Bear ultimately picking Sunny Long as his lover after nine snog-fuelled episodes.

Now that the show is done and dusted, interior designer Catherine Kirwan, who unfortunately left the season in Episode Six alongside Lauren George, has come out of the woodwork to clear her name after she was labelled the season’s “villain” by fans.
Catherine (left) and Lauren (right) were holding hands up during the elimination, and IDKY, but it makes me emotional. (Image source: 9Now / The Golden Bachelor)
You see, throughout the show’s run, some fans took to X (formerly Twitter) claiming that Catherine copped the “villain edit” for The Golden Bachelor‘s first Australian season for her straightforward approach to Bear’s heart.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Catherine slammed the label she was handed by fans, stating that what she did on the show doesn’t align with the definition of a reality TV show villain.

“Look, I think the traditional description of a ‘villain’ in a reality show is quite vindictive and [they are seen as] digging at the other contestants and cast members,” she told the publication.

“And I don’t feel like I was like that at all.

“It’s an elimination game I was competing with myself — I set myself a goal to spend some time with him, and the only way to do it is to go for it.”

The interior designer claimed her behaviour — such as stealing Bear for some alone time — was “healthy competition”.

“As I saw [Bear] connecting with other women, I really started to sit back,” she said.

Bianca Dye, a fan-favourite who was interviewed alongside Catherine by Daily Mail Australia, told the publication producers encouraged a “positive” and “happy” vibe on set.

“We were told no one wants to see a 52–year–old and 62–year–old having a bitch fight on TV,” she said, before Catherine added, “The show had two themes to it – obviously the love story between the bachelor and the women, but it was also the love story between the women.”
We need Bianca for The Golden Bachelorette. (Image source: Instagram / @biancadye)
Honestly, you can say what you want about The Golden Bachelor, but it was honestly a breath of fresh air. Especially after the drama-fuelled juggernaut that is Married At First Sight. And to be completely honest, Catherine was just straightforward with her dating approach, which doesn’t make her a villain at all.

It just makes her real, just like the rest of the lovely ladies on the show, which we love to see.