Recently, Abbie opened up about the unfair portrayal she received on The Bachelor.
She wrote, “Things I got slut-shamed for on #thebachelorau: this bikini, my skort at hometowns, multiple cocktail party gowns, kissing matt ‘without a date’ and at a cocktail party (out of sight of anyone), pashing Matt in various locations with varying degrees of intensity, honestly admitting that I wanted to have sex with a man I was dating for 10 weeks and all around just ‘using sexuality to manipulate Matt’."
“This is something I did not expect in 2019. Sex is essential to a successful relationship for me, as is sexual chemistry and the ability to express that comfortably with my partner. I saw commentary around my sexuality (rightly) calling out slut shaming and double standards regarding my pash sessions with Matt, with responses of ‘I’m not slut shaming her she is just manipulative/dumb/aggressive/only wanting sex.’"
"To insinuate that any relationship is less valid because of a strong physical connection is counterintuitive — the defining factor between a platonic and romantic relationship is physical expressions of affection," she added. “If it isn’t that, it is based off the opinion voiced of other contestants on the show, not my actions. I was always honest, authentic and expressive which can sometimes rub people the wrong way.
“It’s okay to not like me — it is not okay to assume that I am less of a person or less worthy of love because I like to have sex and can talk freely and openly about it.”
Despite facing criticism, many high profile Australian celebrities were on Abbie's side, with even Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg and comedian Dave Hughes weighing in on the drama.
"I've been doing this job a while now. Tweeting every episode that goes to air. And I am always interested to see how a strong woman powerfully expressing her sexuality makes so many people so uncomfortable," Osher Tweeted during series finale.
Dave Hughes also supported Abbie, admitting it was unfair of Matt to continuously hook up with her when he said he knew deep down he would always choose Chelsie McLeod.
"How can Matt be the ‘good guy’ and Abbie the ‘villain’ when he KNEW he was gonna pick the other girl and she didn’t, yet he still carried on with Abbie kike he was on his honeymoon?" he wrote.
This article originally appeared on InStyle Australia.
