Heartbreak Island contestant Julius Bennett able to call on famous whanau for advice
Click Here for the Post https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/104605548/heartbreak-island-contestant-julius-bennett-able-to-call-on-famous-whanau-for-adviceHeartbreak Island begins screening on Monday, June 11.
One Heartbreak Island contestant was able to call on some famous family support before embarking on his moment in the spotlight.
Twenty-five year old Julius Bennett is the brother of 2012 Miss New Zealand Talia Bennett and cousin of Kiwi actor Manu Bennett. The Auckland corporate product manager is one of 16 singles competing for love and $100,000 in TVNZ’s newest reality series, which begins screening on Monday night.
Speaking to Stuff ahead of the Fiji-set show’s debut, Julius Bennett said both had offered him important advice.
“Like this show, Miss New Zealand is full of big personalities, so Talia told me to just be myself and be genuine – ‘That’s what people will love and see in you’.
“As for Manu, I messaged him earlier on in the year and he thought it sounded like a really cool show and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. ‘To go to Fiji and have everything catered for you – just be yourself and enjoy the experience, rather than being all worried and panicked about how people view you’,” he said.
Julius Bennett says Kiwis should tune into Heartbreak Island to see his smile, one-liners and Fiji at its finest.
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While Bennett admitted he was not one to watch reality TV, he said he was drawn to Heartbreak Island because of his love of adventure, travel and pushing his own boundaries.
“I’ve travelled solo in the past so going to an island not knowing anyone doesn’t really scare me, plus I’d rather look back on my life having tried and failed at something, rather than not having had the confidence to do it.”
Julius Bennett was able to call on both a former Miss New Zealand (his sister Talia) and a Hollywood actor (his cousin Manu) for advice before embarking on Heartbreak Island.
He also said he came into the show, “100 per cent looking for love”.
“I’m at a time in my life where I would be open for a long-term relationship. I know if I fall for someone on the show, I’ll fall pretty hard.”
Describing Heartbreak Island as a cross between a dating show, Survivor and Big Brother, Bennett said he did break his non-reality habit in order to prepare himself for what he might encounter. “If only just to see how everyone interacts and plays those type of games.”
Julius Bennett is one of 16 young Kiwis competing for love and $100,000 on Heartbreak Island.
Getting used to cameras, interviews and being in the spotlight 24/7 were the hardest things to get used to, he said.
“There’s no escaping and, at the same time, the place was filled with a lot of strong personalities. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just it means it becomes complex from time-to-time and it is a pressure-cooker environment. Getting used to that pressure and handling it, while trying to be as genuine as you can, is quite hard.”
That said, Bennett thought it was an “amazing experience” and definitely something he would consider doing again. “Despite being initially very anxious and nervous about it, I really enjoyed it and, you never know, it could open up a few doors for me.”
Talia Bennett was Miss New Zealand 2012.
The man who described “a coffee and a walk along the beach on a summer day” as his ideal date will have plenty of supporters tuning into Heartbreak Island. His mother is one of 18 children and his father one of seven. When asked why thought other Kiwis should tune into the show, he responded without missing a beat.
“You get to see me, with plenty of smiles and a few good one-liners. Plus, there’s plenty of drama and the challenges are so much fun. There are so many different personalities and you get to see them put together in such a pressure cooker. And, you get to see Fiji. You get a good taste of what our Pacific neighbours can provide, which is awesome.”
Hosted by Matilda Rice and Mark Dye, Heartbreak Island begins screening on Monday night at 7.30pm on TVNZ2
– Stuff
