She didn't walk away with her love story, but Jamie-Lee Dayz has no regrets about her time on The Bachelorette.
The St George resident was one of the two remaining contestants in line for Bachelorette Brooke Blurton's heart in last night's finale.
Unfortunately for Dayz, Blurton chose Darvid Garayeli.
"Watching it back was intense," Dayz told the Leader.
"But I feel like it all happened for a reason and I really believe that.
"It was really nice to watch it back and get to see how strong the connection between Brooke and Darvid is and understand it more.
"A lot of people don't get that sort of closure dating in the normal world, they don't get to see it, so it was cathartic."
The psychologist said she had been in touch with Blurton since the show ended, but they were no longer close.
"We've spoken a few times and it's been really respectful and lovely," she said.
"I wouldn't say we're really good friends, but it's nice to be back on a talking basis. I'm lucky we are where we are and there is always respect and love between us.
"It's an ode to who she is as a person."
Dayz first met Blurton when they were both contestants on Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins' season of The Bachelor.
She said she'd learnt a lot from both TV journeys.
"The first time was incredible. There were so many things I took out of the first experience," the 30-year-old said.
"This time around, I feel so lucky for so many different reasons. The contestants were inclusive and supportive, the lead was so wholesome and supportive and we were able to represent two incredible communities as well [Indigenous and LGBTQIA+].
"I'm so proud to be a part of that conversation and I hope we see more of it."
Dayz said the representation of LGBTQIA+ relationships on The Bachelorette was huge for the community and something she wished she had the chance to view growing up.
"As a little girl, I grew up in a smaller country town and I didn't have that representation on my screen," she said.
"I didn't know what a healthy LGBTQIA+ relationship looked like. I didn't know what I was aiming for.
"Representing that on today's TV is powerful. I feel so proud to have been a part of that impact."
Dayz said it felt "really horrible" not being able to tell her family about the result of the Bachelorette finale and she was pleased she could now talk to her little sisters about it.
She said they Facetimed as soon as the episode aired and her family were shocked she didn't win.
"Everyone has been incredibly supportive and I'm really grateful to have that support system, especially after people have seen how vulnerable I've been," she said.
"To be honest, I'm normally a private person and to put my heart out there and show all of Australia who I am is hectic and different to what I'm used to.
"Now I'm taking each day as it comes and I'm still open to love and seeing what comes next."
Dayz encouraged anyone thinking about becoming a contestant on the Bachelor or Bachelorette to "go into it for the right reasons" and be open to the whole experience.
