Bachelor star told to 'F*** off and go back to China'

Most people who’ve been on a reality show can confirm that along with the supportive fans are often just as many critics.

For Bachelor In Paradise star Vanessa Sunshine, a wave of negativity she receives via social media is racially vilifying, and she’s branded it for what it is: “Disgusting”.

“I get it all the time on my Instagram,” the reality star, who is proud of her Chinese and Scottish heritage, tells Yahoo Lifestyle Australia.

“I recently got [a message] on my Instagram. It was literally like, ‘F*** off, go back to China’.

“I was born here in this country. Literally I was born, [and have] lived and worked in Australia my whole life,” she continues, expressing her utter disbelief that this is still happening. “I don’t know why people judge off race and skin colour. I think it’s such a disgusting thing.”

Vanessa says she’s faced racism over the years, and knew the sad reality that her cultural background could be targeted by trolls when she appeared on TV.

“It’s something I’ve really had to build myself up on… I think, especially going into a show like that,” she explains.

“I don’t think it matters if your ancestors came from another country. I just don’t think you should be judged on that.”

Last week Vanessa’s co-star Brooke Blurton told Yahoo Lifestyle Australia that she’d received messages telling her, “You’re too pretty to be an Aboriginal” or “I thought you were really pretty and then I found out you were Aboriginal”.

“Brooke and I used to talk about that [racism] actually in the [Bachelor] house,” Vanessa says, referring to her time on Nick Cummins’ season of The Bachelor in 2018.

“We were both really proud… We obviously look a little bit different and I think that’s like a really powerful thing,” she continues.

“I hope especially young women can look at themselves and still know that they’re beautiful the way they are and not let someone’s words hurt them and define them.”

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