Konrad Bien-Stephen's surprising career move after reality TV: 'Excited'

He was a fan favourite contestant on The Bachelorette in 2021 and made it to the semifinal of The Challenge Australia last year, but Konrad Bien-Stephen has no plans to return to reality TV anytime soon.

The 32-year-old tells Yahoo Lifestyle he has a “weird relationship” with the genre because of his most recent television appearance, and instead has his sights set on another career in the spotlight.

“My experience on The Bachelorette was very wholesome and very lovely, and then The Challenge was this mental mindf**k of a game,” he remarks. “So after doing The Challenge I was like, ‘I’ll never do reality TV again’.

“I don't know if reality TV is really my thing, but I really enjoy productions and I like being a part of that whole environment, from hair and makeup and filming to talking to the runners and the producers and all that sort of stuff. I would really love to do more scripted stuff or hosting.”

RELATED:

• Konrad Bien-Stephen reacts to Bachelor Jed McIntosh comparisons

• Konrad Bien-Stephen weighs in on The Bachelors' polyamory scandal

• Konrad Bien-Stephen reveals truth about relationship with Megan Marx

Konrad reveals that he was recently accepted into NIDA’s studio acting course in Melbourne, which he is pursuing alongside his work in construction and carpentry.

“It's really fun,” he says. “That’s something I do on Saturdays as a little hobby, but also with the hopes that maybe one day I can do some sort of acting or hosting.

“Maybe I can be one of the next River Boys,” he jokes, referencing the infamous group on Home and Away.

'Really cool'

Outside of his TV career, Konrad is currently promoting the Jack Daniel’s Music Drop - an Australian initiative offering music lovers a new way of interacting with their favourite artists and chances to win limited-edition music NFTs, known as Digital Pressings.

Fans are encouraged to take to the streets across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide as part of a WebAR game where they also have the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to the USA. Exclusive content and music tracks from Aussie artists Winston Surfshirt, Stand Atlantic and the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have driven fans into a frenzy in recent weeks, in a game that's been likened to Pokemon Go for Music.

“The Jack Daniel’s Music Drop is really fun,” Konrad shares. “It’s using state-of-the-art technology in a way that really engages people, in terms of going out and finding these crates and unlocking them and winning things like drink vouchers or unreleased music, which is really cool.

“It gives an opportunity for the artists to reclaim their work as well and be fairly paid for it, and it's cool that they can have exclusive content and engage with their fans that way too.

“I was running around last night searching for crates,” he laughs. “It was really good.”

'Madly in love'

Part of the reason why Konrad feels so passionate about supporting musicians is because of his girlfriend, singer-songwriter Thelma Plum, who he says has given him a new insight into the music world.

“Seeing how hard Thelma works and how much she has to travel constantly for shows and do her soundcheck and work with a whole team of people, I do appreciate the music industry a lot more,” he says.

“I guess from an outside perspective it's like, ‘rock star lifestyle that's so fun’, but they're all working really hard and there’s a whole other side. It's very interesting.”

He adds that he feels “very grateful” to have met Thelma, who he went public with in January last year, and is looking forward to their future together.

“I feel very lucky I have a beautiful partner who I’m madly in love with, I have a great job, and I have the opportunity to do campaigns like this with Jack Daniel’s and then do the acting stuff as well,” he says. “I’m in a really good headspace at the moment and I’m really excited for what’s to come.”

Now heading into the final week and with prizes dropped daily, you can join the Jack Daniel's Music Drop game here.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.