The Bachelor's Abbie Chatfield hits back at slut shamers

The Bachelor runner-up Abbie Chatfield has hit out at critics who ‘slut shamed’ her for undertaking a steamy relationship Matt Agnew during the series.

The 23-year-old’s clap back came as part of a lengthy Instagram caption written one week after the pair’s racy beach date made headlines for its high level of PDA.

Abbie speaks out

“This is something I did not expect in 2019,” Abbie wrote in reference to the level she was criticised for her onscreen behaviour.

“Sex is essential to a successful relationship for me, as is sexual chemistry and the ability to express that comfortably with my partner.

“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.”

Abbie went on to list the reasons she was shamed for while on The Bachelor, ranging from her clothing choices to her apparent motives towards Matt.

“This bikini, my skort at hometowns, multiple cocktail party gowns, kissing matt 'without a date' and at a cocktail party,” she began.

“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’.”

Steamy onscreen date

Last week former couple’s relationship appeared to heat up when their date on a Sydney beach was filmed as part of one of the show’s final episodes.

However, the up-close-and-personal nature of the encounter led to some fans labelling it ‘soft porn’ and questioned whether the scene was appropriate for a primetime slot.

But despite their obvious chemistry, Matt was ultimately drawn to choose Chelsie Mcleod as his final pick—a move which left Abbie broken hearted.

“I felt silly for ever imagining Matt would love me. It was like emotional whiplash,” she wrote on Instagram after rewatching the finale.

“The second the cameras turned off, I sobbed. I screamed. I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t think think this would be how we would end. I spent weeks crying about this relationship that had almost no closure.

“I still haven’t fully healed from my relationship with Matt, but I know he and the gorgeous woman he is with are happy, and that’s all that matters.”

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