US President Donald Trump is not the only one with difficulty telling women apart.
With 22 ladies (half of them blonde – Trump's main source of bewilderment) on the go all at once, The Bachelor Matty Johnson, 30, got a little befuddled by some of his suitors and their background, so was "coached" by producers through a hidden earpiece and briefings.
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Instead of following his heart, the marketing director from Sydney is accused of following producers' lead, who meddled most during rose ceremonies to ensure he dished out roses in a particular order to maximise tension between the women.
"Those who had been fighting that week would be the last to get a rose for dramatic effect," a Bachelorette, who asked not to be named, told Fairfax Media.
It meant some women would be left standing in heels alongside their archenemy for over two hours – the length some rose ceremonies could go for – to antagonise the situation.
Johnson, who had tried his hand at modelling and acting prior to his stint as Australia's most eligible man, also raised some perfectly preened eyebrows for his manner after sending the latest sobbing singleton packing.
"He acted so devastated [when someone had to leave] heavy sighing and heavy breathing. Once the girl walked out and he heard, 'OK, it's a wrap', he was back to being happy Matty again," they added.
Producers often took Johnson to the side midway through a date or a cocktail party and "briefed" him on quarrels and topics of discussions going on around him.
![The Bachelor Matty Johnson (Matty J) with the top 20 Bachelorettes.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170905032325im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/5/q/4/g/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gy8ekd.png/1504537730610.jpg)
This was particularly seen when he sat down two contestants, Leah Costa and Simone Ormesher, both 25, and took them to task for not being honest about their former work as topless entertainers, seeing no irony in the fact he also often removes his top for work. A public backlash ensued.
"It was almost like he was being told what his opinions were. He's very concerned with his image. Everything that comes out of his mouth is image conscious and measured. He wants Australia to believe he is the perfect gentleman," the source added.
![Matty J seen wearing an earpiece.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170905032325im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/8/s/b/w/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gy8ekd.png/1504537730610.jpg)
While it may not be ethical and a maybe even a little chauvinist, these tactics are key to The Bachelor's longevity, because that's what these qualities are good for: reality television.
A spokespersn for Warner Brothers told Fairfax Media: "The Bachelor or Bachelorette are occasionally required to be connected to the director if there are technical difficulties with cameras, audio and lighting.The Bachelor or Bachelorette never wears an earpiece during a cocktail party or on dates."
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