At the turn of the New Year, an excited Fleur Verhoeven took to her blog, proudly penning an entry to her followers claiming 2016 was going to be her year.
While things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the Hawke’s Bay beauty after she was dumped by The Bachelor New Zealand’s Jordan Mauger, the positive-thinking 26-year-old is now even more determined to put the tough times behind her. And she’s found the perfect cure to mend her broken heart – a luxury getaway in Fiji with her fellow Bachelorette and new bestie Shari Flavall, which the besties enjoyed late last month.
“I just needed to take my mind off things, have some fun and forget about everything that’s going on back home, so when I return, I’m starting afresh – a whole new chapter,” Fleur said, when we caught up with the beauty during her holiday at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour. “You can’t possibly be sad here – the sun’s shining, everyone’s so friendly, and there are beautiful beaches, good food and great cocktails.”
“Shari has been the best medicine. She’s such a laugh and knows how to have a good time – she’s just the kind of person I need in my life right now. We really bonded when we were in Hawaii for the show, so we are picking up where we left off.”
Shari’s closeness with Fleur is evident in the way she praises her bestie for dealing with the aftermath of the show.
“After seeing [Jordan] on his Instagram hanging out with all the other girls, it makes me wonder what he’s up to,” she told us.
“We’ve actually tried to forget about Jordan on this trip, but it’s impossible when every second person we meet wants to make sure Fleur is doing OK. It’s made me realise how well she has handled herself throughout this whole ordeal. Fleur’s had every opportunity to bad-mouth Jordan and any of the girls, but she hasn’t.”
As Fleur’s self-styled “wing-woman” during their island escape, Shari made it her mission to find her eligible friend a hot fling. But for now, Fleur’s happy to put her search for Prince Charming on the backburner. “I’m certainly not actively looking for love – I’m enjoying being on my own.
When I least expect it, it will find me.”
See more exclusive photos from our shoot with the girls in our gallery
While things haven’t exactly gone to plan for Fleur Verhoeven after she was dumped by The Bachelor New Zealand’s Jordan Mauger, the positive-thinking 26-year-old is now even more determined to put the tough times behind her.
A luxury getaway in Fiji with her fellow Bachelorette and new bestie Shari Flavall was the perfect opportunity to put her heartbreak behind her.
“I just needed to take my mind off things, have some fun and forget about everything that’s going on back home, so when I return, I’m starting afresh – a whole new chapter,” Fleur said.
“I just needed to take my mind off things, have some fun and forget about everything that’s going on back home, so when I return, I’m starting afresh – a whole new chapter,” Fleur said
Funny girl Shari has also been key in Fleur’s road back to happiness.
“Shari has been the best medicine. She’s such a laugh and knows how to have a good time – she’s just the kind of person I need in my life right now,” Fleur told us when we caught up with the pair.
“We really bonded when we were in Hawaii for the show, so we are picking up where we left off.”
The girls strike a pose with some locals for the cameras.
Shaka brah! Watch Shari talk about her elimination from The Bachelor New Zealand in the next video. Gallery continues after the video
Shari’s most embarrassing moment
Shari’s closeness with Fleur is evident in the way she praises her bestie for dealing with the aftermath of the show.
“After seeing [Jordan] on his Instagram hanging out with all the other girls, it makes me wonder what he’s up to,” she told us.
For her part, Fleur has no hard feelings towards Jordan after their much-publicised breakup.
“I think Jordan really struggled. It was like he didn’t recognise himself on the show. But I have accepted his decision and I respect him for being so honest with me. He could have led me on for longer, which only would’ve hurt more,” she says of their split.
The bubbly blonde says she’s still in touch with Jordan’s family – although that’s lead to some awkward conversations!
“They are really sweet – his mum even jokes about setting me up with Jordan’s step-brother, but I’ve told her that might be slightly awkward at Christmas time!”
“There have been times where I’ve thought, ‘I wish I’d just come second,’” reveals Fleur.
“I had every reason to believe things were going to turn out differently for us, but I don’t want to be that desperate girl. If he’s not feeling it, I’m not going to chase it – I think that shows a lack of self-respect and dignity.”
During our shoot, Fleur also revealed she’s figured out what to do with the dazzling Michael Hill ring she was gifted in the finale.
“Michael has said I can exchange it,” says Fleur. “The ring is very symbolic – it represents the future Jordan and I were supposed to have together – so I’m never going to wear it. I think I’ll ask for a friendship necklace instead, one to match Shari’s, or better still, I’ll get a bunch of them so I can give them to all the girls.”
Despite Shari’s efforts to find her eligible friend a hot fling, Fleur says she’s putting her search for Prince Charming on the backburner.
“I’m certainly not actively looking for love – I’m enjoying being on my own. When I least expect it, it will find me,” she says.
The pair sip on coconuts during our shoot in Fiji.
Check out our behind-the-scenes video with Fleur, Naz and Erin in the next slide
Top 3 Bachelorettes
