Flying solo

Viarni Bright, of TV show The Bachelor fame, on Mount Beach. Photo.Andrew Warner.

Annemarie Quill chats to Viarni Bright,who is looking at the bright side after break-up

She captured Zac Franich's heart on The Bachelor NZ earlier this year, now Mount Maunganui's Viarni Bright is flying solo, but "taking each day as it comes", and looking forward to long hot summers in the Bay.

Viarni Bright, 23, was revealed as the winning girl on The Bachelor on our television screens in May. However, just a few weeks ago the couple called it quits after six months of dating, announcing the split on their social media pages, saying it was with "heavy hearts" they had decided they were not right for each other, but they remain friends. Now Bright is getting on with her life which she divides between her home town of the Mount, and Auckland.

Growing up in Mount Maunganui and attending Mount College, Bright's parents Wendy and Glenn still live in the Mount as well as her brother and his partner.

"I still have a really big friend group here too so I kind of have two homes, but the Mount will always be my true home."

Living in Auckland where she works as an account manager, she comes back to the Bay at least one weekend a month but thinks she will spend more time here in the summer.

"At this time of year it's every second weekend because it's such a sunny and fun time of year. I am such a beach bum so love doing anything in the water, taking the dog for a walk or just soaking up the sun. I'm a big foodie so I love going out for meals, or having barbecues and drinks with all my friends is always a good time. There is always so many people I want to catch up with that a weekend isn't quite enough."

Her memories growing up here centre around the outdoors.

In terms of the media, the hardest thing was hearing or reading what people who don't know you (or the situation) had to say

Viarni Bright

"Going to the beach especially, it was my happy place and still is. I did a lot of sports and had a great family life and friend group so we were always having fun and going on adventures. It's just such a great community, you can walk down the street and see so many familiar faces. That is definitely something that makes it special compared to Auckland."

It is early days but she is not ruling a move back here, joining the exodus of Aucklanders moving to the Bay of Plenty.

"When I want to settle down I definitely see myself being back in the Mount. I had a such a cool childhood that I would want my kids to have a similar upbringing. However, things can change and I am only 23 so I'll keep an open mind! "Currently I am working as Ashley & Co's national account manager and I love it! I am quite career driven and Auckland is the best place for that. Popping between the Mount and Auckland is so great and I don't have plans to change that."

Bright says she still gets approached for photos, but has dealt with the pressure of being in the public eye well.

"People do come up and say hi or ask for photos, equally in the Mount and Auckland. People are lovely though and understandably curious. It will never feel normal but I guess people just feel like they know you if they had watched the show as you are a familiar face ... I feel like I have dealt with it pretty well! Having a lot of younger viewers/followers I always try to be a good role model and try to message every person back who reaches out to me."

The hardest thing has been dealing with public opinions online.

Viarni Bright. Photo/Andrew Warner

"In terms of the media, the hardest thing was hearing or reading what people who don't know you (or the situation) had to say. Most of the time I keep quiet and don't retaliate but at one point I stuck up for myself and the girls when some very nonfactual articles came out, but I actually got a lot of supportive messages so I was proud I did! You just have to pick your battles and most of the time it's not worth it. Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

She has been open about her battle with autoimmune disease Chrons - she was diagnosed at 19 and at just 21 had to have 40cm of her bowel removed.

"It was off and on but for the most part was pretty bad ... I now take daily immune suppressants and inject myself every fortnight with a biologic to try avoid further surgery."

It means she has to watch what she eats.

"Diet wise I mainly try to stay away from anything that's extremely hard to digest or triggers my symptoms. Everyone is different but some foods trigger more than others - like gluten or spicy food. I maintain a pretty healthy lifestyle overall! I'm no fitness fanatic but I like going for walks and want to start boxing and yoga classes. I will longboard or kiteboard in the Mount in summer with my dad and brothers."

A fan of op shopping, she describes her style as "quirky". "I love op shopping and you will often see me wearing at least one pre-loved item. I like experimenting and think expressing yourself through an outfit is such a cool way to show your personality.

"Describing my style is so hard! It is different everyday ... I would say my style is a bit quirky and I would dress to suit my mood, which can sometimes be a bit outrageous! I like being girly but still a bit tomboy at the same time. A typical outfit would be Dr Martens with a denim skirt, silk cami, messy bun and vintage drop earrings. Some of my favourite labels are Thing Thing, Lonely, One Teaspoon, Ksubi and Zimmerman. Except 14."

She is looking forward to chilling out in the summer after a big year. "There is a few exciting things in the pipeline but I am just going with the flow and taking each day as it comes. 2017 has been a big year for me and I am excited for 2018 to start and to see what life throws at me."

Viarni Bright, on Mount Beach. Photo/Andrew Warner.