When the show premiered last Sunday, Stephanie was one of 19 women vying for the heart of bachelor Zac Franich.
When the show premiered last Sunday, Stephanie was one of 19 women vying for the heart of bachelor Zac Franich.
It took three seasons, but The Bachelor NZ finally has its Chinese bachelorette.
Stephanie Lai - a 24-year-old Malaysian Chinese, whose parents moved to New Zealand in 1988 - said she was "stoked" to be a pioneer.
"I'm totally stoked at being the first Chinese bachelorette, and if people feelhappy about watching me on TV, I'm more than happy to accommodate that and live up to the name," Lai said.
When the show premiered last Sunday, the University of Auckland law student was one of 19 women vying for the heart of bachelor Zac Franich.
Lai lives in a house her father bought for her and drives a Range Rover that her mother gave.
However, despite her wealth, Lai said she enjoyed volunteering and helping the poor and homeless.
She said being on The Bachelor also marked a new start for her.
"I was a shopaholic, now I am a worldly, more conscious, young mature lady who now studies law, probably got a bit more boring.
"I'm well travelled, well educated and I'm well dressed. This is Stephanie 2.0."
Massey University Chinese marketing specialist Associate Professor Henry Chung said it was about time the show had a Chinese bachelorette.
"The Bachelor needs to grow among all population segments, and a high potential is among Chinese viewers," Chung said.
"Having a Chinese on the show brings a connection to Chinese viewers."
A Mediaworks spokeswoman said it aimed to find bachelorettes from different backgrounds.
"We strive to make the cast of bachelorettes as diverse as possible and our casting call outs aim to reach New Zealanders from all backgrounds," she said.
