TV

The Bachelors 2023: Meet Bachelor Ben Waddell, a model with a wild Zac Efron crossover

He's also been romantically linked to someone famous

TV
WRITTEN BY Danica Baker / Edited BY Danica Baker
22 November 2023 , 9 minutes to read

Ben Waddell is one of the three male leads on The Bachelors Australia 2023, and he has quite a high-profile history.

Not only has he been previously photographed on a (possible?) date with  P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards, but he also has a colourful history with none other than Zac Efron. In 2021 the environmental ambassador claimed that Netflix stole his idea for the show Down To Earth which stars Efron.

Ben will join Wesley Senna Cortes and Luke Bateman on a quest to find love on The Bachelors Australia 2023.

“It’s such a surreal experience to take part in the new Bachelor series, and while I feel incredibly lucky it’s also very daunting. I’ll be going in with an open mind and open heart to find the girl of my dreams,” he said in an interview with 10Play before the series premiere.

The Bachelors. Ten.

Ben’s Netflix claims

As previously mentioned, Ben Waddell accused Netflix of stealing the idea for a sustainability show called Down To Earth from him.

Ben said that he came up with the concept, and shopped it around in the US.

“They said that sustainability didn’t pack enough punch for it to be a success. So, they wanted to get a celebrity host. And I said no. Because I wanted to learn, I wanted to be the host,” he claimed in 2021. 

According to A Current Affair Ben later noticed that the Down To Earth trailer, which was hosted by Zac Efron, had striking similarities to his idea.

Ben sent a legal letter to Netflix, but the outcome has yet to be publicly revealed.

Ben’s history with Pip Edwards

Months before Ben was announced as one of the three new The Bachelor leads, the 36-year-old was spotted getting cozy with P.E Nation founder and Sydney socialite Pip Edwards.

The two attended the Australian Open together in January and were pictured getting very close in the stands. You can view the pics here.

Pip Edwards. Instagram.

Ben’s modelling background

Ben belongs to multiple modelling agencies, including Select Model, Kult Australia and Marilyn Agency. He’s worked for some big names, including Levis, Timberland, Carolina Herrera and Calvin Klein.

His profile lists him as having blonde hair with blue eyes, and says he is 6’1″.

The Bachelors Australia 2023 premieres on December 3 on 10 and 10Play.

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