Photoshoots are a beloved staple on The Bachelor franchise, but for Shamse, it left her in tears.
To mark the first group date of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor Australia, Barry “Bear” Myrden and the chosen women revisited some iconic movies.
One of them included Muriel’s Wedding, where Shamse was dressed as the bride.
While she was excited to have intimate moments with the Bachelor, it all became too much for the 60-year-old.
They both became overwhelmed during the wedding scenes as they struggled through the grief of losing their former partners.
“I was here once before, and I didn’t think I’d be here again so soon,” Bear told her about the wedding scene.
As the shoot went on, the nerves crept in.
She exclusively told New Idea that it was hard to connect with him, and he was also emotional as she discussed his heartbreaking grief.
“I have to say, I felt that he still was in love with her,” she confessed.
For Shamse, it was also a hard shoot, because she was reminded of her late husband of almost 40 years, who died less than two years prior.
She was overcome with emotion when Bear got down on one knee and put a ring on her finger. She then walked off and cried.
“And I don’t know what happened. I just lost it,” she explained to us. “I had a hard time that day. There was lots of memories going and I felt there was a connection.
“He was hard to connect with. Really, it was a tough person to connect with. I found it difficult to open him up.”
Even though Bear came running after her to make sure she was OK, she needed a moment alone.
Host Samantha Armytage was then on hand to comfort her.
“I am grieving a lot of people, so maybe that’s what’s happening, I don’t know,” she said tearfully.
“You’re very strong, but we’re here for you if you’re not strong,” Sam assured her.
After the photoshoot, Shamse reflected on it and said, “What a life we lead, huh? All the memories that you think that you’ve been okay come back, and it just knocks you.”
The pair then reconnected at the cocktail party, where she admitted she was embarrassed. He then reassured her and gave her a rose before the ceremony.
