The premiere episode of The Bachelorette Australia has rubbed viewers the wrong way, after Ali Oetjen made “transphobic” comments.
As this year’s Bachelorette met the 18 men who’d arrived to win her affection, a tall man named Bill approached the blonde beauty.
The 31-year-old mechanical plumber from Victoria was making a good impression, until he admitted to a secret.

“I have a little confession to make about myself,” Bill started.
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“I wasn’t actually born Bill. I was born something different. I was born actually…” He then trailed off.
The show cut to an ad break.
When the show returned, Bill revealed his “secret”: “I was born actually David, but ever since I can remember I’ve been known as Bill.” He added, “It’s just a fun little fact about myself.”
The camera then cut to Ali, who was relieved Bill was “not a woman – tick!”
She laughed and even appeared to catch herself out for her statement.

Many took to Twitter to express their anger and accused the program of transphobia.
Gotta say that using a trans psych-out for laughs was really shitty. So was Ali's "PHEW NOT A WOMAN" response #TheBacheloretteAU
— Tegan Jones (@Tegan_Writes) October 10, 2018
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Can someone tell Ali that if Bill was trans he would be a man not a woman as she so disgustingly said #TheBacheloretteAU
— Imo (@imogenrq) October 10, 2018
cool, so we got the transphobia out of the way like super early, sweet #BacheloretteAU
— big idiot (@del0reangray) October 10, 2018
Nothing like seeing some lighthearted comedy in the #BacheloretteAU, like a bloke in a plastic suit of armour that's making awkward squeaky noises, or baiting the audience with a fake-trans reveal, followed by a "PHEW, amirite?" from Ali.
— Jessica Hutchinson 🌈 (@rarelyupdated) October 10, 2018
Oh the laughs… pic.twitter.com/FIcBFCMOpo
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Grace is the Digital Content Editor at New Idea. Grace is a lifestyle junkie who has previously interned at Dolly, Stellar and marie claire, as well having written in the fashion and beauty sections at Finder.com.au. When not working, you can find Grace heading for the slopes, playing with her pup or stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll.
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