Sam Cochrane proposes to Tara Pavlovic on Bachelor in Paradise.
Camera IconSam Cochrane proposes to Tara Pavlovic on Bachelor in Paradise. Credit: Supplied, Channel 10

Bachelor in Paradise: Why Tara said ‘yes’ to Sam

Amy PriceThe Courier-Mail

GOLD Coast fan favourite Tara Pavlovic was given her fairytale ending when Sam Cochrane popped the question during the finale of Bachelor In Paradise.

“We kind of spoke about it halfway through our time in Fiji and I said ‘no way, I don’t even know you’. But the more I got to know him I just thought ‘I want to marry you. I just love you’,” Pavlovic told Confidential.

“I didn’t think it would actually happen.

“He said some really nice stuff (during the commitment ceremony) and then said ‘so, Tara’ and I thought ‘what is going on?’.”

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“He got down on one knee. It was so overwhelming. I started crying. I couldn’t even talk.”

Sam Cochrane proposes to Tara Pavlovic on Bachelor in Paradise.
Camera IconSam Cochrane proposes to Tara Pavlovic on Bachelor in Paradise. Credit: Supplied, Channel 10

Pavlovic said it had been “horrendous” keeping their engagement a secret since filming wrapped in December, describing their housebound relationship as “a lot of Uber Eats and video games”.

She said had she not met Cochrane on the show she would have declined an opportunity to meet him after seeing him on Sophie Monk’s season of The Bachelorette.

“He’s not typically a guy I would go for. I probably would have said no and thought that I knew best, but obviously I don’t know best,” she said.

“I just want to shout it to the world.”

The one problem, she said, was that the ring was supplied to their island resort by Channel 10.

“He got out of it too easy. What guy doesn’t have to buy the engagement ring?” she laughed.

Pavlovic and Cochrane watched the finale with members from both their families in what was the first time they had all met.

Sam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic during a ‘date’ on Bachelor in Paradise.
Camera IconSam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic during a ‘date’ on Bachelor in Paradise. Credit: Supplied, Channel 10

“I’m probably more nervous about that than the actual commitment ceremony,” Pavlovic said.

The couple are still working out their living arrangements, with Cochrane in Sydney and Pavlovic on the Gold Coast.

Undoubtedly the most popular couple on the show, Pavlovic said they were coming to terms with fans’ investment in their relationship.

“People comment on our photos things like ‘I’ll kill myself if you guys don’t work out.’ That’s just so hectic. It is a lot of pressure,” she said.

As for wedding plans, Pavlovic said they’d stick to planning an engagement party for now.

Originally published as Why Tara said ‘yes’ to Sam