Belinda Rygier, best known for appearing on The Bachelor Australia, has found herself at the center of public discussion again after opening up about her past struggles with sex addiction and her unexpected engagement to fiancé Drew Jansen. The former reality star has previously admitted to sleeping with over 700 men during a period of her life she now describes as driven by trauma and emotional pain following a sexual assault at the age of 18. She has since transformed her life into one focused on self-development, becoming a love coach and advocate for emotional healing. What has surprised her most, however, is not her own past, but Drew’s calm and accepting response when she revealed everything on their very first date, a moment she says showed her what genuine acceptance feels like.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Rygier explained that honesty has become the foundation of her relationship, saying she is “an open book” because she wants to be chosen for who she truly is without secrets or shame. She recalled how she and Drew agreed early on to undergo STI checks and have open conversations about sexual health, setting a tone of trust rather than judgment. Despite past experiences involving emotional lows, regret, and what she described as “addictive cycles” of validation-seeking, she says therapy, meditation, and personal growth work helped her break free from that lifestyle. Now, Rygier describes Drew as her biggest supporter and says she has never experienced love like it before. The couple are engaged and building a relationship she believes is based on mutual respect, honesty, and daily choice, marking a dramatic shift from her earlier life and public image.