Sophie Monk Spills On The New And Improved ‘Beauty And The Geek’

Beauty and the Geek has always been one of the most entertaining shows on Australian television imho, as the competition-turned-love-experiment allows viewers to observe what happens when two worlds collide.

Beauties, who are usually women, are paired up with male geeks, and they must compete in a variety of challenges with the hopes of winning some cash money. Beauties are hit with quizzes that challenge their academic skills, while the geeks face challenges testing their social/dating abilities and knowledge of all things fashion and beauty.

BATG came onto Australian TV in 2009 and ended originally in 2014 with Beauty And The Geek Hits Las Vegas. Fast-forward to 2021, the series was revived with Australian icon, Sophie Monk, in the hosting role, and came with more emphasis on empowering its contestants rather than the mocking tone often featured in the late ’00s version.

And to deep dive in the latest season of the revamped show, we spoke to Sophie about all things beautiful and geeky aka what to expect from the season that just kicked off.

Here’s all the tea that Sophie Monk spilled about this year’s Beauty and the Geek:

On hosting the show for a second time:

“I couldn’t wait to do it again because the first season, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be like the original one. [But] it has so much more heart and there’s comedy in there, and it’s so entertaining. And I think this season it’s found its feet, it’s something I am really proud of being a part of, as nerdy as that sounds. You’re crying one minute and laughing the next — it’s just got every emotion without being nasty but still entertaining.”

On the romance factor on BATG:

“I think it’s got such a genuine nature to it where the contestants aren’t trying to be famous there at all. It’s like they’re genuinely going on there for an adventure and self-growth. I think the romance that happens — because there’s no pressure on the love or the romance — but when it does happen, you’re like ‘wow this is so special’ and there’s heaps of romance this season. HEAPS.”

On possible ~spicy~ moments this season:

“I think it’s a little bit edgier this year, you know, it’s still family friendly but I think there’s a little bit more cheekiness and edginess. And the girls talk about some women stuff that’s quite deep as well that has you in tears, so it’s not just the geeks and their journey, it’s equally the beauties this year”.

On the geeks’ makeovers and how they feel about it:

“I mean, some of the makeovers they look like supermodels, like it’s out of control. They look like they can go on the runway. But for them, they walk out with this just new self-confidence, which is the most important thing, and they just feel so special. It’s crazy what a haircut and shave can do.

“There’s one guy, you wouldn’t have thought, when he does transform I was like ‘you look like a supermodel’ and he’s like ‘I know.’ They’re dying for it. They’re like ‘when’s my makeover. Can I please stay until my makeover?’ They all want it so badly.”

On whether she had a favourite contestant:

“All because all for different reasons. Like one of the girls opens up about something very very vulnerable and so that was gorgeous to see, and then you’ve got the PM Sophie, who can speak like four languages. She’s highly intelligent. I liked her too because she kinda plays bimbo but clearly she’s not, she speaks that many languages. They’re all kinda gorgeous in their own way and there are two [beauties] that could almost be geeky. They’re a bit quirky and different.”

On how the show has evolved from its roots:

“It’s not so one-dimensional where the beauties are dumb and geeks are you know [intelligent], it’s both. It breaks down those walls for the beauties where they might try and pretend to be dumb but then you can see, they were just insecure and/or emotional,” Sophie said.

“If you don’t have a good cast, it’s gonna be pretty boring. But they were just so fascinating [this year] and I think obviously, they watched last season. All of them wanted to do this show so badly knowing it’s not a negative show, so they went in double vulnerable and open to the experience and just knew no one is trying to hurt them or make them look bad.”

On what Sophie wants viewers to take away from this season:

“I think you’ve just got to watch this first episode and it’ll be your favourite show. It’s very rare that a [reality] show is so entertaining that you don’t want to turn it off — without the negativity [in the storylines]. The innocence is just there and it’s so relatable, you kinda just go ‘oooh’, like you get embarrassed for them and you’re right behind them.

“It’s a show you won’t regret watching. I just want people to watch it because it’s my favourite show ever.”

On any plans to revive her music career:

“I actually released a song, ‘Nice To Meet You’, not that long ago and we’re doing a remix in Beauty and the Geek, where they do a music video for me. And it’s one of my favourite challenges.”

On persistent rumours that she’s having a baby:

“We [Sophie and her husband, Joshua Gross] both love it, but I think people tend to ask that question after you get married and it’s a tough one to kinda answer. But yeah, we’d like to but I’m not pregnant that’s for sure. If anyone thinks I am, I’m just chubby.”

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Beauty and the Geek is on Sunday to Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.