Misconceptions, men, marriage and MAFS. Yes, Australian reality TV star EVELYN ELLIS says, “I do” to making her MAXIM debut…
Hello, Evelyn, congrats on your MAXIM cover. How do you feel?
It’s actually the first cover I’ve ever done and I feel so privileged to be a part of the MAXIM team. I’ve always wanted to be on your cover.
Why did you decide to do this cover photo shoot with MAXIM?
I love supporting Australian-owned businesses so I’m really excited to be working with Aussie publications. I also love getting creative and having talented people around me. It’s always the best feeling in the world when you see your visions come to life.
Well, you look gorgeous. When do you feel sexy?
Firstly, thank you. I feel sexiest when I reach my goals. It just makes me feel powerful and that makes me feel sexy.
What is your best asset?
My best asset is my sense of humour. I feel people are very serious these days, so I love that I don’t take myself seriously.
Give us a brief background about yourself and your life story so far.
I would describe myself as a glass half full type of person. I grew up with immigrant parents and had a normal childhood of playing outdoors and climbing trees. I was extremely rebellious during my teenage years and went through a lot, mentally, due to family issues which made me super strong. I never had a traditional education or career path which brought me to London for six years. I’ve made great choices and many more mistakes in my life, but I definitely know what I want.
Besides your amazing exotic look what’s the best thing about your Chinese-Australian heritage?
I get the best of both worlds. I have my laid-back, super-chilled Australian side which I adore, but my Chinese culture compliments me in the sense of having strong core values and traditions.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
That I actually do speak Chinese fluently.
You’re a marketing manager but also a model – how do you juggle these jobs as well as being on MAFS and creating content on social media?
It honestly has been really hard and stressful, but I believe to make the most of your youth and the energy you have now. I also have some great people around me who support me endlessly, so I wouldn’t be able do it without them.
What are the pros and cons of your marketing job?
Pros – I meet awesome people and it’s a great creative outlet for me. I absolutely love it. Cons – I look at screens way too much!
Why did you decide to sign up for this year’s season of Married At First Sight (MAFS)?
I was actually approached by the casting team a few years back.
How do you feel about your portrayal on the show?
I feel like I was just me so it wasn’t too confronting watching myself back. I don’t think I could have done anything better, to be honest. No regrets and happy to have met so many amazing people and made some lifelong friends.
What’s the funniest or weirdest thing that happened to you on the MAFS set?
Honestly, every day you’d walk on set there’d be something exciting happening. No day is the same, which is why I loved it so much. Nothing too crazy besides the usual changing outfits behind bushes and doing shoots with random animals.
How would you best describe your overall experience on MAFS?
A LOT. I’ve done “experiments” before but this was something else. It’s one of those things where you really need to dive deep into yourself and, in all honesty, you get to know yourself. What I will say, is do not try and be someone else because it never works out and you’ll one day look back and think, “I wish I’d said something” or “that’s not what I actually believe in”. So, pretty much your moral compass should always be intact – cameras or no cameras.
What’s your attitude towards marriage and has it changed since being on MAFS?
It’s still the same. I want marriage and kids one day. Despite people’s perception of me, my core is very traditional.
What is the biggest misconception about reality TV and, more specifically, MAFS?
You can’t walk in thinking you’ll come out gaining something. Be your bloody self and enjoy the moments, stay true to yourself and whatever is supposed to happen will happen.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to do MAFS?
If you know yourself and back that you have your head screwed on right, GO FOR IT! 🙂
Would you ever do another reality TV show and if so, which one?
I would love to do I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! I’d love to prove people wrong.
Describe your current relationship with your MAFS husband Rupert Budgen now that you’re outside the experiment.
Rupert and I talk every day, we have been each other’s support network during all of it and we’re lucky to have maintained a friendship during all this craziness.
Describe your ideal man.
I used to have such a long list of boxes to tick but the older I get all that really matters is someone who understands you, makes you laugh and whose company you truly enjoy.
What could a guy do to win you over?
Treat my dogs like children – haha!
You’ve probably heard some scary and funny pick-up lines over the years – what’s one of the worst?
Honestly, I’ve heard everything under the sun but what I will say that there is nothing hot about a guy revving his car engine and honking the horn.
If you had to take MAXIM on a date, what would it entail?
We would go for a scuba dive and enjoy a picnic together, because what doesn’t bring two people closer together than almost being eaten by a shark?
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
Birthdays, Valentine’s Day… oh, and maybe something orgasmic.
What have you learned about men over the years?
I think there’s this preconception that society has made that, “men suck”, but I don’t think that’s true at all. Maybe we just haven’t met the right one yet.
How do you handle any negative press about you?
You really do need to have tough skin, but it goes as fast as it comes.
What message do you have for the haters and social media trolls you have to endure?
Everyone’s entitled to opinions but sometimes I do wish that people would be a little more open minded and less judgemental but I guess I signed up to be put under a microscope
What’s the most popular request you get from your followers on social media?
To do OnlyFans and let me tell you – it ain’t happening. Nothing against it but I want to fill my time doing things I absolutely love and I just know I would not love doing OF.
When you’re not posing for MAXIM, working or on social media or modelling, what else do you do?
I love to work and love building and making projects come to life. My life is pretty normal – dogs, friends and staying busy.
What’s the main thing you hope to achieve this year?
I have some goals I want to reach in regards of dream modelling jobs and I’d love to buy my own apartment and maybe fall in love, who knows.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon you can share with us?
My Podcast launches on April 24 – check it out and follow at @badgradespodcast.
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Evelyn Ellis
BORN: October 7
HOME TOWN: Sydney, NSW
FIVE-WORD SELF DESCRIPTION: Funny, confident, optimistic, happy, social.”
BEST HIDDEN TALENT: “I can pick up almost anything with my toes.”
BIGGEST PHOBIA: “Seeing hair in drains.”
GO-TO DRINK: “Tequila.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Jump now think later.”
TWITTER: @eevelynellis
TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM: @evelyn.ellis
Photographed by NEIL DIXON
Interview by SANTI PINTADO
Hair by DOMENIC PELLI
Make-up by KAYLA PEREZ
For the full article grab the May 2023 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
