Playboy Playmate Stella: Here she opens up about her bisexual experiences

Dear Stella, you can now be seen handing out roses as the Bachelorette on RTL+. What was your first reaction when you were asked if you wanted to be the new Bachelorette?

I was really excited and very happy! After my appearance on the Netflix show “Too Hot to Handle” I thought about what could come next and “The Bachelorette” was the only format I could imagine. It really was a dream come true. I think the format is really great and have been a big fan for a long time.

In your season, a woman dates men and women for the first time.

I'm the first bisexual Bachelorette and I'm happy to be a role model. I'm attracted to both genders, it just has to click.

You were our Oktoberfest Playmate around five years ago, and that's when your journey began. Do you sometimes think back to everything that happened during that time?

When I think about everything I've experienced and where I was five years ago, a lot has happened. Back then, I never would have thought that I would see myself on Netflix and RTL.

Among other things, you were named Playmate of the Year in 2020. How have you developed since then?

I have become more mature. It has become clear what I want from life. I am happy with what I have achieved, but I will also remain down to earth. I also have mostly the same circle of friends as I did back then.

What does your environment think about it?

My mom is critical of my engagements. But she also said that she is very proud. If I had gone into a totally trash format, things would probably be different.

How much do you like the new position as Bachelorette?

It's exciting, you're the one leading the show. I think you have to be strong and present for that. You have to be very attentive, you're giving everyone the same chance. And of course I enjoy flirting! But making a selection is really not that easy…

Not everyone was thrilled that you were the new Bachelorette. How do you deal with criticism?

Until “Too Hot to Handle” I was basically unable to do that at all, up until then I had only received positive feedback. The reality show made so many different people aware of me who hadn't known me before, I wasn't prepared for that. Suddenly there was a lot of negativity coming through on social media. That was really difficult for me.

What was criticized?

Sometimes strange things get picked out. For example, that I'm such a positive person who laughs a lot. That's just the way I am.

Playmate Stella: “This headwind hurt me”

Did that hurt you?

I can understand that people don't believe my good mood if they don't know me. But that's 100 percent me. This backlash hurt me. I also go to a therapist to help me deal with it better. Today I see it more distantly. People don't criticize me, but the version of me that they have in their heads.

Did that influence how you wanted to present yourself as the Bachelorette?

As a Bachelorette, I can tell you a little more about myself and what kind of person I am. But I don't want to pretend.

Your followers on Instagram know you well, and you often talk about supposedly taboo topics. How did that come about?

I am a very open person and it is normal for me to talk about everything. Communication is the most important thing in any relationship. I have noticed that it enriches life to talk openly and I hope that I can make a difference by breaking the taboo. There needs to be more discussion about topics such as bisexuality, for example. Many people have not yet realized that this is something normal.

Playmate and “Bachelorette” Stella Stegmann: “I have much more experience with men, this is clearly my comfort zone”

How should we imagine the atmosphere during the filming of “The Bachelor”?

I thought it was great – a villa of my own! And I was very lucky with the cast, they were all really nice. The whole team was great!

Male and female contestants live under the same roof in your season, right?

Yes, they have a villa together. It's about getting to know me, but it's also theoretically possible that something could happen between the candidates – sure!

How do men and women differ when dating?

I have a lot more experience with men, that is definitely my comfort zone. I know how to flirt and what to do in bed. With women, it is new for me and I am getting to know myself anew. Funnily enough, with women I always think that they are definitely not interested in me. With men, I sense when something could happen. With women, I am completely overwhelmed at first. (laughs).

How exactly did this manifest itself?

I have the same body type, but every woman is different and what I like may not be the same for another woman. I felt a bit lost and thought: OK, now I understand why men have a hard time finding the clitoris or why certain things feel weird (laughs) .

How difficult is it for you to send people home without a rose?

I thought I was the perfect Bachelorette: I can see pretty quickly which candidates have potential and which don't. But then the actual situation comes up where I don't give someone a rose and I think: you've traveled to Thailand especially for the show and I'm sending you straight back home – I'm so incredibly sorry! It was really harder than I thought.

Playmate, Bachelorette… What’s next?

I like to let things come to me. First of all, I enjoy the charisma and all the fuss about it. I really wanted to host a show or try my hand at acting. And I like to challenge myself. If someone said let's go to “Ninja Warrior” next year, I would be there. And I would also take part in “Let's Dance” straight away.

Photo credit: Ana Dias

By David Goller

The original of this article “Playboy Playmate Stella: Here she talks about her bisexual experiences” comes from Playboy.