- On one of the most dramatic dates of the season, Qiniso Van Damme said goodbye to childhood friend Peter Roos.
- Throughout his time on the show, the 27-year-old reminded viewers and the other men in the house of his history with the bachelorette.
- "I definitely could have done it in a much different way so that it didn't seem as desperate as it came across," says Peter.
When Peter Roos met Qiniso Van Damme on The Bachelorette SA, it was a blast from the past. The pair went to the same primary school and were in the same class in Grade 7.
However, the history they shared wasn't enough for this new journey they had embarked on.
On the most anticipated date of the season – the two-on-one – the 27-year-old had to face off with Vuyani Mashego. Qiniso told them that she did not want a yes man, and because of the way Vuyani and Peter were answering their questions during a game of 'Who is compatible with Qiniso', she needed to see how genuine they were.
The two went through a series of questions, and in the end, she saw more of a future with Vuyani. In Qiniso's mind, Peter had not shown the kind of growth she wanted to see. A very heartbroken Peter was sent home, having thought he was thrown under the bus by Vuyani.
WATCH IT HERE:
In this Q&A, we ask Peter about his rocky time in the house with the other men, find out if he has kept in touch with Qiniso, and ask him if he would ever go on a dating reality show again.
Going into the two-on-one date, how were you feeling about where you stood with Qiniso?
Initially, I felt very confident, but as the evening progressed, self-doubt kicked in, and I had a feeling that night could be the night I go home.
Qiniso told you that Vuyani said you weren't showing your true self. Gareth also said the same thing about you, and many other men also felt that way. Why do you think the men thought you weren't your true self?
I understood why they could have thought so because as cameras turned off, so did I to process what was going on. As you could see in previous episodes, this wasn't an easy process for me, so I internalised all my feelings and pushed away from the group.
Who do you think is playing the game, and maybe not showing their true colours?
I honestly cannot comment on that as I tried to focus on myself as much as possible, so I never allowed myself to be concerned with what the other men in the house were up to.
How did seeing the other guys react to Vuyani getting the rose and returning to the mansion make you feel?
Watching it back, it was very understandable. As you could see most of the guy's energies didn't resonate with my serious side, but I don't take it personally at all. Vuyani has an amazing persona that connected with the other guys very well.
You told the other men that this was serious business at several cocktail parties, but they felt like you were taking things too seriously. Do you feel like you were? Would you have changed that approach?
Now, absolutely yes, I agree with them. I am naturally a happy-go-lucky type of guy. Still, unfortunately, in a competitive and stressful environment, my serious side took over. Still, I wouldn't change a thing because I've learnt more about myself from this process than at any other time in my life.
Throughout the show, you brought up your history with Qiniso; at one point, she even said that you should focus on getting to know her from this point. In hindsight, do you feel that maybe knowing her was perhaps a disadvantage going into this show?
In many cases, yes and no. I've realised I have zero game, so I reverted to a default setting of 'Oh ok, let's talk about our past.'
In the mansion and on social media from viewers, you received some critique about bringing up your history with Qiniso too many times. Do you think that this could have been misinterpreted?
What the public interprets is out of my control, but I definitely could have done it in a much different way so that it didn't seem as desperate as it came across. I just have to say social media was merciless, so thank you to the public for teaching me that lesson! All good banter at the end of the day, though.
You told Qiniso that you still wanted to be friends. Has that changed, or have you stayed in touch?
I still feel that she is an amazing human, but unfortunately, once you leave the house, you are left in the dark about what's going on. Hopefully, once the show has come to an end, I can keep what I said and have an amazing friendship.
How did the experience change your outlook on love and dating?
It just put me in the mind frame of 'Be yourself, and your person will find you!'
You've entered a dating show before; are you still open to trying to find love on TV?
Social media has slammed me on this one as well, so that's a definite no… maybe.
WATCH A TEASER FOR EPISODE 11 HERE:
The Bachelorette SA airs Thursdays at 19:30 on M-Net (DStv 101)