![Love & tragedy LILY'S PAINFUL JOURNEY](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/13976/412161/5e4194ecb099c/Love-S-PAINFUL-JOURNEY.jpg)
It’s not like Lily McManus to be hesitant about jumping into a crazy new adventure. But when the Celebrity Treasure Island star was invited to become one of New Zealand’s first Bachelorettes, she wondered if it was too good to be true.
The adventurous blonde has already fallen madly in love on screen once, dating fellow The Bachelor Winter Games contestant Courtney Dober, which ended in 2018. She wasn’t sure that kind of connection could happen to her again.
“I thought maybe I’d used up all my luck and there’d be no chance I could find that a second time,” confesses Auckland-based Lily, 23, who also appeared on the Zac Franich series of The Bachelor NZ. “I usually have the mentality of ‘why the hell not?’, but I guess I was overcomplicating it, not wanting to put myself through that if it wasn’t going to work.”
But a week after she received the casting call, Lily was given a devastating reminder to grasp every opportunity.
“My grandma was diagnosed with bowel cancer and given about a week to live,” shares Lily, who flew to Australia the next day.
“I was sitting on her hospital bed, explaining the show’s concept of two girls and 25 guys, and having to date them,” she recalls.
This story is from the February 17 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 17 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![TREASURE & TRAUMA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/NaUu9tTTA1726058346852/TREASURE-TRAUMA.jpg)
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
![JUDGE JAY-JAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/nRkqxT8-p1726058178893/JUDGE-JAYJAY.jpg)
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
![CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/4iSjffA1d1726057982942/CASEYS-BABY-JOY-OUR-GIRL-IS-ALREADY-SO-LOVED.jpg)
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
![DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/LyyuVq76I1726057808062/DEAD-FUNNY-SHOSHANAS-GOING-SOLO.jpg)
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
![TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/mIx-31Xfj1726057640575/TWO-RAW-SISTERS-BABY-MAKES-THREE.jpg)
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
![HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/ehr5mhbd-1726057405184/HOME-AND-AWAYS-NEW-MORI-STAR.jpg)
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
![TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/ijNDL59wY1726057183713/TV-STAR-AIDEE-THE-NIGHT-I-ALMOST-DIED.jpg)
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
![CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/Fohq6ABLy1726056951634/CARMEL-SEPULONI-IVE-ALWAYS-BEEN-A-FIGHTER.jpg)
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
![KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/5xj3PmKtz1726056579459/KENNEDY-SOLLYS-ROMANTIC-RACE-TO-THE-ALTAR.jpg)
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
![THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1826434/cxsWEmIVP1726056274964/THE-BRAD-GEORGE-SHOW-IS-BACK.jpg)
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!