The Truth About Tara

Bachelorette star Sam say his relationship with Tara descended into shocking verbal and physical abuse.

- Laura Evans

For weeks Sam Cochrane has maintained a dignified silence after he split from Tara Pavlovic, the reality TV sweetheart who he sensationally proposed to on Ten’s Bachelor In Paradise. But now, after Tara publicly aired details of their “toxic” romance, Sam feels he has no choice but to speak out.

In an exclusive interview from Bali, Sam, 31, tells Woman’s Day how their once-fairytale romance spiralled into a devastating cycle of verbal and physical abuse, and he details the shocking nights Tara, 28, would punch, kick and bite him. Sam says Tara’s “excessive drinking” and the verbal abuse started just after he moved to Queensland in February.

“The first time it happened, one of her friends was visiting and I’d booked a restaurant for the four of us, but she got blackout drunk, abused me and passed out.

“It was very common for her to go out partying for long periods of time,” he tells, adding Tara’s drink of choice was bottles of wine.

“She’d call me a loser in front of friends, telling me I’m not starting my life,” says Sam, adding he had no choice – they were in hiding until the Paradise finale aired.

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