An unlikely friendship has formed on an Australian reality show.
Entering its fifth season, Models and Nerds has billed itself as “the social experiment between two different sets of people: glamourous female models and high-IQ male nerds.” Though critics have said its spent most of the run exploiting the obvious stereotypes of both groups for easy ratings. And the show’s attempts to manufacture romance has failed due to lack of compatibility, with most couples breaking up after the show’s filming had finished.
In at attempt to spice things up, the new season has featured one ‘male Model’ and one ‘female Nerd’. And that’s where Trent and Peter met.
A personal trainer and former junior rugby league player (for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters), Trent was expecting to ‘bond’ with most of the female models, while Peter – who has a physics degree and works in IT for the NSW State Government. They hit it off immediately.
“Pete was talking to me during a break in filming about wanting to get fitter for his new cricket season, and the friendship sparked from there,” said Trent.
With Peter showing he was serious about improving his fitness, he and Trent spent every morning doing running and other fitness drills around the set.
They’ve also bonded over their mutual love of rugby league.
“The only bad thing about Peter is he’s a Parra fan, where I support the mighty Easts Roosters!” said Trent. “He can’t help having a s*** taste in footy teams!”
Pete has enjoyed the unexpected friendship. “I may have a brain in my head, but I’m not some pathetic nerd obsessed with fantasy or sci-fi rubbish. I love the mighty Eels and have been playing cricket for 20 years. Trent’s cool. He looks like a jock, but he’s not a d***head about it, even though he’s a filthy Easts fan!”
Though the friendship has proven distracting for Pete, as he’s shown little interest in the challenges in the show. “My Model partner is nice, but she’s way out of my league. I’ve spent my time talking my boy Trent up to her. I’m sure they’ve had some ‘fun’ off-set, but that’s none of my business. I’m happily single and don’t need a manufactured ‘relationship’ with a model that’s only going to end in tears anyway.”
Trent and Peter have promised to keep in touch after the show’s finished, having already connected on various social media sites and WhatsApp.
“Trenty and I are going to go to a few footy games after all this is done. And he’s going to keep up with my training and come watch some of my cricket games when the new season starts. He’s a good egg.”
