Harry Jowsey's Emotional Pivot: From Playboy to Husband Material
You can call Harry Jowsey many things: Reality star. Model. Influencer. Serial dater. Even “lovable idiot,” which is how he described himself in a recent sit-down with Us in L.A. Just don’t call him a f***boy. “It couldn’t be more inaccurate,” says the handsome 29-year-old, who became a fixture on the reality TV dating show circuit with memorable stints on Heartbreak Island Australia, Too Hot to Handle, Match Me If You Can and Perfect Match. At least not anymore. “In the past I leaned very much into it,” allows Jowsey, “then I realized that’s not me.”
After earning a reputation for being a charming but arguably toxic womanizer — the superfit 6-foot-5 Aussie native has been accused of love-bombing and manipulative behavior in the past — Jowsey says he’s putting his bad boy persona behind him as he gears up for his husband era. (Yes, we said husband.)
“I haven’t [always] shown up in the most respectful ways [but] I’m almost 30. You’ve gotta wrap it up at some point,” he says. Jowsey’s putting his money where his mouth is with Let’s Marry Harry, an eight-episode Bachelor-inspired Netflix series debuting Aug. 5, in which three of his closest confidantes (good friends Sonny Henty and Amanda Kloots and ex Georgia Hassarati) help pick his potential future bride from a pool of 20 women, culminating in a wedding. (At least, that’s the plan.) “If you watch the show, you’ll see I’m ready,” he says, noting that his father’s 2024 death from a terminal illness was a wake-up call. “It made me pivot on who I want to be and who I want to present to the world.”
Of course, the odds of Jowsey retreating to the Outback and quietly settling into married life are slim. His reality TV playboy arc has propelled him to undeniable celebritydom: He launched his popular “Boyfriend Material” podcast in 2024, competed on season 32 of Dancing With the Stars and currently has 4.7 million Instagram followers. He’s also an entrepreneur and the cofounder of Pash, the skincare line he launched in May 2025, and has ambitions to conquer Hollywood (he’s already had small roles in the Netflix rom-com The Wrong Paris and the drama Billy Knight). “My biggest dream is to be a Will Ferrell or Kevin Hart,” Jowsey tells Us. “Obviously I’m not anywhere near as funny or talented, but I love making people happy. That’s always been my purpose.”
First things first: Why try to find a wife on a reality show? Why not meet someone at the grocery store?
That’s never worked for me. I could go on Raya or DM someone, but then I have the distractions of real life. On Let’s Marry Harry, I’m locked in a house without my phone with these incredible women who signed up to marry me. They know everything about my life, and they’re like, “I want to stand ten toes down with this guy — and do it on Netflix.” Why would I say no to that?
Some critics say you’re not really ready to settle down and simply want more screen time. How do you respond to them?
Unfortunately, my whole dating life has been on these shows, and there have been versions of myself that have been played up and exaggerated to get a reaction out of people so I could book the next show, right? But the best thing about that is you watch the show back a year later with everyone’s thoughts and opinions. I’m grateful I made so many mistakes to learn from [so I could] become the best version of myself. When I started this experience, I was like, “I’m not doing any of that. I want everyone to [leave] this with the best feeling ever.” I understand the criticism, and I’d probably join them. But if they see the show, they might have a different [take].
How did losing your dad change the way you feel about dating and love?
Being with my dad as he passed and having a final conversation with him saying, “I wish you could meet my children,” was such a humanizing experience. [I was like,] “This is something I’ve neglected and something I need to put energy and time into.” Losing anyone is difficult, but [because it was] my dad, it just made me go, “[Let’s get a] bit more serious about love and life.” I love love, and we all get lonely, so it’s time.
It put a fire under you…
Yeah. I was happy to coast and do whatever, but seeing my sisters with their husbands being rock solid for them and their kids being the best distraction [from the] grief was special. Everyone has a moment where it clicks, and unfortunately mine was my dad dying.
Your parents divorced and had a tumultuous relationship. Do you think that affected your love life?
I thought that maybe [love] needs friction, but as I went on these shows and grew up, I was like, “Oh, that’s actually not OK, and that does not make me feel good.” In my early 20s, it was like, “If you’re not yelling at me, maybe something’s wrong.” My dad’s [relationship] with my mom was the most amazing love that he’s ever felt, [and I thought,] “Did I also let go of my [great] love?” Then I saw a psychic medium, and she said, “Dad wants you to know your love story is a lot different than his.” I’m like, “Thank God.” But at the end of the day, [my parents] achieved so much together.
You mentioned loneliness. Has that been an issue for you?
I have a lot of friends and followers, and people think I’m [always] with them. But I’m at a weird point being in L.A. where my family’s far away and my friends are busy with work or they want to go out all the time, and that’s not who I am. I’ve always been excited about having a wife and a best friend and [someone with whom] I get to travel and live life.
Tell Us about your first day filming Let’s Marry Harry.
I was really nervous. I had to essentially speed-date everyone. The adrenaline was high.
These women have seen you on other shows.
They’ve seen a version of me online that was good enough for them to be excited about, but I also have to show them who I really am. That’s how dating has been anyway, where it’s like, “I saw this TikTok of you,” or “I saw you on Perfect Match.” It’s not like I was doing something cool or playing Spider-Man or like I’m a musician; it’s like, “That guy got drunk on some dating shows and was a bit crazy.” Hopefully we can move into a new era.
The cameras were rolling when you returned to New Zealand for the first time since losing your dad. How was that?
[First] I was like, “It’s so beautiful, and we get to show people our world,” but as the plane hit the ground, [the] tears [came] and I couldn’t breathe. There was a moment on the beach when I asked production to give me a day because that was where my dad and I last hung out. I was on a rock begging for a sign from him. It was the most raw I’ve ever been.
Were you having a panic attack?
For sure. I knew we’d pass the hospital where my dad had his last moments and go to my sister’s house where we had his body for a week. On top of all that, it’s like, “Oh, I have to marry one of these girls, and I’m going to break one of their hearts.” It was so scary, but [also] such a champagne problem.
Was there a moment you wanted to leave the show?
There was one where I was at my wit’s end [over] the pressure of having all these people there — the cast, the crew, my family. I’ve never introduced the world to my sisters or their kids because I don’t want them to have to deal with the consequences of my career.
Did this experience change the way you act in relationships?
It made me be better at communicating my feelings and reevaluate relationships and go, “Is this love [or] lust?” Which I only just figured out. And moving forward, it’s only one person forever and no lying. It’s my rule. I haven’t shown up in the most respectful way in the past, and a big part of that is me being flirty or saying crazy things to get a reaction. My level now is respectful. No being flirty and no being naughty.
During one episode, you got upset after someone questioned if you were putting on a show for the cameras. Why did that bother you so much?
In the past, that [was] correct — I [was] doing it for the camera. That [was] my job, to be on camera and be crazy. But this show is purely me. This is what my dad wanted, and I want to make him proud. I want to leave this experience with my person, ready to close this dating chapter and move into my family chapter. For someone to question that, I [felt] like I [wasn’t] doing enough. Like, I’m being me. I don’t want to be an amplified version of myself. I don’t want to be a playboy. I don’t want to be naughty. I just want to be myself.
How did you feel about your friends deciding who stays and who goes?
It was difficult. I was like, “These are all great people. Let’s just keep everyone and start a big family! [Twenty on one], who wouldn’t want that?” [Laughs.] But I would’ve been even more confused [without them]. There were moments where I was like, “I don’t understand that [decision],” but I was also like, “I trust you guys, and maybe you’re seeing things that I’m not seeing.” My brain is not as good as their three brains together.
Tell Us about your connection with Amanda Kloots.
Amanda is one of the most incredible, powerful humans I’ve ever met. She navigates grief and talks about it with so much grace, and her son [Elvis, 7] is the coolest kid ever. [Kloots’ husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, passed away from Covid in 2020.] If anyone ever meets Amanda, you want to be her best friend. She didn’t really have a choice. I was like, “I’m gonna be stuck by you forever because you’re a big ball of golden light.”
You and Georgia broke up amid cheating allegations. How did she get involved in the show?
When my dad had passed, she was one of the handful of people who reached out. And when we sat down again after all these years, we laughed about all the things [that happened].
Alex Cooper is an EP on this show, and you guys are close — and she’s expecting her first child!
I’m not the father! [Laughs.]
Did you get Alex and her husband a gift?
I haven’t because I don’t know what the gender is [or] when it’s coming. Also, what do you get someone who has everything? Maybe I could get them a nanny, but I probably can’t afford their nannies!
There are definitely some intimate moments on the show. Did you set any limits for yourself with that?
I didn’t want to kiss everyone, but it’s hard not to. After a little tequila, everyone’s a bit flirty. One of the girls on Love Island [Kenzie Annis] said, “A kiss is like a handshake,” so that’s the approach I’m taking.
You talk about not wanting to “love bomb” any of the women…
It’s not love-bombing if you continue to do it all the time and that’s how you’re showing up. If there’s no weight behind it and you’re just saying stuff to hook up, that’s the worst, and I’ve been very guilty of that in the past. It’s not very nice to be intimate with someone and be like, “I love you so much,” and then say, “I don’t mean that, it just feels nice because we’ve had a couple tequilas.” I was fully like, “This is not who I want to be.”
What was your mindset toward the end of the show?
I had to make the hardest decision. During the final nights, I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want to hurt anyone or break anyone’s heart. I was spiraling. I was like, “This is meant to be the coolest thing ever, but it’s at the expense of someone else.” The younger version of myself would’ve been like “Whatever, who cares?” It was heavy. Great for TV but horrible for me.
Your July 2023 episode of “Call Her Daddy” is called “From F***boy to Marriage Material.” How do you feel about the F-word label?
It’s an interesting part of my early 20s, and it’s hard to not be branded as that because that’s what I was doing. I realized people don’t like that, and I get it, but it’s also part of my history. If I was a straight arrow this whole time, how boring would that be? Life would suck. Always being good is not OK. Making mistakes and correcting yourself [creates] the best life ever. I’m glad I was a naughty sausage in the past because it makes you a better sausage in the future.
Is that the biggest misconception about you?
Probably. You see these shows, and it’s 10 minutes from three days of filming, and they want the juiciest, craziest stuff, and that’s been the hardest thing to clear up, like, “Oh no, that was cut or moved for [the] show.” It’s also my fault because if I didn’t do or say stuff, they wouldn’t have put it in.
How would you describe yourself?
A lovable idiot is what I am at my core. We’re always evolving. I’m happiest when I’m around people I adore and [having] real-life experiences and traveling. But I could eat a sandwich from Erewhon and be like, “ This is exactly what I need.” Or I could have a good night’s sleep and be like, “Wow, this is great.” It changes every day.
If playing the field no longer fulfills you, what does?
Having your person. Knowing that there’s an understanding ear and someone with good advice and a way better brain than mine. Hookup culture is so silly and played out. I was a veteran in that space, but now it’s so lame. Having a person who’s always in your corner and wants to make your life better is the most fulfilling thing.
What’s your love language?
I love giving everything I have and putting it all [out there]. Worst case scenario is they go, “[That’s] a bit much.” Best case scenario, they go, “Wow, I really needed to hear that.”
What about your dream date?
Having dinner is always appreciated, but I like a date where you’re doing something together, like going on an African safari or taking a pottery class where we’re not sitting still having a stare at each other.
Do you feel ready to become a dad?
I think so. My sisters have about 12 kids between them and watching them grow up is incredible. It’s literally all I think about. It would make me the happiest person ever. When I was with my dad, the thing I was most disappointed about was that everyone had a family they could show [him]. I bought a car with screens in the back, but I realized babies won’t be using screens and by the time they’ll be [old enough] I’ll have a different car. I had a Lamborghini Urus and then I was like, “Let’s get a Range Rover with screens in the back” [but I have] no kids. So stupid. [Laughs.]
What kind of father do you think you’ll be?
I’d hope I’m the coolest dad. And a hot dad. A DILF. I’m aging like a glass of milk over here, so I need to get ready to rock before I fall apart.
Were you looking for someone who would make a great mom on Let’s Marry Harry?
For sure. I don’t want to be with you if you’re not ready for that. It’s the biggest thing in the back of my head.
We know you can’t spoil the ending but… are you happy?
I’m the best I’ve ever been. Everything that I’ve dreamed of is happening.
You have reality TV, your podcast and your Pash skincare line. What else do you want to accomplish?
I want to do a Christmas album and a movie with Kevin Hart. I’d love to [get into acting]. There’s a Netflix movie called The Wrong Paris [and] I have four seconds in that. The goal is [to make movies] that make you laugh and make you feel good.
Where do you hope to be five years from now?
Raising a family between L.A. and Australia. I hope I bought that car for a good reason, and that everything evolves into what it’s meant to be.
Interview conducted by Katie Krause Mork
For more on Harry Jowsey, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us — on newsstands now.
