In August 2026, five years after the finale of the ninth season of "The Bachelor," the name of Yulia Belchenko — known to viewers as "Bunny" — remains one of the most recognizable in the Ukrainian reality TV space. Her story is not just a romantic saga with Mykhailo Zalyvakha, but a complex path of transformation: from a girl in a bunny costume to a public figure whose actions regularly become a topic of discussion in the media and social networks.
From the bunny costume to the finale: the favorite's path
Yulia Belchenko entered the project in 2021 with a bright, memorable image — in a huge bunny costume, holding a basket of carrots. This move proved to be genius: Mykhailo Zalyvakha immediately noticed her, and viewers quickly made her their favorite. Already on the first individual date, he admitted that he felt light and comfortable next to her. Yulia was simple, sincere, and a bit naive — exactly the qualities the "bachelor" valued.
However, the path to the finale was not smooth. Yulia found herself on the verge of elimination several times, once even leaving the project, but Mykhailo brought her back. In the ninth episode, she took the opportunity to join someone else's date — this caused an outburst of emotions among the participants, but Mykhailo took her side. The finale was an emotional explosion: Mykhailo admitted that there was a strong sympathy between them, but not love. He chose Anna Bohdan, and Yulia left in tears.
Behind the scenes: the real life of a participant
After the show, Yulia revealed details of life during filming: phones were unavailable, contact with relatives was only through the editor, and household chores — cleaning, laundry, cooking — were done independently. Off-camera, she faced tense relationships with other participants. In the studio "Life After the Project," they discussed whether this was bullying. The audience, for the most part, supported "Bunny".
Before participating in the show, Yulia studied in Kyiv, then continued her education in Poland. She worked in tourism, a beauty salon, a museum, as well as a cashier and in production — sometimes for two shifts in a row. In parallel, she participated in beauty contests: she became a finalist of "Miss Kyiv" and "Miss Ukraine Universe" in 2019.
Staged wedding: provocation or personal experiment?
In the summer of 2021, Yulia found herself in the spotlight again — in a photo in a wedding dress next to TV host Bohdan Yusipchuk. They exchanged rings, positioning themselves as newlyweds. Subscribers decided that she got married. But a few days later it became known: this was a staging — the opening of a new wedding location in Kyiv.
Yulia explained: she wanted to try on the role of a bride, to see what her real wedding day might look like. Bohdan, in turn, admitted that in this way he tried to overcome the fear of getting married. Not all subscribers appreciated this step — many criticized it as manipulation or an attempt to attract attention.
Contradictory data
There are discrepancies in the interpretation of events surrounding Yulia. On the one hand, Mykhailo Zalyvakha noted that in Instagram she looked "glossy" and detached, while in person she was simple and modest. On the other hand, her actions after the show (staged wedding, active media activity) create an image of a person striving for publicity. Some sources indicate that her popularity after the project was due not only to the viewers' sympathy, but also to the ability to work with images. Others insist that her sincerity and vulnerability were key factors in her success.
Where is Yulia now? (as of August 2026)
To date, Yulia Belchenko continues to remain in the public eye. She runs an active blog, collaborates with brands, participates in interviews, and occasionally appears in reality projects. Her story has become a symbol of how a reality show can change a person's life — not only in a romantic, but also in a professional sense. Despite the criticism, she has retained a loyal audience that values her for her openness and ability to be herself.
