Madeleine West has recalled the first time she was intimate after splitting from her partner of 13 years, admitting she was “terrified” about the experience.
Madeleine West has admitted her first sexual encounter after 13 years in a relationship was far from perfect.
The former Neighbours star and mother-of-six told Mamamia’s No Filter podcast she was “terrified” to get intimate with a new partner following her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett in 2018.
Her main concern was that there’d be expectations surrounding her “performance” in the bedroom given her raunchy scenes past TV shows including Underbelly and Playing for Keeps.
“I’ve done a billion sex scenes for work, and yet I was terrified,” she revealed.
“(After separating from Shannon) I started to envision how to perform like a woman half my age. Will they Google me, see the type of TV shows I’ve done and expect me to be like that highly performative sex scene?” she explained.
Recalling her first sexual encounter following her break-up from Bennett, West admitted it “wasn’t great”.
However, it did give her the benefit of a “really important realisation” about how to approach her sex life.
“I am my sexiest when I am just being me. I’ve birthed six children, I look after my body, I’ve worked hard in life – and ever since that realisation, I’ve enjoyed it ever since,” she said.
Elsewhere in the wide-ranging interview, West confirmed reports she is now happily dating Byron Bay environmentalist Maximo Bottaro, who she met while volunteering for his environmental organisation ReForest Now.
The loved-up couple first sparked romance rumours back in 2020 when they were pictured kissing on a beach, with West now opening up about what attracted her to Bottaro.
“The way he carried himself was so attractive. Seeing his passion and self-belief was key,” she said, adding that he was unaware of her TV fame.
“He knew absolutely nothing about me. Why would you think you’d find an actor who is associated with wealth and luxury standing on the side of muddy rainforest hill, wearing work boots and ready to muck in?”
West and Vue de monde head chef Bennett, who is known for regular appearances on MasterChef, announced their split in September 2018 after 13 years together. At the time, West had said having six children and “two high-pressure careers’ had put a strain on their relationship over time”.
The former couple share Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux.
Shortly after announcing their break-up, the pair became the source of rumours they were getting back together when they were snapped kissing in Byron Bay.
In February last year, however, the former couple seemed to be separated for good after selling their luxurious renovated Melbourne mansion for more than $23 million.
The minimalist-designed home features a 10-car garage, home theatre, gym, library, kitchen updated with Miele appliances by brand ambassador Bennett, and a rooftop garden with a second kitchen.
Originally published as Madeleine West confirms new beau, opens up about sex life after split
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