Us magazine: Josh Murray and Amanda Stanton living together

ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, August 31, 2016

I know what you're thinking: "Jesus, Rodney. You're writing another item about Josh Murray?"

I was at Walgreens picking up a prescription today and saw Us magazine featuring him and Amanda Stanton. These types of magazines love to cover "Bachelor"/"Bachelorette" folks. It was an exclusive interview with the couple. I purchased it for $4.99 (and yes, I am going to expense it.)

It provides updated info about their relationship since "Bachelor in Paradise" was taped two months ago. They have, believe it or not, stuck it out. Murray has even moved from Atlanta to Irvine, Calif. and is helping her raise her two kids from a previous marriage.

Despite being warned by at least two contestants about Andi Dorfman's accusations in her book that he is insecure, controlling and prone to anger, she was not deterred.

In the magazine interview, Murray said he had his eye on her from her season and was thrilled she was there. She also had a crush on him. They had an instant chemistry once they met in person. "He's a good listener," she toldUs. "He's easy to talk to."

Murray said he wasn't trying to deliberately ice a rival. "It's sad that's how it's being perceived," he said.

He was shocked - shocked! - Dorfman's book kept coming up. "I didn't think people would care." But for the first time I've seen, he conceded a tiny bit beyond his stock "it's fiction" line. "There's a trueness in there," he allowed," but it's twisted in such a way that makes it the worst lie possible because it's believable. I'm not perfect by any means, but I think I'm pretty decent."

Neither have read the book but he knows the basics. She said he has not been controlling - so far. And jealousy, she felt, was implicit in the way "Bachelor in Paradise" was set up. "I'm just going to be the best person I can be all the time," Murray assured. He called Nick Viall's efforts to undermine him "frustrating."

They gushed about each other. "She's a calming force," he said. "He's so dedicated and loyal," she said. "He's sweet and thoughtful and caring - it's not just something he turns on for the cameras."

It's still early in the relationship. Dorfman also loved him to pieces in the honeymoon period. We'll see if this one sticks.