ALEX Nation says the public scrutiny over her same-sex relationship wasn’t the challenging part of her romantic whirlwind.

The 26-year-old shocked the nation when, after winning Richie Strahan’s heart on The Bachelor in 2016, she announced she was in a relationship with her now fiancee Maegan Luxa.

But, speaking inCosmopolitan’s Pride Issue, which hits stands today, Nation said “it (the publicity) was nowhere near as challenging as coming out and being honest with myself.”

“People ask, ‘Are you gay now?’ And I say, ‘No, I’m just Alex!’”

She added: “I knew there was something special about Maegs the moment I met her. But it was a confusing time for me.”

But the mother of one, who said she always identified as pansexual, said reports her relationship was a publicity stunt had been hurtful.

“That grinds my gears. Why would I put myself through that? My life can be complicated enough as it is,” she said.

The package in Cosmopolitan celebrates 11 inspirational people including Christian Wilkins, Clover Moore, Penny Wong, Patrick Abboud and Gold Coast-based ex rugby league player Casey Conway.

Miley Cyrus, who also identifies as pansexual, features on the cover.