Gabby Windey Says She Wasn't 'Actively Trying to Hide' Relationship with Her Girlfriend (Exclusive)

The former ‘Bachelor’ star is dating Robby Hoffman

When Gabby Windey came out in August and revealed she was dating girlfriend Robby Hoffman, her friends and family already knew. “We were out in our private lives. Our friends and family knew, so we didn’t actively try to hide anything,” the ex Bachelor the star told PEOPLE exclusively at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on Friday.

“It’s just nice to be open about it and be able to just be who we are and celebrate our relationship,” she continued.

Added Windey, who walked hand-in-hand with Hoffman — a TV writer and comedian — at the event: “We were so excited in private, and now it’s like we all just want an excuse to celebrate and be happy, so we have to be in public and be able to be proud on that.”

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Gabby Windey.

David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Who is Gabby Windey’s girlfriend? All about Robby Hoffman

Before dating Hoffman, Windey completed her 2022 season Bachelor engaged to Erich Schwer, but they later broke up that November.

During the performance at View this summer Windey announced her new relationship.

“I always just want to live my truth and my story,” she said on the show. “And so I’ve been seeing someone for a few months and I’ve kept it a little more private because it’s like a bigger story and a bigger conversation, because I’m dating a girl!”

Windey later went Instagram official with Hoffman, sharing a collection of photos of them together with the cheeky caption, “I told you I’m a girl!!”

Gabby Windey, Robby Hoffman.

Amy Sussman/Getty; Gabby Windey/Instagram

Ex-Bachelor Gabby Windey Reveals She’s Dating A Woman: ‘I Told You I’m A Girl!’

Continuing to speak with PEOPLE, Windey said she’s excited to keep up with Bachelor franchises, especially upcoming ones The Golden Bachelorwho will act 72-year-old Gerry Turner.

“I’ll be watching closely. I feel like everyone is really excited to watch, and we’re right there with them,” she said.

“I think it will be interesting to watch,” Windey added. “I mean, I get nervous because of all the old ladies and the drama, but other than that, I think it’s something we’ve never seen before, which is why people are so excited.”

The Golden Bachelor premieres September 28 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

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