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Farmer Wants A Wife’s Thomas and Clarette reveal why they stayed silent

by Rachel Choy

Farmer Wants A Wife 2025 couple Farmer Thomas Freeth and Clarette Goodhead have released a joint statement after the show finally wrapped up. The pair have been slammed on social media, with many questioning Clarette’s character. She was labelled as “jealous” and “needy” by viewers, with contestants like Daisy Lamb claiming she was given a “villain edit”.

While Clarette penned an emotional blog post about her experience on Farmer Wants A Wife recently, this is the most we’ve heard from her partner, Thomas. The couple shared a joint Instagram post showing their love story on Farmer Wants A Wife, and revealed why they refused to speak while the show aired. 

“We’ve stayed silent for a long time. But now, we’re finally able to share our story — the real story,” Thomas and Clarette wrote. “What you saw on the show wasn’t the whole picture or truth. Yes, there were challenges and tough moments. But there were also so many real, beautiful moments that didn’t make it to the screen and it’s disappointing that so much of our love story was never shown.”

The couple explained they joined the reality TV show to find love, and what they’ve found with each other has blown their expectations out of the water. “Through all the noise, we’ve stuck together, and it’s only brought us closer and made us stronger,” they said. 

“We’ve kept quiet, out of respect for the process, but now we’re ready to speak for ourselves. We’re still here. Still together. And we can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next.”

The pair finished their statement off by thanking family, friends and the FWAW community for their support during their journey. 

Farmer Thomas and Clarette with crew on Farmer Wants A Wife 2025
A behind the scenes snap from Farmer Wants A Wife. Image: Instagram

Thomas and Clarette receive an outpouring of support

Fans, friends and former Farmer Wants A Wife contestants flooded the comment section with supportive messages, with one saying they are “perfect for each other”.

“It has been uncomfortable to watch how you have been portrayed on TV. I’m so glad that despite the way you were treated, you have obviously found love in Clarette. Onwards and upwards now,” another said. 

“So very happy for you both! Hate the drama the producers insist on pushing and so hope they get the message no one wins. Not y’all on the show. Nor the viewers or them. It’s horrible. I always hang out to hear what everyone says when they are free to speak out again! Would’ve loved to have seen your story told more truthfully but knowing you pushed through, grew closer and are going strong is so lovely to hear! All the very best for your future together,” a third wrote.

“Looking forward to seeing your real love story and what’s next for you both,” former contestant Tess Brookman added.

“Wishing you both love and happiness. No matter how they put a spin on things one thing was blatantly obvious, and that was the fact that the two of you had fallen in love. I am so happy for the both of you,” another wrote.

Now that Clarette and Thomas control their social media, hopefully, we’ll hear more from these two lovebirds. 

You can watch Farmer Wants A Wife on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Stranded on Honeymoon Island’s Mike responds to Amy’s claims he’s a misogynist: ‘Uncalled for’

by Danica Baker

Stranded on Honeymoon Island kicked off with a dramatic bang, with Amy Dickinson accusing her new husband, Mike Dawes, of being a misogynist.

After the couple settled in on their remote island, Amy took to her wedding dress with scissors to make it easier to walk around on the beach, and shortly after, their first fight kicked off.

“There’s been a lot of things that you’ve done that have made me uncomfortable, belittled, the alpha male, the dominance, I’ve felt an underlying misogyny from you,” Amy said in the episode.

“When we’re cutting the wedding dress, [you said] less is more, like I’m not a piece of meat.”

Mike was visibly shaken, claiming that he’s never been called a misogynist in his life.

“I’m not a bad dude. I’m just trying to be chivalrous. Try and look after your girl; that’s what a man should do,” he said on camera.

Mike and Amy arguing on Stranded on Honeymoon Island. Image: Seven.
Mike and Amy arguing on Stranded on Honeymoon Island. Image: Seven.

Stranded on Honeymoon Island’s Mike responds to Amy’s misogyny claims

Mike told Chattr that he was shocked that Amy came for him without even getting to know what he’s really like.

“That was not nice. I don’t like that at all,” he said of Amy’s comment. “I think it’s unfair. It was so uncalled for.”

“I got brought up with [that] it’s a man’s job to make a woman feel loved, and in turn, she will respect you. So hearing that at that time on that island, I was so upset because I’m not those things.

“I mean, I’ve only known her for 24 hours, she doesn’t even know my last name yet. Cut me some slack, let’s get to know each other.”

Mike added that while he was offended by Amy’s accusations, he is comfortable with the man that he is, and said the people in his life know that he treats women with respect.

“And to be fair, it doesn’t make any sense, because I’ve been nothing on the show thus far for the first two episodes, than just be nice and try to do things for her. So it was a little bit unwarranted.”

“Anyone who knows me knows that that’s not me at all. Anyone who has dated me before knows that that’s not me at all”

Amy and Mike. Image: Seven.
Amy and Mike. Image: Seven.

How Mike felt about Amy’s response at the wedding

All of the Stranded on Honeymoon Island contestants attended a speed dating event in the first episode, where they met a group of potential grooms. Then, the powers that be matched them up with their Stranded on Honeymoon Island partner.

When Amy first saw her husband-to-be at the beach wedding, she said she was “disappointed” in a producer-led interview.

Mike told Chattr that Amy’s unhappiness was evident in person and said that her reaction hurt him.

“No one wants to feel that person wants to feel rejected. So that was tough,” he said.

“I was just real confused, and I’m like shit. I’m already feeling alone in this thing, and now someone who doesn’t really want me to be there, and I’m feeling even more alone. I mean, look, she was probably going through lots, too. I was going through lots as well,” he added.

“It’s real. So, I’ll give it credit [for that] at least, if that’s how she felt, that’s how she felt.”

It sounds like we’re going to have some drama between Amy and Mike this season!

Honeymoon Island airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Dean Wells’ fiancée Aimee Woolley makes allegations against current MAFS star

by CHATTR Team

It seems like Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2025 finished a million years ago, but the drama is still continuing off-screen. According to Beauty and the Geek star Aimee Woolley, a current MAFS cast member approached her during an event and said some questionable things. 

She told her fans about the uncomfortable encounter on an Instagram story, saying this has never happened to her before. 

“Out of nowhere, this one person comes up to me and says they want to absolutely destroy me in the (pause) room, and how gorgeous and stunning I am, and how they love my white teeth and blonde hair, and they just kept obsessing over me,” she claimed.

“It was really, really, really strange behaviour. I’ve never had something, or someone, be that obsessed with me. It was weird. And this person is well known, they are a MAFS participant on the current season, and it’s just absolutely disgusting.”

MAFS' Dean Wells and Aimee Woolley.
Dean Wells and Aimee Woolley. Image: Instagram

While the reality TV star didn’t name the Married At First Sight contestant she was referring to, her fiancé and former MAFS star Dean Wells alleged it could be Ryan Donnelly. 

“Just after that [Ryan] was saying super creepy shit to my fiancee,” Dean claimed on an Instagram post. “Funny how he waited for me to walk away before doing it too. Isn’t he supposed to be a ‘warrior’??”

Aimee tells Chattr she felt the behaviour from the MAFS star “crossed the line” and needed to be “called out”, which is why she made her Instagram story. “At the start of the night, he went up to Dean acting like they were best mates,” she claims. “[Once] Dean had walked off, [he] said he would destroy me in the bedroom and I deserve better… it is disturbing and disgusting to talk to an engaged woman like this.”

She also claims she has a “witness” who was with her.

MAFS fans call out ‘inappropriate’ behaviour

After the popular Instagram account MAFS Uncensored shared Aimee’s video, fans shared their outrage in the comments.

“Eww so inappropriate. Stay safe,” one person said.

“Ew… do blokes really think women want to be spoken to like that? Or has someone been watching too much [porn]?” another asked.

“This is now three women who have publicly come out with an issue with Ryan and people are still trying to say that Jacqui [Burfoot] was the problem,” a third pointed out.

With Ryan currently fighting Jacqui in court after he took out an AVO against her, the issues surrounding the groom are going to continue to swirl.

Chattr has reached out to Ryan for comment.

You can stream Married At First Sight on 9Now.

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Billion Dollar Playground Episode 7: Heatwaves, champagne, and meltdowns

by Dilek Saticieli

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being part of Billion Dollar Playground, it’s that no matter how carefully you plan your luxury experience, life has a way of throwing curveballs. In Episode 2, my group’s superyacht experience was cancelled due to a massive storm — it may not have shown on screen but I was truly disappointed. But in Episode 7, it wasn’t rain that tested the crew — it was a full-blown Sydney heatwave. And with a new group of demanding guests, the crew had their hands full.

The episode kicked off with the crew arriving at the heritage-listed estate of Sunny Brae in Vaucluse. With its harbour views, grand piano and chandeliers, the property screamed “old money” charm.

Grace stepped into the lead concierge role, eager to prove herself — but not everyone was thrilled. Jasmin was worried about losing her job and JB wasn’t happy with Grace’s leadership style. His dry remark that she was as a bit of a ‘dictator’ set the tone for their ongoing clashes.

team meeting on billion dollar playground
The cast in a team meeting. Image: Binge.

Grace dismissed JB’s initial concerns about the heat — the house wasn’t fully air-conditioned due to heritage restrictions. JB doubted her belief that a breeze would do the trick. 

The guests arrive – and so does the drama

The guests, led by Serena who was celebrating 25 years in business, arrived via luxury yacht, sipping champagne and giggling with excitement. Unlike my group — who kept things classy and subtle — these ladies were overtly flirty and unfiltered. They immediately fawned over JB and Jay, who were sent to greet them at the dock — a role usually reserved for Heaven. Heaven was furious at being sidelined and handed toilet-cleaning duties instead, “I know luxury. I know powerful women. This is my job,” she protested on camera.

Girls just want to have fun

This group loves to party and they made it clear they want an endless supply of champagne and drinks. They also enjoy flirting and it’s hilarious to watch throughout the episode. As they watch Matt prepping in the garden one of them offers to hold his coconuts. Later another one asks if George if would like to splash around the pool with them. 

Heatwave turns up the pressure

With temperatures soaring above 38°C, the lack of cooling became a major problem. The guests — used to nothing short of five-star perfection — began to complain, and rightly so. Grace finally conceded ‘sweating is not luxury’ and sent Jay and Heaven on a last-minute fan hunt, but fan supplies were wiped out across Sydney. Grace’s earlier gamble meant losing part of her team during dinner service, but she had no choice.

Romance blooms: Nicole and Matt make it official

Meanwhile, Nicole and Matt’s slow-burn flirting and budding romance became official. They snuck off for a breakfast date, and Nicole revealed on camera that he was her first boyfriend. Their chemistry was undeniable, and those romantic flashbacks were genuinely sweet. 

Sensory dinner surprise

The dinner that night was a sensory experience — ocean trout caught by the chefs themselves, storytelling, ambient sounds, and a magical garden setup. Guests were enchanted. But just as the magic settled in, the fan situation reignited with the guests getting very vocal.

When Jay and Heaven finally returned, they showed up with a few tiny fans. Grace knew they weren’t going to pacify the irate guests but tried her best to convince them it would be OK. One guest pulled Grace aside and threatened to leave and check into a hotel if the situation wasn’t fixed. Grace panicked, “If these guests head out to a hotel, it’s game over for me”.

guest sit down to dinner on Billion Dollar Playground
Things begin to heat up. Image: Binge.

Musical chairs

The next day Heaven took the ladies to a waterfront fine dining Australian experience at Berowra Waters Inn. What started as a lovely experience turned into a fiasco, with the ladies demanding a different room then playing musical chairs back and forth — Heaven tried her best to keep her cool. Not sure how she didn’t crack.

More drama than an opera drag show

Heaven surprised the ladies’ garden dinner with a drag queen’s operatic performance that brought some lighthearted fun and elegance. But it wasn’t enough to mask the tensions as one guest completely lost her shit.

The fans Grace had finally sourced were industrial – dusty, greasy, and very loud. The guest ranted that the fans were too loud, threatening to leave if the situation wasn’t fixed. “Unless I wear industrial-strength headphones, I can’t sleep!” she exclaimed, eventually storming off mid-meal to confront Grace. JB and Jasmine, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t hide their satisfaction at Grace’s unravelling.

Next week’s teaser: Jay the stripper?!

The preview for next week’s finale shows Grace taking “guest satisfaction” to a whole new level as it shows the ladies in fancy sports cars, floating breakfast in the pool, and a guest making an indecent request – asking Grace to organise a stripper.  Grace is seen telling Jay he’ll be the stripper for the night. I literally gasped. Jasmin and JB were equally shocked, calling it “tacky” and “super unprofessional”. Jasmin is seen stressed and worried as Alex returns to announce who will lead the concierge team. I can’t wait to see how the season will end next week!

Stream Billion Dollar Playground on Binge.

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Major twist for Farmer Wants A Wife 2026 angers fans

by Rachel Choy

There’s a new twist being introduced for Farmer Wants A Wife 2026, and some fans are furious. The reality TV show has upped the ante over the past few years, making storylines more dramatic and MAFS-like. From the Honesty Box challenge to introducing intruders, it seems like Channel Seven is chasing ratings like never before.

Casting for Farmer Wants A Wife 2026 is now well underway, and it appears the Aussie show could be including Farmers from across the ditch. Producers approached a popular Facebook group called NZ Farming, which has over 261,000 followers, to make a callout for any interested Kiwi farmers.

“Been having a yarn with our mates across the ditch that make Farmer Wants A Wife, and they want to cast their nets wider to find the most eligible bachelors here in New Zealand. Head to the website to find out more or to dob in a hard-working friend that needs a nudge in the right direction,” the post reads.

The post has had over 500 comments, with many Kiwis tagging farmers who could be perfect for the show. But do Aussies actually want to see some Kiwis flooding in with their sheep? And logistically, how would that work?

Farmer Wants A Wife Australia advertisement for NZ New Zealand screenshot from Facebook
The Facebook post about Farmer Wants A Wife looking for NZ participants. Image: Facebook

Fans criticise Farmer Wants A Wife NZ twist

Some fans have slammed the new twist, with one saying Kiwis should start Farmer Wants A Wife New Zealand if they’re so desperate to jump on board.

“Farmer Wants A Wife is all about ‘Aussie farmers’, let’s keep it right here. I say no to New Zealanders; they can start one of their own over there. Gosh, leave something for just us Aussies FFS,” they said.

“They need to employ country people to scout, not city people. That’s the problem. City people have no idea. Go to the country bars and races… there’s stacks [in Australia], they’re just looking in the wrong places,” another added.

Farmer Wants A Wife 2025 Georgie Lavery and Farmer Tom at the reunion
Will we also be getting some Kiwi Ladies? Image: Seven

However, some believe it could be exactly what the show needs. 

“Judging by this season’s pick of the crop, I think scouting from another country is what’s needed,” a fan joked.

“No hard-working Aussie Farmer is going to go on Farmer Wants A Wife,” another pointed out. “Most Farmers’ wives are country girls and I really don’t think too many Farmers really want to find their wife on television. I’ve been a farm secretary for over thirty years, Farmers are very choosy.”

Considering Farmer Wants A Wife 2025 produced four successful couples who are still together today, it won’t be too hard to convince some Kiwi blokes to give it a go. Who knows, maybe it will spice things up in a good way — we’ll just have to wait and see.

You can watch Farmer Wants A Wife on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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MasterChef Australia’s Theo shares exciting update about his new bakery

by Danica Baker

Fan favourite Theo Loizou was eliminated from MasterChef Australia 2025, but he left the competition with heartfelt encouragement from Andy Allen to follow his dream of opening a bakery.

During a post-elimination interview, Theo told Chattr that his dream bakery is well and truly in the works, and he’ll be selling his first products very soon.

“There’s lots of progress with the bakery,” he told Chattr. “It’s in the midst of being built, and I’m just going to document it [on social media] as I go. And then hopefully, I’ll be at farmers markets by the end of the year. Carlton Farmers Market will probably be the first place I’ll be.

“Then the bakery itself will be [finished] by next year, but I’ll be at farmers markets for sure.”

Theo explained that his bakery will focus on very high-quality bread rather than spreading himself too thin with a variety of products.

Theo with MasterChef judges Sofia and Andy.
Theo with MasterChef judges Sofia and Andy. Image: Ten.

“[It will be] predominantly bread and pastries. Not really cakes,” he said. “It’s going to be a sourdough bakery using local flours, and there’s a farm right near where my parents have a farm called Tuerong Farm, where the flour for the bread comes from that’s beautifully grown by a great guy named Jason down there.

“I think the most important part for me is where the flour comes from. You can taste the difference. It’s so flavourful.

“I’m so committed to the process, the slow fermentation and everything that goes along with that. The bread will be ready when it’s ready, I’m not gonna rush anything, I’m not gonna cut corners ever because I think the most important thing is letting the bread do its thing.”

Our mouths are watering!

Theo is juggling a new bakery and wedding planning with his fiancée

During his time on MasterChef Australia 2025, Theo regularly spoke about how supportive his fiancée Laure was. He told Chattr that he’s grateful that Laure let him chase his dream of working in the food industry.

“It was a big deal to have that support and not have to worry about things at home, and also financially, her supporting me in that way, because you don’t get that much money doing what we’re doing,” he explained.

MasterChef's Theo with his fiancée Laure.
Theo with his fiancée Laure. Image: Ten.

As we all know, weddings are expensive, and Theo said that while he’d love to marry Laure as soon as possible, they’re focusing on opening the bakery right now.

“I’ve quit my job and want to start the bakery, and she’s really supportive of that, and that’s huge,” he said.

However, he added that he wants to make sure the wedding is her dream day. “Whatever she wants, we’ll do that,” he said.

There are so many exciting things on the horizon for Theo! We can’t wait to watch it all unfold.

MasterChef Australia airs on Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

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Farmer Wants A Wife’s Jadee soft launches rumoured boyfriend: ‘Knew you wouldn’t be single for long’

by Rachel Choy

Farmer Wants A Wife 2025 fans were devastated when Farmer Corey sent Jadee Etchells home after she poured out her feelings for him. The lovable contestant was a firm fan favourite, but it appears she’s found her own happy ending as she has soft-launched her rumoured boyfriend on Instagram.

Jadee shared a carousel of 16 snaps on her profile, many with the girls from Corey’s farm. However, she sneakily slipped in two photos of a mystery man with tattoos. She was careful not to show his face, but it seems like she’s confirmed her relationship status by liking telling comments.

These are some of the comments she liked:

“Knew you wouldn’t be single for long, you are bloody amazing, loved watching you on the show!” one fan wrote.

“Sneaky little soft launch. Can’t wait for more adventures with you!!” fellow contestant Chelsea Jury added.

“One door closes and another one opens. Excited for you and this next chapter,” said contestant Nathania Baumanis.

“All the best for your next chapter Jadee. Keep living life to the fullest with that beautiful smile on your face,” another fan added.

Jadee’s relative Kristi even chimed in, saying: “Dad and I love you so much and love seeing you this happy.”

Man with tattoos picking flowers from Farmer Wants A Wife's Jadee's Instagram account
Who is this mystery man? Image: Instagram

Fans share their joy for Jadee’s new relationship

On a Facebook fan group, one person shared a screenshot of Jadee’s post and wrote: “I think Jadee has found herself a partner, so happy for her”.

Another said Jadee “dodged a bullet” by not ending up with Farmer Corey. 

“Good on her… better than fighting for attention on Farmer Wants A Wife,” a third wrote.

Where do Keeley and Jadee stand after Farmer Wants A Wife?

Considering Farmer Corey ended up choosing Keeley Rankin over Jadee to spend his life with, you’d think there could be some bad blood between the Ladies, right? It appears not! 

Keeley commented on Jadee’s Instagram post, calling her “the most beautiful human”. Jadee also commented on two of Keeley’s most recent posts, congratulating the pair on their love story. 

Awww. Maybe Farmer Wants A Wife really *is* the most wholesome show on TV, after all!

You can watch Farmer Wants A Wife on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Farmer Wants A Wife’s Clarette finally breaks her silence: ‘Ready to roar’

by Rachel Choy

Reality show Farmer Wants A Wife 2025 is done and dusted for another year, so contestants are now starting to speak out about the show and their experience. Clarette Goodhead, who had a ‘villain edit’ on Farmer Wants A Wife, has been surprisingly silent as the show aired. She refused to do interviews and kept her social media private — until now. 

It’s fitting that the English teacher poured her heart out about her experience on the show in a lengthy blog post, saying she is “now ready to roar”. She criticised her portrayal on Farmer Wants A Wife, saying it wasn’t truthful, although she came in “ready to explore something genuine”. 

“[I] realised too late that reality TV rarely captures actual reality. The version of me on screen was a curated character — crafted through orchestrated edits and questionable storytelling. Reality television thrives on noise, conflict and contrast. What you don’t see are the quiet moments — lending an ear, lifting spirits, the laughs, the cries and all the inbetweens after the cameras stop rolling,” Clarette said. 

“I found myself about to date someone I’d never met, and (unknowingly pitted from the start) against others for entertainment — not the wholesome fairytale I’d been sold.”

Clarette slams the editing of Farmer Wants A Wife

The contestant claims the “unnatural environment” was “completely out of [her] realm”. She believes editors manipulated footage to portray her in a way that was “distorted”.

“[There were] staged scenarios and frankenbitten soundbites — spliced phrases used to shape a narrative I never consented to. The result? A distorted image and perception of me. I’ve been called ‘polarising’, ‘dramatic’ and ‘disingenuous’,” she said. 

“But that woman on screen however edited — was also complex, vulnerable, raw; it was just never shown. It’s still too easy to misconstrue a woman’s strength as a threat. When women go after what they want, not wanting to waste their own or others’ time it’s reframed through desperation and criticism.”

Clarette and Farmer Thomas at the Farmer Wants A Wife reunion
Clarette and Farmer Thomas at the Farmer Wants A Wife reunion. Image: Seven

Clarette responds to nasty rumours spread by Farmer Wants A Wife viewers 

For weeks, viewers have been gossiping about Clarette on Facebook groups and in social media comments. They’ve accused the contestant of only being after Farmer Thomas’ money, needing an Australian visa, or even wondering if Clarette was a planted actor to drum up drama.

She addressed everything she has heard online, and says she’s just a “woman who gets up every day and works, loves, and strives just like anyone else”. 

“I didn’t sign up to play a part. I’m not a paid actor (although that did make me laugh), I didn’t go on for a visa (I have an Australian passport), I didn’t go on to win a prize (my life is not a game to me), I’m not a gold digger (I am financially independent), I moved here on my own, I live in my own house, I pay my own bills and I found myself a full time job. In rural life, strength isn’t optional — it’s essential,” she wrote. 

“Farmers don’t just want love; they need a woman willing to share the weight of the land, to embrace isolation with resilience, and to find beauty in the open spaces. It takes grit to choose that life, and even more to thrive in it. That kind of strength from a woman willing to give up her whole life deserves celebration, not criticism.”

Clarette Goodhead on Farmer Wants A Wife
Clarette was portrayed as ‘jealous’ and ‘needy’ on the show. Image: Seven

Why did Clarette apply for Farmer Wants A Wife?

Clarette also revealed she had been told by a medium she would meet her partner in an “unconventional way”, with a move to the country, gumboots, and a cowboy hat in the vision. She said Farmer Wants A Wife wasn’t on her radar as it’s not popular in the UK, but after her mum sent her an application link, she was instantly attracted to Farmer Thomas.

“One profile on that page stood out to me. Same age, similar values, goals and passions. I just had a feeling that something was about to happen here,” she recalled. After abandoning her application, a producer called her and convinced her to submit it, saying she sounded like “a strong match”. 

In the end, although Clarette went through hell while Farmer Wants A Wife was airing, she’s grateful to have come away with a strong relationship with Farmer Thomas. She admitted the pair should have left earlier, and she wouldn’t go through the process again, but she has no regrets.

“The love that emerged from it, the friendships, the growth — I carry them with me as scars, beautiful although painful. This experience cracked us open but in that cracking came growth. That’s why we did it — not for five minutes of fame, not for drama — but for the slim, shimmering possibility of something real — and we found it,” she said. 

You can read Clarette’s entire blog post here, and follow her on Instagram at @clarette.annalisa. 

You can watch Farmer Wants A Wife on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Captain Kerry reveals if the Below Deck cast split the tip with the off-camera yacht crew

by Danica Baker

One of the most iconic moments of Below Deck is when the captain calls a tip meeting with the crew and announces how much they received from previous charter guests, but is it split only between those on screen?

Each season the Below Deck crew is made up of deckies, stewardesses, chefs and the captain. However, Captain Kerry Titheradge told Chattr in an interview that there are more employees on board who aren’t filmed for the reality TV show.

“It’s very important that we have that,” he explained. “It’s very important for safety that we have people who know the boat better than those who are on TV.

However, he stressed that the Below Deck cast are actually doing their jobs, and said there are no extra employees in their department, but rather those who take care of how the yacht’s mechanics run.

“All the crew are doing their jobs. The only people you don’t see are those in different jobs. There’s no shadow captain, no shadow stew, no shadow mate, that doesn’t exist.

“There’ll be the first officer who knows the boat, which is very important to me, because they understand all the equipment and machinery. And, you know, some computers work differently than others, and then they’d be — depending on the size of the yacht — there’d be two engineers. So we don’t want to bring a Below Deck personality as the engineer on a yacht that he doesn’t know, it just wouldn’t be safe.”

A tip meeting on Below Deck Season 12.
A tip meeting on Below Deck Season 12. Image: Hayu.

Do those extra yacht employees share the tip that viewers see?

The much-anticipated tip meetings on Season 12 of Below Deck show Captain Kerry telling his crew how much the last guest tipped them for their services. During the interview with Chattr, he revealed that the amount isn’t just split between the on-screen crew, but all the employees who work on the boat.

“They’re part of the crew. So if you really analyse it, and you do the math, you’ll be like, ‘They should have got extra 800 bucks each?’. And then, ‘Ah, there are three more people behind the scenes!'” He explained.

“Every person who’s involved in the yacht deserves a tip, and it’s the same on a charter yacht. You might not see the engineer the whole season. The guest never saw the engineer, but he is still part of providing this experience.”

Mystery solved! One of Below Deck’s biggest burning questions, finally answered.

Season 12 of Below Deck is streaming now on Hayu, the same day as the USA. New episodes drop on Tuesdays.

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The stunning location where Stranded on Honeymoon Island Australia 2025 was filmed

by Danica Baker

Channel 7’s new reality series Stranded on Honeymoon Island Australia 2025 delivers a boatload of drama against a stunning tropical backdrop — but where exactly was it filmed?

At the start of the premiere episode, narrator Jackie ‘O’ Henderson sets the scene, saying, “somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 12 Aussie singles are leaving the toxic world of modern dating behind.”

But just minutes in, we were already itching to add the filming location to our travel bucket list — so we did some digging to find out exactly where Stranded on Honeymoon Island is filmed.

The Stranded on Honeymoon Island cast on the beach at Couple's Cove.
The Stranded on Honeymoon Island cast on the beach at Couple’s Cove. Image: Seven.

Where is Stranded on Honeymoon Island filmed?

While we already know the stunning beaches are somewhere in the pacific, Stranded on Honeymoon Island bride Amy Dickinson narrowed down the location slightly during an interview with Chattr, while gushing about how beautiful it was.

“[Stranded on Honeymoon Island is] a different spin on the dating shows we’ve typically seen. It’s really confronting and exposing, and there’s so many big personalities, and there’s a lot of plot twists. It’s also just aesthetically beautiful. The scenery that you see is stunning,” she said, adding that it’s filmed “Somewhere in the South Pacific.”

Eager for something a bit more specific, we asked Channel 7.

A network spokesperson told us, “It was shot across six different islands in Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean. “

So there you have it! Those picturesque reefs and beaches are on remote islands in Fiji.

The beautiful reef on Stranded on Honeymoon Island which was filmed in fiji.
The beautiful reef on Stranded on Honeymoon Island. Image: Seven.

How do the contestants get food on a remote island?

Stranded on Honeymoon Island draws obvious parallels to MAFS and Survivor, so it’s only natural to wonder whether contestants are forced to forage for their own food or live off rations of rice and beans.

Fortunately for our brides and grooms, that wasn’t the case. Amy told Chattr that they were given supplies to survive on.

“We had, I guess, the bare basics when it comes to food. So rice, pasta, vegetables, fruit, lentils and nuts was what we were provided,” she said.

The view from Brie and Byron's hut which was filmed in Fiji.
The view from Brie and Byron’s hut. Image: Seven.

“The challenge came with every time we had to eat a meal, we had to build a fire from scratch. And so it was just very labour-intensive. It wasn’t easy. Nothing about the experience was easy. It was just one giant challenge.”

Sounds a little less strenuous than Australian Survivor, to us!

Honeymoon Island airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Home and Away’s Kyle Shilling talks Indigenous representation on Dancing with the Stars

by Merryana Salem

Dancing With The Stars competitor, Kyle Shilling is a proud Widjabul man from the Bundjalung Nation. He made Summer Bay history as the first Indigenous main star of Home and Away. Now, he is making history again as the first ever Aboriginal man to compete on Dancing With The Stars Australia.

We chatted to Kyle about what this milestone means to him and how he feels about being a role model to First Nations viewers. Both culturally and personally, being the first Aboriginal man on Dancing With The Stars is a big responsibility.

“It’s very important to me during these times. It gives me the chance to showcase that a lot of the stereotypes and views that people have of us aren’t real,” Kyle tells Chattr. “The chance to showcase my culture is something unbelievable as well to those people that, you know, won’t be expecting me to. I think it’s just a great thing for the younger generation to look up to as well. To see that they can be proud and should be proud of who we are.”

Kyle is very aware he’s an Indigenous role model on national television. However, he hopes people will see him as a person who is doing his best, too.

“I think, role model. I think, yes. But I still have a lot to work on myself and my career, and, you know, who I am as a person,” he says. What he wants people to take away from his time on Dancing With The Stars is to never say never. “I think what I’d love to leave with the younger generation is that nothing’s too late. You can go through your trials and tribulations. At the end of the day, if it’s something that you want, the only person that’s going to stop you is yourself.”

How Kyle’s Indigeneity inspires how he dances on Dancing With The Stars

Kyle Shilling on Dancing With The Stars
Kyle Shilling on Dancing With The Stars

The 2025 season of Dancing With The Stars is far from the only experience Kyle has with dancing. Dancing is a core part of First Nations cultures all over Australia, and Kyle is a well-studied student. But ballroom is a new challenge.

“I studied contemporary Indigenous [dance], I hadn’t done any kind of ballroom, which was actually very difficult to lose or drop all this stuff I’d learned previously to then do ballroom, because you go into muscle memory, and I want to move in a certain way, but I can’t move that way because it’s not the style of dance,” laughs Kyle.

Despite some harsh comments from the judges on his cha cha cha in the first round, Kyle’s debut earned him 24 points on the leaderboard. What’s more, he’s excited about the opportunity to grow and showcase his skills for Dancing With The Stars fans. And he is excited to use them to represent his culture on national TV. Audiences are in for a fresh take on ballroom dance by way of the world’s oldest continuing culture.

“There’s another dance that we do, which is a mixture of contemporary and ballroom, and I also throw in a lot of my contemporary, indigenous and some of my cultural stuff as well, which is a great opportunity.”

Watch Dancing With The Stars Australia 2025 on Sundays from 7pm on Channel 7 and 7plus. 

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MasterChef Australia 2025’s Rhi reveals exciting new travel series — with an unexpected twist

by Merryana Salem

After placing as the runner-up in season 15, Rhiannon “Rhi” Anderson returned to MasterChef: Back To Win in 2025. It wasn’t meant to be, but the staunch North Queensland cook, grandma, and traveller still has a lot on her plate.

In the years between dashing about the Masterchef Australia kitchen, Rhi raised over $60,000 for Ovarian Cancer research to honour her late mother. Never one to be pinned down, she always wanted to come back to the show.

When Rhi re-entered the Masterchef Australia kitchen for Back To Win 2025, she was 11 months post-major surgery. Despite lingering swelling and pain, Anderson placed 18th after elimination in episode 16. The Lobster Wontons in Beef Broth Rhi served up for the Surf and Turf challenge disappointed the judges, but the 49-year-old is far from quitting her dream gig.

Where will Rhi’s post-Masterchef journey take her? On the road!

Now, Rhi is on her next adventure: YouTube, and travelling Australia in a campervan with her husband and daughter.

‘Rhiplenish on the road’ will launch on YouTube at the end of June. Then, Rhi and her family hit the nation’s roads for a country-wide caravan trip in December. We have some exclusive pics from her first episode below.

Rhi with her husband and daughter on the road
Rhi with her husband and daughter making Rhiplenish the Road

“Thankfully, my daughter has her own campervan, otherwise we’d drive each other nuts!” Rhi told Chattr. “I’m teaching her how to cook at the age of 24, which will be funny. We already drive my husband nuts!”

So, what does a TV cook bring along to teach her daughter the tricks of the trade in a caravan?

“I literally want to bring my whole kitchen, but my husband said I need to consider weight! I’m like how ridiculous if I can fit it I’m bringing it. I seriously would rather take more cooking things than clothes,” Rhi told us.

The Masterchef ex-runner-up will also be celebrating a milestone birthday on the trip, and she couldn’t be more chuffed.

“South Australia. It’s where I’ll be spending my 50th with a heap of friends flying in! The food and wineries are next level.”

What will Rhi’s YouTube series be about?

Rhi’s new YouTube series ‘Rhiplenish the Road’ will also star her husband and daughter, following the giggly family trio as they travel Australia cooking delicious, travel-friendly meals from the back of their campervans.

“I am gearing up to launch my YouTube channel “Rhiplenish on the Road” taking my audience on a breathtaking and humorous voyage around Australia towing our caravan and setting up camp and cooking in the most picturesque locations imaginable,” says Rhi. “Each episode, I’ll be preparing a fresh, innovative dish that’s designed to inspire viewers to embark on their own travel and culinary adventures.”

What does her travel itinerary look like? Expect some of the country’s most beautiful destinations, and some hidden gems on the guest list. There’s something for everyone, everywhere they go.

“My first stops will include the Whitsundays, Townsville, and Cairns regions. From there, I’ll make my way on the road full-time south to Tasmania for two months in December,” Rhi revealed. “The itinerary will include lakeside retreats for water skiing capers, special guests, mingling with local producers at vibrant markets, and of course, indulging in the finest culinary delights and I’m up for any adventure along the way.”

If Rhi’s two turns on Masterchef Australia have shown us anything, it’s that, if Rhi’s cooking, we’re all in for a treat!

Follow Rhi at @rhiplenish on Instagram for all the updates on her YouTube Channel launch.

MasterChef Australia airs on Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

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MasterChef Australia’s Beau Cook explains his lack of screen time: ‘Done me a favour’

by Danica Baker

In the early episodes of MasterChef Australia 2025, catching a glimpse of Beau Cook was rare, and the firefighter explained his lack of screen time to Chattr.

In a post-elimination interview, Beau said that he believes that his limited inclusion was due to the fact that his dishes were neither mind-blowing nor the least impressive.

“If you look at the start, especially, there are 24 contestants and they showed the top dishes and the bottom dishes, and I just kept myself safe, week after week, in the middle ground,” he said

Beau added that he thinks his relaxed personality also played into why other contestants are featured on the show more than he is.

“You probably didn’t hear much from me too, because I’m not an overly dramatic person. I didn’t stress out,” he said. “I was just very calm and level-headed, and the dishes kind of reflect that as well. So I just hit the middle ground.”

Beau Cook on MasterChef with Jean Christophe Novelli
Beau Cook with judge Jean-Christophe Novelli on MasterChef Australia. Image: Ten.

Beau reveals the advantage of his lack of screen time

Beau featured on our screens minimally in the first three episodes of MasterChef Australia 2025, and wasn’t shown saying a word in episodes 4 and 5.

The lack of coverage caused some online commotion, with Facebook groups and Reddit threads asking why he wasn’t being shown.

Beau told Chattr that his lack of screen time actually worked to create some buzz about who he is and what he cooks.

“I think that little bit of healthy tension at the start has really done me a favour, because people were waiting for stuff, and then when I did appear, I was, like, smashing it,” he explained.

However, Beau added that he was inundated with questions from people he knew about why he wasn’t featured prominently on the cooking show.

“I copped a lot of that, and especially the first couple of weeks, because people don’t understand — especially family and friends — that it’s a big group, like 24 people, and it’s an hour long, so you can’t include everyone. You really either have to be at the top or at the bottom. So I did have to try and explain that a lot,” he said.

Beau added that he believes that his best dishes were included on the show.

MasterChef Australia airs on Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

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Mia Fevola shares the Dancing with the Stars advice she got from her famous parents

by Danica Baker

Mia Fevola will make her Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) debut on Sunday, June 13, and she’s following in the footsteps of her famous parents Alex and Brendan Fevola, who’ve both competed on the dancing show before.

Photographer and makeup artist Alex was the first of the Fevolas to hit the dance floor when she competed in Season 10 back in 2010 and placed third. Mia’s dad and former AFL player Brendan took to the stage in 2012, and came fourth.

Now that it’s Mia’s turn, she told Chattr that both of her parents gave her invaluable advice when she signed up for Dancing with the Stars 2025.

“Both of them had an incredible experience of Dancing with the Stars, and they both said it was one of the best it was one of the best things that they’d ever done, and they wish they could do it again,” she said.

Mia Fevola with her family.
Mia Fevola (far right) with her mum Alex (second from right), sisters, and dad Brendan (far left). Image: Instagram.

“They said to just really try to experience everything you can in the show and throw yourself into it completely. Try not to have any reservations.”

Mia explained that her mum helped her battle her nerves by advising her to adopt a stage persona when performing in front of the judges.

“My mum told me to make sure that I leave Mia at the door, and when I step onto the dance floor, I really step into that character. That really helped me, because nerves were something that I really, really struggled with — and so did my mum when she did the show — so it was really good to have her advice.

“It was really good to have both of my parents who understood, because you can’t really talk to many people about it, because it’s such a unique experience.”

Mia with her dance partner Gustavo Viglio on DWTS.
Mia with her dance partner Gustavo Viglio on DWTS. Image: Instagram.

Mia is so grateful for the support from both of her parents while she was on Dancing with the Stars

Mia revealed that competing on Dancing with the Stars was a life long dream of hers, and said she was thrilled when she was presented with the opportunity.

“I think it was sort of a natural progression, given that both of my parents have done the show. It was something that I always wanted to do growing up watching the show, and I always hoped the opportunity would come my way, and so when it did, I knew I had to grab it while I could,” she said.

Mia with the Dancing with the Stars 2025 cast.
Mia with the Dancing with the Stars 2025 cast. Image: Instagram.

While she consistently battled with nerves during her performances, the model and influencer told Chattr that having her parents’ support helped her feel more confident.

“My mum and my sister came to every episode that they could get to, and then my dad came to a few between his work schedule. They were amazing, they were coming back and forth from Sydney as much as they possibly could to support me,” she explained.

Dancing with the Stars airs on Sundays at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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MasterChef Australia’s Samira reveals what Beau’s really like amid lack of screen time

by Danica Baker

It’s been plainly obvious to viewers that there’s been one MasterChef Australia 2025 contestant getting the least amount of screen time; Beau Cook.

While contestants like Laura Sharrad and Callum Hann have been front and centre this Back to Win season, Beau has mostly flown under the radar. However, he’s started turning heads with some seriously impressive dishes in recent episodes, earning the firefighter a bit more screen time.

Eliminated contestant Samira El Khafir touched on Beau’s lack of coverage during an elimination interview with Chattr and said she thinks he deserves to be featured more.

“I would also love to see Beau make it to the end because he’s been pretty quiet on the show with what’s been aired. But I also know how much of a great cook he is,” she said.

“Beau is just a great country bloke, man. He is one of the most chillest people ever. I got along with him like a house on fire. He’s just really lovely. And he did put up a lot of great dishes.”

Samira added that she thinks viewers may get to see more of Beau in the coming weeks, and touched on the fact that she wasn’t given much screen time at the start of the season.

“I feel it as well, because in the beginning — the first four to six weeks — I didn’t air as much on the screen. He’s got some different cultural cuisines, and he’s done a really great job. Obviously, you’ve got to be good to last, and I really hope he gets more air time where it shows his abilities and what he can do,” she said.

Eliminated contestant Tim Bone on Beau’s lack of screen time

Samira isn’t the only MasterChef Australia 2025 contestant who’s noticed Beau’s lack of presence on the show. Eliminated contestant Tim Bone gushed about the home cook and was baffled about the fact that he’s rarely been shown.

“He’s just amazing, whereas I’m always a twist of nerves and anxiety, he’s the most chilled bloke. He’s just floats in and never seems to get stressed, but he’s starting to put up some really great dishes where, — we haven’t seen much of him yet — but he’s just a good country lad and that’s his style of cooking as well.”

Beau cooking on MasterChef
Beau cooking on MasterChef. Image: Ten.

Fans on social media want to see more of Beau Cook on MasterChef Australia

Towards the beginning of the season, a Reddit thread was created asking about Beau’s lack of airtime during episodes.

“We are 10 episodes in and haven’t seen this guy once. Imagine your family and friends waiting to see you on TV again, and they just don’t show you for 10 episodes!!” One person wrote.

Another commented, “I think they have staged him as a sleeper mystery. My wife and I noticed the non-Beau from the start. We keep getting random shots of him, and I [noticed] that in recent episodes he got a word or two. Given that he was always one of the wittiest and interesting contestants, and also given the recent really interesting update on his choices of career, I predict that he will soon burst fully into and onto the scene.”

A third said, “I hate it that they hyper-focus on some and completely ignore others.”

Even Beau took to Instagram to express his frustration about not having his dishes shown during the early episodes.

Beau cook's instagram story about masterchef
Beau’s Instagram story.
Beau cook's instagram story about masterchef
Beau’s Instagram story.

It sounds like everyone (including Beau) agrees — we all want to see more of him on MasterChef Australia!

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Amy on why Stranded on Honeymoon Island is better than MAFS: ‘Authentic’

by Danica Baker

Channel 7’s brand new dating show, Stranded on Honeymoon Island Australia, draws some obvious similarities to Married At First Sight (MAFS) — both see the contestants marry strangers, and then live together in the hope of making their relationship work.

While MAFS sees the couples shack up together in a city apartment, attend weekly Dinner Parties with the rest of the cast, the Stranded on Honeymoon Island pairs live together on a deserted island, and meet up with the other contestants at Couples Cove.

But, despite the parallels between the two reality TV shows, bride Amy Dickinson tells Chattr that she believes Stranded on Honeymoon Island is actually better than the ratings juggernaut that is MAFS.

“I think it’s better because it’s a format that hasn’t really been done before [in Australia]. With MAFS, you know what to expect, whereas with Honeymoon Island, it’s new.

“It’s not only going to be new here for the viewer, but it was new for us as well. So everything was a surprise. Everything that happened was super organic, all of our reactions to things.

“It’s just this raw take on finding love, and it’s so stripped back, it’s so real, it’s so authentic. I just think it’s something that’s so different to what we’ve seen before.”

Amy and Mike on Stranded on Honeymoon Island.
Amy and Mike on Stranded on Honeymoon Island. Image: Seven.

Why Amy believes the Stranded on Honeymoon Island format works

The premise of Stranded on Honeymoon Island involves six couples being isolated separately on deserted beaches for three weeks, in the hope that they’ll build a strong relationship.

Amy told Chattr that the challenge of being plonked somewhere so remote encourages the couples to work together to overcome obstacles.

“You really only have each other, so you’re forced to problem solve together, navigate the experience together. You really have to use teamwork and rely on each other and trust each other,” she explained.

“You get stripped from all of the things, like worrying about wearing makeup in front of someone and putting on an act, or keeping up appearances, all of that is stripped away from you, so you become very raw and very honest very quickly, and you see each other’s faults very quickly, because obviously you’re in an environment that really tests you. “

She added that it’s a good way to “fast-track a relationship” and to find out if you are meant for each other.

“You also don’t have distractions of still dating someone, and still being on the dating apps and wondering if there’s someone better out there. I think we just have so many options these days, and you can really get decision fatigue, whereas this makes you really invest in that one relationship and really see if it can work.”

Bring on the drama!

Honeymoon Island airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Home and Away’s Kyle Shilling reveals how he wants to leave the show

by Rachel Choy

Summer Bay star Kyle Shilling has traded his surfboard for some shiny dance shoes on Dancing With The Stars, and with his rigorous training schedule, he had to take a break from Home and Away. The talented actor plays Mali Hudson on the soap, and fans will certainly miss him while he’s absent.

“I think it’s great for my career, you know, it’ll showcase more skill sets that I have,” Kyle tells Chattr. “I am willing to learn more and do more within my career. So it was a no-brainer. As much as it was tough, it was a lot of fun as well.”

He says he gave “110 per cent” to Dancing With The Stars, so by leaving Home and Away, he was able to make sure his mind was focused on the task at hand. While he confirms he’s now back filming in Summer Bay, he has thought about how he would want to see his character leave the show. 

“I think I’d love to do something very dramatic [but] not die,” he spills. “I think something very dramatic where maybe I go missing, and then it comes back that I’ve been leading a double life all the time, type of thing, you know.”

Maybe his character can have a double life as a professional dancer!

Home and Away Mali Hudson Kyle Shilling
Kyle Shilling as Mali Hudson on Home and Away. Image: Seven

Home and Away fans lash out over Logies nominations

This comes after Home and Away fans shared disappointment over Kyle’s lack of nominations at the TV WEEK Logie Awards. While many Home and Away actors have been nominated for Most Popular New Talent, including Matt Evans, Tristan Gorey and Hailey Pinto in 2025, Kyle was snubbed during his first year on the show.

“I am a bit disappointed and angry as why wasn’t Kyle Shilling voted for Most Popular Talent Logie when he started? Tristian Gorey and Hailey Pinto [did] and don’t get me wrong as I love these two, but Kyle is more popular than they were,” they wrote on a Facebook group.

“I am just having a little moment about this as I believe Kyle deserves a Logie or at least to be nominated for one.”

Fans flooded the post with comments, with one calling it “disappointing”.

“I agree he has had some good storylines and should be in the running,” another added.

“I had a moment when I saw the nominations, why wasn’t Kyle nominated [was] my first thought too,” a third agreed.

“I think Kyle should have been nominated as well.”

Hopefully, Kyle’s stint on Dancing With The Stars will help raise his profile for the Logies in 2026. 

Dancing with the Stars Australia 2025 airs on Sundays at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Gogglebox’s Tim and Leanne on fighting for queer and diverse representation in reality TV

by Rachel Choy

Tim and Leanne Lai joined the cast of Gogglebox Australia in 2019 and have since become firm fan favourites. The Malaysian-Australian sibling duo are absolutely iconic, and we can always count on Tim to point out the hot male celebs on screen. 

Thanks to their public profile and platforms (they’re reluctant to call themselves famous), Tim was recently given a chance to celebrate Pride Month in an extra meaningful way. For the gay reality TV star, Pride Month means “vibrant joy”, and he tells Chattr it’s important to “celebrate love in all its forms and diversity”. 

Tim was asked to moderate and host a panel discussion on LGBTQIA+ representation in reality TV in front of all of the major TV networks, casting agents, industry executives and media agencies, a job he didn’t take lightly. He was joined by Australian Survivor’s Myles Kuah and Kirby Bentley, The Bachelorette’s Brooke Blurton and Big Brother’s Jonnie Cass

“It was such an empowering event,” Tim recalls. “My core message at the end was to this group that we need more colour, we need more queerness, and more realness in the stories and individuals they choose to put on their screens. And I think that’s one of the many things that’s so powerful about Pride Month.

“It’s not just about one day or 30 days to show your Pride or, you know, to wave your rainbow flag, but it’s a call to incorporate love and diversity and equity to every single day of the year.”

Leanne Lai on Gogglebox Australia
Leanne on Gogglebox. Image: 10
Tim Lai on Gogglebox Australia
Tim on Gogglebox. Image: 10

His sister Leanne is one of his biggest champions and advocates, and she acknowledges there are hateful beliefs out there that can be “incredibly harmful” to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

“We have to live in a way that allows people to flourish, and all people, no matter what your gender, your sexual identity, that doesn’t matter. The people behind that matters. We have to be open to be finding a way to live in harmony and love with everyone,” Leanne says. 

Right now, it’s a tough time for the queer community. With disgraced Harry Potter author J.K Rowling on a hate campaign against transgender people, and the Baptist Church campaigning for sex marriage to be reversed in the USA, having representation like Tim on primetime Aussie television is really important. 

“It’s actually frightening where we are… so many people fought so hard just for equality, and the prospect of us having this right reversed is at the back of our minds,” Tim says. “It’s important for us to realise how far we’ve come, and it’s through love, and it’s through community that we can actually thrive and that we can continue to fight for what’s right and fair and equal.

“I say, acknowledge the pain that’s happening around the world, but don’t ever, ever forget all that we’ve achieved and all that we have ahead of us, because I think Australia is a beautiful country.”

Gogglebox’s Tim and Leanne want to show Asians they “belong”

While the Aussie media landscape has a long way to go in terms of diversity, there’s no doubt that it has changed massively since the ‘90s. The pair feel it’s a “big honour” to finally become part of the representation they didn’t have as kids growing up, because nobody on TV looked like them.

“Just by having Asian Aussies being themselves [on Gogglebox Australia], watching TV, having a laugh, screaming at each other… it just normalises our presence in society. It helps break down these misconceptions [people may hold],” Tim says. 

“I’m hoping it does foster understanding and empathy… [and] we hope that [our] authenticity gives young Asian Aussies this sense of pride to say, ‘You know what? I can do that too’.”

Leanne echoes Tim’s thoughts and says: “We started being able to become more visible in the media. There have been people in cooking contests, in construction contests, in all these really good reality shows that people love. And I think it’s helped make us more of a part of the furniture… we’re not something that’s weird or scary or doesn’t belong… this is our home, we get to be here.”

We’re so lucky that Tim and Leanne were scouted for Gogglebox Australia and continue to entertain and delight us each year. We can’t wait to see what outrageous reactions they have during the next Gogglebox Australia season.

You can watch Gogglebox Australia on 10Play.

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MAFS’ Jamie calls out online bullies: ‘Disgusting and poisonous’

by Rachel Choy

Fan-favourite Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2025 bride Jamie Marinos has spoken out about online hate and trolls — warning that words can be harmful, especially when it comes to mental health. She tells Chattr she “wants to use her platform” to make a difference, and is determined to spread awareness.

While the outspoken reality TV contestant assures us she has a “strong support network” and is able to brush off the online abuse, it doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable, and these words “still hurt”. 

“From the moment I was leaked on MAFS, I remember like, grown men and women just attacking my appearance before they even knew me. And I remember going, ‘Wow, this is awful.’… people just hate me now because I’m going on a TV show, but they don’t even know who I am,” Jamie recalls. “I kept thinking about someone else in that position, what if they were struggling with their mental health, or they just lost someone that was close to them?”

Now that Jamie has access to her Instagram account and can reach 323,000 people, she’s determined to make a difference. “[Online hate] can take lives, and that’s just what I will not stand for. To me, there’s nothing normal about going out of your way to comment something hateful. There’s nothing okay about pushing someone to destroy their self-worth. It’s disgusting, it’s poisonous, and it needs to stop,” she adds.

Some argue that being a celebrity or in the public eye means that you are required to deal with the highs and lows of fame, but Jamie calls that narrative “tired and dangerous”. 

“I have zero tolerance for online hate, bullying and trolling,” she says. “People should not be allowed to hide behind anonymous accounts and ruin someone’s life.”

Jamie at the MAFS dinner party reunion.
Just because Jamie was on MAFS, that doesn’t mean she signed up for online hate. Image: Nine.

Jamie releases statement on Instagram asking people to “choose kindness”

Jamie recently shared a lengthy post on Instagram reminding her followers that there are real people reading all of the comments they leave online. 

She condemned “disgusting behaviour” she’d seen online, including “bullying”, and said she won’t accept this from anyone.

“I can’t thank each of you enough for showing me how incredible humans can be. Your kindness and beautiful messages mean the most and make me want to keep doing what I’m doing. But I think about the ones who don’t have the same support I do. The ones who read those cruel words and start to believe them,” she wrote.

“Words hurt. And none of us are invincible. So please, be kind. Speak up. Shut down hate when you see it. We can do better than this. And we have to.”

Jamie felt compelled to speak out online because of “responsibility,” especially now that she has become a public figure. “I feel like I’ve just been given a platform, and I believe I have a responsibility to use it for good,” she explains. 

“I’ll always speak up, especially for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

You can stream Married At First Sight on 9Now.

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The Voice Australia 2025 is almost here: ‘Biggest ever’

by Rachel Choy

Buckle up folks, because The Voice Australia is coming soon to Seven and 7plus. The newest coach to sit in one of the famous red chairs is no other than Spice Girls’ Melanie C, adding some massive star power. 

The singer, known as “Sporty Spice”, has racked up over 2.5 billion streams worldwide, so she’s bound to be an extremely coveted coach. “I am so incredibly excited to be joining The Voice Australia in 2025,” she told the network. “I have always cherished my trips down under over the years, so to be there with such a super line-up of coaches in one of my favourite countries is a real honour.”

She’ll be joining Ronan Keating, Kate Miller-Heidke and Richard Marx. It’s going to be a killer season, or as the latest promo says, “the biggest Aussie Voice ever” — so you can count on all Aussie eyes being glued to the telly screen. We’ve rounded up everything we know about The Voice Australia 2025 including the start date, trailers, what the coaches have said and more.

When does The Voice Australia 2025 air?

Mediaweek reports The Voice Australia 2025 will air in August, but Seven has yet to release the exact date. As soon as we know more, we’ll update this.

Who is the host of The Voice Australia 2025?

Sonia Kruger is returning as The Voice Australia host for 2025. She previously won a Gold Logie award at the TV WEEK Logies for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, and she’s nominated for the same award again in 2025.

Who are the coaches on The Voice Australia 2025?

Melanie C

The Voice Australia 2025 coach Melanie C
Mel C. Image: Seven

Melanie C will be bringing her Sporty Spice power to the show, and she says she’s “happy to be missing some of the British winter”. She needs no introduction, as the Spice Girls is the most iconic girl group of all time.

Melanie is bound to be a popular coach with the Aussie contestants, and she hopes to find some “brilliant talent to join Team Melanie”.

Richard Marx

The Voice Australia 2025 coach Richard Marx.
Richard Marx. Image: Seven

Richard Marx is an American singer-songwriter behind hits like “This I Promise You” by NYSYNC and Kenny Rogers’ “What About Me?”. He’s joining The Voice Australia for the first time in 2025, and can’t wait to scope out the talent Down Under.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to meet and nurture some truly talented singers. But I’m also just very happy to be coming to stay in Australia for an extended time. My love affair with Oz began in 1977 when I was 13 and my parents brought me with them for a month-long trip,” he said. “After many more visits on tour playing to thousands and thousands of Aussie fans, it’s become a home away from home.”

Ronan Keating

The Voice Australia 2025 coach Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating. Image: Seven

Former coach Ronan Keating is back, baby! The former Boyzone member will have something to prove when it comes to boy bands versus girl groups, so will he come out on top? 

“I’ve had a love affair with Australia since I first set foot on Aussie shores nearly three decades ago, so I can’t wait to get back to the country where I also met and fell in love with my wife,” Ronan said. “To be back in the big red chair on The Voice Australia in 2025 is going to be really special.”

Kate Miller-Heidke

The Voice Australia 2025 coach Kate Miller-Heidke
Kate Miller-Heidke. Image: Seven

The only returning The Voice Australia judge from last year is Kate Miller-Heidke. “I’m absolutely stoked to be coming back to The Singing Olympics aka The Voice this year,” she said. “I’m excited to meet the new coaches, all of whom are incredible artists, and to uncover some brand-new artists to join Team Kate.”

Is there a trailer for The Voice Australia 2025?

Yes! There’s a long promo that was released to introduce Mel C as the final judge. It looks like there will be plenty of drama, and you can watch it below.

The Voice Australia is coming soon to Channel Seven and 7plus.

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