Fans slam Concetta's pre-recorded I'm a Celebrity win: 'Super weird and forced'

Concetta Caristo was officially crowned the winner of I’m a Celebrity Australia 2026 — but the radio personality didn’t actually know she was the Jungle Monarch when her winning scene was filmed, as it was prerecorded.

Because the entire season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! was pre-filmed while the winner was decided by public vote, the three finalists each recorded a winning scene. However, only the segment featuring the contestant who received the most public votes was ultimately aired.

That meant that Concetta was essentially acting in her winning scene that was shown to Australia, and fans of the show called it “anti-climactic”.

“That was the s**ttest way to end. They could have at least also cut to them live at the venue they’re watching it on TV to see the real reaction, given we all knew it was pre-recorded,” one person on Reddit suggested.

 “I can’t imagine how awkward it must’ve been for each of them to record a separate ending with all their family members present, knowing their win might not come to fruition,” another added.

A third pointed out that filming multiple alternative endings would have been a lengthy process, which may have affected the momentum of the contestants’ reactions.

“They have to reset literally everything, the drones, fireworks, settle them, bring them all back, fix up the red carpet so it doesn’t look like someone has already walked it, ready camera angles and weather conditions for the drone…. It was probably like 1-1.5 or 2 hours for each crowning.”

“They were having Con and Luke act, for so long…..but they’re not actors. Gary could have pulled it off. Con really, really can’t act, and it felt super weird and forced.”

Fans celebrate Concetta’s I’m a Celebrity win

While viewers weren’t impressed with Concetta’s winning segment, many shared their excitement over her actual victory.

“Happy to see Concetta win. She was a constant ray of happiness & positivity throughout the whole show,” one person wrote on X.

“She’s just a genuine, lovely girl. Congratulations, Concetta!” A second wrote on Facebook, with a third commenting: “Congratulations, Concetta. Loved your enthusiasm, positivity and kindness.”