Today is finally the day the Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2025 cast get their social media accounts back, but a few stray participants who have already been going rogue on Instagram just had a rather awkward run in.
Dave Hand and Katie Johnston jumped on an Instagram Live with Carly Portch (@carlysnapz) but things quickly turned sour when Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice also decided to join, with an unimpressed Katie promptly leaving the Live as soon the couple joined.
Host, Carly, told Chattr that the situation was “wild” with the Instagram Live going over two hours in total, with more clips to come.
“It started with Dave joining, then Katie, and then Jacqui and Clint. Katie left then jumped back on after to tell her side,” Carly explained. “I have since talked to Katie and it seems like they [Katie and Jacqui] won’t be friends anytime soon.
“So much drama has happened since the cameras were dropped and as someone who interviewed and was invested in the contestants the whole season I think we need a follow-up reunion!” Carly said.
Watch the awkward moment MAFS’ Katie ignores Jacqui and Clint
As Jacqui and Clint joined, Katie quickly jumped off, returning later when the pair exited the call.
“We feel bad about Katie leaving,” Jacqui said, before saying it was all due to a controversy starring MAFS 2024 star Lucinda Light.
Stick with us here.
“What happened was Lucinda commented in support of Ryan [Donelly] on a post and I messaged Lucinda saying ‘Hey, just so you know Ryan is not the victim here’,” Jacqui said, saying she sent Lucinda receipts about Ryan “lying”.
The couple went on to explain that Clint then did a post saying “wilful blindness isn’t an excuse”, with Lucinda later deleting her comment to Ryan. They then pointed out that Lucinda had done “the same” for Katie and “supported Katie” when news of her “tax fraud” situation broke.
“It landed poorly for her, and she [Katie] took it to heart,” Clint said on the Live.
Katie then appeared back on the chat solo to explain her side, and said she felt as though the situation was about “dragging Lu down and pulling me in.”
Did MAFS’ Lucinda support Ryan?
As aforementioned, Lucinda had previously left a comment on an Instagram post of Ryan Donnelly’s, where he had uploaded an inspirational motto the day after he was filmed exiting Campbelltown Courthouse after his AVO application hearing against Jacqui, with the mention being adjourned until June 24.
AVOs generally prohibit certain behaviour with the aim of protecting the person who lodges it. Ryan’s claims are unproven as the case is still before the courts.
“You can remember the person you were before today. The person that made where you are possible. Made it real. Who you were might not have been capable. Emotions ran wild as you faced every strange challenge. But they were always deserving of love. Loving yourself, flaws and all, makes tomorrow possible,” Ryan’s Instagram post read, teamed with a mirror selfie.
Lucinda then left a comment saying, “Good on you Ryan. Stand strong. Share your love and your lessons xxx”.
Clint then took to his Instagram Stories to call her out, saying, “Ignorance and wilful blindness is no excuse.”
“Your ‘loving’ deed on social media is perpetuating abuse and harm,” Clint’s story read. “Ignoring an issue makes you a tacit supporter of it.”
Lucinda’s comment then appeared to be deleted from Ryan’s Instagram post, and in a statement to Chattr she said, “I’d like to wish them all peace, love and resolve.”
What is Katie Johnston’s business controversy?
Jacqui and Clint mentioned Katie’s business controversy, so in case you need a quick refresher, here goes!
Katie describes herself as the CEO of a social enterprise group of restaurants that provides emergency food aid, education, housing, and employment opportunities to youth in Peru. However, after Katie’s journey on MAFS, it was reported that the company that owned the restaurants – Wild The Lifestyle Co PTY – went into liquidation in 2023, owing more than $400,000, which included $150,000 of unpaid superannuation.
Katie told The Sunshine Coast Daily that a payment plan was in place to repay the debt, citing Covid as a big factor. “Covid ruined a lot of businesses and continues to ruin people’s lives as we struggle with the cost of living and mass business closures,” she said.
Stream Married At First Sight 2025 on 9Now.
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