There’s no denying that alliances are a big part of the My Kitchen Rules (MKR) experience. While some contestants form genuine friendships that last long after filming wraps, others find themselves on opposite sides of the kitchen. And sometimes, the drama doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling.
Speaking exclusively to Chattr, several 2026 contestants lifted the lid on where relationships stand now, revealing which teams they’re still in regular contact with, which friendships have fizzled out and whether any rivalries have continued beyond the competition.
And, as it turns out, there’s been a little drama brewing behind the scenes, with a cast group chat also becoming a talking point. Because apparently, even after the Instant Restaurants have closed, there’s still plenty of tea to spill!
The MKR group chat has exploded with drama
Mother-daughter duo Krysten and Lucy told Chattr exclusively that there’s a contestant group chat which has become pretty “spicy” as the episodes have aired.
Why? Well, because the teams are now seeing what’s been said about them by their rivals on TV and certain people are not happy.
“There’s a contestant group chat where a few people message here and there, but it’s still pretty spicy in that group chat, I’m not gonna lie,” Lucy told Chattr.
“People are seeing what’s been said behind their backs on TV and questioning that.”
“There are people who still have unresolved problems with what happened either at the table or in the kitchen, and they’re having trouble letting that go,” Krysten added.
To make things even spicier, self-proclaimed ‘classy bogans’ Deanne and Alisha told Chattr there were a few group chats going and not everyone’s included.
The ladies revealed there’s the full-team group chat along with separate chats where contestants “talk crap about the others”.
The My Kitchen Rules 2026 cast divide, exposed
While we don’t have answers as to which teams are in the side chats, we do have some intel about the alliances forming as the MKR group splits into different cliques.
Multiple contestants have revealed to Chattr that they only talk to certain teams and are happy to never speak to others again.
Krysten and Lucy told us they “bonded with some” contestants but “definitely not all of them”.
Of the gatecrashers, they revealed they still keep in touch with Oliver and Harrison and have hung out with them since filming wrapped, but don’t plan to see the other gatecrashers again.
“Look, I don’t think we’ll be hanging out with Jane and Shane. I don’t think we’ll be hanging out with Sheridan and Ted anytime soon,” Lucy told Chattr.
As for Tiffany and Giancarlo, they spotlighted Mary and Golden as the couple they are closest to from the competition.
“I think we’re closest now with Mary and Golden,” Giancarlo told Chattr, with Tiffany adding: “They’re just awesome, awesome women. We really did bond with Mary and Golden. Their cooking’s rooted in tradition, so is ours. You know, we’ve got that commonality there.”
Alisha and Deanne also listed Mary and Golden as their faves from the comp.
“Mary and Golden, absolutely favourite,” Deanne said.
“Loved them. They were hilarious, they understood us. They even said, ‘I’ve never met two loud best friends louder than us’. So I said, ‘Well, you better bloody turn it up, girls. Turn up the volume, ladies!’ But they were great. They were good.”
They also “got along really well” with Krysten and Lucy, revealing they “actually had our back and stuck up for us quite a bit” on the show.
“Tiffany and Giancarlo, we obviously didn’t enjoy them. Not our cup of tea,” she added, referring to the walk-out incident early on in the competition.
They also joked that they’re “best friends” with Jane and Shane, before insisting that it was a joke, in case it wasn’t clear.
My Kitchen Rules airs on Channel 7 and 7Plus.
Love to chat about Reality TV? Join us in our new Facebook group and come chat! Or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more entertainment news.
