Married at First Sight’s Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding have faced criticism following their Sit With Us podcast interview with ‘villain’ Jack Dunkley.
During a season 11 dinner party, the 34-year-old personal trainer left the other couples and viewers stunned when he told Jonathan McCullough to ‘muzzle’ his wife Lauren Dunn.
And season nine besties Ella and Dom discussed the remark with Jack, suggesting he was ‘being pushed’ by Lauren.
‘They (the producers) would always put her right in front of you. It makes for amazing dinner parties,’ Dom said.
‘Great entertainment for us, but not for you guys,’ Ella chimed in.
‘The muzzle comment… for me it’s like, why do we gotta bring dogs into this? I’m being a smart-ass, guys. But you had to know the second the words came out of your mouth, or while you’re sitting there, that this wasn’t going to be good for you,’ Dom added.
Following attempts to shift blame, Jack’s misogyny remained unaddressed sparking criticism from fans.
Abbie Chatfield took to the comment section, and didn’t mince words.
‘Really disappointing to see the victim blaming here, and the allowance for a man to speak in such a dehumanising way about a woman because she… spoke too much?’ she began.
‘I can’t believe I’m seeing you both dismiss what he said, because he was ‘pushed’. That’s the excuse for all abusive men. And what he did was verbal abuse. This is really worrying.’
‘Particularly in the current climate, this is really incredibly awful. I feel a bit sick to be honest girls,’ she went on.
‘I’d take this episode down if I were you, apologise, and try to educate yourselves on the inner workings on patriarchy and how you have upheld it in this interview. I actually feel sick,’ Chatfield concluded.
Chatfield wasn’t alone in sharing her displeasure.
‘Ella and Dom, usually love your podcast but I was shocked by this one. You need to re-evaluate real quick. The guy has said numerous misogynistic comments throughout the series and you let him off big time and let him manipulate you,’ wrote one more fan.
‘Girls this is getting really really really disappointing,’ added another.
‘After 2 years of listening and enjoying, I will be officially unfollowing this podcast because of this episode,’ wrote one more.
‘Sad to see you both not hold this man accountable, and to then make light of the situation with jokes?’