Warning: This article deals with the topic of mental health and may be distressing for some readers.
Former MAFS star Domenica Calarco shared a troubling message on Instagram after facing backlash for the controversial interview featuring MAFS‘ villain Jack Dunkley on her podcast, Sit With Us, alongside her co-host Ella Ding.
Here’s what went down: Jack made this cringeworthy comment about Lauren Dunn, telling her TV hubby, Jono McCullough, to “put a muzzle on his woman”. And guess what? Having been through MAFS before, Ella and Dom suggested that producers strategically placed Lauren in Jack’s line of sight at dinner parties just to stir the pot. Dom even said, “They would always put her right in front of you. It makes for amazing dinner parties because we sit there eating the popcorn”.
The backlash from listeners and social media users was intense, but Domenica and Ella stood by their position, even pointing out that Jack and Tori’s episode had their highest listener numbers yet.
Domenica Checks Into Mental Health Retreat
However, after media personality Abbie Chatfield called them out for victim-blaming Lauren and supporting misogyny, Domenica admitted that her mental health had taken a hit, and announced that she was in need of a break. It appears the reality star has also deleted her social media account.
“Over the last month, I have been struggling with some deep issues that have left me emotionally, physically and psychologically drained,” she wrote on Instagram Stories on Sunday.
“Everyday, I am trying to be the strong, independent and bubbly person that you all know me to be, but the reality is that I am not okay and the recent social media discourse has forced me to realise that I am at the end of my tether.”
She continued: “As someone who has dealt with mental illness for 15 years, I have come to the realisation that I need to put my health, both physically and mentally, as the number one priority and have decided to enter a mental health retreat.”
Abbie Chatfield Calls Out Domenica and Ella
Last week, Abbie Chatfield called out reality stars Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding regarding the controversial interview featuring MAFS‘ villain Jack Dunkley on their podcast, Sit With Us.
Here’s what went down: Jack made this cringeworthy comment about Lauren Dunn, telling her TV hubby, Jono McCullough, to “put a muzzle on his woman”. And guess what? Ella and Dom implied producers intentionally positioned Lauren near Jack at dinner parties to cause drama. Dom even said, “They would always put her right in front of you. It makes for amazing dinner parties because we sit there eating the popcorn”.
Abbie Chatfield didn’t hold back when she saw a clip of Dom and Ella’s chat on the podcast’s socials. She called them out for not tackling the misogynistic vibes of Jack’s original comment. She wrote, “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?”
“It’s Really Damaging to Post This”
Then, Abbie Chatfield took her thoughts to her podcast, It’s A Lot, where she really went in. She didn’t think Dom and Ella were being intentionally malicious, more like they just didn’t quite grasp feminism and patriarchy. She felt they were stuck at an “entry-level” understanding.
When it comes to having controversial guests on podcasts, Abbie’s stance has shifted a bit. Once opposed to giving platforms to misogynists, she now believes it’s acceptable if you’re prepared to confront them. She slammed Dom and Ella for not being prepared to handle Jack’s comments properly.
“When it comes to getting misogynists on your podcast, I used to have a very strong opinion on this of not platforming them,” she began. “But then you know, throughout being in media and throughout doing the podcast, I do think sometimes you can get people on that you disagree with if you are equipped to explain to them, and hence your audience, why what they did was wrong.”
“That’s the Biggest Issue”
She stressed not shying away from tough talks and faulted the Sit With Us hosts for seeming unprepared.
Throughout her chat, Abbie kept circling back to this question of whether Dom and Ella really understand feminism. She reckons they missed the mark big time in comprehending the bigger picture of patriarchy and feminist principles.
“I don’t think those girls even know why the muzzle comment was wrong. I think that’s the biggest issue,” she continued. “They don’t have an understanding of patriarchy or feminism, and they claiming they do, and they can profit off it and they can get their listeners pretending that they are. But they’re actually not. They’re actually not feminists.”
If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or if you or a young person you know is struggling with symptoms of mental illness, please contact Headspace (1800 650 890) or chat online. If you are over the age of 25 and suffering from symptoms of mental illness, please contact your local GP for a Mental Health Assessment Plan or call Lifeline (13 11 14) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7.
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