A new controversy has hit Married At First Sight, just weeks before the dating series returns to airwaves.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia a source close to the reality show has revealed one of the new ‘wives’ has been left in emotional distress after being rejected by her on-screen match when he was unimpressed by her body shape.
JoJo, a single mum with two kids, is also said to be feeling ‘hurt and threatened’ by Channel Nine after the devastating knock-back occurred.
EXCLUSIVE: New Married At First Sight contestant ‘hurt and threatened’ by Nine after being ‘majorly rejected’ by on-screen match in fat-shaming controversy… after the show is SLAMMED for promoting ‘sexist’ ideals
‘She was majorly rejected by her ‘husband’ as he didn’t like her body type,’ the insider revealed.
The source added that JoJo’s experience wasn’t helped by the Nine Network’s less-than-supportive response.
‘She sounded hurt and obviously very threatened by Nine who have clamped down on all of them after one of them leaked the other contestants to the press,’ the insider explained.
While Channel Nine declined to speak specifically about any individual contestants, the network did state more broadly: ‘We take our duty of care seriously and support all participants in Married At First Sight with counsellors throughout the show and after production has ended as requested.’
Keeping postive: After her humiliation, JoJo had taken to Instagram to share cryptic body love affirmations on her account
Trying to send a message? Even more telling are the hashtags JoJo has used, which include: ‘#looksarenoteverything’ and ‘#notskinny’.
The Married At First Sight spy also divulged that the blonde beauty had taken to Instagram to share cryptic body love affirmations after suffering the public humiliation that is soon set to play out on screens.
‘Her Instagram is full of posts that support what she was saying about being rejected due to looks/body type,’ the source said, before adding: ‘Poor thing.’
Among the posts are those which contain sayings such as ‘Sexy isn’t a shape, it’s an attitude’ and ‘I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love’.
Another reads: ‘A woman’s beautiful face attracts a flirter. A woman’s beautiful heart attracts a lover. A woman’s beautiful character attracts a man.’
Even more telling are the hashtags JoJo has used, which include: ‘#looksarenoteverything’ and ‘#notskinny’.
Unlucky in love! JoJo has hinted at her public fat-shaming that will soon play out on screens
Earlier this month, JoJo was among numerous contestants leaked to Daily Mail Australia, with a source spilling that the unlucky-in-love mum was ‘100% confirmed’.
It was also revealed that she had previously been rejected as a cast mate two times prior to this season.
Seemingly confirming this, JoJo shared a snap of her application process earlier this year, captioning the post: ‘#3rdtimesacharmright’.
Third time’s a charm! JoJo was previously rejected twice for the show
While season five of Married At First Sight is not slated to premiere until January 29, the series has already been marred by controversy.
After a teaser was screened featuring ‘sexist’ soon-to-be-star Dean admitting he wanted to be ‘obeyed’ by his ideal woman and that he desired to be the ‘alpha male’, people were not happy.
Backlash was swift, with Katrina Bicket creating a petition to stop the show from being broadcast, which had garnered more than 2000 digital signatures.
Backlash: After a teaser was screened featuring ‘sexist’ soon-to-be-star Dean admitting he wanted to be ‘obeyed’ by his ideal woman and that he desired to be the ‘alpha male’, people were not happy
‘The powers that be at 9 Network have decided to include a misogynist looking for a doormat/wife in the next series of Married At First Sight. Declaring such views as wanting to be in charge, he’s the man, she has to listen, and referring to traditional roles that still exist in “other countries”‘ the petition’s statement began.
Describing Channel Nine as ‘capitalising off the abuse of women’, Katrina continued to slam the network in the statement.
‘The oppression and abuse of women should never be used as a marketing tool. We’re talking about lives here, and lives are far more important than ratings or network profits… 9 Network, hang your heads in shame.’
‘The oppression and abuse of women should never be used as a marketing tool’ More than 2000 people have signed a petition calling for Married At First Sight to be taken off air