The Block’s Shelley Craft speaks out about backlash towards contestants on social media

The TV host has issued an important plea to viewers of the reality show.

Video transcript

Oh, it's interesting, isn't it?

When the show first started, um, there was no such thing as social media.

So I think our our first, you know, few years of contestants got away lightly in inverted commas.

Uh, when it came to public opinion, we were also filming at the same time that we were going to air for a few of those series.

So they were sort of seeing themselves on the telly at the same time as they were still working on the block.

And in that regard, they were able to perhaps, um, see themselves a little differently or or pull back on some of their mannerisms or just have that mirror held up to them.

Um, it's interesting when people audition for the block.

I don't really know what they're expecting.

There's there's there's no smoke and mirrors, you know?

I think throughout the show, we tell it absolutely how it is, how hard it is going to be, how much of a mental challenge it is as much as a physical challenge.

Um, there is no doubt that our contestants are under a great amount of pressure and stress, but it's very localised, you know, they're not going home to their normal jobs or their families.

It really is about what's happening on that site at that time.

And I try to remind them, Hey, you know, this is supposed to be enjoying.

I'm not gonna say it's gonna be fun all the time.

It's hard work, but you signed up for it.

You know, it wasn't the hunger Games.

We didn't draw your name out of a fish bowl.

You you wanted this for whatever reason.

So please try and always keep in mind why you're here.

Um, for the parents, often it's it's to, you know, hopefully win a life changing amount of money to set their families up for the future.

For young couples, it's perhaps to put themselves under a little bit of pressure, um, to see how how they're gonna work together in the future or just a life experience.

But yeah, we do try to say, Hey, don't get too overwhelmed by you know, the waterproofing, for example.

Um, really think about that overall picture of why you're here and remember to find some excitement and joy in every day while you're here.

Um, the general public, they don't know you.

So when they see you on air, they're reacting to a very small window of, you know, your personality.

So remember why the people that love you love you.

And yes, you weren't having your greatest day and be honest about that.

Oh, my goodness.

I was out of control that day and that's OK because I don't have to be in control every day.

But when the audience is only seeing, you know, little snippets of their personalities, not what they're like every day when they get nine hours sleep and they get to do their you know, hair and makeup and feel fabulous, we really are by the end of the series, seeing these contestants under the greatest amount of pressure that they've ever been in.

Um and I think we have to be a lot gentler on them as an audience, um, for what they're going through because they're providing you entertainment.

Um, they're providing us some some wonderful rooms and design ideas, but ultimately we're all watching because we're intrigued by who these couples and who these people are.

And again, from that mental health side of it, just just be kind.

These people are giving you some viewing pleasure.

Be a little bit more kind on the other end of the line, please.