MAFS' Domenica reveals ex-husband's 'angry' reaction to her TV gig

Married At First Sight fans immediately fell in love with Domenica Calarco and Jack Millar when they tied the knot on Tuesday night, but a major talking point from the episode centred around the TV bride’s shock confession.

Domenica, a 28-year-old Italian makeup artist who describes herself as “loud, honest and bold”, admitted to her new husband during their wedding reception that she was previously married in 2019.

“I was in a four-year relationship and I was married for two months,” she said. “I was really worried to open up to you about it because I didn't know how you would react.”

When asked about why things came to an end, she told Jack she simply wasn’t happy and shouldn’t have gone through with it in the first place.

Following the on-air moment, Domenica has spoken candidly with Yahoo Lifestyle about how she felt opening up about her first marriage to someone she had only just met.

“It was a huge deal and I was really nervous, but the way Jack took the news and responded was incredible and he just made me feel so comfortable and safe,” she says. “He felt like he was my rock already.”

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As for what she thinks about having the breakdown of her first marriage be made so public on a national scale, the reality TV star describes it as “bittersweet”.

“It just reminds me that that relationship and that marriage didn't work and that people's feelings got hurt,” she admits, adding that there are “still very raw emotions” for everyone involved.

“Regardless of the divorce, I think a lot of people can relate to any kind of long-term relationship ending and having to move on, and I'm sure people could also relate with having to bring that up with a new partner. Vulnerability is such a beautiful thing.”

‘He was really upset and angry’

Domenica went on to reveal details about her current relationship with her ex-husband and what he thought about her appearing on the show.

“When you have a breakup I know some people still keep in touch with their ex, but that's not the case for my ex and I,” she says. “I did afford him the respect of telling him that I was going into the experiment, but I wouldn’t say he took it well.

“He’s way more of a private person, in a sense that he's probably worried about the judgement a little bit more. That was something that took over a lot in our relationship and caused the breakdown of our relationship, if I'm being honest.”

While she acknowledges that her ex doesn’t necessarily approve of her new TV gig, she remarks that he’s no longer a part of her life and she can do whatever she wants.

“I afforded him the respect of telling him because it would have been better than just seeing me on the TV one day, but it is what it is,” she continues.

“It’s my journey now, it’s about me. It was upsetting to hear that he was really upset and angry that I was going on Married At First Sight, but this is about me, it's not about him. And I'm doing this for me and it's my life and that's all that matters.”

Domenica’s first marriage

Similar to her second wedding making headlines around the country, Domenica’s lavish first marriage was featured in The Daily Telegraph.

She wore a custom Steven Khalil bridal gown said to be worth $15,000 and said ‘I do’ in front of 140 guests at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Randwick, Sydney.

A family friend told Yahoo Lifestyle: “[Her first husband] couldn't believe it when Domenica ended things after two months. He thought they’d be together forever and had no idea she wasn't happy. He didn't know what to do after she left and ended up going to her family asking how he can get her back, but they told him not to bother as she's made up her mind.”

This time around, Domenica says she has been “matched perfectly” with Jack as he is someone who is “kind, can have a laugh at himself and doesn’t take life too seriously”.

“It’s so lovely to see all the comments saying that we’re a power couple and that’s just testament to Jack and I’s relationship because we are such an amazing team, and you will see that throughout the experiment,” she teases.

Married At First Sight continues on Channel Nine and 9Now tonight at 7:30pm.

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