MAFS' Melinda breaks silence on split from Layton: 'For a long time I felt guilty'

Married At First Sight's Melinda Willis and Layton Mills were one of the biggest success stories from last year's season of the reality show, navigating the highs and lows of the experiment and emerging on the other side of final vows and the reunion still in love.

But the couple saddened fans when they announced their split in October last year, releasing a joint statement to their followers.

"After a lot of thought and consideration, we had sadly decided to both take time apart. We still care very deeply for each other and this doesn't mean our lives can't come back together, but as of now, we think this decision is for the best," the Instagram Story read.

Neither party has spoken much about the breakup since then, but with MAFS recently kicking off again, Melinda finally addressed the split on Yahoo Australia's Behind The Edit podcast and revealed where they currently stand with each other.

'I'm much happier now'

Taking part in our very own Honesty Box segment, Melinda was asked if she and Layton are still in contact and whether she'd get back together with him.

"I'm not still in contact with Layton and at this stage, I don't see myself getting back together with him," Melinda revealed.

"I have days where I will miss Layton and miss certain things and I have days where I'm so angry and I can't go back there. I'm much happier now."

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When asked what that means for her dating life in 2024, Melinda said she hasn't been dating but is starting to get to the stage where she'd be open to meeting someone new.

"I'm not dating. For a long time I felt guilty if I even thought about dating. I still feel very connected to Layton," she shared. "But I'm getting to that stage where I'm like... I'm 34, c'mon Mel get back out there!"

'I still care about that'

The reality star also said she struggles with the idea of going on dating apps now that she's a public figure, knowing that trying to use the apps would lead to her being written about.

"You're going to go on Hinge or Bumble and end up in the Daily Mail," she said.

"And then you also think you don't want something to be shot and then have Layton see it, I still care about that. I don't know what he's doing, guys move on pretty fast, but he's pretty respectful so it's all kept out of the limelight."

Subscribe to Yahoo Australia's Behind The Edit and listen to the full interview with Melinda Willis here.

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