MAFS stars announce major podcast update after ongoing controversy: 'Mix of emotions'

Married At First Sight stars Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding have announced the end of their podcast Sit With Us, after the two came under fire for a controversial episode earlier this year.

In a statement posted in their Facebook group, Dom let their audience know that while the podcast had been an "incredible journey" that she and Ella had come to a joint decision that it was time for Sit With Us to come to an end.

Dom announces the end of Sit With Us: 'Bittersweet'

"As I sit down to write this, my heart is filled with gratitude for each and every one of you. Over the past two years, your unwavering support has meant the world to me, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest thanks," Dom wrote.

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"Ella and I have come to a joint decision: it is the right time for Sit With Us to come to an end. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a mix of emotions. We have loved every moment, and ending this chapter is bittersweet. However, we believe it is the best step forward for both of us. We think it is the right time now to move on with our own solo projects and explore new opportunities that lie ahead."

What happened on the controversial Sit With Us episode?

In case you missed it, here's a TL;DR version of the drama: Dom and Ella invited MAFS' Jack Dunkley and Tori Adams onto their podcast to share their side of their Married At First Sight journey. During the interview, the controversial "muzzle your woman" came up, with Dom and Ella saying Lauren "pushed" Jack but unfortunately there was no mention of the misogyny behind the comment and why it was so problematic. Many people then thought Dom and Ella went too easy on Jack and gave him excuses instead of holding him accountable, leading them to be called out by fans, other MAFS stars, and Abbie Chatfield, who deemed the interview "worrying" and "awful".

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Dom and Ella later put out an apology episode, but many fans felt like they were missing the point, labelling it one of the "worst apologies", with people begging Dom and Ella to go do some research on feminism and language associated with domestic violence.

After the backlash, Dom checked into a mental health retreat, after citing that a breakup and the backlash had left her in a vulnerable state.

After a three-week stay, Dom updated fans on her mental health journey, saying upon reflection she realised she was letting other people dictate her happiness.

"I didn't want to suffer with my mental illness in the way that I was upon reflection I realised that I was putting my happiness in the hands of other people," Dom said. "I'm in charge of my own joy and it's time for me to enjoy my life again and realising that I'm happy with the person I'm becoming is just really life-changing for me."

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