Davina Rankin opens up about split from Jaxon Manuel, embraces co-parenting and single life

Former reality TV star Davina Rankin has opened up about her unexpected split from her husband just five months into their marriage and their transition to co-parenting.

Davina Rankin, the well-known ‘Married At First Sight’ alumna, author and podcast host, has laid bare the details of her fleeting marriage to Jaxon Manuel, including their unexpected split and the aftermath that led to an extraordinary co-parenting partnership.

Davina Rankin, former MAFS star turned podcast host opens up about love, life and her celibacy journey, Valley, on Friday 12th January 2024 – Photo Steve Pohlner

Rankin and Manuel began their whirlwind romance, which began in 2018, before welcoming daughter Mila-Mae in November 2019.

Manuel then surprised Rankin by proposing on her 30th birthday in early 2021, with the couple then tying the knot in April 2022 in front of 100 guests at picturesque Tweed venue Fins at Plantation House.

But the union was short-lived, ending in September 2022.

The public, however, remained in the dark about their split until Rankin’s public announcement on Instagram in May 2023.

“Relationships are hard … I need to confirm that Jax and I have separated … My current focus is learning to navigate my new normal while providing a seamless and loving transition into co-parenting our daughter,” she posted to Instagram in May 2023 announcing her separation from Manuel.

Davina Rankin wedding for Qweekend weddings

Rankin revealed to the Courier-Mail the crux of their split, attributing the separation to both of them being “broken” and struggling with personal issues.

“I think it’s really hard for two broken people to try and make a relationship work … We were just quite young, and we both just had our own stuff going on,” she told the Courier-Mail.

“And I think that goes with any relationship, it’s really hard for someone who hasn’t quite found themselves to be the best version of themselves with someone else.”

Opening up to B105 breakfast host Abby Coleman, who played the role as their wedding officiant, Rankin gave an unfiltered insight into the dynamics of her marriage to Manuel.

“It’s one of those things I think, we had a beautiful relationship but sometimes you kind of, think you have to be doing things just for the sake of doing things and we definitely should have put more time and effort into the relationship,” Rankin told Coleman on-air.

“But you know, human experience teaches us just to go go go all the time and keep up appearances”.

Despite the separation, Rankin said that their relationship is now “better than it has ever been”, highlighting their effective co-parenting.

“We communicate so well … We spend a lot of time together as a family … He’s on his own beautiful journey. I’m on my beautiful journey. And we support each other really, like ride or die,” she told the Courier-Mail.

A year and a half on from her separation, Rankin has declared her current relationship status as decidedly single.

Davina Rankin, former MAFS star turned podcast host opens up about love, life and her celibacy journey, Valley, on Friday 12th January 2024 – Photo Steve Pohlner

Following a 12-month period of celibacy, Rankin has no immediate plans to enter the dating scene, choosing instead to continue her journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

“I’m just not ready to carry anyone else’s energy right now,” Rankin stated, emphasising the importance of focusing on herself.

“I just want to be really mindful who I let into my space.”

Further distancing herself from the conventional dating landscape, Rankin revealed she has no intention of turning to dating apps to find love.

Dismissing the idea of swiping right to find her soulmate, she expressed a belief in a more organic connection.

“I feel like if I run into my soulmate, I’ll know. So I don’t really see that there’s much point in going through Tinder or anything,” she said.

“I truly feel like, the best things come to you when you’re least expecting it – so I think if I can keep working on myself and keep making myself the best version of myself, I’m surely going to get the best version of someone else.”

Her new-found perspective on life and relationships is also impacting her professional endeavours.

Reality TV star Davina Rankin is releasing a series of children's books, Monday, April 3, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker

Rankin has recently released a children’s book titled ‘The Love Within Moo’ and is planning spiritual and self-love retreats in Bali and Italy in 2024.

These ventures, along with her podcast ‘Who Me’, are reflective of her journey towards love, life, and personal empowerment.