Kalinda Salla explains how she dealt with messy split from AFL star Dayne Zorko
In late 2018, Dayne Zorko and Kalinda Salla’s breakup was played out publicly on social media. Now, as she moves on to her next venture, she explains why it was the best thing that could happen for them and their young son
Confidential
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THE ex-partner of Brisbane Lions captain Dayne Zorko has spoken of how putting their son first helped them overcome a messy and public split.
Kalinda Salla, 26, who is today launching an accessories business named after their son, Louis, 4, says despite the “crazy” and “terrible” nature of the break-up 18 months ago, it was the best outcome for them as parents.
“The first few months it was just a crazy period with everything going on, but we always both put Louis first,” Salla told The Sunday Mail, as Louis played with Brisbane Lions trading cards.
“And then life goes on and we are both very chilled, civil people so it worked out well and we are both a lot happier now.
“He (Zorko) adores Louis and he wouldn’t want to do anything to ruin his relationship with either of the parents, and that’s the same with me. We co-parent really well and we get along really well. He’s a great dad and I can’t fault it.”
The relationship breakdown played out on social media in November 2018, when Salla shared salacious text messages from Zorko’s phone to her Instagram account as well as a suggestive image of the midfielder on his own page, which, although deleted shortly after, went viral on social media and AFL fan forums.
While dealing with persistent media attention surrounding their split, the couple, who had been together for five years, sold their family home and Salla had moved out within the month.
“Break-ups are terrible things to go through,” she said. “At that time a lot of bad things happened in my life, with a best friend passing away and just everything happening at once. But I managed to get through that and if I did that, I feel like I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
“I feel like it happened for a reason and … I’m happy with how it all turned out, which sounds weird, but if you’re not happy in a relationship, don’t stay in it for the sake of it.”
“I love being single. You don’t have to answer to anyone. You learn more about yourself and you can achieve more things.”
Salla, who shares custody of Louis 50-50 with Zorko, is launching her solo business, Louzo – short for Louis Zorko – on their son’s fourth birthday today, with the goal to cut down her hours working as a pharmacist, which have increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, to spend more time at home.
Louzo offers luxury monogrammed silk bow ties for men and boys to tap into the increasingly popular personalised gift market.
“Because he (Zorko) plays football his hours are all over the place … And mine are all over the place too, so it makes it very hard,” she said.
“I was flying over to America and on the plane I heard some girls complaining about how they could never find presents for any guys in their life – fathers, boyfriends, brothers, friends.”
“I thought the monogramming industry for men hasn’t been tapped into yet.”
Salla, who ships the silk for the bow ties from Italy, is running the business out of the Newstead home she shares with Louis.
“Doing this is a huge accomplishment,” she said.
“Hopefully this business takes off and goes well so I can drop my hours and work from home and he doesn’t have to go into daycare every day – that would be the ideal.”