Reality star slams troll for calling his two-year-old son ‘overweight’

Michael Brunelli and Martha Kalifatidis are no strangers to social media backlash, but a recent comment about their toddler son prompted a rare and emotional public clap back.

Reality TV star Michael Brunelli is no stranger to online criticism, but he has drawn the line after an internet troll targeted his two year old son with a cruel comment.

Brunelli, who found fame with fiancee Martha Kalifatidis on Married At First Sight in 2019, has publicly called out an Instagram user who fat shamed their son, Lucius, by suggesting he was “overweight.”

“You might want to watch his weight, look over weight to me,” the comment read.

Brunelli didn’t hold back in his response, defending Lucius, also known as Looch, on his Instagram.

“Imagine looking at a photo of a toddler and thinking the best course of action is to comment ‘better watch his weight,’” Brunelli wrote.

“That’s not concern, that’s real life brain rot. If you’re wired to see a happy, healthy two year-old and think ‘fat,’ you shouldn’t be around children.

“Get help. Touch grass. Drink some water.

“And keep your projections the f*** away from mine.”

A stranger left the comment on Michael Brunelli's Instagram.

Michael Brunelli responded to the comment. Picture: Supplied

While Brunelli and Kalifatidis are used to harsh online criticism, he admitted comments about their son land differently.

“Martha and I have had terrible things said about us over the years, it’s fine it comes with the nature of what we do which you usually just block and delete,” he said.

“Things said about Looch, they kind of hit a little harder for us. Normally I’d still block and delete, but this one, something in me wanted to respond to it, instead of posting emotionally straight away, which I don’t like to do.”

Michael Brunelli and Martha Kalifatidis and their son Lucius Brunelli, Picture: Supplied

Martha Kalifatidis, Michael Brunelli and baby Lucius, are the faces of the Bond's Baby Search, which opens on Tuesday.

Brunelli and Kalifatidis have become one of the reality show’s strongest success stories, joining the likes of Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson in proving relationships can thrive beyond reality TV.

Engaged since late 2021, the couple welcomed Lucius in February 2023.

Confidential initially hesitated to publish a photo of Lucius, but felt justified as the couple frequently share updates and family moments with their combined one million followers on Instagram.

It comes a month after the pair celebrated Kalifatidis’ 37th birthday where Brunelli opened up about the pressures of parenting and everyday life.

He revealed the couple had been feeling the strain of work and family responsibilities but took time out to reconnect on a quiet getaway. “It didn’t fix all the stress, but it reminded us of what matters,” he said.

Brunelli and Kalifatidis declined to comment.