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MAFS star Domenica enters mental health facility amid podcast backlash

"I have been struggling with some deep issues," the reality star shared before quitting Instagram. 

MAFs star Domenica Calarco reveals she was diagnosed with PTSD after the show

MAFS 2023 star Domenica Calarco has quit all her social media accounts after opening up about her mental health after audiences were disappointed with her recent podcast guest. 

The reality TV star released a statement on her Instagram, detailing her struggles and saying that she plans to take time out and enter a mental health retreat.

In the emotional post, Domenica wrote: "Over the last month, I have been struggling with some deep issues that have left me emotionally, physically and psychologically drained."

"Every day, I am trying to be the strong, independent and bubbly person that you all know me to be, but the reality is that I am not okay, and the recent social media discourse has forced me to realise that I am at the end of my tether."

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Domenica enters mental health retreat. Source: Channel 9
Domenica enters mental health retreat. Source: Channel 9

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"I need to put my health first"

"As someone who has dealt with mental illness for 15 years, I have come to the realisation that I need to put my health, both physically and mentally, as the number one priority and have decided to enter a mental health retreat," she added.

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It comes after Domenica and her MAFS co-star Ella Ding were recently swept up in controversy.

The duo received criticism from fans after interviewing MAFS season 11 groom Jack Dunkley on their podcast, Sit With Us.

Domenica and Ella's podcast comes under fire after MAFS 2024 groom as a guest. Source: Channel 9
Domenica and Ella's podcast comes under fire after MAFS 2024 groom as a guest. Source: Channel 9

RELATED: MAFS star Domenica Calarco says she has PTSD from reality show

"We never wanted to offend or hurt people"

Jack was a highly controversial character on the reality show, and the panel of relationship experts repeatedly called him out for his behaviour.

In one episode, he sparked outrage during a dinner party by telling another groom, Jonathan McCullough, to "muzzle" his wife.

Following the backlash, Domenica and Ella issued an apology to their podcast listeners.

"I now understand that by having Jack on the podcast, people are upset because it potentially had shown that we weren't supportive of women because we platformed him, and that was never what we wanted to be putting across," Domenica explained. "For making people feel uncomfortable and for triggering them in that situation by having Jack on, I apologise.

"We never wanted to offend or hurt people by having him on the podcast."

Originally published as MAFS star Domenica enters mental health facility amid podcast backlash

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/mafs-star-domenica-enters-mental-health-facility-amid-podcast-backlash/news-story/a3e89a731c5b3b623c1afd6934e91a9c