James Weir recaps the sad truth of life after reality TV

While the Queen’s death has left a massive hole in the world, former Married At First Sight star Jessika Power has more important holes to worry about.

While the Queen’s death has left a massive hole in the world, former Married At First Sight star Jessika Power has more important holes to worry about.

“You can still see the holes in my butt from my butt filler,” the bikini-clad reality star says as she arches her back and looks over a shoulder at the two small puncture marks on her exposed behind as a photographer waits to take her picture.

It’s Friday morning and nothing’s going to plan. The sky’s grey. Rain has forced the photoshoot to relocate from Surfers Paradise beach to a rooftop bar. And the reality TV star-turned-OnlyFans model has just flown back to the Gold Coast from her new home in the UK for the launch of a product that, technically, as of a few days ago, kinda-sorta no longer exists.

The 30-year-old was announced as the face of a new bundled wellness pack, dubbed “Sex On The Beach”, that was set to include appetite suppressants plus labido boosters. It promised to “help get you in shape for summer (and) improve your bedroom game”.

Jessika Power on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nathan Richter / Markson Sparks

At the eleventh hour, the company that owns both supplement brands decided to scrap the idea — nixing the horny pills from the pack and just spruiking the Celebrity Slim diet treats instead, while still keeping the “Sex On The Beach” banner.

“They felt it would be too confusing,” Jessika’s manager Max Markson explains.

He’s right. Also, it still is. But the press releases have already been published and the seafood platters for the launch party have already been organised.

“Double Jack and Coke!” Jessika orders a drink as the photographer drags her away to a corner of the empty rooftop to pose with a selection of the diet products. “I always drink before I do anything.”

It’s 11am.

Since appearing on Channel 9’s salacious reality dating series Married At First Sight in 2019 where she copped national backlash for igniting a cheating scandal, Jessika has extended her 15 minutes of fame through social media, endorsements and by appearing on other shows like Channel 7’s Big Brother VIP.

Last August, she joined adult content website OnlyFans and has gathered enough subscribers to be able to afford two houses.

The former MAFS contestant’s life after reality TV. Picture: Nathan Richter / Markson Sparks

She’s the role model for today’s burgeoning reality TV starlets. The day before her rooftop photoshoot, a crop of fresh-faced contestants assembled at Sydney’s QT hotel for the preview screening of a hot new dating show from the masterminds behind Married At First Sight.

Love Triangle takes six singles and matches them with two anonymous suitors who they can communicate with over text and calls but can’t see photos of. After a few days, each single chooses just one of the suitors to date, sight unseen.

Yes, the concept is as confusing as Jessika’s defunct “Sex On The Beach” bundle pack. But the fact the show — premiering October 6 on Stan — is purpose-built for streaming means it’s not hindered by pesky things like broadcast standards.

“It allows Love Triangle to be a little more salacious … a little more confronting,” producer John Walsh said at the screening.

More confronting than affairs, C-word scandals and a guy who got revenge on his wife by using her toothbrush to scrub the toilet? Who knew the wild west could get wilder.

At the QT hotel, Love Triangle’s contestants — who hadn’t seen any episodes — were bright-eyed and optimistic about the future that awaits them once the show starts airing. Life is different when you become a reality star. You’re never the same again. For some, the hustle to stay in the public eye becomes a full-time job.

Just ask Jessika.

“The things we do for a good pay cheque,” she says under the overcast sky while holding up packets of Booty Burner chocolate for the camera on the Gold Coast rooftop.

Power spruiking the “Sex On The Beach” bundle pack. Picture: Nathan Richter / Markson Sparks

Later, as the photographer snaps away, she sings the hook to Peter Frampton’s Baby, I Love Your Way and writhes in a rain-soaked deckchair.

“Ugh! Now my crotch is wet!” she shrieks, bending to show the wet patch.

She’s in a rush to wrap the photoshoot because she needs to pick up her boyfriend, British podcaster Connor Thompson, before the launch party at Surfers Pavilion which, with a guest list made up of former MAFS stars, seems like it has the potential to descend into a dramatic and boozy dinner like the ones seen on the show.

“There’s not going to be drama today - I’m an adult,” Jessika says, before softly repeating the declaration, almost as if she’s reassuring herself. “I’m an adult now.”

The hiccups continue.

“Haley can’t come now,” Max regretfully informs, referring to former MAFS star-turned-OnlyFans model Hayley Vernon.

“She’s running late with a shoot for her OnlyFans - filming with two Playboy girls or something.”

Life after reality TV is just go-go-go.

What happened at the boozy launch party? Read part II next Sunday.

Twitter, Facebook: @hellojamesweir