Married At First Sight‘s Aleks Markovic has pleaded with her social media followers to ‘spread love, not hate’ as she announced that she and husband Ivan Sarakula are still together.
The news comes after the couple were at the centre of cheating and sex-shaming scandals.
MUST WATCH: MAFS cast lose it after Aleks & Ivan quit before ceremony
‘The pressures and expectations of the experiment got the better of us,’ Aleks explained, minutes after the couple were shown to have boycotted Sunday’s commitment ceremony.
‘Ivan and I stayed together the evening of our exit and he even saw me off at the airport to be with my family. It was an emotional moment for the both of us. Let’s see if being outside does our relationship any more justice without the pressure and judgements of our peers. That being said, regardless of what pans out over the next few days and weeks, we are forever grateful for all of the wonderful people we have met along the way. We are all just humans on our own journey. Spread love, not hate and judgement.’
She also urged her fans to ‘#stopbullying’. The hashtag might also be in reference to her MAFS co-stars after they were accused of bullying the Perth real estate agent over the status of her sex life with Ivan, and also an alleged affair, which she denied.
NINE STATEMENT – MENTAL HEALTH MAFS:
“Nine takes its obligations in respect to the health and wellbeing of the participants of this program extremely seriously. All participants have access to the show psychologist during filming, during broadcast and once the program has ended. Nine has arranged an additional service for participants should they like or need further individual and confidential psychological support. This service gives participants access to psychologists who have been specifically engaged to support those involved in the program in relation to their experiences. This service is a dedicated helpline from which participants can also arrange face to face sessions and is an ongoing service available to them all after the series has ended.”
Need help? Call Lifeline on 131 114, visit www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/get-help-home, or call beyondblue on 1300 224 636.