Advertisement
Home ENTERTAINMENT

Frankie Muniz Reflects on His Life-Changing I’m a Celebrity Australia Experience

"I truly think it was a wake-up call for me."
Loading the player...

Venturing to the jungles of South Africa, former Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz did not anticipate that he would leave the world of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here Australia with a deeper understanding of himself. 

Advertisement

“I’m so happy I did it because I truly think it was a wake-up call for me,” the 38-year-old told WHO shortly after his emotional departure from camp. 

While being separated from your loved ones and detached from the outside world may sound like a nightmare for some, for Frankie, the isolation of camp provided him with a rare opportunity to reconnect.

“Even when I’m home, I’m not 100% present… I think that’s the thing that was the most interesting to me because I am never really emotional, but I felt oddly honest at all times in there with everyone.”

“Being in here and having honest conversations – the people who I was with, they were asking such interesting things to me that I had never thought about. I’d be answering a question and having realisations in the moment, and I’ve never maybe allowed myself to think about it or go there, but I did and it was awesome.”

Advertisement
frankie-muniz-im-a-celeb-exit
The 38-year-old reflects on his jungle experience. (Credit: Ten) (Credit: Ten)

Although the isolation of jungle life appeared beneficial in the early stages, the first hint of the outside world proved to be a stark reminder of reality – a reality that Frankie was eager to change. 

“I just kept going through the experience and loving it. It was super positive, and when I got the letter from my wife and she mentioned that my son gets sad that I’m not there to play trucks with him, it hit me,” Frankie shared. 

“I wanted to just apply [what I learned] and be there for my family… I just want to focus on my wife, and she has helped me and followed me do everything for the last eight years that we’ve been together, and I wouldn’t be able to do the things I’ve done without her. I don’t think I’ve ever asked her what she wants to do, and I feel bad to even admit that.”

Advertisement
frankie-muniz-familt
Frankie with wife Paige and son Mauz. (Credit: Instagram) (Credit: Instagram)

While his revelations may be deeply personal, the former child star revealed that his renewed perspective would not have come without the help of his fellow celebrities, particularly former Studio 10 presenter Tristan MacManus. 

“Having someone that was going through a similar situation at home and wanting to be more present with his family, it was cool to have him to lean on,” he shared, adding, “I think it was one of the conversations that he and I had where he opened up to me about it when I realised I think I’m going to take what I’ve learned now and leave, even though it’s really tough.”

“I’m lucky that I was there with the people I was, and I’m ready to go home and apply the things I learned and the things I want to work on and be a better version of myself for my family.”

Advertisement
frankie-muniz-im-a-celebrity-challenge-2024
Frankie credits his experience in the jungle with his renewed outlook on family life. (Credit: Ten) (Credit: Ten)

Reflecting on his decision to voluntarily withdraw from I’m a CelebrityFrankie told WHO, “I think that the biggest thing that I want everyone to know is that I hate that I quit, but I did it because it was positive.”

“I don’t know what was necessarily shown on TV, but I found myself just talking and saying things and having emotions that I had never felt. It was weird because then you remind yourself, ‘Wait, people are watching this,’ but I didn’t let that get in the way of just being my true authentic self.”

“It felt good just to be honest and vulnerable.”

Advertisement

Related stories


Advertisement
Advertisement