I've stayed quiet for about a month. I've watched on. I've laughed at awkward situations, I shook my head in horror as Davina and Dean admitted they had an affair, (yep, the one that made the headlines as they cheated on their TV partners Tracey and Ryan), and Nasser publically friend-zoned Gabrielle. Because the content is, after all, exactly what we expect to see on a dramatic reality TV show. And most of us, actually thrive off watching the hit show which managed to enthral the eyes of 1.838 million people who tuned in to last night's explosive episode whereby Davina and Ryan finally chose to exit the social experiment.
But, jokes and amazing memes aside, this past weekend I could not keep quiet as I saw the hate sprawled on Twitter, the revolting articles belittling Rankin, who the show's producers affectionately branded an "Instagram model."
I'll admit it, infidelity is NOT something most people want to applaud – nor should they. But these consistent instances of slut-shaming and illegitimate targetting of one woman are just not okay.
Sure, Davina even admitted she did not regret cheating on Ryan with Dean, but it's not so much about the dishonest act anymore. This is about a 26-year-old woman who is being hated on by a whole nation. No, she does not help her case with her inflammatory words, but the fact that an Instagram model – who pays her bills based on the content she produces on the social media site – has not posted a single shot on her account, we should be worried. We should be ashamed.
Over the weekend, an article was published in one of our most reputable papers across the country which openly belittled Davina based on the alleged plastic surgery and botox fillers she's had done. Let's be real, anyone who walks into a Sydney gym, cafe or a post office will notice at least one woman or man who has undertaken some form of treatment to enhance their features. What may be attractive to some may not be to others, but this specific targetting of one contestant is not pleasant, nor is it funny anymore. Cyberbullying is not okay.
So, to Davina, who brought us so much entertainment over this season of MAFS, I apologise on behalf of a nation who has spread hate and not laughter.
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