Married at First Sight Australia 2023‘s Melinda Willis and Layton Mills have broken their silence after wild claims regarding their breakup began circulating.

ICYMI: The couple put out identical statements on their Instagram Stories on October 11, revealing they were no longer together.

Then, in episode 321 of the So Dramatic! podcast, some wild claims suggesting there may have been more to the breakup than meets the eye surfaced.

melinda layton reason split
Married at First Sight Australia 2023‘s Melinda Willis and Layton Mills have broken their silence after wild claims regarding their breakup began circulating. Source: Nine

One source close to the TV bride told So Dramatic! that the pair were planning on splitting, but they “wanted to make the most of the business opportunities of being a couple after the show.”

“She’s a businesswoman. She knew what she needed to do,” they spilled.

Whilst we think these showmance rumours are a crock of sh*t, this wasn’t the first time we’d heard people question whether their relationship was legit.

Back in April, a source told So Dramatic! that Melinda and Layton allegedly weren’t together.

“They’re just keeping up appearances for six to 12 months to milk it and get as many opportunities they can and boost their profiles and then they’ll break up,” they said.

melinda layton mafs breakup statement
The pair, who posted a joint statement about their breakup, have been accused of faking their relationship. Source: Instagram

At the time, another insider alleged that the couple were working with a pap, asking him to help them “get publicity and keep up the whole facade to make it look like they were still together”.

Not only that, but a MAFS participant said: “No one in the cast thinks Melinda and Layton are together. They’re just pretending.

“They live in different states so it’s not hard. They’ve barely seen each other since filming wrapped.” Sheesh!

MAFS‘ Melinda Willis and Layton Mills’ relationship ‘fizzled out’

Another source set the record straight, claiming that the power duo broke up because their relationship had “fizzled” out.

“Their relationship just didn’t blossom as they’d hoped since filming,” they dished. “It fizzled after MAFS and things have been really rocky for them ever since.

“They’re both busy running their businesses and just didn’t have the time or energy to give it a real shot.”

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One insider said the pair’s relationship “fizzled out”. Source: Nine

They added: “Melinda was more into it than Layton and is devastated. Layton ended things with her because he just wasn’t seeing the long-term investment of the relationship.” And we’re sobbing!

Married at First Sight’s Melinda Willis gets candid about her breakup with Layton Mills

Following these insane claims, So Dramatic! reached out to Layton and Melinda for comment.

“We still really care about each other,” Layton said. “[The breakup] was something we both decided together as being best for us right now.”

Meanwhile, Melinda stated that they didn’t plan to split up and rubbished the rumours.

“We had our life together mapped out, it was meant to be a forever thing,” she told So Dramatic!.

Melinda debunks claims that she was faking her relationship to boost her post-show success

Melinda then debunked claims that she kept up her relationship to boost her post-show opportunities.

“My business was successful before the show, I didn’t need MAFS or a TV show to succeed,” the 32-year-old remarked.

“It wasn’t a little side hustle. It was a seven-figure company with rapid growth before I even stood [on the show’s set].”

She added: “Let people say what they want, it’s all been heard before. Rinse and repeat for every reality breakup. It’s not custom to ours.”

Melinda pointed out the double standard that exists in reality TV gossip culture. Source: Instagram

Melinda then pointed out the double standard prevalent in reality TV gossip culture.

“People are quick to go after a girl on a show having a business even when the man had one prior too. It’s just predictable and sexist in my eyes.”

“People have been saying: ‘Oh your contract must be up’. No. It’s not until April next year actually,” she said.

She then said that she loves Layton “more than anything”.

“We just aren’t compatible in this present time of our lives and we have left on amicable terms and are still in contact,” she finished.

Case officially closed!

Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!

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