Married at First Sight Australia 2024‘s Lauren Dunn has defended a recent TikTok video in which she appeared to make fun of mental health struggles.
On June 24, the Perth local shared a video on the popular app that starred both Lauren and her MAFS bestie, Sara Mesa.
In the clip. they laughed at the camera while audio of a woman could be heard saying: “I would check myself into a mental health hospital today, but I have things to do.”
Having received backlash for the TikTok, Lauren took to Instagram to address the clip, which she claims is old content.
“This video was filmed over a month ago during fashion week, as you can tell by our outfits and the fact the original was posted then,” she explained.
“This was a trending sound and in no way is at a dig at anyone suffering with [mental health issues].”
Lauren concluded: “Anyone who knows Sara and I would know this would never be the case.”
Why did Married at First Sight‘s Lauren receive backlash over her TikTok?
The TikTok, which was shared on Sara’s account, has since been deleted.
While it’s not suggested that the two events are related, the clip was shared just days after fellow MAFS alumni Domenica Calarco announced her return to social media following a 21-day stay in a mental health facility.
The 31-year-old reactivated her Instagram account on June 23 to update fans about her “challenging” journey in an eight-minute video.
Domenica explained that the time away allowed her to “heal, reflect and gain a better understanding” of herself.
It came after she copped backlash en masse after she and Ella Ding interviewed MAFS 2024 “villain” Jack Dunkley on their Sit With Us podcast.
After its release, the podcasting duo were criticised for “enabling” Jack’s poor behaviour, including his misogyny towards co-star Lauren.
During her three-part tell-all interview on the So Dramatic! podcast, Sara also criticised Domenica and Ella for victim-blaming her experience of sexual assault.
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