She’s been one of the most glamorous and polarising brides on this season’s Married At First Sight.
But behind the bold fashion, polished glam and confident exterior, Carina Mirabile says she was quietly trying to navigate one of the most emotionally draining relationships on the show.
In an exclusive tell-all with Daily Mail Australia, the 31-year-old opened up about her ill-fated marriage to controversial groom Paul Antoine – and the shocking events that ultimately led to their downfall.
‘It was a whirlwind,’ Carina admitted.
‘We had some beautiful moments, but it also got dark, really fast. And I don’t think anyone was prepared for what happened – not even me.’
Carina revealed she was blindsided when Paul wrote a scathing letter about her on the show, airing private grievances she thought were shared in confidence.
MAFS bride Carina Mirabile (pictured) has revealed why her relationship with Paul Antoine didn’t work out
In an exclusive tell-all with Daily Mail Australia, Carina opened up about her ill-fated marriage to controversial groom Paul – and the events that ultimately led to their downfall
‘You’re meant to feel safe with your partner. But when Paul decided to write that letter and say things I had confided in him about, that were meant to stay between us – I felt betrayed,’ she said. ‘It was invasive. It was a total betrayal of trust.’
‘Bricks in his head’: Paul’s final decision that ended it all
Things came to a head when producers introduced a new task asking each participant to choose whether they wanted to continue living with their spouse – or try staying with someone else.
Carina’s answer was an instant no. Paul’s, shockingly, was yes.
‘I said to my producer “If Paul says yes, he’s got bricks in his head”,’ she revealed.
‘And I meant it. I was so patient with him the entire experiment. I let him into my world, into my home, he met my family. We had just been intimate. He brought me coffee and croissants every morning. And then he turns around and does that.’
‘It made me question everything. I asked myself, “Am I not good enough? Not pretty enough? Do I need to be a tall, skinny blonde to be worthy of love?” It was heartbreaking.’
The door-punching incident
Carina revealed she was blindsided when Paul wrote a scathing letter about her on the show, airing private grievances she thought were shared in confidence
Paul was also at the centre of one of the most disturbing moments of the season – a door-punching incident that shocked viewers and production alike
Paul was also at the centre of one of the most disturbing moments of the season – a door-punching incident that shocked viewers and production alike.
Carina said the aftermath was sobering: ‘We were pulled aside and sat down by producers. There were serious conversations about safety and repercussions.
‘At the time, I wasn’t even fully aware of how serious it was. I’ve since had women come up to me and show me photos of what they’ve been through.
‘I want to learn more about domestic violence. I want to educate myself and find a way to use this platform to help others. Because no one should ever feel unsafe in a relationship.’
‘We’re friends now – but I needed to heal’
Despite everything, Carina says she and Paul remain on civil terms.
‘There’s no bad blood,’ she said.
‘We lived really well together. We were respectful of each other. But after everything that happened… I had to close off for a while. I’m scared to open up again. I’m still figuring it out.’
Despite everything, Carina says she and Paul remain on civil terms. ‘There’s no bad blood,’ she said
On that viral Quavo comment…
Carina also addressed the infamous ‘Quavo’ moment, when she joked in an Uber that she’d ‘hooked up with the rapper’ – a comment that clearly rubbed Paul the wrong way.
‘We were all drinking and singing karaoke. It was a joke. Everyone laughed, even Paul. He never said anything in the moment.’
She continued: ‘It wasn’t until later he started stewing over it. But meanwhile, he told me plenty about all the girls he’d dated in Perth – including Awhina’s sister.’
The truth about her past with Paul
Carina set the record straight about speculation she had a secret fling with Paul before the show.
‘We matched on Bumble, went on a single hike, had two coffees, and never slept together. That’s it,’ she said firmly.
‘We hadn’t seen each other in six months before the show.’
Carina also set the record straight about speculation she had a secret fling with Paul before the show
Her MAFS fashion budget? Over $30k
Known for her statement-making dinner party looks, Carina revealed she spent more than $30,000 on her wardrobe for the show- funding it through savings from selling her home.
‘I love fashion. I saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I was going to be on national TV, I wanted to feel good and represent myself. I didn’t get any freebies, I paid for everything.’
Her longtime friend and hair stylist Jacob – who also appeared in the interview – revealed they would begin glam at 3AM to get Carina camera-ready for long filming days.
‘She was the easiest to work with,’ Jacob said. ‘We collaborated on every look. She’s a perfectionist and she’s the real deal.’
The cast drama, who she’s still close with – and who slid into her DMs
Carina says she remains close to brides Rhi, Veronica, Ash and Katie. But after a tense retreat and feeling betrayed by fellow bride Jamie, she removed herself from the group chat.
‘She said we weren’t friends anymore, but happily took the Drake tickets I managed to get,’ she said. ‘I don’t understand it.’
Carina says she remains close to brides Rhi, Veronica, Ash and Katie. But after a tense retreat and feeling betrayed by fellow bride Jamie, she removed herself from the group chat
And in a juicy moment, Carina revealed that co-star Jacqui once slid into her DMs asking for free outfits from her fashion label, MIRAB.
‘I hadn’t told anyone I owned the brand, because I didn’t want people thinking I went on the show for clout. But Jacqui reached out early on, asking for pieces to wear on the show. I was shocked.’
So… what now?
Carina says she’s taking time to rebuild and find herself again.
‘I still believe in love. But I need time. The experiment was wild – it tests every part of you. But I’m proud of who I was on the show.’
She’s now preparing to launch a podcast called Glam Pod with Jacob, promising raw, honest chats about business, beauty, personal growth and reality TV.
And as for her final word on Paul?
‘I wish him all the best. But if he thinks he can win me back after that final task… he’s dreaming.’
