If you’ve been following Married At First Sight Australia in 2025, you’ve probably heard the gossip about Paul Antoine and Cleo Rutene, Awhina’s twin sister. The show’s love for drama reached new heights when it came out that Paul, who was matched with Carina Mirabile, had previously dated Cleo.
It’s one of those twists that makes you grab some popcorn and realize just how small the world can be. Let’s explore what went down between Paul and Cleo, how everything unfolded, and what it means for the complicated relationships on the show—all in a way that’s relatable for fans like you.
Imagine it’s 2022. Cleo has just wrapped up an eight-year relationship and is cautiously getting back into the dating scene. That’s when she meets Paul Antoine, a strength and conditioning coach from Perth, and the chemistry is undeniable. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, Cleo described their connection as electric—a “whirlwind romance” that lasted a couple of months.
They cooked breakfast together, went out for dinners, and had a great time. But here’s the kicker: Cleo wasn’t quite ready for anything serious so soon after her breakup. She decided to step back, and while their romance fizzled, they managed to remain friends. Fast forward to 2025, and Paul finds himself as a groom on MAFS, while Cleo’s twin sister, Awhina, is also in the mix, married to Adrian Araouzou.
Who would’ve seen that coming? Their past romance made for some awkward moments when Paul and Awhina met up at the show’s first dinner party, dragging their history into the limelight—and Carina was not happy about it.
In the MAFS world, things are pretty small, and secrets don’t remain secrets for long. At the first dinner party, Paul and Awhina recognized each other and faced the facts. Cleo mentioned to Daily Mail Australia that Paul was upfront about his past, spilling the details to Carina right then.
“At no point was this hidden,” Cleo stated, pointing out that Paul wanted to keep things honest with his on-screen wife. Yet, that honesty didn’t ease the tension. When the partner swap challenge came up, Carina was understandably upset at the thought of Awhina—who had once been with Paul—moving into her space.
“No hard feelings toward Awhina, but they look identical,”
Carina shared with the cameras, clearly unsettled. Meanwhile, Paul used the swap to connect with Awhina, discussing how Carina’s judgmental attitude—especially a snarky remark about Cleo’s “calibre”—gave him the “ick.” It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and it’s the classic MAFS drama we’ve come to expect.
Cleo isn’t one to sit back quietly while her ex and her sister’s lives intertwine on national television. She’s made it clear that she and Paul are on good terms, no lingering feelings—just friendship. She even defended him during his on-screen scandal—yes, the one where he punched a hole in a door after a fight with Carina.
“In the three years I’ve known Paul, he’s never shown aggression,”
Cleo remarked, though she also mentioned she doesn’t condone that outburst.
She’s also thrown some shade in Carina’s direction, especially after Carina’s remark about Paul’s “calibre,” which he relayed to Awhina during the swap. Cleo’s view? It was a low blow, possibly related to her tattoos or demeanor, which has added to the frostiness between her and Carina. For Cleo, this isn’t just about her past; it’s about being loyal to Awhina, who’s dealing with her own challenging MAFS journey with Adrian.
This revelation is more than just juicy gossip—it’s a plot twist that’s shaken up Paul and Carina’s marriage, altered Awhina’s relationship with Adrian, and affected the entire group dynamic. Carina’s discomfort peaked during the partner swap, and Paul’s growing skepticism about her snobbish tendencies hints at deeper issues ahead.
For Awhina, it’s a tricky situation—her twin’s ex is now her friend on the show, leaving her caught in the middle of that and her own unstable relationship.
Fans are loving the drama and are buzzing on social media about where it’s all headed. Will Paul and Carina make it through this? Will Cleo’s honesty pull her further into the drama? One thing’s for sure: MAFS Australia thrives on these intertwined relationships, and this storyline has us all tuned in.
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