Gold medal Olympian Shayna Jack has opened up on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia 2025, using her time in the wild to confront her past and share the weight of her 2019 drug scandal.
As this year’s I’m a Celebrity cast ventures into the South African jungle under the guidance of hosts Julia Morris and Robert Irwin, fans are promised a mix of unforgettable challenges and equally unforgettable confessions.
While the show is known for its adrenaline-pumping trials and over-the-top antics, it also offers a rare chance to give viewers a raw glimpse into the lives of celebrities. And Shayna’s journey is already shaping up to be one of the show’s most heartfelt to date.
Who is Shayna?
Shayna is no stranger to the spotlight. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world record holder, she’s been a proud representative of the Australian Senior Dolphins from 2017 to 2019 and again since 2022.
She claimed gold, silver, and bronze at the 2022 World Championships and Commonwealth Games, and in 2024, cemented her legacy at the Paris Olympics, helping her team secure victories in both the Women’s 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays.
But her journey has been anything but smooth. In 2019, Shayna faced a crushing setback after testing positive for Ligandrol, a muscle growth agent, resulting in a two-year ban. Labeled a “drug cheat,” she was forced to miss the Tokyo Olympics, and swimming career was marred by public scrutiny.
Shayna Jack opens up about her drug scandal on I’m a Celebrity
On Monday night’s episode, Shayna opened up about the emotional and financial toll of the scandal.
Speaking candidly with her campmates, she shared how she spent $180,000 trying to clear her name — a fight that left her in debt and reliant on her partner for support.
“Some nights I was in a really bad place,” Shayna revealed.
“[My partner] said those nights were the most fearful. He said he’d speed home because he just didn’t know if he was going to walk home into something that he wasn’t able to cope with.”
Her campmates were further shocked as Shayna revealed she was accused of dealing drugs. When fellow contestant and footy legend Sam Thaiday asked if she had considered filing for defamation, Shayna explained the financial cost was too great.
In a tearful Tok Tokkie confessional, Shayna expressed how her time on I’m a Celebrity is helping her process the past.
“For me, it’s just using the people around me to continue to open up about it and face those difficulties, and stop giving it so much power,” she said.
“The more I take it off my chest and take it off my heart, the more I can try and move forward with my life and not feel this huge aspect of my life pulling me back.”
Well, if stepping into the I’m a Celebrity jungle wasn’t brave enough, Shayna’s courage to share her story is truly inspiring. It just shows the strength it takes to confront adversity and reclaim your narrative. Go Shayna!
