Although Jacqui Burfoot may have backed her husband Ryan Donnelly during the shitshow that was the second Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2025 Dinner Party, she’s gained a new perspective since watching the episode back.
For the uninitiated, Ryan made a ‘joke’ about Jacqui having “crazy eyes” during a males-only session with relationship expert Alessandra Rampolla. The joke was especially offensive because fellow groom Jake Luik made the same comment behind Jacqui’s back during Commitment Week. On top of that, Ryan went on to tell the other grooms that Jacqui was particularly good at oral sex.
Ryan’s comments came to light during the second MAFS Dinner Party, which aired on February 12, when Dave Hand and Billy Belcher confronted him about the derogatory comments in front of the group.
What did Jacqui say after she watched the Dinner Party episode?
During the Dinner Party, Jacqui laughed off Ryan’s comments about her eyes, saying: “I do have crazy eyes, I agree.”
She added that she was “totally fine” with him saying the comment at the workshop.
However, when Dave revealed that Ryan said Jacqui “gives good head” on the couch at the intimacy workshop with Alessandra, the New Zealand bride was left a little frazzled.
Jacqui continued supporting Ryan in front of their cast mates but told a producer she was feeling “pretty humiliated and embarrassed.”
Now, after watching the episode back, Jacqui has realised the derogatory nature of Ryan’s comments.
“Tuesday night was the first time I saw and understood what he had actually said because nobody had the respect or decency to pull me aside in a private conversation where I wasn’t humiliated in front of a room full of people,” Jacqui wrote on her jewellery Instagram account, referring to the men’s workshop with Alessandra.
“It was worse than I ever thought it to be,” she continued.
“I wish one of the guys had just pulled me aside for a private chat to explain what was said and maybe pulled Ryan aside to explain the issue in private instead of putting the issue onto me to deal with in front of everyone.”
Jacqui says Ryan still hasn’t apologised to her
Ryan sat down for an interview with Today Extra after his initial workshop comments aired and apologised to the nation for them.
However, Jacqui has clarified that she still hasn’t received the apology she believes she deserves from her TV husband.
“To this day, I haven’t received an apology for the derogatory tone and intent of those comments,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a screenshot of the Chattr article about Ryan’s apology.
“His apologies were never remorseful, not sincere and were always justifications like “it was just a joke” or “You should take it as a compliment [that] I feel comfortable joking around you like one of the boys” or “I’m sorry” with no specifics or understanding as to why he was apologising.
“Watching him laugh and apologise on Today Extra [two] days ago was triggering because it’s a serious issue and not something to laugh off on national TV. I hope he learns a lesson from this but I don’t believe that’s possible — I tried and gave up this battle — the group couldn’t do it either.”
Hear, hear, sister.
Married At First Sight 2025 airs Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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