Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide. Help is always available – call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Olivia Frazer and Jackson Lonie were one of the most contentious couples on Married At First Sight‘s ninth season, but didn’t stop them from forging a genuine relationship in the outside world… for a while.
The pair announced their split on August 8, taking to Instagram to reveal they’d decided to go their separate ways in a joint post.
At the time they were the only remaining couple matched by the experts from the latest season – which was an achievement in itself.
But their romance was far from scandal-free, after a dramatic feud with other stars on MAFS and a ‘cheating scandal’ in May when Jackson was seen kissing a woman named Hannah Hughes on a night out.
The woman involved confirmed the kiss was mutual, telling the Daily Mail: “The kiss was innocent, a two way street. It wasn’t anything more than that. Jackson seems like a nice guy and I have nothing bad to say on his behalf.”
But Olivia wasn’t impressed, telling the outlet, “We’re still together… I have told him to have a big think about what he wants.”
Sadly, their romance simply didn’t last.
Keep scrolling to see how Olivia and Jackson’s romance fell apart.
On MAFS, Jackson and Olivia wasted no time opening up to each other on their wedding day and their romance only got stronger as the season went on.
At the final vows, Olivia told Jackson she loved him, however he didn’t reciprocate her strong feelings, saying: “I want you to know that I’m definitely on my way there and when I do finally say it, you will know that it’s sincere and in that moment I will love you with my whole heart.”
After the episode aired, Olivia told 9Entertainment that telling Jackson she loved him “just felt like the most natural thing in the world to do”.
Olivia went on to say she wasn’t bothered by Jackson not saying it back, admitting she knew he most likely wouldn’t.
“I also hoped that he kinda wouldn’t because I think if he did I would always question if he just said it because pressure got to him. I think he’s there, he just hasn’t had the penny drop, the eureka moment hasn’t happened… but we’re very close,” she said.
After filming MAFS, the couple were photographed looking loved-up on Olivia’s hometown of the Central Coast, where Jackson relocated to from Melbourne.
“Central Coast is unreal I absolutely love it up there, being by the beach, flat out is awesome,” Jackson said of his new home during an Instagram Q&A in early May.
In April, paparazzi photos showed the couple looking smitten as they shopped for rings at a luxe Sydney jewellery store, sparking major engagement rumours.
Olivia was showed a 5ct diamond ring believed to cost $100,000, however their romance was not without its stresses.
In early April, Olivia and Jackson were approached by The Wash on their way to dinner where the former bride revealed how distressed she became during filming.
“I told the house AP [associate producer], ‘I will throw myself off the balcony’,” she said, referencing when Jackson was forced to leave their apartment for 24 hours during a task delegated to them by Domenica Calarco and Jack Millar.
But Jackson stood by Olivia during filming and after – perhaps that’s why she was so willing to stand by him when a cheating scandal erupted in May.
After he was caught kissing another woman on a night out, there were rumours he and Olivia had split or were on some sort of break.
The woman involved only added feul to the fire when she told the Daily Mail: “The kiss was innocent, a two way street.
“It wasn’t anything more than that. Jackson seems like a nice guy and I have nothing bad to say on his behalf.”
A few days later, Olivia took to social media to update her followers on her wellbeing amid the drama.
“Hi everyone. Thank you so much for the love and support during this horrendous time,” she wrote.
“I’ve seen so many beautiful messages and people checking in and I just wanted to let you know that although I am so heartbroken and so embarrassed, I am okay.
“Your kindness means everything right now. I will be focusing on healing from this privately.”
She and Jackson later released a joint video addressing the scandal where they confirmed they were still together and working on healing from Jackson’s drunken kiss.
“I f—-ed up … a bit of background, all the negativity we’ve been getting from the show, the way I’ve kind of been dealing with it is to get blackout drunk, which don’t get me wrong, isn’t an excuse, and it’s not acceptable,” he said.
“It’s not the person I want to be, it’s not who I am, I am seeking help … it has been sh– but I have been lucky to have Liv by my side and she’s been nothing but an angel throughout it all,” he continued.
“We’re staying together,” Olivia added. “We’ve got a lot of healing to do, but ultimately, we love each other, and it’s not worth throwing it away,” they confirmed.
Soon after Olivia jetted to the UK for a week-long solo visit while Jackson stayed in Australia due to his schedule and training for a boxing match.
He sent Olivia a cheeky birthday gift while she was abroad – a life size cardboard cutout of himself – but soon after she returned home they announced their split.
“After a wonderful 10 months together we have decided to go our seperate ways,” they wrote.
“There has always been a lot of love in our relationship and there will continue to be as we transition into a friendship.”
The pair appear to be on good terms, given the loved-up photos they chose to share alongside the statement.
It continued: “We have nothing but love and respect for one another, and no one is to blame for the end of this relationship. Simply a case of ‘almost perfect’.
“We hope you all can please show compassion as we navigate this privately. Love, Liv & Jack xx”