When it came to public backlash, Married At First Sight‘s “cheating” couple Jess Power and Dan Webb were always going to be a hard act to beat.
But after last week’s explosive finale, Martha Kalifatidis unexpectedly went from being the wholesome and sweet girl-next-door to one of the series’ biggest ever villains.
Thanks to her stone-cold commentary and cattiness, viewers branded her “Mean Girl Martha” and her shocking attack on Cyrell Paule – in which she threw a glass of red wine over her head – seems to have been the last straw for her TV groom Michael Brunelli.
A source close to the Bondi-based make-up artist, 30, has revealed she and Michael, 27, are at breaking point, with the backlash of the show becoming too much for the couple.
“They were both looking forward to the show wrapping up and moving on, but things have gone from bad to worse since the finale,” reveals the source.
“Martha is in a really bad place mentally, and has struggled with all the criticism from her actions on the show.”
WATCH: Cyrell’s showdown with Martha about shock MAFS rumours. Story continues after video…
Trolls have branded the fashionable star as “Kmart Kardashian” due to her likeness to the famous sisters, but are less than impressed when it comes to her “cheap and trashy” actions.
In photos exclusively obtained by Woman’s Day, Martha was snapped breaking down at a cafe in Sydney’s Chatswood a day after the explosive reunion finale episodes were aired.
“They were having a really tense conversation and then she just started crying as she was waiting for her food,” one diner tells Woman’s Day.
“They both looked really uncomfortable and stressed. The chemistry you see on TV just wasn’t there.”
According to the insider, Martha has struggled financially since filming ended, and despite her claims she’s been funded by her parents, the constant concern over money has put serious strain on her relationship with Michael.
“She’s not been able to return to work and it’s left her depending on Michael,” says the source.
“Their relationship has taken a major hit with the pressures from the show. I don’t think they’ll be able to sustain this at all.”