From day one on The Block, Leah and Kristy had an instant connection.
Forming a fast friendship, the women find comfort in confiding in each other about their feelings towards the other Blockheads. Particularly Steph who they claim is “untrustworthy.”
“From the start, I couldn’t trust Steph,” Leah, 31, tells TV WEEK. “My first impression of her was really iffy.”
New pals Kristy and Leah find they have similar views.
(Image: Supplied)“I couldn’t shake the feeling, so I questioned everything she did,” she continues.
It’s Living and Dining Room Week and tensions on site are running high, with all five teams tasked with perfectly curating the heart of the home.
Steph, of House Four, who admits she’s “oblivious” too much of the drama surrounding her, believes she’s “friends with everyone”.
It’s why she’s so disappointed to learn that the women have been speaking badly of her.
Steph and Gian may be in love – but not everyone on The Block loves Steph.
(Image: Supplied)“I felt an energy that they didn’t want to hang out with me or speak to me,” Steph, 27, says.
“But I didn’t know the extent of what was going on.”
Kristy, of House Three, and Leah, of House Two, believe Steph isn’t being her true self and don’t like it.
Will Steph survive Leah and Kristy’s attacks on The Block? Or will her true colours show?
(Image: Supplied)“Steph wanted to portray herself a certain way for the cameras,” Kristy, 34, says.
“I was very big on Brett and me being the same on and off camera – it was important for us to be true to ourselves. I do believe House Two (Leah and Ash) were also real.”
This opinion further divides Houses Two and Three from house one, four and five this week.
Will Kristy stay on Leah’s side or move to Leah’s?
(Image: Supplied)“People are intimidated by Steph because she’s an architect,” Liberty, 34, of House five says.
“Kristy and Leah haven’t treated her the best – she’s been a target.”
“The dynamics have definitely shifted,” Leslie, 34, of House one, says.
Kristy and Brett on The Block 2023 season 19.
(Image: Supplied)Steph denies she changed who she was for the cameras and is adamant she was “authentically herself throughout the show”.
“I won’t let this affect me,” she declares. “I think the only ones it’s going to negatively affect are the people (Kristy and Leah) saying one thing to someone’s face and another behind their back.”
Despite Kristy’s reservations about Steph, they share some close moments through the week, with Leah rolling her eyes as the pair have some fun piggybacking each other on site.
Sisters Eliza and Liberty on The Block 2023 season 19.
(Image: Channel Nine)But Leah suspects these sorts of interactions aren’t sincere, and that Steph has an ulterior motive.
“Kristy and I were each other’s security blankets, so when Steph started getting in between that, I automatically had my guard up,” Leah says.
“Was this a way of her taking something away from me? I couldn’t pinpoint what Steph was up to, but I knew it was part of a plan.”
Watch The Block Monday To Wednesday at 7pm and Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine and 9Now.
“Steph was very level-headed and focused in certain scenarios,” Kristy says.
“I think that could be a game plan – let’s not forget this is a competition.”
Are House 2 and 3 targeting Steph unfairly or are they the only ones able to see through her?
Watch The Block Monday to Wednesday at 7pm and Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine and 9Now.
