Everything We Know About Alessandra Rampolla The New Sexologist On ‘Married At First Sight’
With the new season of Married At First Sight about to kick-off, we’re mentally preparing for our introduction to many new faces. But, it’s not just the participants that are new, so is one of the experts!
Meet Alessandra Rampolla, the certified clinical sexologist who is coming to replace Dr. Trisha Stratford. While Alessandra Rampolla may be new to Australian audiences, this ain’t her first rodeo. Let’s get into everything we know about the new expert who will be joining John Aiken and Mel Schilling.
Who Is Alessandra Rampolla?
Alessandra Rampolla: The Media Professional
Alessandra Rampolla has been quite a high-profile sexologist overseas. The 46-year-old Puerto Rican sexologist has appeared on TV shows (School For Husbands and Sex Hospital.), a few radio shows and, not to mention, she’s written five bestselling books. Okay, icon!
In a statement made to 9 Entertainment, Alessandra Rampolla spoke about her past media experience. “Originally, my idea was to have a private practice, but my priorities changed and I ended up going on a morning show in my hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, because they needed someone in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day 2001 to talk about sex topics… That’s how I started in media, and within a year I was writing for newspapers, two different radio shows, and the next year I started working in television in Latin America for Cosmopolitan’s TV network. It was not what I expected, but the show was a huge success and it covered so many countries, that I was suddenly travelling all over the place.”
Funnily enough, Alessandra Rampolla was actually at the Emmys when she ran into someone who helped her land the Aussie gig. “I was at the Emmy awards in New York a couple years ago, I met an executive from Endemol Shine, we became friends… He’s my only contact in Australia. He had seen the show that we are nominated for, School for Husbands,” she said in an interview with Fitzy & Wippa.
Alessandra Rampolla’s Personal Life
In an interview with Woman’s Day, Alessandra Rampolla opened up about her past relationship. “I was married once many years ago, and it didn’t work out,” Alessandra said, speaking about her ex, businessman John Hernandez.
Alessandra continued, “I think going through those ups and downs of a marriage will allow me to understand what some of these couples will go through… But I don’t think you need to have that experience to be able to offer up advice and I think my expertise and education gives me the tools to do that.”
That MAFS Rumour…
Even before the show has premiered, the MAFS rumour mill is churning. So, according to Daily Mail, one of the grooms on the show claims that he has fallen for “another woman” and apparently that woman is Alessandra Rampolla herself. She then allegedly called the groom “completely disrespectful”, which, like yeah duh. Will this come to fruition? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Where Has Dr Trisha Stratford Gone?
In September last year, Dr Trisha Stratford announced that she would not be returning to the reality show. In a statement made to 9 Entertainment, she said: “After seven seasons of Married At First Sight I have decided to step back from the television series to focus on my writing, research, and neuropsychotherapy… I’ve been involved right from the beginning in the challenge of bringing this social experiment to television. The program provides a platform for an ongoing conversation on relationships and I wish the program continued success and hope future participants find everlasting love.”
We’re sad to see you go Trisha, but hopefully Alessandra Rampolla is as persistent in asking couples how their “intimacy” time was. And, you know, Trish was looking pretty over it by the time the dinner parties rolled around last season. She deserves a break.
All-in-all, it would seem that Alessandra Rampolla is super excited to get started with MAFS, saying: “I am thrilled to be joining John and Mel in Australia’s biggest social experiment… With my particular expertise, I hope to contribute to the complex mix of components that ensure marriages not only work but thrive in the long haul.”
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Married At First Sight premieres tonight at 7:30pm on Channel 9. See you there.