Melinda And Layton From ‘MAFS’ Have Split, But We Saw This Coming
It’s official: Melinda Willis and Layton Mills are the latest Married at First Sight couple to call it quits.
The couple, who had a fiery beginning (remember how Melinda was semi-dodging Layton’s kisses at their wedding?), just celebrated their one-year anniversary in September. I’m low-key shocked, because Layton gifted Melinda an eternity ring to celebrate. And one month later, the ‘eternity’ has ended.
Both Melinda and Layton shared a joint statement on their Instagram stories, along with a black and white photo from their MAFS wedding in Sydney.
“We wanted to keep this private for the time being, but we have a lot of supporters that are invested in the relationship and owe it to you to be transparent. After a lot of thought and consideration, we have sadly decided to both take time apart,” they wrote.
“We still care very deeply for each other and this doesn’t mean our lives can’t come back together, but as of now, we think this decision is for the best.”
The reality TV stars added that they were grateful for all the support received from viewers over the past year, and asked fans for “kindness and respect” in the aftermath.
Melinda and Layton shared this statement on Instagram. Image credit: Instagram/@melindarichelle
Why did MAFS’ Melinda and Layton break up?
When Punkee spoke to the pair back in July, I picked up a few hints that the couple wasn’t as strong as they seemed to be on social media.
Their biggest struggles came in the form of a long-distance relationship (Melinda is based in Brisbane and Layton was based in Sydney at the time), the fact they couldn’t stop their cycle of fighting, and at the time, Layton wasn’t able to say the L-word. Yep, those are some pretty big red flags right there.
“For a relationship like mine and Layton’s, where we are really trying hard to figure each other out… the long-distance, it’s very bad,” Melinda explained at the time. “It’s much easier to embrace, get over [arguments] quickly, when you’re there together. Navigating [long-distance], I think, [has] probably been our biggest challenge,” Layton added.
View this post on Instagram
Still, I had hope for the couple since they seemed so damn authentic. It felt like it had to be real, because they were open about the ups and downs of their relationship. Layton moved closer to Melinda recently – still a three-hour drive away – as they were taking “baby steps”, but I guess life caught up to them both.
Are people upset that Melinda and Layton from MAFS have split?
Multiple fans have commented on Instagram to share their disappointment about the relationship’s end. I get the sentiment, because after watching their entire journey on the show, it almost feels like you know them.
“Sad news about you guys. Loved you two together,” one person wrote.
“Sad to hear about you and Layton, I really hope you can take some time apart and come back together at some stage. My mother always said to me relationships require work every day and you will have many ups and downs and sometimes many months of downs before it’s up again,” another added.
“That’s it, I don’t believe in love anymore,” a third chimed in.
But before you get too broken-hearted, I feel like this won’t be the last we see of Melinda, because when I interviewed her back in July, she said she wasn’t done with reality TV. Brb, starting a petition to get Melinda on Australian Survivor.
–
Image credits: Channel 9, MAFS, Instagram/@melindarichelle