The Block is the new Love Island
A few weeks ago, I wrote about an impending cheating scandal that was set to take place on this season of The Block.
For context, reports were emerging that Brad and Kylie Baker’s marriage was in shambles after Brad was caught crossing boundaries with their competitor, Mimi Belperio.
Woman’s Day cited a source who alluded to impending drama, “Something happens later in the season that shatters their relationship” and that “Kylie was left embarrassed.”
Since then, shit has hit the fan and lucky viewers have watched it all unravel on their screens, with Kylie quitting the show not once, but twice. I’m not sure how this kind of thing is legitimate but here we are.
So how did it all go down?
Well, naughty Brad and Mimi decided it would be perfectly fine and totally normal and not at all disrespectful to have a flirty conversation with a napping Kylie nearby. After the three of them had a few champagnes, Kylie went for a snooze, however she was conscious enough to overhear her husband and their friend making inappropriate comments about Mimi’s weight and drunk dialling each other.
It’s all a little vague, until the next day when we learn of Kylie’s revelations.
Brad discovers through producers that Kylie has bailed, heading to the airport to fly home to Cairns. We see footage of her venting to her mum about the fact that she overheard Brad telling Mimi he’d follow her on OnlyFans. Yuck.
“How many fucking chances have I given him? I can’t be on national television with my marriage breaking down,” she tells her mum angrily. “It honestly disgusts me. The whole thing was in front of me. Like a friend has done that, but also my husband.”
Brad appears remorseful about his behaviour in his solo interview with producers. “It wasn’t my intent to set out to do it. I guess I’m really not thinking about what I’m doing at all, or anyone else. I’m embarrassed. I feel sorry for other people having to live with my choices. She’s the last person I want to hurt, her or my kids, but I managed to do it anyway.”
Producers ask Mimi what her take on the situation is, and she responds, “We were just chatting then Kylie went to sleep on the deck next to us. I stayed chatting and maybe there were some comments made that came across as flirty.” Hmmmm… She continues, “I personally felt comfortable in that situation. All I know is that Kylie woke up and then she went to bed and I think that’s when it started so that’s when I left.”
HMMMMMMMMM.
After producers and host Scott Cam eventually convince Kylie to return, she struts back onto the worksite and completely shuts down Brad’s peace offering of a coffee. “If you hand me that I’m going to throw it at you,” she tells him. Lol FAIR.
Audio is played of the two chatting, as Kylie icily asks Brad, “Do you understand what I heard? I feel like something happened. You’ve just completely annihilated our entire relationship.”
Clarifying to Brad that she essentially returned for the bottom line, she explains, “If I give up we’d get nothing, so even if it’s ten grand I’m taking half and I’m leaving your arse. You keep the house then I’m fucking off. I don’t even know if I’m staying in Cairns, to be honest. There’s nothing there for me. You treat your partner like this you can fucking deal with the consequences.”
Hell hath no fury like a Kylie scorned.
On Sunday night’s episode, girlfriend hit her breaking point, pissed off at everyone… including Scott Cam.
After her and Brad’s renovations get criticised by the judges, she tells Scott to “wrap it up”, much to his frustration.
“Kylie, I’m not going to wrap it up, because this is part of the deal, unfortunately. We’re reading out feedback, and it’s the last feedback you’re going to get from these judges on your house. So I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t tell me to wrap it up,” Scott responds. This man has been doing this job for 300 years now, do not tell him what to DO.
“I really couldn’t care. I fucking hate this guy,” Kylie mutters under the breath. Thank God for body microphones. Before the judging even finishes, Kylie bails. “I’m leaving, I’m not dealing with this shit. I need to go home and make money. I’m wasting my time here… it’s as simple as that.”
In the spirit of all great reality television, the episode ends with Kylie running barefoot down a dark road, trying to escape the cameras.
Kylie and Brad have officially quit The Block, which seems like very poor decision making this close to the auctions (scheduled for November 9th), but makes for extremely compelling viewing, so to that I say, bravo Kylie.
After this year’s mayhem (thank you to all key players), I will genuinely be disappointed if next season of The Block doesn’t feature villa renovations and full-blown partner swaps, because this show has essentially evolved into Love Island. And I, for one, ain’t mad about it.
Written by Lil Friedmann, who worries which wholesome reality tv show is going to slip into saucy mayhem next. You can follow her at @lilfriedmann on socials.
Image credit: Nine + Punkee