Married At First Sight’s Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: ‘It’s the best step forward for both of us’

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'

As a seasoned radio industry observer with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the current state of affairs in the Australian radio landscape is both intriguing and concerning, all at once. The influx of ex-reality TV stars into podcasting has undeniably shaken things up, but it seems that some of these ventures may be facing their own reality checks.


Domenica Calarco, a participant from Married At First Sight, and Ella Ding have decided to discontinue their podcast named “Sit With Us.”

On Wednesday, they announced the news on their official Facebook page, accompanied by a touching message.

To start writing, I am overwhelmed with appreciation for all of you, expressed Domenica.

‘Ella and I have come to a joint decision: it is the right time for Sit With Us to come to an end.

As someone who has spent many years building and nurturing relationships, I can say that making decisions, especially difficult ones like this one, is never easy. The emotions that come with ending something you have loved for so long are always complex, a mix of joy for the memories made and sadness for the end of an era. Closing this chapter of my life is bittersweet; it’s a time to reflect on all that has been accomplished, but also a time to acknowledge the pain of saying goodbye.

‘However, we believe it is the best step forward for both of us,’ she continued. 

As a devoted follower, I believe the moment has arrived for me to embark on individual endeavors and seize the fresh opportunities that are knocking at my door.

Domenica concluded the message with an optimistic outlook for the future.

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'
Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'

With great anticipation for what lies ahead, she remains steadfast in her resolve, intending to carry on our shared adventure in the digital realm, just as fervently as we’ve navigated it so far. This was her statement.

The surprising news emerges only a few weeks following Daily Mail Australia’s disclosure, hinting that Abbie Chatfield and Brittany Hockley’s podcasts might be under threat due to whispers from listeners who seem tired of the alleged excessive content stemming from former reality TV competitors, along with their supposed complaints about ‘first-world issues’.

In recent years, I’ve noticed a surge of well-known Australian personalities from the realm of reality TV, as well as other celebrities, venturing into the podcasting world. However, there are allegations suggesting that not every one of these endeavors is prospering as expected.

On “It’s A Lot” podcast, which she hosts at age 29 (having been a star on “The Bachelor”), Abbie discusses a wide range of topics including personal matters like relationships, as well as broader subjects such as politics and feminism.

Frequently, Brittany and her closest companion, Laura Byrne, share stories about their private lives and discuss popular culture on their LifeUncut podcast, which is hosted by iHeart.

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'

It’s been suggested that the landscape of Australian podcasting might undergo a significant transformation, particularly focusing on shows hosted by famous personalities.

According to an exclusive tip from a radio insider who closely monitors podcast trends, there are rumors that significant adjustments may be made within three leading Australian podcasting platforms – specifically focusing on one particular category as of now.

As a longtime radio industry insider with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that it’s becoming increasingly apparent that former reality TV stars who have transitioned to podcasting are facing a tough road in the Australian Radio Industry. With my extensive background in the field, I’ve seen countless talented broadcasters come and go, but the influx of ex-reality stars seems to be causing a shift in the industry dynamics that could prove challenging for these newcomers.

Over the past four years, a considerable number of former reality TV personalities, including Abbie Chatfield, Brittney Hockley, and Laura Bryne, who started podcasts, are seeing their listener numbers drop significantly, according to a different report.

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'

It’s been asserted that it’s widely understood among them (producers) that numerous producers in Australia are growing tired of working on the extensive list of celebrity podcasts.

Producers also criticised the ‘absurd’ content on many celebrity gossip podcasts.

‘The content on these shows is mind numbingly absurd,’ a former programming director claimed. 

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'

As a lifestyle advisor, I find myself pondering over an interesting dilemma: Am I more irritated by the trivial detail of their preferred toilet paper brand, or is it the seemingly endless stream of first-world problems that exude an air of entitlement?

Moderate or open-minded podcasters tend to attract more listeners, as those with strongly held, controversial opinions may deter some audience members. Additionally, there have been concerns regarding the accuracy of information presented in certain tabloid-style podcasts.

On the subject of Domenica’s mental health, it was recently revealed that she stopped taking her antidepressants after a 15-year run – marking the first time she has done so since then.

She recently took Instagram to share a video from her recent 21-day stay at a private mental health facility in New South Wales.

After going through a severe bout of depression, known as a major depressive episode, Dom has been transparent about her mental health journey, discussing the adjustments she made to her medication regimen.

She shared details about her challenging experience with medication, explaining that she had decided to stop taking sertraline as she felt it was no longer effective for her.

Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding make shock announcement: 'It's the best step forward for both of us'

Sertraline, a type of antidepressant, falls under the category of medications known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). By doing so, it boosts the level of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain.

On Sunday, Domenica shared that her physician was helping her move away from taking sertraline after 15 years, and switch to a different antidepressant instead. Since then, she’s begun using the new medication.

She revealed, “This is what it means to switch medications – last night, my doctor and I met to discuss if my previous medication was truly effective.”

For some time, I’ve had the sense that things aren’t going right, so I thought it was time for a change. Therefore, we are moving forward with this transition to something fresh and new.

On Sunday, Domenica resumed her activity on Instagram following a stay at a mental health facility where she aimed to recover, contemplate, and enhance self-awareness, having experienced a prolonged period of intense sadness.

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2024-08-07 15:27

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