{"id":581319,"date":"2026-04-02T19:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/581319\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T19:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:40:12","slug":"channel-9s-gia-fleur-sparks-fresh-controversy-with-manly-claim-about-new-boyfriend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/581319\/","title":{"rendered":"Channel 9’s Gia Fleur sparks fresh controversy with ‘manly’ claim about new boyfriend"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of Aussie men getting Botox<\/a> is “absolutely” on the rise despite a Married At First Sight<\/a>\u00a0bride calling it “unmanly”.<\/p>\n

Gia Fleur<\/a> made the disparaging comments just days out from the end of the Channel 9 experiment<\/a> for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

In an interview with WHO<\/a>, the 35-year-old lashed out at her match, Queenslander Scott McCristal, and said he wasn’t manly because he “got Botox”, “didn\u2019t drink” and “worked in an office”.<\/p>\n

However, skin expert Isabella Loneragan told Yahoo Lifestyle getting Botox shouldn’t be seen as emasculating<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I absolutely have noticed an increase in men seeking beauty-focused treatments,” she said.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

Even though the Channel 9 show has teased Gia and Scott could survive the experiment in recent promos, she’s been open about moving on with a new man.<\/p>\n

The former disability support worker has since found love with Love Triangle\u2019s <\/a>Alan Wallace since MAFS finished filming.<\/p>\n

She said Alan was the type of man she wished she was matched with on MAFS because he was “smart”, a “tradie who will drink a beer” and “be manly”.<\/p>\n

While everyone’s entitled to their dating preferences, times are changing with Aussie men.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share? Contact au.lifestyle.ent@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Are more men getting botox?<\/p>\n

Data published by YouGov<\/a> in 2024 revealed 27 per cent of men had undergone non-surgical treatments in the 18 months prior.<\/p>\n

What might surprise people is that only 24 per cent of women had done the same.<\/p>\n

The data revealed 8 per cent of men had Botox, 19 per cent had laser, and 11 per cent had received another kind of injectable or filler.<\/p>\n

Comparatively, 10 per cent of women had invested in Botox, 14 per cent had laser, and 7 per cent got other injectables.<\/p>\n

An ABC<\/a> report echoed these stats, with one clinic saying only 5 per cent of men got Botox in their “early days”, but that’s now jumped to 15 o 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

Are Aussies cutting back on their drinking?<\/p>\n

When it comes to drinking, one in five Australians said they don’t drink, according to the 2024 Drinkwise Australian Drinking Trends <\/a>report.<\/p>\n

Reasons given were:<\/p>\n

They simply aren\u2019t interested<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve never had it or don\u2019t enjoy it<\/p>\n

They don\u2019t like being drunk or hungover<\/p>\n

They couldn\u2019t afford to keep up the habit<\/p>\n

Lightspeed\u2019s annual State of Hospitality report<\/a> found 40 per cent of Aussie diners now order fewer or no drinks at all.<\/p>\n

Bottomless brunches are on the decline, and an overwhelming majority of Gen Z Aussies<\/a> are keen on going on dates that don’t involve alcohol.<\/p>\n

Gen Z are also 20 times more likely to abstain from alcohol than Baby Boomers, according to Flinders University<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FARE Australia also revealed<\/a> late last year 44 per cent of Aussies who drink alcohol want to drink less or stop drinking altogether.<\/p>\n

\"Gia<\/p>\n

Gia Fleur said her new boyfriend was ‘manly’ in comparison to TV husband Scott McCristal. Source: Married At First Sight\/Gia Fleur<\/p>\n

Aussies warned over having ‘rigid’ dating preferences<\/p>\n

Melissa Ferrari, a psychotherapist and relationship counsellor, told Yahoo Lifestyle there was nothing inherently wrong with having preferences when looking for The One, including wanting a “manly” partner.<\/p>\n

But she warned that having preferences that are “too rigid” can narrow the opportunity for real connection.<\/p>\n

She also cautioned against putting labels like “manly” or “unmanly” on people.<\/p>\n

SHOP:<\/p>\n

“The idea of a \u2018traditional man\u2019 is far less clear today than it may have been in the past,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Masculinity now shows up in many different ways. For some men it is being practical and hands-on, for others it is emotional intelligence, self-awareness and partnership.<\/p>\n

“In healthy relationships, those qualities can sit side by side.<\/p>\n

“Traits like getting Botox, choosing not to drink, or working in an office do not make a man less masculine. They reflect personal choices, lifestyle and identity.<\/p>\n

Fellow relationship expert Samantha Jayne added that Aussies should avoid replicating Gia’s beliefs.<\/p>\n

\"Relationship<\/p>\n

Relationship experts Samantha Jayne, left, and Melissa Ferrari, right, weighed in on the comments. Source: Samantha Jayne\/Melissa Ferrari<\/p>\n

“I’m a big believer that if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.<\/p>\n

“No one is perfect; be mindful of feelings and give people the opportunity to be their own person,” she said.<\/p>\n

“It’s really up to them as to what they do and the choices they make. You can decide if you want to be with them or not without any negativity.<\/p>\n

“If you’re constantly nitpicking by pointing out flaws, trying to mould a person to be your ideal and push your beliefs on a person, it destroys attraction.”<\/p>\n

Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram, <\/a>and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n