Love Island Australia’s Matt Zukowski has shared how he really felt in his relationship with ex-wife Tammy Hembrow saying he was “dead inside”.
Matt, 30, and Tammy, 31, anounced their divorce in June 2025 after seven months of marriage. Tammy has reportedly moved on with AFL player Bailey Smith, 24.
In an episode of his podcast Where’s Your Head At? with co-host and former Love Island Austraila winner Anna McEvoy, Anna checked in and asked Matt how he was doing.
Speaking on his podcast, Matt said that a year ago he felt “dead inside”. (Instagram)
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“Yes, I would like to say that I actually am OK,” Matt responded.
“I’ve noticed and a lot of people around me have noticed how, not my mood, but how much I have changed.
“We were listening to old episodes from a year ago and, listening to myself… I was dead inside.”
Matt said he feels he can finally be himself again. (Instagram @mattzukowski)
It’s been a difficult year for Matt, who married, experienced a relationship breakdown and announced his divorce all in seven months.
Looking back on how he’s changed over the year Matt said he is a “completely different person now”. 
“I can be myself again,” he said of life after his split from Tammy.
Co-host Anna agreed, noting Matt definitely seemed “lighter”.
Matt co-hosts the Where’s Your Head At? podcast with Season 2 winner and co-star Anna McEvoy. (Instagram @whersyourheadat?)
Matt told a story of how he drove past a shop that he recalled being in and talking to a friend in a year ago.
“It was a year ago to the date and I was like, ‘How polar opposite? Who I was on that phone call talking about what I was talking about and who I was driving past that shop now, are two different people’.”
In the months since his and Tammy’s break up Matt said he had been “feeling so good” and reassured anybody else struggling that “it does get better”.
Tammy and Matt’s break up timelineThe couple announce their divorce – June 2025
Following months of speculation, Tammy and Matt announced they were divorcing in June 2025. Their official split came seven months after they were married.
Tammy took to TikTok at the time to make a video statement to fans saying she was “heartbroken” and “humiliated” and felt there was “no other option” but to end the marriage.
Their outing comes weeks after Hembrow announced her divorce in a tearful video statement. (TikTok/@tammyhembrow)
In her video, Tammy addressed her 2.1 million TikTok followers: “I wanted finally tell you guys that I am going to be getting a divorce. I know a lot of you have been following my journey for years so I wanted to be open about it.”
She held back tears as she explained she married thinking it would be “forever” and didn’t want to get into the details of the why the marriage broke down.
“I’m not one to bring anyone down. I want to be sensitive to everyone involved and I don’t want to talk about anyone but myself,” she said.
“I blame no one but myself, I haven’t made the best choices when it comes to relationships and I’m really good at putting on rose-coloured glasses.”
Tammy Hembrow Matt Zukowski married in November 2024. (Instagram)
Matt announced the split by penning a message to his 135,000 followers.
“It is with a heavy heart I share that Tammy and I have decided to separate,” he wrote.
“Both of us have struggled with making this decision however; we need to do what is right for ourselves and her three children.
“This wasn’t a decision we took lightly. Our time together will always be cherished and never forgotten.
“We appreciate everyone’s support and space as we navigate the split.” 
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Matt made a statement of his own on Instagram. (Instagram)Tammy is pictured with Bailey Smith – August 2025
In August 2025, Tammy was pictured with Geelong Cats star Bailey Smith on what appeared to be a series of dates.
Neither confirmed their romance but Hembrow broke her silence on her rumoured new beau while attending a Sasha Therese fashion even in Melbourne.
Speaking to The Herald Sun Tammy said: ”I’m here [in Melbourne] for a few things. A little work, a little play, a little bit of both,” she told the publication.
“I’m not going to say anything about Bailey except he’s a sweetie, he’s a good guy.”
Aussie influencer Tammy Hembrow and AFL star Bailey Smith have been photographed together. (Instagram/ Getty)Matt breaks his silence – August 2025
Taking to his Instagram stories, Matt, 30, reposted a quote from pro wrestler John Cena: “Allow things to take the time they take.”
Matt expressed his shock over Tammy and Bailey’s outing to The Herald Sun.
“I heard about this and it’s not a nice feeling,” he said.
Matt shared this cryptic post (right) after his ex Tammy was spotted, reportedly on a date. (Instagram @mattzukowski)
“We only broke up eight weeks ago. I just don’t understand how someone can move on so quickly.
“It’s been 48 days and I’m still trying to work out how I feel as a person after committing in marriage to someone. I’m trying to focus on myself and heal.”
Tammy and Matt’s relationship timeline
Tammy, who boasts a 17 million-strong Instagram following, is often thought of as Australia’s most well-known influencer.
The pair struck up a romance after Matt slid into Tammy’s DMs. Matt “hard launched” his relationship with her in a sweet Instagram post in October 2023.
By December 2023, the couple were engaged with Matt getting down on one knee on a beach in the Maldives.
The couple were engaged in December 2023. (Nine)
The proposal included a romantic dinner next to the ocean, with sand formed into the shape of a heart and fairy lights and candles surrounding the couple.
Matt and Tammy officially tied the knot in November 2024 and celebrated with a lavish Byron Bay celebration.
Tammy is a mum to three, Wolf, 10 and Saskia, 9, who Tammy shares with ex and fellow influencer Reece Hawkins and Posy, 3, who she shares with ex-fiancé Ironman Matt Poole.
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