“It was an allegation that had no proof,” Lomu said, adding that he insisted producers instruct the accuser to take their claims to police so he could have an opportunity to clear his name.
Karungalekar said Channel Nine were unable to produce “receipts of SA [sexual assault] or DV [domestic violence]”.
“I personally got one DM [direct message] from a burner account from one of the girls saying ‘Run for your life, this man is manipulative and he’s cheated a lot of people’,” she said.
Karungalekar, who works as a sports reporter, told Woman’s Day she requested time to think about her options, but shortly after, the couple was told they would no longer be participating in the experiment.
“We were floored that Channel Nine made such a huge decision based on TikTok videos without receipts,” she said to Sky News, questioning how they could be removed after completing the show’s rigorous vetting process.
Lomu, a financial broker, described feeling “shook” and crying after being told of the internal investigation into the anonymous commenter’s claims.
“Please tell me how a SA allegation came to light with no proof and no criminal history or any flags being raised on the background check,” Lomu wrote in an Instagram comment, maintaining his innocence.
The Daily Mail reported producers told Lomu that leaving the show would be in his best interests for his mental health, a decision he says was a cop-out.
“The real ones know the truth,” he wrote on social media.
“Lost opportunities come and go, but never let them define you.”
Channel Nine has not responded to Lomu and Karungalekar‘s comments.
Married at First Sight was created in Denmark, with the first season debuting in 2013.
The Australian adaptation sees new couples participate in commitment ceremonies, rather than legally binding marriages.