MAFS Australia 2025: Are Carina and Paul Still Together?

The 2025 season of Married At First Sight Australia delivered one of the most turbulent relationships in the show’s history with Carina Mirabile and Paul Antoine. Their journey captivated audiences with dramatic highs and devastating lows, leaving viewers wondering about the current status of their relationship. From promising beginnings to explosive confrontations, their story became one of the most talked-about narratives of the season.

When Perth locals Carina and Paul were first matched by the MAFS experts, their differences were immediately apparent. The experts believed these contrasts would create a complementary partnership, as both entered the experiment with the shared goal of finding lasting love. However, their relationship would prove far more complicated than anyone anticipated, becoming a cautionary tale about trust, forgiveness, and the consequences of impulsive decisions.

The Beginning: A Promising Yet Uncertain Start

Carina and Paul’s initial meeting set the tone for what would become a rollercoaster relationship. Paul approached the altar with optimism and vulnerability, viewing his match with Carina as a second chance at love. The universe is giving us, giving me, this second chance, he reflected hopefully as he waited for his bride. His enthusiasm, however, wasn’t initially matched by Carina’s reaction.

When Carina arrived at the altar, her immediate response was less than encouraging. Am I going to get a different guy or what? she asked production staff, even inquiring if there was another option available. This lukewarm reception could have spelled disaster from the start, but Paul remained determined to win her affection through genuine effort and emotional openness.

The turning point came when Paul showed his softer, more vulnerable side to Carina and her parents. His heartfelt apology and willingness to be emotionally transparent began to change Carina’s perspective. Week after week, the couple appeared at commitment ceremonies with genuine smiles, displaying affection and seeming to fall deeper for each other. Their chemistry suggested they might actually defy the odds and find lasting happiness together.

The Cracks Begin to Show: Trust Issues Emerge

Midway through the experiment, the relationship encountered its first major crisis. What seemed like an innocent moment would trigger a violent response that fundamentally altered the trajectory of their marriage. During a car ride back from spending time with fellow contestants Rhi and Jeff, Carina made a passing comment about her intimate history with a rapper whose song she was playing.

Paul and I were coming back from a day out with Rhi and Jeff, we had a really good day together, Carina recalled. In the Uber, I was putting on music, I put on a song and I said a comment that I’ve slept with this rapper. I didn’t think it was awkward, Paul and I, we’ve spoken about our pasts, so I didn’t think there was an issue at all. Her assumption that they had moved past discussing previous relationships proved catastrophically wrong.

Paul’s reaction was extreme and concerning. Unable to control his emotions, he physically lashed out by punching a wall. This violent display revealed deeper insecurity issues and an inability to manage jealousy in a healthy manner. For Carina, this moment represented a significant red flag that would cast a shadow over everything that followed in their relationship.

The Ultimate Betrayal: Final Test Week Disaster

Just when it seemed the couple might work through their trust issues, Paul made a decision that would prove fatal to their marriage. During final test week, a period designed to test the strength of relationships before final vows, Paul went on a date with someone else. This wasn’t a test orchestrated by producers but rather Paul’s own choice, demonstrating a fundamental lack of respect for his marriage to Carina.

The betrayal cut deep for Carina, who had already been working to move past Paul’s previous violent outburst. You actually just cheated, I’m worth so much more than this, she confronted him. You did not consider how I was going to feel, again! You can pack your stuff. Her reaction made it clear that Paul had crossed a line from which there would be no return. The pattern of behavior, his repeated failure to consider her feelings, had accumulated into an insurmountable obstacle.

The couple’s appearance at the final dinner party spoke volumes about the state of their relationship. For the first time in the entire experiment, they arrived separately. Carina had firmly closed all doors to reconciliation, while Paul still harbored hope for resolution, though he complained about feeling ghosted by his wife and needing her to be receptive to his apology.

Final Vows: A Devastating Conclusion

The final vows ceremony brought the definitive end to Carina and Paul’s marriage. Paul arrived hoping for forgiveness and believing that his wife would overlook his mistakes one more time. His optimism was severely misplaced, as Carina had made up her mind long before reaching the altar.

In her vows, Carina delivered a powerful and emotional statement that left no room for ambiguity. I vowed to myself that my life-partner would be a man I can completely trust. Throughout this experiment there’s been multiple times where I’ve stood by you and looked past things that you’ve done in the hopes that this would be it for me and for us, she said. You threw it all away in a selfish act.

Her words grew more pointed as she continued: Paul, I was yours, you had me, and you ruined it. Now you’re gonna have to live with that for the rest of your life. When Paul asked if she would eventually forget about their issues, Carina shut him down immediately. The rejection was complete and unequivocal.

In his confessional with producers following the ceremony, Paul revealed his disappointment and continued hope that Carina would try a little harder to move past it. I’d like to think she’d regret her decision, he said, demonstrating a continued failure to understand the gravity of his actions or accept responsibility for the relationship’s failure.

The Reunion: Perspectives Shift and Blame Escalates

One month after final vows, the reunion episode revealed a dramatically different Paul than viewers had last seen. Where he had previously been heartbroken and apologetic, he now appeared defensive and critical of Carina. His perspective had shifted entirely, and he was ready to deflect blame onto his ex-wife.

When I heard Carina’s decision to not continue the relationship I did feel betrayed by Carina at that point. I had suspicions that she obviously had a lot of insecurities and that she had crazy jealousy tendencies and she proved my point at final vows, Paul told producers. We all have insecurities that’s fine, but don’t project all your insecurities on me, that’s not fair.

His assessment grew harsher as he declared: There’s no hope at all for me and Carina, she’s a big snob. The rejection didn’t sit well with me. This dramatic reversal suggested that Paul’s ego had been severely bruised by Carina’s public rejection, and he was now attempting to rewrite the narrative to protect his self-image.

For her part, Carina maintained her conviction that ending the relationship was the right decision. Watching back footage from their time together only reaffirmed her choice to walk away. I wanted the fairytale ending and I didn’t get it. It’s disappointing, she admitted, acknowledging her sadness while standing firm in her decision.

The reunion took a significant turn when relationship expert John Aiken intervened, directly challenging Paul’s victim mentality. Stop playing the victim, Aiken advised, cutting through Paul’s defensive posturing. Paul’s response showed at least some self-awareness: I know I’m not perfect and there’s a lot of work that I need to do on myself. Whether this represented genuine growth or simply performing for the experts remained unclear.

The Unexpected Development: Are They Back Together?

In a surprising twist that left fans confused and speculating wildly, Carina posted a video on TikTok that suggested a potential reconciliation. The video featured Carina, Paul, Rhi, and Jeff together at a magazine shoot for Women’s Day and New Idea. The caption read: Hi we’re back. Thank you, sparking immediate speculation about what exactly they were back to.

The imagery was particularly striking because Carina and Paul appeared unusually close to each other, displaying a comfort level that seemed inconsistent with their explosive breakup and bitter reunion confrontation. Social media erupted with questions and confusion. Are Paul and Carina back together? one Reddit user asked. I seriously don’t get it, another added. Surely these two must hate each other.

Clarifying where they stand now, Carina addressed the speculation in an interview with 9Entertainment. The reality was far less dramatic than fans imagined. They’re quite civil but that’s it, she explained, effectively shutting down any romantic reunion rumors. She did acknowledge that they message a fair bit on Instagram, suggesting they’ve managed to establish a cordial post-show relationship despite their tumultuous history.

Paul’s Perspective on Current Relationship Status

Paul also addressed the reconciliation rumors during an Instagram Q&A session with fans. When directly asked Have you and Carina gotten back together after the show? his response was clear and definitive.

No we haven’t, Paul replied. We both went our separate ways. The good thing is there is no hard feelings between her and I. We are on speaking terms, which is good. His tone suggested a mature acceptance of the relationship’s end, markedly different from his defensive posture at the reunion. The evolution from bitterness to civility represents significant personal growth, assuming his statements are genuine.

Adding another layer to the post-show narrative, rumors have circulated that Paul may be dating someone else entirely from the MAFS cast. While these reports remain unconfirmed, they would certainly explain his ability to move past the rejection and establish friendly terms with Carina. New romantic prospects often help heal old wounds and provide perspective on past relationships.

Understanding the Relationship Dynamics

The Carina and Paul relationship offers valuable insights into relationship dynamics, particularly around trust, accountability, and pattern recognition. Several key themes emerged throughout their journey that explain both their initial attraction and ultimate incompatibility.

Trust and Vulnerability: Paul’s initial vulnerability and emotional openness successfully attracted Carina, demonstrating that authenticity creates connection. However, his subsequent actions, particularly the violent wall-punching incident and the decision to date someone else during final test week, systematically destroyed the trust he had worked to build. Trust, once broken repeatedly, becomes nearly impossible to restore.

Jealousy and Insecurity: Paul’s extreme reaction to learning about Carina’s past intimate relationship revealed profound insecurity issues. Rather than addressing these feelings constructively, he responded with violence and later betrayal. His inability to manage jealousy healthily ultimately sabotaged the relationship. At the reunion, he attempted to deflect by accusing Carina of being insecure and jealous, demonstrating a lack of self-awareness about his own problematic behaviors.

Accountability and Growth: Throughout the relationship and its aftermath, Paul struggled with genuine accountability. While he repeatedly apologized, his actions suggested the apologies were performative rather than reflective of real behavioral change. Carina recognized this pattern, stating: It’s not good enough, continuously apologising, is not enough. True accountability requires changed behavior, not just repeated expressions of remorse.

Self-Worth and Boundaries: Carina’s journey demonstrated the importance of recognizing one’s worth and establishing firm boundaries. Her statement Try harder, I’m a catch, anyone would die to be with me reflected healthy self-esteem. When Paul crossed her boundaries repeatedly, she had the strength to walk away despite her desire for a fairytale ending. This self-respect ultimately served her better than staying in a relationship that continuously disappointed her.

The Broader MAFS 2025 Context

Carina and Paul’s relationship existed within the larger ecosystem of MAFS Australia 2025, where multiple couples navigated the challenges of televised marriages. Their friendship with Rhi and Jeff provided both support and perspective throughout the experiment. The group dynamic allowed them to witness healthier relationship patterns, which may have helped Carina recognize the problems in her own marriage more clearly.

The magazine shoot featuring Carina, Paul, Rhi, and Jeff demonstrated that despite romantic relationships ending, the friendships formed during the experiment can endure. The caption on Carina’s TikTok video included hashtags like #allriends and #alllove, emphasizing the platonic nature of their continued association. This ability to maintain civil, friendly relationships post-show speaks to a certain maturity among the cast members.

Lessons from Carina and Paul’s Journey

Their relationship offers several important takeaways for viewers and anyone navigating romantic partnerships:

Actions speak louder than apologies. Paul’s repeated apologies meant little when his behavior didn’t change. Sustainable relationships require behavioral modification, not just verbal remorse. Partners must demonstrate through consistent action that they’ve learned from mistakes and are committed to growth.

Violent outbursts are serious red flags. Paul’s wall-punching incident, triggered by jealousy, represented a critical warning sign about his emotional regulation capabilities. While he didn’t direct violence toward Carina, the inability to manage anger constructively suggests deeper issues that require professional intervention. Such behaviors rarely exist in isolation and often escalate without proper treatment.

Know when to walk away. Carina’s decision to end the relationship despite wanting her fairytale ending demonstrated wisdom and self-respect. Recognizing that someone isn’t capable of being the partner you need, regardless of your feelings for them, represents emotional maturity. Staying in relationships hoping people will change often leads to prolonged disappointment.

Self-awareness is crucial. Paul’s inability to recognize his own patterns and instead project blame onto Carina highlighted a fundamental lack of self-awareness. Healthy relationships require both partners to honestly assess their contributions to problems and commit to personal growth. Without this foundation, conflicts remain unresolved and patterns repeat.

Where They Stand Today

Based on their own statements and social media activity, Carina and Paul have successfully transitioned from married couple to civil acquaintances. They maintain friendly contact through Instagram messaging and can appear together at professional events without drama. This outcome, while not the romantic success story either hoped for, represents a healthy resolution to a difficult situation.

The speculation around their relationship status following the magazine shoot video demonstrates audiences’ continued investment in their story. However, both have been clear that there is no romantic reconciliation. Paul’s statement that there are no hard feelings and Carina’s description of them as quite civil suggests they’ve both moved forward from the bitterness displayed at the reunion.

For Carina, the experience reaffirmed what she wants in a partner: someone trustworthy, considerate, and capable of putting her feelings first. Her unwillingness to compromise on these fundamental requirements, despite the pressure of being on television and wanting a successful outcome, demonstrates admirable strength of character.

For Paul, the experience hopefully provided valuable lessons about jealousy, trust, and accountability. His acknowledgment at the reunion that he needs to work on himself suggests at least intellectual understanding of his shortcomings. Whether this translates into meaningful behavioral change remains to be seen in his future relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Carina and Paul from MAFS 2025 still together?

A: No, Carina and Paul are not together. They ended their marriage at final vows, with Carina choosing to walk away from the relationship. Both have confirmed they went their separate ways after the show.

Q: Why did Carina dump Paul at final vows?

A: Carina ended the relationship due to repeated breaches of trust, including Paul’s violent reaction to learning about her dating history and his decision to go on a date with someone else during final test week. She felt he continuously failed to consider her feelings.

Q: Did Paul and Carina get back together after MAFS?

A: No, despite speculation after they appeared together in a magazine shoot, both Paul and Carina have confirmed they did not reconcile romantically. They maintain a civil, friendly relationship and message occasionally on Instagram.

Q: What happened between Paul and Carina at the MAFS reunion?

A: At the reunion, Paul’s perspective had shifted dramatically. He called Carina a big snob and accused her of projecting insecurities onto him. Expert John Aiken challenged Paul to stop playing the victim, and Paul acknowledged he has work to do on himself.

Q: Is Paul dating anyone else from MAFS?

A: Rumors have circulated that Paul may be dating someone else from the MAFS cast, though this has not been officially confirmed by Paul or any cast members.

Q: What did Carina say in her final vows to Paul?

A: Carina told Paul that he had her completely but ruined everything through selfish acts. She said he threw away their relationship and would have to live with that decision for the rest of his life, making it clear she could not forgive his repeated betrayals of trust.