Brighton post-divorce drama: MKR stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali amid 'very messy' split

Brighton and Melbourne — The split of My Kitchen Rules stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali has erupted into a 'very messy' soap opera, with locals describing the post-divorce drama as 'very ugly' and neighbors joking they deserve their own Real Housewives of Brighton spin-off. The couple quietly ended their marriage last year, and custody arrangements for their sons Leo and Romeo are now in place. Insiders say the split has progressed from a private breakup to a highly public feud, with both sides displaying flashier post-divorce lifestyles.

Zana, 34, has undergone a dramatic glow-up, publicly flaunting a new Porsche and a high-flyer boyfriend described as a successful businessman. An insider said she is 'really embracing this new chapter,' with lavish lunches, exclusive events and designer outfits marking her post-split life. Neighbors say the shift has turned heads around Brighton as she moves in upscale social circles.

Gianni, 37, has been linked to Gracie Stewart, a 24-year-old whom insiders describe as nearly half his age. The pair have known each other for some time and mingle in the same social circles. They were spotted at the JW Foundation Starry Night gala at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne earlier this month, seating only a few meters from Zana, creating a tense moment for the ex-spouses. Neither Gianni nor Gracie responded to requests for comment, while Zana texted Daily Mail: 'I don't speak to him. I wish him all the best. I'm busy focusing on the kids and my new career goals.'

Daily Mail also reported that Gracie is the woman who looks like Zana, a twist that has fed headlines about the 'lookalike' factor in the post-divorce narrative. Locals have joked that the two exes' lives are so dramatic they could support their own reality series, with one Brighton resident quipping, 'The drama writes itself.'

With custody arrangements in place, the exes remain largely apart, limiting contact to discussions about the children. The spectacle surrounding their split has kept Melbourne and regional followers talking, illustrating how reality-TV fame can magnify personal upheaval. In the end, the affair serves as a case study in how quickly a public romance can morph into a drawn-out public feud, especially when both partners maintain a high public profile.

While some observers welcome the sensational coverage, others emphasize that the individuals and their families are navigating real-life stakes. The story remains ongoing as both Gianni and Zana continue to chart separate personal and professional paths, with their fans and neighbors watching closely to see how the next chapter unfolds.