Brighton split of MKR stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali explodes into a 'very messy' soap opera
Neighbors joke about Real Housewives of Brighton as exes’ post-divorce lives captivate the town
Brighton-based reality TV alumni Gianni Romano and Zana Pali have reportedly turned their split from My Kitchen Rules into a 'very messy' soap opera, with insiders describing it as 'very ugly.' The once‑glamorous pair, who rose to fame as TV's golden couple on MKR, now navigate a high-profile post-divorce life that has family, friends and neighbors watching closely.
Sources say the couple, who share two sons, Leo and Romeo, are bound by custody arrangements but barely speak except about the kids. The break-up is believed to have occurred last year, but insiders say the split has spiraled quickly into a public feud that keeps Melbourne talking. 'They don't talk unless it's about the kids,' a Daily Mail source said.
Zana, 34, has embraced the post-divorce chapter with what insiders are calling a glow-up. She has been photographed flaunting a newer, more glamorous image, a new Porsche and what a source described as a high-flyer boyfriend. 'She's really embracing this new chapter,' an insider said. 'Her social life has exploded since the split. She's at lavish lunches, swanky events and always dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes.'
Meanwhile, Gianni, 37, has sparked scrutiny by dating Gracie Stewart, a 24-year-old whom observers describe as a glamazon. A friend said, 'Gianni's clearly smitten,' noting that the two have known each other within the same social circles for some time. Gracie is said to have a similar vibe to Zana, heightening the public interest in the post-divorce dynamic.
The former MKR villains were spotted at the JW Foundation Starry Night gala at the National Gallery of Victoria, where Gracie and Gianni sat a table near Zana as the exes mingled with mutual friends. The pair did not respond to requests for comment from Daily Mail. Zana texted our inquiry: 'I don't speak to him. I wish him all the best. I'm busy focusing on the kids and my new career goals.' Locals have joked that the exes' post-split lives are so dramatic they could fuel a Real Housewives of Brighton spin-off. 'Honestly, get these two on The Real Housewives of Brighton,' one local laughed.
With two households navigating custody and the glare of public interest, the exes' social theater continues to unfold in Brighton and Melbourne media circles.