Former My Kitchen Rules couple Gianni Romano and Zana Pali’s split in Brighton turns into a public, very messy soap opera

The split between Gianni Romano and Zana Pali, once television’s golden couple on My Kitchen Rules, has intensified into a highly public, very messy post-divorce saga in Brighton. The pair quietly separated last year, and insiders say the split has already morphed into a feud played out in the glare of social-sphere and local chatter. The couple share two sons, Leo and Romeo, and are navigating custody arrangements while keeping most interactions focused on the kids. Neighbors and friends say the distance between the former spouses remains pronounced, with communication limited to matters about their children.

Zana, 34, has embraced a dramatic glow-up since the breakup, stepping into what observers describe as a post-divorce reinvention. She has been photographed flaunting a glamorous lifestyle, including a new Porsche and a move that has drawn headlines. Insiders say her social calendar has exploded since the split, with appearances at lavish lunches, upscale events and designer outfits worn head-to-toe. A source described her as embracing a new chapter and noted that her focus appears to be on both her kids and her evolving career goals. The chatter around Zana intensified when she was seen at high-profile events and among the city’s social set, fueling comparisons to a dramatic reality-show arc.

Meanwhile, Gianni Romano, 37, has been linked with Gracie Stewart, a 24-year-old who is described as a glamour placeholder in his social circle. Friends say Gianni appears smitten and enjoys the attention that comes with his new relationship, and Gracie is said to be comfortable with being part of the public-facing narrative. The pair have reportedly known each other for some time and move within overlapping social networks, which has fed speculation about the nature and seriousness of their coupling. The two were photographed attending events in shared company with mutual friends, reinforcing the sense that their relationship operates within the same social sphere as Zana’s latest chapters.

The public spotlight turned brighter when Gianni and Gracie attended the JW Foundation Starry Night gala at the National Gallery of Victoria earlier in the month. The evening’s guest list drew headlines for the awkward dynamic of Gianni and his date being seated just metres from Zana, who was also present with her own circle of acquaintances. Neither Gianni nor Gracie responded to requests for comment from Daily Mail on the relationship debut, while Zana offered a brief, cautious statement to the publication, saying she wished Gianni well and that she was focused on the kids and her own career goals.

Locals have kept a running joke about the saga’s potential spin-off, joking that the two families deserve their own reality series. The community’s take on the situation is sharpened by the ongoing custody arrangements and the visible contrast between Zana’s post-breakup glamour and Gianni’s dating life. As the pair navigate co-parenting and public attention, observers say the situation feels less like a private dispute and more like a plotted storyline in a long-running Melbourne-area soap opera that shows no sign of winding down.

What began as a quiet separation has become a case study in how celebrity splits unfold in the age of social media. The pair’s high-profile reputations in the local entertainment scene have amplified every public appearance, fueling coverage and commentary far beyond their initial announcement. The Daily Mail’s reporting and the commentary it has spurred underscore the enduring fascination with former reality stars as they reframe their identities in a new post-show landscape. As the two navigate separate romantic paths, questions about timing, custody arrangements, and future television opportunities remain the subject of ongoing speculation in Brighton and the broader Melbourne area.