Messy split of MKR stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali sparks a Brighton reality show vibe

The split of My Kitchen Rules stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali has spiraled into a 'very messy' public soap opera in Brighton, with neighbours and fans watching every turn of the post‑divorce drama. The couple, once TV's golden duo on MKR, quietly ended their marriage last year, and insiders say the fallout has accelerated into a highly public feud as they pursue separate lives and custody arrangements for their two sons, Leo and Romeo.

'They don't talk unless it's about the kids,' one source told the Daily Mail, underscoring how far apart the two have grown. Zana, 34, has undergone a transformation, flaunting a Porsche and a new, high‑flying boyfriend, while Gianni, 37, has been seen with Gracie Stewart, a 24‑year‑old woman who is said to resemble Zana and share social circles with the exes. Gracie and Gianni have known each other for some time, and witnesses say they move in the same elite circles, adding to the public intrigue surrounding the split.

Locals say the age‑gap pairing is turning heads around Brighton, with neighbours joking that the exes’ lives are so dramatic they could headline their own Real Housewives of Brighton spin‑off. The tension is reflected in the public appearances and the social calendar, where the two are rarely seen together and custody arrangements have kept them at arm's length in front of the cameras.

The Daily Mail has also reported that Gracie is the mystery lookalike Zana has been linked with, a development that has fueled speculation about how far the post‑split circle will go. In Melbourne’s social pages, the gala moment at the JW Foundation Starry Night event at the National Gallery of Victoria earlier this month highlighted the awkward dynamic: Gianni and Gracie were seated at a table just metres from Zana, prompting a flurry of photos and social chatter. When contacted for comment, Gianni and Gracie did not respond, while Zana texted that she doesn’t speak to him and wishes him all the best, adding that she is focused on the kids and her own career goals.

Despite the gloss of post‑divorce life, insiders stress the split remains far from amicable. With custody arrangements in place, both Gianni and Zana are maintaining distance, and their high‑profile lives continue to fuel conversations in Melbourne and beyond. Neighbors’ quips about a Real Housewives of Brighton series reflect the broader appetite for soap‑opera stakes in real life, rather than fiction, as the two navigate a public split that seems to be reshaping their careers and reputations in the city that hosts their shared past.