Split of MKR stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali turns 'very ugly' in Brighton

Australian reality television stars Gianni Romano and Zana Pali, once My Kitchen Rules’ golden couple, have watched their divorce become a public, soap-opera-like saga. Insiders describe the split as "very messy" and "very ugly," with both parties pursuing dramatically different post-divorce lifestyles.

The couple reportedly quietly separated last year, with custody arrangements in place for their two sons, Leo and Romeo. Neighbours in Brighton say the split has exploded into a spectacle, noting the exes keep to themselves beyond co-parenting duties as they recalibrate their lives.

Zana, 34, has undergone a notable makeover, flaunting a new Porsche and a high-powered new boyfriend. An insider says she is embracing this new chapter and that her social life has intensified, with lavish lunches, swanky events and outfits described as designer head-to-toe.

Gianni, 37, has been linked to Gracie Stewart, a 24-year-old described as nearly half his age. A friend says he is clearly smitten and enjoys the attention, while Gracie is said to be comfortable being spoiled. The two have known each other for a while and share overlapping social circles, with a recent gala appearance at the JW Foundation Starry Night gala at the National Gallery of Victoria where they sat a table away from Zana.

Locals have joked that the exes’ post-split lives are so dramatic they deserve their own reality show. "Honestly, get these two on The Real Housewives of Brighton," one neighbour laughed, adding that the drama writes itself.

Last week, Daily Mail reported that Gracie is the mystery Zana lookalike Gianni has started dating. The two attended the gala with mutual friends, briefly seated near Zana, underscoring how closely their timelines have intersected. Neither Gianni nor Gracie responded to requests for comment; Zana later texted that she would not engage and that she is focused on the kids and her career goals.

With custody arrangements in place, both exes have kept their distance publicly, and the ongoing attention has kept Melbourne talking. The couple had quietly ended their marriage last year, insiders say, and the split has escalated more quickly than some expected.

The coverage has become part of the local entertainment conversation, with neighbors, fans and commentators watching how the pair navigate life after MKR. The dynamic has drawn comparisons to reality television and has spurred talk of a spin-off that would capture a Real Housewives of Brighton vibe, even as the exes resist formal comment on the specifics of their relationships.

For now, the story remains centered on two families and their two young sons, Leo and Romeo, as they balance public interest with private life. The narrative is unfolding in Melbourne and Brighton’s social scene, where the once-glittering couple and their followers continue to dissect every public appearance and post, shaping a portrait of the post-divorce phase that has become a local phenomenon.