Clint Rice, a participant in the 2025 season of Married at First Sight Australia, has addressed serious allegations regarding the use of inappropriate language directed at fellow cast member Jamie Marinos. The 43-year-old pro golfer found himself under scrutiny following a private conversation he had with Lauren Hall during filming at Byron Bay retreat, as revealed by Daily Mail Australia.
In response to the mounting concerns, Rice took to the MAFS Goss podcast hosted by Abbie Chatfield, where he discussed his recent message to producer Oscar Gordon, refuting specific claims against him. This situation revolves around several unaired interactions, which are expected to be featured in the upcoming reunion episode.
Clint Rice Addresses Allegations of Offensive Language
The issue gained traction when insiders disclosed that Rice and Hall were overheard discussing negative aspects of their fellow cast members privately, away from the central group during their retreat. Daily Mail Australia reported that their exchanges were laced with harsh criticisms aimed at various participants.
During the Couples Retreat, tensions escalated, with Hall openly criticizing Marinos, likening her to a “troll”and drawing unwelcome comparisons to characters from “Mean Girls.”Rice later acknowledged that he, too, resorted to harsh language, directly addressing both Marinos and another participant, Dave, with an outburst to “sit the f**k down”during a particularly charged group discussion.
As the conflict deepened, Rice and Hall distanced themselves from group activities, choosing to withdraw for private discussions. He explained his behavior, stating that he felt compelled to stand by Hall, his then-partner. In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, he remarked:
“I promised Lauren on the wedding day that when I’m with someone, I will always back my partner.”
In light of the allegations, Rice quickly reached out to MAFS producer Oscar Gordon to clarify his stance, sending a message that asserted:
“Hey mate, just to clarify, I never called Jamie a c**t.”
During his podcast appearance, Rice confessed to using some offensive language, specifically admitting to having referred to Marinos as a “f*ing mole”during a moment he believed to be private. Expressing regret, he noted that Marinos had supported him throughout various stages of the show and acknowledged that their differing communication styles often led to misunderstandings.
In a subsequent interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, Rice pointed out specific production tactics utilized during the show. He highlighted instances where comments made on his wedding day were later used as voiceovers in scenes from dinner parties, suggesting a manipulation of context.
Current Developments
Looking ahead, Rice and his new partner Jacqui Burfoot are slated to appear in the Married at First Sight Australia reunion episode, which was filmed a month after the Final Vows ceremony. Despite their initial dramatic exit from the show, Rice maintains a line of communication with Hall. The couple left the experiment voluntarily after choosing not to adhere to the producers’ recommendations for continued filming.
Despite attempts by production to retain Rice and Hall in the show, including suggestions for their participation in casual attire at the final dinner party, they opted for a final commitment ceremony to formally end their involvement. They felt increasingly removed from the group dynamics and opted for a quieter arrangement, even considering renting an Airbnb to evade ongoing conflicts.
Their relationship seemed stable for some time, lasting “three or four weeks with no major issues,”before they decided to step away from the show’s pressures altogether.
You can catch Married at First Sight Australia streaming on 9Now.