20 October 2023 , 10:06
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Married at First Sight star Ella Morgan has announced that she will be quitting social media to protect her mental health, after suffering abusive messages from trolls online.
The 29-year-old made history as the E4 reality show's first transgender contestant, and has quickly become one of its most talked-about brides. Ella signed up for MAFS to find the man of her dreams with whom she could start a family, but her journey took an unexpected twist when she fell for another man outside of her arranged marriage to Nathaniel Valentino.
"I'm going to be taking a break from my socials as it's hard seeing/reading the constant abuse I've received recently, especially the transphobic abuse," she wrote on a post to her Instagram Stories on Thursday. "By condemning me with hate messages isn't always the right answer, and two wrongs don't make a right."
Ella Thomas has quit social media following transphobic abuse (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The MAFS star shared a lengthy statement on her Instagram following Wednesday's controversial episode (ellamorganc/Instagram)Ella endured a torrent of backlash from MAFS viewers after she went on a secret date with fellow contestant JJ Slater on Wednesday night's episode, despite already being wedded to Nathanial.
"All I have been thinking about is JJ, I do feel a bit guilty because I know that it is wrong as I am in a marriage," she admitted. "I don't want to be that girl that hurts another girl. I don't want to be a homewrecker but I can't help how I feel."
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JJ, who is married to Bianca Petronzi on the show, echoed Ella's conflicted feelings: "I have been thinking about Ella. I do feel bad but I can't wait to see her on my own. I do like her. I don't know what to do. I do feel a bit torn, I don't want to hurt anybody."
Nathaniel quit the show after Ella and JJ cheated (Instagram/ellamorganc)Despite both Ella and JJ insisting they didn't have any malicious intentions, viewers at home were quick to slam the pair for cheating on their respective spouses. Some MAFS fans even called for them to be removed from the show, following reports that Nathaniel had quit over the infidelity. Ella, who told Nathaniel she'd been flirting with JJ on and off camera, has now said that she doesn't want the abuse to "take a toll" on her mental health.
"I'm only human. We all make errors and mistakes that we wish we could change," she continued, before adding, "I'm far from perfect." The former clinic consultant went on to apologise to those she'd upset, writing, "I'm deeply sorry to particular cast members and anyone who is hurt by my actions in the episode."