Former Married At First Sight star Ella May Ding was single and thriving, living alone with her two beloved Siamese cats, when someone from her past popped up unexpectedly. His name was Guy Palermo and, just last week, she said yes when he asked her to marry him.
“We’ve known each other for six years,” tells Ella, 29. “We bumped into each other at a festival and then spent every day together just as mates.
“I really believe that timing is everything and for the past six years, it wasn’t right because I wasn’t ready. After everything I’ve experienced, I feel like I’m more than ready – he’s my knight in shining armour.”
Ella was married to Mitch Eynaud on the 2022 season of MAFS, but the Gold Coast financial planner, 28, left her at the final vows, leaving her heartbroken. However, the show gave the Melbourne beautician a platform to launch a fitness app, a fragrance and a podcast, which she co-hosts with fellow MAFS bride Domenica Calarco.
“I got a bit of anxiety after the show,” reveals Ella. “I’m a pretty level-headed person, but I went to therapy to deal with it.”
Luckily, her MAFS experience hasn’t put her off appearing on TV and she’s now the new host of Aussie reality series Love Triangle, where she guides six young singles as they attempt to make romantic connections based on conversation alone.
“I’ve been in front of the camera,” Ella says of what qualifies her for the role. “Having lived it, I can relate to what they’re going through and help with what they’re going to go through when they come off the show. I got very invested. The personalities are very diverse and, of course, there’s a lot of drama.”
Love Triangle screens 9pm Mondays on TVNZ 2.
