If you’ve been keeping up with Married At First Sight Australia in 2025, you might be aware of the buzz surrounding Paul Antoine and Cleo Rutene, who is Awhina’s twin sister. The show ramped up its drama quotient when it was revealed that Paul, who is paired with Carina Mirabile, had a romantic history with Cleo.

This revelation is one of those unexpected twists that make you grab the popcorn and marvel at how interconnected people can be. Let’s dive into Paul and Cleo’s past, how these events transpired, and what it means for the already tangled web of relationships on the show—all broken down for fans like you to enjoy.

Rewind to 2022. Cleo had just ended an eight-year relationship and was tentatively diving back into the dating pool. That’s when she crossed paths with Paul Antoine, a strength and conditioning coach from Perth, sparking undeniable chemistry. In an exclusive chat with Daily Mail Australia, Cleo called their bond electrifying—a “whirlwind romance” that spanned a few months.

They cooked breakfast together, went out for dinners, and had a great time. But here’s the kicker: Cleo wasn’t quite ready for anything serious so soon after her breakup. She decided to step back, and while their romance fizzled, they managed to remain friends. Fast forward to 2025, and Paul finds himself as a groom on MAFS, while Cleo’s twin sister, Awhina, is also in the mix, married to Adrian Araouzou.

Who would’ve seen that coming? Their past romance made for some awkward moments when Paul and Awhina met up at the show’s first dinner party, dragging their history into the limelight—and Carina was not happy about it.

In the MAFS world, things are pretty small, and secrets don’t remain secrets for long. At the first dinner party, Paul and Awhina recognized each other and faced the facts. Cleo mentioned to Daily Mail Australia that Paul was upfront about his past, spilling the details to Carina right then.

“At no point was this hidden,” Cleo stated, pointing out that Paul wanted to keep things honest with his on-screen wife. Yet, that honesty didn’t ease the tension. When the partner swap challenge came up, Carina was understandably upset at the thought of Awhina—who had once been with Paul—moving into her space.

“No hard feelings toward Awhina, but they look identical,”

Carina shared with the cameras, clearly unsettled. Meanwhile, Paul used the swap to connect with Awhina, discussing how Carina’s judgmental attitude—especially a snarky remark about Cleo’s “calibre”—gave him the “ick.” It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and it’s the classic MAFS drama we’ve come to expect.

Cleo isn’t one to sit back quietly while her ex and her sister’s lives intertwine on national television. She’s made it clear that she and Paul are on good terms, no lingering feelings—just friendship. She even defended him during his on-screen scandal—yes, the one where he punched a hole in a door after a fight with Carina.

“In the three years I’ve known Paul, he’s never shown aggression,”

Cleo remarked, though she also mentioned she doesn’t condone that outburst.

She’s also thrown some shade in Carina’s direction, especially after Carina’s remark about Paul’s “calibre,” which he relayed to Awhina during the swap. Cleo’s view? It was a low blow, possibly related to her tattoos or demeanor, which has added to the frostiness between her and Carina. For Cleo, this isn’t just about her past; it’s about being loyal to Awhina, who’s dealing with her own challenging MAFS journey with Adrian.

This revelation is more than just juicy gossip—it’s a plot twist that’s shaken up Paul and Carina’s marriage, altered Awhina’s relationship with Adrian, and affected the entire group dynamic. Carina’s discomfort peaked during the partner swap, and Paul’s growing skepticism about her snobbish tendencies hints at deeper issues ahead.

For Awhina, it’s a tricky situation—her twin’s ex is now her friend on the show, leaving her caught in the middle of that and her own unstable relationship.

Fans are loving the drama and are buzzing on social media about where it’s all headed. Will Paul and Carina make it through this? Will Cleo’s honesty pull her further into the drama? One thing’s for sure: MAFS Australia thrives on these intertwined relationships, and this storyline has us all tuned in.