He arrived on Married At First Sight looking for love — but instead, Paul Antoine left the experiment broken, ashamed, and vilified after a now-infamous ‘door punch’ incident that would ultimately come to define his season.
In his first raw and unfiltered interview, Paul, 30, opened up to Daily Mail Australia about the mental toll of reality TV, the true nature of his relationship with Carina Mirabile, his biggest regrets, and the parts of his story that producers ‘didn’t want viewers to see.’
‘It’s been overwhelming. Watching the show brought back so many emotions. That’s why I just stayed quiet. I couldn’t be bothered with the post-show drama,’ he confessed.
Paul has now finally addressed the moment that changed everything — an off-camera altercation during which he punched a door, sparking outrage from viewers and a stern warning from production.
‘I was mentally drained. We were filming 12 to 14 hours a day, and I was running on five hours of sleep. I just snapped,’ he said.
The blow-up occurred after an argument with his bride Carina following a night out with co-stars Jeff and Rhi. While in the back of a cab, Carina made a comment about having previously slept with a rapper — a detail Paul said he already knew, but was shocked she brought up in front of others.
He arrived on Married At First Sight looking for love — but instead, Paul Antoine left the experiment broken, ashamed, and vilified after a now-infamous ‘door punch’ incident
In his first raw and unfiltered interview, Paul, 30, opened up to Daily Mail Australia about the mental toll of reality TV, the true nature of his relationship with Carina Mirabile, his biggest regrets, and the parts of his story that producers ‘didn’t want viewers to see’
‘It felt like she was bragging. It confused me. In her confession letter, she was ashamed of her past, and now it seemed like she was owning it proudly in front of everyone.’
He said he went silent, stewed on it, and felt her apologies were ‘deflective.’ What followed was a breakdown that ended with Paul punching a door in frustration.
‘It was unacceptable. I walked out of the room, and I lost control. The moment it happened, I instantly felt shame. I felt disgusted.’
Production separated the couple for the night and considered kicking him off the show.
‘They brought me into a private room the next day. I couldn’t stop crying. I told them, “If you need to kick me off, I understand.” But they gave me another chance. I was so grateful — I wanted to make things right and show that wasn’t who I am.’
Paul also confirmed that this kind of behaviour had never happened before in his life.
‘My friends, my family — they know me. That’s not who I am. I’ve never lashed out like that.’
A love that could’ve been
Paul has now finally addressed the moment that changed everything — an off-camera altercation during which he punched a door, sparking outrage from viewers and a stern warning from production
Paul and Carina entered the experiment with real chemistry – and even shared a surprising past.
‘I knew her from a date a year earlier. When she walked down the aisle, I thought, “Wait, no way — this is Carina.” I was genuinely happy to see her.’
He described their early weeks together as blissful: cooking meals, working out, asking deep questions and building trust.
‘We were one of the strongest couples. Living together was easy. We had a great rhythm.’
But that chemistry began to fray under pressure — especially after the door incident, Paul said he became withdrawn.
‘I felt like a shell of myself. I was ashamed. The judgment from others was hard to cope with.’
‘The honesty letter ruined me’
Paul also faced backlash during the experiment’s ‘feedback week,’ when participants were asked to write an ‘honesty letter’ to their partners.
‘We were one of the strongest couples. Living together was easy. We had a great rhythm,’ he confessed of his ‘marriage’ to Perth-based fashion designer Carina Mirabile
Paul also faced backlash during the experiment’s ‘feedback week,’ when participants were asked to write an ‘honesty letter’ to their partners
‘I was paired with Awhina for the task. I listed a few concerns I had about Carina, but they weren’t major. I didn’t know I’d have to read the letter to her — I thought it was just for Awhina.’
In the letter, Paul said he was ‘not attracted’ to Carina at times — a choice of words he now deeply regrets.
‘It was a horrible word to use. I never should’ve said that. If I’d known she was going to read it, I would’ve written it differently.’
He believes that moment turned the tide of their relationship.
‘I think that was the beginning of the end. The experts roasted me at the commitment ceremony. I was confused — I did the task and got slammed for it.’
The final blow: ‘Temptation Week’
Just when Paul and Carina seemed to be rebuilding after their rocky patch, the show threw in one last twist — a temptation date challenge where participants could explore chemistry with someone new.
‘I still don’t know what I was thinking. Honestly, I don’t even have an answer. It was so stupid.’
Just when Paul and Carina seemed to be rebuilding after their rocky patch, the show threw in one last twist — a temptation date challenge where participants could explore chemistry with someone new
Paul admits he felt pressured in the moment.
‘Producers were like, “Come on, hurry up — what’s your decision?” I didn’t think it through. I just went along with it like it was another task.’
Despite regretting it almost immediately — even telling a producer he wanted to leave — Paul stayed.
‘I remember thinking, “I don’t want to be here.” But I felt stuck. My producer said it was too late.’
Carina was devastated.
‘She was shattered. I knew I had hurt her. I knew in that moment our relationship was probably done.’
‘They didn’t want viewers to like me’
Paul believes his portrayal on the show was not only unfair — but deliberately shallow.
Paul believes his portrayal on the show was not only unfair — but deliberately shallow
‘The only thing people know about me is that I’m French and horny,’ he laughed
‘The only thing people know about me is that I’m French and horny. That’s the meme that went around — and honestly, it’s kind of true based on what they aired.’
But behind the scenes, Paul says he shared deep and vulnerable moments that were completely cut from the show.
‘They didn’t show me opening up about my grandpa. They didn’t show the beautiful conversations with my groomsmen. They didn’t show my confession letter where I spoke about my heartbreaks and my hopes.’
‘It felt like they didn’t want people to like me.’
Counselling and healing
Paul does however credit the show’s offer of therapy as the turning point in his recovery.
‘I took up their counselling offer. It saved me. I was struggling to forgive myself. That therapist helped me find peace.’
He still sees the same counsellor to this day.
Paul credits the show’s offer of therapy as the turning point in his recovery. ‘I took up their counselling offer. It saved me. I was struggling to forgive myself. That therapist helped me find peace’
‘We built a real connection. He knows everything about me — my background, my family. He never judged me.’
For Paul, disconnecting from the show — and social media — was essential.
‘I unfollowed everything. I stopped watching. I started feeling normal again. The show can be so toxic. The hate was intense.’
Where things stand with Carina now
Despite their ups and downs, Paul says he and Carina are now on good terms.
‘We’re amicable. She came over to my place in Sydney after the show. I made us lunch, we sat by the pool, and we laughed about it all.’
He says she’s a woman he still holds immense respect for.
‘She’s stunning. And she has a good heart. I have nothing but affection and admiration for her.’
‘We’re amicable. She came over to my place in Sydney after the show. I made us lunch, we sat by the pool, and we laughed about it all,’ he said of his relationship with Carina now
Final Vows & the aftermath
Going into Final Vows, Paul said he had little hope — but still held on to a sliver of optimism.
‘I thought maybe she had forgiven me. But deep down, I knew I’d f**ked it.’
‘Even asking for her forgiveness again… I look back and think, the audacity. I kept making mistakes.’
On Awhina & Adrian’s ‘shock ending’
Paul also weighed in on fellow contestants Awhina and Adrian, revealing he spent a weekend with them in the lead-up to Final Vows.
‘They were so affectionate. Cuddling, kissing — they looked really happy off-camera.’
But he doesn’t believe either of them were truly in love.
‘The experiment plays tricks on your mind. It becomes your world. It can make feelings seem more intense than they are.’
Advice for future cast
‘You need thick skin to do this show. They will test you. You have to be honest — but maybe not too honest.’
‘My biggest regrets? Punching the door. And going on that bloody date. If I could go back and change anything, it would be those two moments.’
Despite everything, Paul says the experience was still transformative.
‘It broke me. But it also taught me who I am — and who I want to be.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .