EXCLUSIVE Married At First Sight's Ella Ding reveals her pregnancy cravings and says she's been getting advice from ChatGPT ahead of welcoming first child - as she launches new podcast
It's a big year for Married At First Sight favourite Ella Ding, who is not only expecting her first child with husband Guy Palermo but has also launched a brand new podcast.
The 31-year-old sat down with Daily Mail Australia for an interview on Tuesday, revealing how she's navigating pregnancy, business, and her bold return to podcasting following a rollercoaster year.
'Honestly, it's been pretty crazy,' Ella said of her whirlwind few months.
'Since we ended the podcast last year, I took a nice quiet turn. I kind of just focused on me and my business and my people and my family.'
That much-needed break allowed her to reassess her goals – and one dream never wavered: a return to the mic.
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'I knew that podcasting wasn't done for me. I loved podcasting and I always wanted a podcast. Since COVID, it's honestly been a dream of mine' she said.
After knocking back several offers, Ella finally found the right fit.
'I met with networks last year… but no one honestly was like hitting the spot. And then Channel Nine kind of just came out of nowhere. It felt perfectly aligned' she added.
The result? The Ella Era – a new solo podcast where she can speak her truth without filter.
'I'm just creating my own pathway to my own vision, my own future, and it's just me now,' she said. 'There's a huge part of me that's really excited by that' Ella said.
For the debut episode, Ella managed to coax her ultra-private husband Guy into the spotlight.
'He didn't love being a guest, but he did it because he loves me,' she laughed.
'He knew that I really wanted that… I really wanted people to hear more about him and just show everybody that he's real, like he's not just this make believe dude who hates life.'
'Like he said on the episode – I just don't shut up and I have so much to say. Whether it's wisdom or curiosity, he is just really supportive of anything that I do.'
Ella, who announced her pregnancy on May 20, revealed she and Guy have already picked out a baby name.
'We actually do have our name locked in,' she confirmed.
While she's had a fairly smooth pregnancy so far, she admits to one unexpected symptom.
'My stomach gets really f***ing itchy after I go for a run. I'm like scratching it so much' Ella said.
As for food cravings? 'I've been really wanting Dim Sims. We went to South Melbourne Markets and I got like a fried and a steamed dim sim with chili and soy. Even talking about it now I'm like, I need to go back and get more.
'I'm just leaning into this opportunity to eat whatever I want and just enjoy it.'
Ella credits her husband and her tight-knit group of girlfriends with helping her through the ups and downs of pregnancy.
'Guy is very much my person during the pregnancy. I feel most comfortable with him to whine and complain or show him all these things I'm Googling and asking, you know, ChatGPT.'
She added, 'All of my girlfriends that have had kids… they can reassure me or provide advice and be there for me if I need it.'
Despite her growing bump, Ella has no plans to slow down.
She's juggling her fragrance line, car giveaways and podcast duties – and she wouldn't have it any other way.
'I do love to be busy. I love to have a lot on my plate. I think I just love being stimulated and challenged every day' she said.
'My plate's pretty full right now and my cup is also very full right now.'
With years in the spotlight under her belt, Ella says she's learned how to shut out the noise and focus on what matters.
'You'll always get the trolling occasionally or the cyber bullying or whatever it is. But I don't jump in on hate trains and I don't get involved in online drama… I tend to just stay out of it and I think it works pretty well for me' Ella explained.
When it comes to clickbait and gossip culture, Ella doesn't hold back.
'I don't know why they do it… they'd rather have their platform top of the charts even if it means ruining someone's reputation or life or relationship or family' she said.
'I could never go to sleep at night knowing I've published something that is ruining someone's life.'
Ella isn't ruling out another stint on screen – but it'd have to be the right fit.
'Look, that chapter's never closed. I've always loved being a part of reality TV. I've always had somewhat of a positive experience' she added.
While The Block and Real Housewives don't interest her, she admitted: 'Maybe that's the post-baby goal – to do something really challenging, like Survivor or SAS Australia.'
'This next era is purely just about Ella,' she said. 'The podcast, being pregnant, keeping the baby healthy, keeping me healthy, and just working on everything I'm incredibly passionate about.'
Ella, who narrates Stan's Original series, Love Triangle, said she would definitely be back for another season .
'I actually love Love Triangle. It's a bit more fluent. I get the goss, I get the tea. I love being in the middle.'
And as for future ambitions? Hosting is firmly on her radar.
'Yeah, definitely. I love it. I love being a part of it in that kind of way' she confided.
As she prepares for motherhood, Ella admitted that self-doubt occasionally creeps in.
'I think I would be silly to not say I'm scared of not being a good mum. That's probably the scariest thought I have right now' she said.
Still, she knows she's got strong role models to guide her.
'I do think my mum did a very good job. A hundred percent' Ella added.
And if she could interview anyone on her podcast? 'Paris Hilton. I'd love to chat to Paris.'
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