Latest news with #AnkitaKarungalekar
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scandal ROCKS Married At First Sight 2026: Groom pulled from the show amid investigation
Married At First Sight 2026 is in turmoil just weeks into filming, with one bride-and-groom pair yanked from production amid an internal investigation. Daily Mail can reveal that Micah Lomu, a Sydney-based finance broker, was removed from filming just days after he tied the knot with cricket presenter Ankita Karungalekar in a lavish multicultural wedding. The couple wed last week at Lindesay House in Darling Point, with Ankita stunning in an intricate sage green and gold lehenga, holding a bright bouquet of yellow and peach blooms. But despite the pair emerging early on as standout favourites among the cast and crew, their fairytale quickly crumbled. Micah has denied any wrongdoing. MAFS producers are said to be investigating the matter - but it remains unclear what formal steps, if any, have been taken. Insiders tell Daily Mail that the newlyweds were told they were 'no longer required on set' after returning from their honeymoon. Neither Micah nor Ankita attended the show's first dinner party, which was filmed on August 5. Ankita has remained tight-lipped since news of the scandal broke – but earlier this week, she posted a cryptic sunset image to her Instagram Story that read: 'Was SO close to having everything I wanted.' Ankita, a cricket presenter with a Master's in Communications from Monash University, told producers she was '100 percent safe, happy and comfortable' to continue the show with Micah – and is currently on 'standby' regarding her future on the show. Cast members have been told the couple are no longer part of the experiment, but insiders say the door hasn't been fully closed. Despite the backlash, production sources say the couple made a strong impression early on and that bosses are still hopeful they can be salvaged. 'The team really liked them – they had great chemistry and brought something different to the mix,' the insider said. 'This isn't a cut-and-dry situation and production are being very cautious about their next move.' The incident has reignited fierce debate over MAFS' casting and vetting process, which producers promised to overhaul after a string of past controversies. Micah – who goes by 'Meekz' online – is the co-founder of wellness brand Surpass Your Limitz, promoting personal growth through fitness and motivational workshops. Meanwhile, Ankita has worked for the Mumbai Indians and Cricket Australia, and was previously crowned runner-up in the Miss India Australia pageant. With the couple now in limbo and producers under pressure to act, it remains to be seen whether they'll return to the experiment – or be permanently cut from the show. Nine is determined to deliver explosive television, so they're taking no chances when it comes to who gets cast. 'Network execs have enforced tough new vetting rules. No criminal records. No previous court appearances. If there's even a whiff of controversy in someone's past, they're out.' But with casting being finalised on the fly, producers are said to be juggling creative demands with last-minute replacements – and it's already impacting the structure of the season. 'They're not playing it safe in terms of personalities – they still want big characters and explosive storylines,' the source added. 'But they can't afford another scandal like last time. So they're walking a tightrope.'
Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Married At First Sight 2026: Industry shock as TV presenter makes reality show debut
Filming for the upcoming season of Married At First Sight is officially underway. And Daily Mail Australia can now reveal a popular sports presenter will be looking for love on the 2026 series of the show. Well-known TV presenter Ankita Karungalekar was spotted tying the knot to groom Micah Lomu in Sydney on Tuesday. Ankita wore a traditional Indian sequin lehenga as she married the finance broker in an intimate ceremony. She held a bright yellow bouquet as she anxiously waited to walk down the aisle and meet her new husband. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Ankita works for Cricket Australia and has previously covered the Men's Test Match and Women's ODI CupCricket Australia. She was also the Miss India Australia Runner up in 2019 and Miss World Australia State Finalist for Victoria in 2020. Little is known about Micah but he appears to be a finance broker from Sydney. Meanwhile, fellow MAFS bride Gia Fleur was pictured on Monday wearing a very racy wedding ensemble as she married reality star Scott McCristal in a romantic beach ceremony. The bride put on a busty display in a mermaid tail dress, which tightly hugged her figure as she wed the Million Dollar Island alum on Maroubra Beach. Melbourne-based real estate agent Daniel Hewitt is also set to star on the upcoming season of MAFS. Hewitt has made a name for himself in the competitive Melbourne market, racking up $9.6 million in sales over the past 12 months, including a jaw-dropping $2.8 million deal for a seven-bedroom home in Chadstone that went under the hammer in June. Insiders say Daniel, who was born in England and bears a striking resemblance to UFC star Conor McGregor, is no stranger to the finer things in life. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed the 2026 season almost didn't make it to air after last-minute cast dropouts forced producers to scramble behind the scenes. 'They had multiple people pull out and had to move quickly to fill those spots,' one well-placed source revealed. But the end result? A bold, diverse cast of professionals, creatives, and big personalities - with producers tipping this to be one of the 'most explosive seasons yet.' 'Some couples are hitting it off immediately, others are absolute mismatches - the drama is already building,' one insider said. 'Daniel's definitely one to watch. He's got that mix of confidence, cheek, and unpredictability - and it's going to make for great TV.' MAFS 2026: Meet the cast Meet the brides and grooms set to walk down the aisle on Married At First Sight Australia season 13:
