The Block Contestants Have Regained Access To Their IGs & There’s Already Controversy
Big news out of The Block bubble: this year’s contestants have finally been handed back their Instagram accounts after months of lockdown and as you can imagine, their return to the ‘gram has come with its share of controversy.
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Firstly, fans have been quick to notice that alliances have shifted and it’s been made abundantly clear by the contestants’ interactions on social media and IRL that the group is no longer one big happy family (was it ever?).
“People can read between the lines,” one insider told PEDESTRIAN.TV. “You can tell who’s still vibing and who’s muted the convo.”
If you’ve been doing a sneaky Insta lurk, the clues are right there: for example, Alicia and Sonny’s posts have been flooded with likes by duo Mat and Robby, and the other rooms are getting crickets.
Fans were also clued in to the drama when Britt and Taz posted a carousel from a recent event which featured their fave The Block co-stars, minus Sonny and Alicia.
Meanwhile, you may notice that comments on Alicia and Sonny’s posts are still limited and there’s a reason: the mum and dad of three copped horrendous bullying from nasty online punters throughout the season.
Alicia previously admitted she didn’t get out of bed for two days as a result of the online cruelty.
“I think I said to Sonny at 11 o’clock one night, like I think I need to go to the hospital because I’m not a nasty person. I’m just not,” she said.
To make matters worse, the contestants were apparently met with a nasty surprise after signing back on to their accounts.
Contestants across multiple seasons have shared that regaining access after filming is usually a soft landing. The Block gatekeepers typically offer to wipe the entire feed, comments, tags, DMs so contestants don’t have to scroll through months of trolling, criticism or armchair building experts dissecting their every decision.
But apparently this batch of Blockheads were been given full, unfiltered access, which was a bit of a rude shock.
And while regaining access to their Instagram accounts should spell big bucks for the contestants, apparently there are strict rules around what they can and cannot take on post-show.
“They’re back on Instagram, but they still feel completely controlled,” said an anonymous rep at a talent management company now representing one of the houses.
Sources close to the cast say The Block producers have spent the week reading contestants their rights, outlining exactly what they can and cannot do now filming is over. And while the public thinks the contracts end after the auction finale, insiders say the truth is very different.
According to our sources, The Block contestants remain bound to retainer-style contracts, which means they cannot sign up to any other shows without written permission — which, to be fair, is standard across reality TV shows.
“They’re still locked in for the next 12 months,” the insider told P.TV, adding that they cannot pursue outside TV work, even if approached. They also cannot monetise appearances unless approved by an executive.
The big problem? Most contestants didn’t earn much this year. Some walked away with tiny profits or even deficits, after taking three months off work, paying bills and covering their real lives while being locked in a renovation marathon.
Multiple contestants are reportedly frustrated that the show demands exclusivity for a full year. Which means seeking approval for appearance fees and brand deals, and everyone knows that their influence and relevance has a very short window. The trick is trying to stay relevant while playing by the rules.
“If they don’t get booked for another show in the next 12 months, they’ll be irrelevant,” one source said.
This year’s cast is especially anxious because of the low auction results, which left several couples unable to recoup the costs.
There’s growing frustration among contestants, managers and even some ex-Blockheads who feel the network should allow cast members to earn income through other projects, whether that’s other reality shows, brand deals, or even standard media work.
With their Instagrams now unlocked and their frustrations boiling over, this probably won’t be the last drama coming out of The Block this season.
Despite the aforementioned rules, the contestants still have their sights set on post-reality TV plans, with Adelaide’s Mat and Robby having signed to In Style Management (the same management team as 2023 team Kyle and Leslie).
To see what all the teams have been up to since The Block finale, peep our contestant round-up.
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