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.
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.” And they mean that literally ‘cos according to sources, the group chat is now divided into three chats after a certain “tone-deaf message” was sent around.
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 “elite crew” of 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.
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.
One anonymous rep at a talent management company claimed that while “[the contestants are] back on Instagram”, they still feel somewhat “controlled” by the powers that be.
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 as a result of the abysmal auction day.
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.
With their Instagrams now unlocked and their frustrations boiling over, this probably won’t be the last of the 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.
The post The Block Contestants Have Regained Access To Their IGs & There’s Already Controversy appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
