EXCLUSIVE: Mel and Jacinta reveal what they really thought of Michael’s wild stunt.

My Kitchen Rules’ Michael and Mel / Maree looking shocked.

My Kitchen Rules’ Michael broke an unspoken rule in Monday night’s episode. Photos: Channel 7

My Kitchen Rules viewers were shocked watching Monday night’s episode when one contestant broke an unspoken filming rule. Self-proclaimed ‘Meat Master’ Michael, who is competing alongside his partner Rielli, decided to leave the dinner table and check in on his co-stars Mel and Jacinta while they were cooking in the kitchen.

The two teams have been locked in a rivalry since the beginning of the season when Michael criticised Jacinta for not eating meat, so his latest antic was no doubt another attempt to push their buttons. Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle following the episode, Mel and Jacinta admit they were completely taken aback when Michael entered their kitchen unannounced.

“Oh my god, I was literally like, what a bloody stitch up. I thought it was the producers doing that to us, but it was actually Michael on his own terms who thought it was a good idea,” Mel says.

“Literally, that scene was like, 30 seconds [on TV], but he was in that kitchen for like, 20 minutes. I was like, ‘Michael, can you please leave? Come on, mate, get out’. We had a lot going on in the kitchen at that time, and we really did not need him to come in.”

Jacinta adds that she “couldn’t handle it” and let Mel take control while she continued preparing their main dish.

“I was like, ‘Mel, this is all you. I just can’t deal, I’m running away’,” she recalls. “I kept cutting myself as well — you might have seen I had bandaids all over my hand — so I was more stressed about that. I was like, this is too much.”

Viewers call out Michael’s ‘rude’ act: ‘Against the rules’

Viewers were divided on social media following the wild moment, with some people applauding Michael for trying to cause chaos and others calling him “arrogant”.

“This should be against the rules, surely,” one person wrote. “Like, I know he was probably doing it as a joke, but still, distracting them while they’re cooking isn’t fair.”

“Michael was so rude to enter their kitchen. Why wasn’t he stopped by Manu and Colin?” another added, while a third remarked, “Michael thinks he’s Manu walking in the kitchen”.

“Only the judges should be allowed in the kitchen, and Manu and Colin need to step in when contestants cross the line and go into someone else’s kitchen,” someone else shared.

Mel and Jacinta reveal what Michael was really like during filming

Despite their on-screen rivalry, Mel and Jacinta reveal that they’ve remained close with all of their co-stars — including Michael and Rielli.

“We are all friends. We’re in a group chat, we love each other, we message each other all day long,” Mel details.

“Mel and I are good friends with Rielli, and we message. And with Michael, to be honest, he’s actually quite nice, and he’s actually quite a genuine guy. I quite like him, as a person,” Jacinta shares.

“He’s made for TV. He wants to be a meme, and he just wants to be famous. We even joked the whole time like, ‘Michael, you’re just here because you want to be famous, come on’. And in saying that, he actually is quite genuine, but then he puts on this persona.”

My Kitchen Rules’ Mel and Jacinta / Michael and Rielli.

Mel and Jacinta admit they’ve remained friends with Michael and Rielli since filming the show. Photos: Channel 7

Who do Mel and Jacinta want to win MKR 2025?

Following their shock elimination in Monday night’s episode, Mel and Jacinta reveal that they’re rooting for fellow Sydneysiders, Justin and Will, to take out the competition.

“We love the boys. They’re awesome, genuine guys,” Mel says. “They’re funny, we got along with them really well, and they’re great cooks, so we think that they’re going to take it home.”

“They just cook wholesome, hearty, normal food that Australians can actually cook at home themselves,” Jacinta adds. “Michael and Rielli and Bailey and Maria constantly said, ‘It’s elevated, and it’s fine dining’, but Australians don’t cook like that. We want food we can cook at home. We want to see that on TV so we can actually bring it into our own home, and that’s what the boys brought to the table.”