MAFS Australia star Jacqui Burfoot has had quite the series so far. Following her tumultuous relationship with husband Ryan Donnelly, who she married on the show, Burfoot has been called every name in the book. In fact, according to Google Trends, 'Is Jacqui from MAFS crazy' is a breakout search term for the star. Problematic language aside, it seems viewers are keen to better understand Burfoot's sometimes erratic behaviour.
Burfoot and Donnelly’s relationship exploded at their final vows ceremony, which aired in Australia earlier this month, with the fallout of their marriage making headlines around the world as the former couple have now taken each other to court.
As the series is currently airing in the UK, Burfoot and Donnelly’s relationship is back in the spotlight, with viewers trying to find out more about Burfoot. In fact, she's gotten in hot water recently for saying she is autistic, then later going on to share that she's not.
What has MAFS Australia's Jacqui Burfoot said about autism?
Some viewers believed Burfoot was autistic after she shared a TikTok video based on viewer comments. In the video, she said, ‘I may be autistic and quirky or whatever… but at least my karma is good!’
Burfoot then took to Instagram to clear up the miscommunication after a fan left her a comment which read, ‘Not to be rude at all but are you neurodivergent by any chance?’
She responded, ‘I haven't been diagnosed with anything. I don't identify as neurodivergent, I don't have an issue with anyone who is. I actually have a thing and love autistic people because they are so sweet hearted and kind and sensitive. And I'm a very sensitive person as well.’
In a separate video, she said, ‘I don't want the whole of Australia thinking I'm really nuts and a lunatic. I'm actually a really normal person - and not that not being normal is wrong - I'm just saying I'm not the crazy psycho on TV.
‘And no I don't have autism. I don't have any personality disorders. And I'm not a narcissist at all. I'm actually a self proclaimed loser. They edited that part out too.’
Many viewers were upset with Burfoot for using ‘autism’ as an explanation for her behaviour when she is not actually autistic. One person commented, ‘Poor/rude/erratic behaviour does not equal autistic. I see what you were trying to do here but spare a thought for those of us who have to cope with the very real consequences of antiquated stereotypes.’
Another questioned, ‘So just to clear things up.. When did you find out and were diagnosed?,’ which Burfoot has not publicly responded too. While a third commenter wrote, ‘I [just] saw a video of you saying youu weren’t neurodivergent.’
‘I hate when people blame poor behaviour/narcissistic tendencies on being autistic. Gives people with Autism a bad name which is not deserved!,’ a fourth wrote. In another video, Burfoot filmed herself posing in a mint green dress as she wrote, ‘When they call you crazy.’
One viewer commented, ‘Watching in the UK, do you have a mental health diagnosis or is your behaviour due to how you were raised?’
Why have MAFS Australia Jacqui and Ryan gone to court?
Donnelly filed a restraining order against Burfoot – who has in turn accused him of lying in his application. Burfoot has been granted an interim restraining order in the state of Tasmania, which prevented her on-screen husband from talking about her on social media.
Donnelly responded by applying for an apprehended domestic violence order (AVO) against Burfoot which, according to the Local Court of New South Wales, ‘protects people by ordering a person known as the “defendant” not to assault, molest, harass, intimidate or stalk the protected person for a specific period of time.’
The order Donnelly has applied for would stop Burfoot from being able to post about him online for two years.
Donnelly said, ‘An individual has tried to destroy my life, my potential for career options, collaborations … with false allegations, so men can be victims as well. At one point I was very afraid.’
Burfoot did not attend the hearing but confirmed she would be fighting the application via an email.
She added that Donnelly’s application was ‘a waste of court resources’ and that he ‘is using court proceedings in a way to mislead the public through the media.’
Samuel McManus is a senior content creator for Bauer Media, writing celebrity news and features across five of the company’s brands – heat, Closer, Grazia, Bella and Yours. Samuel has worked at Bauer Media since November 2024.