Married at First Sight UK is in full swing and with it comes a host of new reality stars for us, the willing public, to obsess over. One newlywed who seems particularly suited to the role is Nikita Jasmine, who’s pals with Chloe Ferry and Sophie Kasaei and certainly wouldn’t be out of place on Geordie Shore.
Nikita has already caused controversy after it was confirmed she was kicked off the show for breaking Channel 4’s code of conduct when she threw a stage four tantrum at the first dinner party reunion and security were forced to intervene.
Despite being the first star ever to be axed from the UK series, Nikita is making headlines for different reasons this week after old social media photos started doing the rounds online. Like her Geordie Shore friends, Nikita is no stranger to a touch of filler. In fact, she may well have the same cosmetic surgeon. And predictably, search for 'Nikita Jasmine plastic surgery' is flying.
When Nikita first met with the experts on MAFS, she was very clear about the kind of man she wanted to marry – specifically, how they would look. She wanted muscles, she wanted a tan, she wanted, bizarrely, veneers.
And when she headed off on her honeymoon with new husband Ant Poole, it became clear that she was plagued by her own image insecurities. Ant was even forced to address it after she incessantly sought validation from him – despite making clear she wasn’t attracted to him.
So it’s hardly surprising that Nikita has had work done, but why is everyone so obsessed with dissecting women’s ‘before’ pics?
In world that tells us there’s only one way to be beautiful and that women’s value lies primarily in how they look, many of us will succumb to the pressures
Unfortunately, it's something which happens with women who appear on the small screen a lot. Most women on Love Island are subject to the same trending searches, with some tabloids even running photos where they look 'unrecognisable'. And, obviously, this can be really hurtful.
Megan Barton-Hanson wrote for Grazia recently, and revealed how difficult it was dealing withthe backlash to her plastic surgery.'There were countless articles comparing photos of me as a 16-year-old to when I was 23,' Megan wrote. 'It was so cruel and I really didn’t expect it, so that’s what I found hardest to deal with.'
Whether you're a reality star or not, naturally, in world that tells us there’s only one way to be beautiful and that women’s value lies primarily in how they look, many of us will succumb to the pressures – whether that’s wearing make-up or dying our hair, or going under the knife for cosmetic surgery. And that's completely understandable.
Nikita’s feisty character and bad behaviour has already seen her notable enough to be a sure fire stand out star of the series, so it’s dismaying – but unsurprising – to see her most talked about for the procedures she’s had.
Many viewers have expressed outrage that Nikita was matched with the mild-mannered and seemingly ‘good’ guy Ant, and her history of cosmetic surgery has only added to the vitriolic narrative against her. People assume she must be vapid, shallow and rude, not just from her demonstrable actions but from the fact that she is clearly image obsessed. People think that she’s 'not good enough' for Ant not only because she has treated him badly, but because she must somehow be 'catfishing' him because the face she married him with was not the one she was born with.
And people shouldn’t be judging women for being the product of a system we all willingly facilitate and propagate. Nikita can attract valid criticism for a whole host of legitimate reasons – but what she’s chosen to do with her body shouldn’t be one of them.
READ MORE: Married At First Sight Australia: What Happened To The Couples From Season Six?
What Happened To The Couples From Married At First Sight Australia Season Six?
1 of 12Sam Ball and Elizabeth Sobinoff
Sam and Elizabeth might not have lasted, as Sam seemed far more interested in Ines. But Lizzie was the true winner - she was so popular with viewers she appeared on the next series of the show, finding love with Seb Guilhaus. But, sadly, they split earlier this month after a year together.
2 of 12Cyrell Jimenez and Nic Jovanovic
'Cyclone Cyrell' and Nic's tumultuous relationship was, sadly, not to last. But prepare for another reality TV crossover, as Cyrell now has a baby with Love Island runner-up Eden Dally, and Nic has just been praised for posting a sweet tribute to his ex.
3 of 12Lauren Huntriss and Matthew Bennett
One of the biggest storylines this season was about Matthew and his virginity, as he was repeatedly labelled as 'virgin'/'ex-virgin' Matt by the narrator. Anyway, Matthew was matched with Lauren - who, yes, he lost his virginity to - but it all went horribly wrong when Lauren heard Matthew telling the other guys at dinner that he wasn't sexually attracted to Lauren. AWKWARD. Lauren is still a make-up artist, we don't know if she's dating anyone. But on the other hand, self-confessed fitness enthusiast Matthew is loved up with a new girlfriend - who he met at a wrestling tryout.
4 of 12Mike Gunner and Heidi Latcham
Mike and Heidi's relationship was one which could have gone either way, but after the show, the pair split - announcing the sad news at the post-finale reunion special. 'Right after the final vows, Heidi and I went back to the Gold Coast together but it didn't take long and the wheels started coming off,' Mike explained. Heidi has said she hasn't spoken to her former husband since. From the looks of their Instagram pages, they still look single.
5 of 12Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson
Oh, Cameron and Jules. From the minute Jules and Cam had their first wedding dance without any music, we had an inkling they were in it for the long haul. And we were right! The pair now have a baby together, who was born in October last year, and tied the knot properly after the show. So, yes - sometimes this wild experiment does work.
6 of 12Melissa Lucarelli and Dino Hira
Probably the worst matched couple on the series, it isn't shock the pair called it quits on the show after Dino allegedly recorded a conversation Melissa was having with her sister about the wedding day. It appears both are still single.
7 of 12Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli
Martha and Michael were an extremely drama free pair (in comparison to everyone else) so it's no shock that they have actually managed to stay together. Yay!
8 of 12Ning Surasiang and Mark Scrivens
Eek. Another very up and down pair, Ning and Mark's relationship dissolved during the final commitment ceremony - with Mark dumping Ning, much to her shock. Following the show, Mark moved on with another former reality star, Bianca Chatfield – who appeared on home renovation show The Block. Ning also has a new partner, and has become a grandmother aged 35: her daughter has just given birth!
9 of 12Susie Bradley and Billy Vincent
Susie and Billy were one of the couples who married later in the experiment. From the get go, Susie kept on calling Billy awkward - even calling him a deeb at one point on their honeymoon. They split before the final commitment ceremony. Susie is now dating former rugby pro Todd Carney and they have a baby on the way. However, Billy appears to be single.
10 of 12Ines Basic and Bronson Norrish
We knew this relationship wasn't going to last from the moment Ines asked Bronson to take out his eyebrow ring. Ines went on to have an affair with Sam, which Sam has since claimed was faked by producers, and it all came out during an explosive commitment ceremony. Bronson is now a lot happier with girlfriend Hayley Wallis. And from her Instagram, Ines looks to be single at the moment.
11 of 12Jessika Power and Mick Gould
Major cracks started to show in Mick and Jessika's relationship, then Jessika went after one of the newly weds, Dan. Not a shock that Jessica and Mick didn't survive then…(Neither did her affair with Dan, btw.)
12 of 12Dan Webb and Tamara Joy
After these two fell apart thanks to Jessika and Dan's affair, Tamara was linked to Jessika's ex, Mick. The drama never stops.
READ MORE: Nikita Kicked Off MAFS UK Following 'Unacceptable Level Of Aggression'