“It’s all out of your own pocket.”

farmer wants a wife ellen

A former Farmer Wants A Wife contestant has gone rogue on TikTok, spilling some juicy behind-the-scenes secrets about the show.

Ellen Dunger appeared on the 2024 series and was vying for the heart of Farmer Todd. Upon Farmer Wants A Wife premiering again, the former participant has taken to TikTok and Instagram to spill some piping hot tea about what filming the show is really like.

After last night’s mass exodus, Ellen commended Bridget and Emmie for leaving Farmer Tom’s farm, saying she also tried to leave her season but “producers manipulated me into staying.” In a previous Instagram Story when the show premiered, Ellen also alluded to the producers being “emotionally abusive”.

2024 Farmer Wants A Wife contestant reveals behind-the-scenes filming secrets: ‘Emotionally draining’

From warm champagne to cheese platters left out for hours and dinner parties that don’t start until 11pm, Ellen has lifted the lid on the filming process for Farmer Wants A Wife and, look, we knew farm life would be hard, but we didn’t imagine it’d be THIS hard.

“These girls will be criticised for being upset, but they have literally spent back-to-back days filming until it is dark. It is so emotionally draining and you get exhausted,” Ellen said.

“These poor girls literally wear the same dresses, hair, and makeup for days on end,” she continued.

Farmer Wants A Wife 2024 participant Ellen's Instagram story saying dinner parties don't start til 11pmEllen was on Farmer Wants A Wife in 2024 and is not spilling the tea. Image: Seven

Farmer Wants A Wife contestant spills on minimal ‘$80 a day’ pay

It’s not a huge secret by now that reality TV stars aren’t paid well, and Ellen has revealed that the Farmer Wants A Wife Ladies only get $80 a day, and 40% of that is withheld until after the show airs.

“So you get sweet FA in terms of money,” Ellen said, saying they were only paid the $80 daily wage on actual filming days.

“It’s all out of your own pocket, the dresses are all your own, they send you a full packing list, you need eight dresses, you need eight farm outfits, you’re up at stupid-o-clock to do your own hair and your own makeup, and then you film all day and they rip emotions from you,” she continued.

“By the end you’re so emotionally drained that you just want to cry, you’re just so tired.”

Chattr has reached out to Ellen for further comment.

Farmer Wants a Wife 2025 airs Mondays and Tuesdays on Channel 7 and 7Plus.