EXCLUSIVE: Carina opens up about where she stands with Paul after the show.

MAFS’ Carina Mirabile has shared an update on her relationship with Paul Antoine. Photos: Channel Nine

For the first half of this year’s season of Married At First Sight, fans were convinced that Carina Mirabile and Paul Antoine were set to become another one of the show’s success stories. The couple, who had previously gone on one date before meeting at their wedding, went from strength to strength as they tackled the experts’ tasks and soon began planning their future together outside of the experiment.

Cracks began to show for the couple during the controversial Partner Swap challenge, but it was ultimately Paul’s decision to go on a date with his ‘back-up match’ right before Final Vows that made Carina end things. The French groom sobbed as he asked for her forgiveness, but Carina stood firm in her decision and left the experiment with her head held high.

While the couple still weren’t on good terms at the show’s reunion, fans were shocked to see that they both attended Daily Mail’s viewing party in Sydney on Sunday night. The glamorous bride tells Yahoo Lifestyle that despite what’s played out on the show, there wasn’t any tension or awkwardness between them.

“When we saw each other in person, I kind of did say some, not snarky comments, but I threw some digs out there and really put him in his place and that kind of thing,” she details. “But at the end of the day, we’re civil and we’re friends. I wish him all the best, and all I could ask is for him to find the right person that’s best for him.

“You know when you have kids with someone and you’re co-parenting and you’re just civil? I don’t have the kids with him, but we were just essentially co-parenting and fine under the same roof,” she laughs.

‘It’s all love’

Carina adds that she would “absolutely” consider Paul a friend and they’re in a much better place now than when they filmed the reunion in November.

“Obviously, we don’t talk about our relationship or future relationships or if we’re looking for someone at all. We just talk about what’s going to come after the experiment and future plans and his business idea, and I’m just here to listen and give advice,” she remarks.

“We’re fine, it’s not like a Jacqui [Burfoot] and Ryan [Donnelly] situation whatsoever where we cannot be in the same room. With Paul, we’re friends. It’s all love.”

Carina says she would ‘absolutely’ consider Paul a friend. Photo: Channel Nine

Why has Carina stayed in contact with Paul?

Although most MAFS participants want to steer clear of their ‘ex’ after ending things on the show, Carina reveals she and Paul regularly checked in with one another while the show aired on TV to make sure they were each doing okay.

“At the end of the day, he’s got a heart, he’s got a soul, he’s human, and so am I. I never want anyone’s mental health to decline, and if there’s a way for me to help and give that reassurance that I’m okay and I’m good and I hope he’s good, then that’s all I can ask for,” she explains.

“So we were absolutely checking in on one another just to make sure that we’re both good, because you never know what people could be thinking or feeling and what they’re facing or dealing with in life.”

Are Carina and Paul getting back together?

Carina admits that watching the show on TV and reliving the positive moments of her relationship with Paul often made her question if she made the right call to end things. However, she now stands firm in her decision and knows she did what’s best.

“We probably could reconnect and go down that avenue, but no, I’m not young anymore, and I’m not wasting any more time. My time is super precious and so is my energy, so I need to adhere to that and stick to my wits,” she asserts.

“My mum would say, ‘He fit so well with the family and you guys look so good together on TV’, and I was like, ‘Yeah, but there was more to it’. It’s not just all about the appearance or surface level. The red flags were identified, and I don’t want to get even deeper.”