A Love Triangle season 1 star has denied having a secret girlfriend while filming the Stan Original dating series.
Matt Phelan, who was Lisa Leaño’s second partner on the show, dated another contestant, Madi Clarke, after the season wrapped.
But according to recent claims, Matt already had a girlfriend at home both before, during and after the show.
Matt Phelan dated another contestant, Madi Clarke, after the season wrapped. Both pictured
Speaking exclusively to Chron Australia, Matt admitted he spent a few months with his now ex-girlfriend during the “show’s first trial”.
He also denied to his ex that he ever cheated on her.
‘I met [my ex] the day before I was told I would actually be on the show. I said yes, but decided to see her again,’ he said.
“I was open to the show I was going to do and that I was going to give myself completely to it. She accepted that, but feelings grew.’
The unnamed ex-girlfriend reached out to So Dramatic! this week and explained how the couple got together, revealing that they had been together since April when the show began production.
It turns out that Matt already had a girlfriend at home both before, during and after the show
“We actually met, then the next day he got the call to say he did [it onto] the show,” she explained at So Dramatic! podcast, adding that they are taking their relationship slowly.
The couple then got “more serious” in the run-up to filming, and the anonymous friend said he had already told her he was in love after the show’s “text” portion.
She also claimed he “snuck off the show” to surprise her for her 30th birthday.
The unnamed ex-girlfriend came forward and explained how the couple got together, revealing they had been together since April when the show began production. Pictured: Madi Clarke
Matt denied ever “sneaking out” and told Chron Australia he was granted a weekend at home before his final day of filming. So he decided to surprise his ex on her birthday.
“From then on, we went into an exclusive bf-gf relationship,” he said.
Towards the end of the show, Matt’s ex said that all the cast members reunited and met for drinks.
“Back then he cheated on me with Madi,” she recalled, admitting she didn’t find out until a week later.
“I thought things were a little off. Then on Wednesday he just broke up with me and said I was more in love with him than he was with me,” she added.
The ex-girlfriend continued to confront Madi and contacted her via Instagram about Matt’s infidelity.
“Just found out from a friend that they saw you kiss Matt over the weekend,” read part of the message to Madi.
“I saw what you went through on the show and really thought, from a female perspective, I wanted to share a few things with you. I’m not sure if Matt would have mentioned anything about me. He broke up with me last night, we’ve been seeing each other since April.’
Madi later responded, writing: “Of course I didn’t know, otherwise I never would have done anything. I really appreciate you sending me a message and the last thing I ever want to do is hurt anyone.’
Matt was Lisa Leaño’s second partner on the show after she ultimately chose to be with her first partner Patrick Hong (left).
Matt went on to defend himself against his ex’s “cheating” claims and explained his kiss with Madi.
“As the show aired, the relationship deteriorated. I had planned to end the relationship at a convenient time,” he told Chron Australia.
“This week I went out with all the friends from the show and me and Madi hit it off and we kissed. It didn’t go any further and I broke up with my ex this week. Only then did I pursue something with Madi.’
“I understand that I’m hurt [my ex] to be there and she will forever be sorry and fully understand why she is so hurt,” he said.
Meahwile, Madi also issued a statement to Chron Australia, reiterating that she “didn’t know” Matt was dating anyone until his ex contacted her.
“At that point we had just drunk kissing and I didn’t know that from that night on we would start a relationship,” she said.
“Matt was honest with me and said he was dating someone and broke it off immediately. I didn’t know the extent of their relationship.’
The scandal comes as a surprise after Madi was confronted with one of her own matches from the show, who cheated on her during filming
“Matt and I formed a relationship/connection very quickly which came as a shock to all of us. None of us would ever want to hurt anyone along the way. Unfortunately we did and I’m really sorry.’
The scandal comes as a surprise after Madi was confronted with one of her own matches from the show, who cheated on her during filming.
Her chosen partner James Till had broken curfew and snuck out to spend a boozy evening alongside singleton Yannick.
During the party they met two British backpackers and went back to their house and met up with them before sneaking back to their homes in the love triangle the next morning.
Scrolling through James’ phone, Madi is devastated to realize that he told the woman he doesn’t care about her and won’t be with her after the show
It eventually came back to the producers, who championed damage control.
They confronted Madi – who was heavily invested in James compared to her other “Throuple” partner Daniel – on camera.
A senior producer told Madi that James cheated on her and broke her heart.
Scrolling through his phone, Madi was devastated to realize James had told the woman he didn’t care about her and wouldn’t be with her after the show.
James has nothing to say and leaves the house to “get some air”.
“You’re joking,” she said. “If I were you, I wouldn’t have given me your phone.”
“You’re talking about leaving me to hang out with her, but that would ruin the show!
“Don’t kid me, tell me you want to be out with me when you’re literally texting a random person that you don’t.”
Stan’s reality dating series Love Triangle will return for a second season in 2023
Stan’s reality dating series Love Triangle will return for a second season in 2023. (Pictured: the cast of Love Triangle Season 1)