Married At First Sight star Michael Brunelli has delivered a brilliantly witty response to an online troll who made insensitive remarks about his three-year-old son's appearance. The reality television personality, known for his appearance on the sixth season of MAFS, took to Instagram over the weekend to address a comment that criticised his young son Lucius for looking "like a little girl" due to his long hair and colourful clothing.
The Insensitive Comment That Sparked the Response
The troll, using the username Julzz, wrote directly on Michael's Instagram post featuring a sweet snapshot of the father cuddling his son. "No disrespect, but your son looks like a little girl," the comment began. "The long hair and the clothes you dress him. Need to start making him look like a little boy," the critic continued, prompting Michael to craft his clever retaliation.
A Creative and Humorous Retaliation
Rather than engaging in hostility, Michael Brunelli responded with humour and creativity. "Been thinking about this comment today," he wrote in his Instagram post. "And I figured, since Julzz (and some others) are so concerned with a three-year-old's hair...I'd give them some options."
What followed was a gallery of doctored images showing young Lucius modelling an array of different hairstyles. The humorous collection included:
- A dramatic dreadlock style
- A classic mullet cut
- A clean buzz cut
- Frosted tips reminiscent of early 2000s fashion
- A trendy "broccoli" perm haircut
- A "suave" styled look
- A "speed racer" short cut with etched lines
Overwhelming Support from Followers
Michael's followers enthusiastically embraced his cheeky response to the troll's criticism. Comments flooded in praising his approach, with one supporter writing, "This is gold !!!! Mullet for sure," while another declared, "Dreadlocks. Definitely the dreadlocks." A third admirer noted, "I love his beautiful hair just the way it is," showing support for the child's natural appearance.
Influencer Steph Claire Smith responded with a long line of laughing emojis, indicating her amusement at Michael's creative clapback. The post quickly gained traction, demonstrating how humour can effectively counter online negativity.
Family Updates and Personal Challenges
Meanwhile, Michael and his partner Martha Kalifatidis, whom he met on season six of Married At First Sight in 2019, have been navigating family life with their growing brood. The couple announced in March that they had welcomed their second child, a daughter named Sunday Maria Brunelli, who arrived two weeks early.
Martha had revealed her pregnancy in an Instagram post the previous October, hinting at experiencing health challenges similar to her first pregnancy. The former reality star previously battled hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that can be debilitating for expectant mothers.
Michael recently shared candid reflections about the pressures of parenthood, revealing in an emotional video that while he loves being a father, the past two years have presented significant challenges. The personal trainer confessed to being stuck in "survival mode," sometimes neglecting his own health while prioritising his roles as a father and partner.
The couple, who got engaged two years after their television wedding on Married At First Sight, have yet to officially tie the knot. Their journey from reality television contestants to parents of two has been followed by fans who appreciate their openness about both the joys and struggles of modern family life.
Michael Brunelli's response to the troll demonstrates how public figures can use humour and creativity to address online criticism while maintaining dignity and setting a positive example for handling negativity. His approach not only defended his parenting choices but also sparked conversations about gender norms and children's self-expression.
