Tensions boiled over on My Reno Rules as contestants Emma and Michelle faced harsh criticism over their controversial ensuite bathroom. Judge Julia Green branded the space, which featured a black toilet, black sinks, and dark tiles, as “one of the worst bathrooms” she had ever seen, warning that the dark design felt like a “tomb.”
Sponsor Takes Action
Following the explosive judging session on Tuesday night, show sponsor Adrian Portelli took matters into his own hands to “fix” the room. In a shocking moment not shown on camera, Portelli took a hammer to the bathroom — literally smashing apart parts of the design.
In a video shared on Instagram, the LCMT+ founder can be seen demolishing the black toilet and shower doors, jokingly pretending to “accidentally” remove the dark features heavily criticised by the judges. “Oops,” Portelli captioned the video.
The billionaire, who donated the two houses being renovated on the show, also added a message for Emma and Michelle, saying: “Please don’t hate me.”
In a photo shared after the demolition, Portelli revealed the updated bathroom space. “Wow what a difference just opening up those walls made,” he captioned the after picture of the ensuite. He also praised judge Neale Whitaker for his advice, adding he “knows his stuff.”
Judges’ Harsh Criticism
The emotional judging session left the Queensland mother-daughter duo shattered after a week of mounting pressure, tight time constraints, and a bold design gamble that failed to pay off. Green did not hold back in her assessment of the ensuite. “It was so much to process. I have no idea where this black tile came from,” she said. “I cannot see that reflected in anything else throughout the whole house. It was big, blocky, dark, drab.”
Fellow judge Simon Cohen echoed the criticism, describing the room as “very poor” and admitting he struggled to find anything positive. Whitaker also questioned the design direction, warning the pair earlier in the week that the black tiled nib walls would “feel like a dark tomb” and that it was the wrong choice.
Contestants’ Reaction
Despite receiving strong feedback on their study, Emma and Michelle scored just 21.5 out of 30, leaving them at the bottom of the leaderboard and emotionally drained. “We’re very deflated at the moment,” Michelle admitted after the judging. Emma also struggled with the harsh feedback, saying: “Words are super hurtful. Words stick.”
With the competition now officially halfway through and $1 million on the line, emotions are running high as teams head into next week’s final interior renovation challenge.
