If you’ve been following The Block for the past couple of years, you’ve probably heard whispers about the infamous “Block curse”. The idea that if you come off as a ‘villain’ (or you’ve just pissed off too many viewers), you’re destined to crash and burn come auction day.

On Charming Street and Phillip Island, the so-called “villains” came in last on the leaderboard at auction, which only added fuel to the curse narrative.

Kristy and Brett Beames stirred the pot in 2023 and Ash and Leah Milton stirred right back, with pretty much the exact same spoon! Which saw that storyline ending with Kristy and Brett bombing at the auction and Leah and Ash house getting passed on.

Then in 2024, Kylie and Brad Baker became polarising figures and ended up… you guessed it, at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Ah, Kylie and Brad… what a moment in time. (Credit: The Block)
Contestants this year were even warned about it. An insider told PEDESTRIAN.TV that current contestants were told by past contestants to behave on camera or risk having their house go for peanuts. It was a general consensus, with Alicia Aplin even using their names.

In an upcoming episode, Alicia apparently says: “I am not Kristy or Leah. I will say my bit and move on”.
READ MORE
Rumour Has It This Big Brother Star Is Joining Australian Survivor And Huge If True

Is The Block curse real?

But here’s the twist: insiders say the curse is actually complete BS. With mega-spender Adrian Portelli (aka the LMCT+ guy who’s been throwing absurd amounts of cash around) now sitting out this season, it turns out the curse wasn’t a curse at all! It was just him tipping the scales.

In previous seasons, Portelli had a habit of swooping in at auction and splashing out big bucks on the houses owned by the “viewers favourites”. If you had the right edit, you had his cheque-book in your corner. If you didn’t, well… good luck.
Adrian Portelli has just jumped from The Block to Reno Rules. (Credit: Instagram / Adrian Portelli)
But now? No Portelli, no curse. Former contestants are apparently telling this year’s Blockheads that it all comes down to the house itself. Not your edit, not your storyline, not whether Australia thinks you’re a sweetheart or a snake.

This means auction day is shaping up to be a genuine reset. The best reno wins, full stop. Which is both exciting (finally, a level playing field!) and slightly terrifying for those who were banking on public perception to give them a boost.
READ MORE
7 Recruits The Block Stars For Rival Show Reno Rules But They Reportedly Have 1 Rule

One current Blockhead shared with PEDESTRIAN.TV exclusively that Gian Ottavio told them upon his return to the show (which is yet to be seen): “The game is changed! Build the best house and don’t worry about how you come across. Adrian is not here to save you”.

Meaning Adrian won’t make sure the fan favourites get the money and the fairytale ending anymore.

So, The Block curse? Consider it broken. This year’s most polarising figures could just walk away with the last laugh if they’ve built the right house.