EXCLUSIVE: Sonny and Alicia speak out about the backlash they’ve been receiving on social media.

The Block’s Sonny and Alicia have spoken out about the backlash they’ve been receiving on social media. Photos: Channel 9

The Block’s Sonny and Alicia have broken their silence after copping fierce backlash on social media from the show’s viewers. While this year’s season is relatively drama-free compared to previous iterations, with all 10 cast members remaining friends and no one receiving the ‘villain edit’, the Queensland couple have been repeatedly trolled online for their design skills, outspoken personalities, and even their appearances.

Sonny, who works as a plumber, took to his personal Instagram account last week to call out specific people who had been leaving nasty comments on his work profile and sending unsolicited DMs and text messages to him and Alicia.

“Those who know who we are [can] see we are genuine people unafraid to give an opinion. We do not deserve to be punished over that,” he wrote. “My wife is a beautiful, strong woman, and [it] seems the world and mostly women cannot deal with that.”

Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle about the criticism they’ve received, Alicia admits it’s been “tough” seeing so many negative comments, messages, and posts written about her.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, I had a really bad week last week. I really struggled, and it was really rough,” she says. “Sometimes I feel like because Britt and Taz have this nice edit and Emma and Ben are just the happy couple that can do no wrong, the hate’s got to go somewhere.

“I think because I’m a stronger personality who’s not afraid to voice how I feel, rather than shutting it down and just pretending and talking about things behind people’s backs or just not saying it at all, I feel like the trolls feel like that that’s okay, that they can just come and say whatever they want to me and think that I’m this nasty person when I’m not. I’m not a nasty person.”

Alicia admits it’s been ‘tough’ seeing so many negative comments, messages, and posts written about her. Photo: Channel 9

‘It’s really hurtful’

Although every season of The Block has historically had at least one ‘villain’, Alicia confesses that she didn’t think there would be one this season because everyone got along so well throughout filming.

“Obviously, we’re all going to have disagreements over the course of the show because it’s a long time and we’re in a competition with each other, but I don’t think I expected to cop the hate that I cop and the trolling that I cop. It’s really hurtful,” she says.

“They just pick at me for anything they can; they tell me how ugly I am. I know it’s a small minority, but it can get pretty tough at times. I probably haven’t even copped it anywhere near as bad as the girls (Han and Can) have. It’s just tough.”

The couple admit that, despite the negative response they’ve received, they’re ‘very happy’ with their ‘edit’. Photo: Channel 9

How do Sonny and Alicia feel about their ‘edit’?

Sonny and Alicia share that, despite the negative response they’ve received, they’re “very happy” with their ‘edit’ and stand by all of their actions on the show. They admit they’re surprised viewers haven’t seen more of their positive moments throughout filming; however, they understand it’s a reality show and not everyone can be portrayed as “nice”.

“Some people only offered so much of a storyline, so it’s not conducive to have a third couple who are very nice,” Sonny remarks. “It’s conducive to have a couple who were, not controversial, but they spoke their mind.

“If they showed us being nice all the time, they wouldn’t have time for anyone else. We get why some of those nice bits aren’t played; we’re fine with that. It’s just hard when you’re looking at publications or the general loud minority who like to pick on my wife; that’s probably the biggest challenge.”

 

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Meeting viewers in public

While the couple are receiving plenty of negativity online, they reveal that they’ve had nothing but positive experiences meeting viewers in real life.

“When we’re out in public, every single person we meet thanks us for being authentic and genuine, and they are lovely. It’s just a bit of a loud minority on the internet, unfortunately, which leaves a bit of a bad taste in your mouth,” Sonny says.

“We’re 100 per cent ourselves, and we went in saying we would always speak our truth,” Alicia adds. “We know that not everyone is going to agree with us and how we go about things, but we’re the type of people who will say it to your face.”

The Block host’s urgent plea to fans

The Block’s co-host Shelley Craft has previously urged fans to stop sending hate to any of the show’s stars on social media, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that she wishes people would be nicer.

“I think we have to be a lot gentler on them as an audience for what they’re going through because they’re providing you entertainment,” she said. “From that mental health side of it, just be kind. These people are giving you some viewing pleasure, be a little bit more kind on the other end of the line, please.”