The Block: Past contestants reveal what's it really like to be on the show

We’ve watched them battle it out in the renovation trenches from the comfort of our living rooms, but what’s it really like to be a contestant on The Block?

We sat down with some fan favourites – Steph and Gian, Mitch and Mark, Kyal and Kara, and Michael and Carlene – to find out more about their time on the hit show.

Steph and Gian (season 19)

Sydneysiders Steph and Gian had just finished a renovation on their first home in Bexley, southern Sydney, when they decided to apply for the 19th season of The Block, in Hampton East.

“We had just gotten married, we were sitting on the couch and we were watching Gisborne [season 18], and we went, ‘We can do this,’” recalls Steph, a registered architect.

The couple went on to win in 2023, taking home a huge $1.75 million in prize money – the highest amount awarded to date.

“It was incredible and honestly life-changing and it became really daunting to work out what we best do with it,” Steph says. “We bought our next reno project and we started Japandi Estate, our homewares business.”

Though they were eventually crowned winners, they did have a rocky start. The pair faced cheating allegations during their first few weeks: Steph’s dad came on-site to help the couple, causing  an uproar among the other contestants.

It’s no surprise, then, which one of the seven golden rules they would change. “Allowing family members to participate,” Steph says, laughing.

When asked about their favourite room from the past 20 seasons, Steph points to Jimmy and Tam’s front yard from season 16 in New Street, Brighton. “It had cacti, it was like this Palm Springs vibe; they just absolutely nailed it,” she says.

Gian adds, “I love Mitch and Mark’s front yard in Bronte Court [in Fans v Faves, season 17] – they did this amazing joinery around this mature tree; it was so homely.”

Mitch and Mark (seasons 15 and 17)

Some liquid courage inspired Mitch and Mark to apply for season 15 of The Block in 2019, converting The Oslo hotel in St Kilda.

“I’d been drinking way too much and I thought, ‘We can do that!,’” Mitch says.

The Sydney couple placed fifth but redeemed themselves when they returned as “faves” two years later, taking out the win and a huge $744,444.44 in prize money.

If they could change one rule, they would allow contestants to enlist help with painting (“It’s horrible,” Mitch says), and foreman Keith would be their pick of judges or hosts to join their renovating team.

“Everyone thinks he’s grumpy – he’s not, he’s a sweetheart,” Mitch says.

When the duo, who live in Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches, are asked about their dream Block location, Mitch says, “Anywhere warmer than Melbourne in winter,” adding: “Let’s make it Bali and make it Balinese villas.”

Kyal and Kara (season 8)

When they arrived on site in Melbourne’s Albert Park back in 2013, Kyal and Kara were disappointed to discover they weren’t allowed to play music.

“That was a massive downer,” Kyal says. “I thought I was going to rock up to the building site and crank the tunes.”

Kara adds, “There are times when you’re working in a room and it just feels awkwardly quiet because there’s a cameraman and a soundy just watching you.”

The married couple, who live on the NSW Central Coast, took home $567,250 in winnings, which they swiftly invested back into the property market.

“The day our prize money settled in our account was the day of an auction of a house we were looking at,” Kara says. “We saw that as a definite sign that it was meant to be.”

Like Mitch and Mark, the pair would change the no outsourcing of painting rule if they could. 

While Toowoon Bay, NSW, would be a dream Block location for both, they are divided on which judge or host they’d choose to join their renovating team. Kyal “couldn’t go past Scotty” while “it would 100 per cent be Shelley” for Kara.

As for favourite rooms, Josh and Elyse’s kitchen-living-dining area from season 13 in Elsternwick is a series standout for Kyal. “I think the suspended concrete bench with the fireplace and that whole area was just a total vibe.”

Michael and Carlene (season 9)

Gold Coast couple Michael and Carlene’s decision to apply for season 9 of The Block in Prahran came right down to the wire.

“We put our application together an hour before the cut-off,” Carlene says. “I was like, ‘Why are we doing this? We’ve got two kids.’”

Despite winning multiple rooms throughout The Block: Glasshouse, the couple were left disappointed on auction day when they made a meagre $10,000 profit on their apartment.

“We basically just went to breakfast the next day and that was done,” jokes Michael.

If she had her time again, Carlene would choose season 8, in which contestants renovated a brick warehouse in Albert Park, to compete in. “They won a truckload of money but they also got to renovate an awesome building.”

As for their dream Block location? “I would love it to happen on the Gold Coast where we reinvigorate a mid-century motel,” Carlene says.

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