Martha Kalifatidis has turned down an offer to join the 2025 cast of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! despite being tempted by a lucrative salary for a brief stay in the South African jungle.
A production expert told Daily Mail Australia that producers have been courting the Married at First Sight alum for years, but she ultimately decided against it.
“They’ve been trying to recruit Martha for years,” the source said before adding that Channel 10 threw in $80,000, but she still said no.
‘The producers were so desperate that they were willing to negotiate flexible terms on how long I needed to stay on the show and perks during challenges.
‘They said that she did not need to participate in any tasks involving snakes and that she did not need to put anything in her mouth that she did not want.
“She has always been at the top of his wish list, but he is cautious about how it could affect his image.
Martha Kalifatidis has turned down an offer to join the 2025 cast of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! despite being tempted by a lucrative salary for a brief period in the South African jungle
A production expert told Daily Mail Australia that producers have been courting the Married at First Sight alum for years, but she ultimately decided against it. (Pictured: presenters Julia Morris and Robert Irwin)
“Martha has worked very hard on her image and does not want to damage her public image.”
Martha, who previously turned down a similar offer in 2022, admitted that her decision this year was made with the guidance of her management team.
“My manager told me, ‘They’re just going to bother you. You will be the ‘beautiful girl’ under a magnifying glass,” Martha explained.
She also revealed that Channel Seven had approached her about joining Big Brother. “They even asked me about doing Big Brother,” he shared in a recent podcast interview. “I was like, ‘Are they even doing a celebrity version?'”
While Martha won’t be appearing, the next season of I’m A Celebrity is already generating buzz with its tantalizing track list, hinting at a star-studded line-up.
Among the rumored contestants is Olympic breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn, whose athletic prowess and vibrant personality could light up the jungle.
A member of the production told Daily Mail Australia that ‘Raygun has been a main target since it went viral. At first her team turned her down, but now she realizes this could be her last big chance to cash in – six-figure offers like this won’t come around again.’
Another name in the mix is MasterChef Australia judge and Dessert Masters host Melissa Leong.
“They’ve been trying to recruit Martha for years,” the source said before adding that Channel 10 threw in $80,000 but she still said no.
Among the rumored contestants is Olympic breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn, (pictured) whose athletic prowess and vibrant personality could light up the jungle.
Another name in the mix is Melissa Leong, MasterChef Australia judge and host of Dessert Masters.
Also rumored to be appearing are Australian screen icon Sigrid Thornton (left) or even Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Melissa Joan Hart (right), who was approached last year but couldn’t make the schedule work.
With rumors that Dessert Masters will not return for a third season, Channel 10 reportedly wants to keep Melissa on the network.
“What we have seen in the past with Ten network talent is that if their flagship show is axed, they are offered a substantial salary to join the jungle,” a source said.
‘It happened with Tristan McManus last year after Studio 10 was cancelled. Melissa could be next.’
Adding to the speculation, I’m A Celebrity teased the addition of a ‘Mega Movie Star’ on their Instagram.
The announcement has since sparked speculation that it could be Australian screen icon Sigrid Thornton or even Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Melissa Joan Hart, who was approached last year but couldn’t make the schedule work.
“Melissa Joan Hart is a great retro name and Ten would go above and beyond for her,” a source revealed. “They will spend the budget on one or two big names.”
Football fans could also be in luck as AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith is another name set to head into the jungle.
I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here returns to the screens on January 19 on Channel 10.
Football fans could also be in for a treat, with AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith set to enter the jungle.