MAFS Michael Goonan awkwardly defends ‘gold digger’ Stacey Hampton

Married At First Sight star Michael Goonan has awkwardly defended Stacey Hampton after she was widely accused of being a ‘gold digger’.

In a Facebook Live interview with KOTNmedia on Friday, the 28-year-old company director encouraged trolls to take it easy on his ex-‘wife’.

‘Look, I’ll defend her. No girl wants to date a guy who works at McDonald’s. Girls want guys with ambition,’ Michael said. 

Michael explained that it’s natural for people to want to excel in life, and this means having standards when it comes to choosing a partner.

‘We all want to strive for a little bit more,’ he added. 

He then made excuses for Stacey’s shallow behaviour at their wedding, which was filmed in September, by saying he had been ‘immature’ on their big day.

He also defended Stacey, 26, after she cheated on him with Mikey Pembroke on the show, and praised her as a ‘good mum’ to her sons, Kosta and Kruz.     

‘I don’t want her kids growing up thinking she’s a slut. The only person cheated on wasn’t Australia, it was me. I’ve moved on. I’m happy. So who cares?’ he said.

Ever since her debut on MAFS, Stacey has been forced to respond to claims she only stayed with Michael for his money. 

The law graduate appeared somewhat uninterested in her husband on their wedding day, only to change her attitude once she discovered his wealth. 

Stacey was blasted by viewers in later episodes, when she told Michael she wanted a credit card to spend his money. 

But she has strongly disputed the portrayal, insisting that she is financially secure and doesn’t need anyone else’s money.

‘I had my own financial stability [before MAFS] with more than Michael could have provided,’ Stacey said earlier this month.