Adrian Portelli was accused of 'rigging' The Block. He just admitted how he did it.

November 10, 2024

What's it like to become an instant millionaire? Maddy and Charlotte can confidently answer that question, after they took home $1.65 million in The Block finale on Sunday night.

After joining the show to replace former contestants Jesse and Paige, Maddy and Charlotte made the competition their own as they took over renovations on House 1.

They weren't always welcomed by their co-stars, facing bullying and 'mean girl' tactics from fellow contestants. Through it all, they kept their heads high and, in the end, it was their kind nature that won them the show.

At least, that's what billionaire bidder Adrian Portelli has said — confirming he knew all along who would win, as he always planned to buy all five homes in a 'royal flush'.

"We hand selected the auction order make sure the girls went last. So we can get them to win," Portelli said on Nova the morning after the finale. "It's the girls. They cared. They came in late. They were the underdogs. They were picked on. They were bullied.

"All the contestants were playing the game, so I thought I'd play the game back. I didn't want anyone to know what we were doing," he said on the show on Sunday night.

Portelli added that his partner was a big fan of the sisters, as an avid viewer of The Block.

"My partner loves the show, and they were her favourite as well," he said.

Maddy and Charlotte were blown away by Portelli's generosity.

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"We're very very grateful and I think he's a good guy and he doesn't stand for that kind of behaviour and neither do we. We're grateful that he supported us and obviously sent a message," Maddy told Mamamia.

The sisters were aware of Portelli's plan. But as the man himself told Nova's Jase and Lauren, only the sisters knew what he was up to.

"How good is that? The girls that are the most sweetest and innocent, were playing the game the best," he said.

But it wasn't bad news for any of the teams — every single contestant walked away with oodles of cash.

"He's changed our lives. He's changed every contestant's life. I think that's the coolest part about this, is that we've all walked away winners because [of the] record breaking amount of money," Charlotte said. "It makes our win even sweeter."

Portelli always planned to make the girls 'win' The Block. Image: Nine.

Now, Portelli plans to give the entire collection of houses away in a monumental giveaway through his company, LMCT+, an online marketplace and rewards platform.

The giveaway, which will be drawn on Boxing Day, promises "one lucky winner will get the keys to not one, but five luxurious homes within this [Phillip Island] complex. Or, if you prefer, you can walk away with a staggering $8 million cash prize."

Maddy and Charlotte said that this latest move is in keeping with Portelli's kind-hearted nature.

"I think the real winner will be the person who wins the giveaway, because [they're] either winning eight million bucks or five houses," they said of the news.

The sisters joked about reinvesting some of their $1.65 million in tickets — but in reality, they'll be investing their hard-won cash in themselves.

"I don't think it'll sink in until it's in our bank account. We'll probably invest it together," Maddy admitted, saying they might like to ditch their day jobs and take their renovation talents to new heights.

"I think right now, because it's so fresh, we'll probably go on a holiday and then we'll buy a property. And I think that's probably the game plan at the moment, but you never know."

Should Scotty Cam give them a call to return to The Block at any stage, the sisters will be all too ready.

"We feel so grateful that we got to meet someone that we've been watching since we were a little kid," Maddy said.

For all its bittersweet moments, Maddy and Charlotte have no regrets baout going on The Block. Image: Nine.