Supermodel Rachel Hunter has dropped a bombshell in her first major interview since her shock early exit from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia 2026 – revealing she gave a secret warning to two campmates about the cut-throat game dynamics… only for them to turn around and help ‘slate’ her in the lead-up to her elimination!

The 56-year-old New Zealand-born icon, who entered the South African jungle as one of the season’s biggest draws, became the first celebrity officially evicted on Sunday night (February 1, 2026) after losing a tense guessing game showdown against Love Island star Matt Zukowski. But in an exclusive chat with WHO magazine, Rachel confessed the real drama wasn’t on screen – it was the tactical alliances and singling out she felt from fellow campmates that stung the most.

‘I felt slated by my campmates singling me out,’ Rachel admitted tearfully, her voice still raw from the experience. ‘But it’s actually something I anticipated – with the show’s new format sparking major tension in the camp and impacting relationships.’

The supermodel – ex-wife of rock legend Rod Stewart and mum to Renee and Liam – went even further, revealing she pulled two campmates aside for a private heart-to-heart just before the game turned nasty.

‘I remember sitting down with Cyrell and Rebecca, and I was like, ‘Guys, if this goes this way, you had to be careful and align with who you need to align with’,’ she told WHO. ‘Then you realise, hang on a second, I’m in a game here. I can’t take this personally.’

The warning – delivered in hushed tones away from the cameras – was Rachel’s attempt to prepare her friends for the inevitable shift from friendship to strategy. Yet, as the episode unfolded, alliances hardened, and Rachel found herself vulnerable and ultimately eliminated after campmates put her and Matt up for the chopping block in a brutal twist.

Fans watching at home were left reeling. The pre-recorded format (no live public vote this year) meant eliminations felt sudden and unfair, especially for a fan favourite like Rachel who brought grace, humour and emotional depth to camp life. Social media exploded with fury: ‘Rachel was robbed! She warned them about the game and they still slated her!’ one viewer raged on X. Another added: ‘She saw the betrayal coming and tried to protect her friends – what a queen!’

Rachel’s time in the jungle was short but impactful. Entering on January 18 alongside AFL star Dyson Heppell and others, she quickly became the camp’s nurturing presence – sharing stories of her modelling career (from Sports Illustrated swimsuit glory to high-fashion covers), opening up about motherhood, life after high-profile relationships, and her charity Little Wings. Viewers adored her poise during Bushtucker Trials, her candid chats around the fire, and the way she handled curveballs with class.

But the new pre-recorded season – filmed entirely in South Africa rather than live in Australia – changed everything. Without real-time viewer input, camp dynamics shifted faster, with alliances forming and fracturing under pressure. Rachel sensed the shift early.

‘I anticipated some of this,’ she explained in her exit interview, fighting back tears. ‘The format changes everything. We’re constantly thrown curve balls all the time with different challenges, but I think tonight really just brought the reality in.’

Insiders say the warning to Cyrell Paule (MAFS star) and Rebecca Harding (another reality TV face) was spot-on – a plea to ‘play the game’ and protect themselves amid rising tensions. Yet when push came to shove, Rachel felt the backlash: campmates reportedly singled her out in discussions, making her vulnerable for elimination.

‘It was hard because obviously many bonds were made,’ Rachel said emotionally during her post-exit chat. ‘It’s an incredible group of people… but friendships will be shattered under this pressure.’

The revelation has sparked fresh outrage among viewers already furious over the lack of public voting. ‘No live vote? No chance for Rachel to shine? This is rigged!’ one fan tweeted. Another wrote: ‘She warned them to align and play smart – and they turned on her anyway. Heartbreaking!’

Rachel’s exit interview was particularly poignant. She spoke of the ‘incredible energy’ she brought to camp, the self-discovery the jungle forced, and her gratitude despite the abrupt end. ‘It was short and sweet,’ she reflected, ‘but I gave it everything.’ Her chosen charity, Little Wings (supporting sick children), remained front and centre – a reminder of why she signed up despite the risks.

The supermodel’s journey to the jungle was already headline-grabbing. Announced as a major international name, Rachel brought star power: discovered at 16, she became a global icon, dated rock stars, married Rod Stewart (divorced in 2006 but remaining close), and built a career in acting, TV and philanthropy. Entering the camp, she admitted to ‘dreading’ the animals but embracing the challenge for personal growth.

Once inside, she proved resilient – facing phobias, sharing laughs over meals (or lack thereof), and supporting others through breakdowns. Her nurturing side shone: calming arguments, offering wisdom from her life experiences, and keeping spirits high.

Yet the format twist – pre-recording for tighter production – amplified the game’s ruthlessness. Without viewer votes to save favourites, eliminations felt cold and calculated. Rachel’s high profile (and reportedly higher fee) may have made her an early target, though she stayed gracious.

‘I’m disappointed,’ she admitted in her exit chat, ‘but no hard feelings.’ Campmates praised her energy upon her departure, but whispers of ‘secret raging’ in group chats suggest lingering tensions – exactly what Rachel warned about.

Fans are calling for justice: ‘Bring Rachel back for a redemption series!’ ‘She deserved better – the show lost its heart when she left.’ Hashtags like #JusticeForRachel and #RachelWasRobbed trended worldwide, with many vowing to boycott if the format doesn’t change.

As the season rolls on (with Matt Zukowski safe and camp divides reportedly deepening), Rachel is back in the spotlight on her terms. She’s focused on positivity: the bonds formed, lessons learned, and the platform for Little Wings.

‘I need to keep evolving,’ she once said pre-jungle. Post-exit, that evolution continues – stronger, wiser, and unapologetically herself.

Rachel Hunter may have left the jungle early, but her impact lingers. In warning her campmates about the game’s harsh realities, she proved once again why she’s more than a supermodel – she’s a survivor with heart.

We’re sending all our love to Rachel – your grace under fire was unforgettable!