Alana Lister: From MAFS to mental health advocate

Alana Lister is a name many Australians will recognise from Married at First Sight Australia Season 8, where she stood out as one of the show’s most memorable personalities. Since making her television debut, Alana has taken some unexpected and deeply personal paths of discovery and transformation, becoming an outspoken advocate for cyber safety narcissistic abuse awareness, and emotional wellbeing.

In this article, we reflect on Alana’s rapid ascent to prominence and notoriety, her teaching background and education, her experience on MAFS, and her recent public advocacy – all with a focus on accuracy, context, and how it resonates with Australians.

Who is Alana Lister?

Alana Lister, whose birth name was Sinead Chong, began her journey in Queensland in 1990, first as a teacher and later as a known figure on reality TV. Before her journey into the public eye, she had a solid, stable body of experience and history as an educator teaching humanities and STEM subjects in both primary and secondary settings. Alana’s desire to support young people was clear long before her first television appearance. 

It is worth noting that in her twenties, she changed her name to “Alana Lister” –  it was inspired by the street artist Anthony Lister, and following a time of transformation. Alana embraced the opportunity of being Alana, and it gave her the chance to reinvent herself.

Gaining national attention on Married at First Sight

In 2021, Alana entered the spotlight on Married at First Sight Australia Season 8. People were drawn to Alana’s high energy and open-hearted, natural way of being, but also her strong opinions regarding relationships and emotional honesty. She was paired with Jason Engler, and together they brought warmth and chaos to the screens of Australians everywhere.

While it can be said that Alana and Jason had several aspects of connection, including some genuinely intimate emotional conversations and quite a few moments where their values mirrored, in the end, none of it was enough to last beyond the experience. Alana and Jason initially chose to stay together at Final Vows; however, by the Reunion episode, both of them had gone their separate ways.

Key points from her MAFS journey:

• Paired with Jason Engler’s entity in the show
• Known for emotional honesty and confidence
• Openly discussed sensitive relationship topics
• Split from Jason before the Reunion aired

Life after the cameras: Advocacy and online presence

After her time on MAFS, Alana’s public platform shifted to take a serious turn. Over the past few years, she has used her social media channels, especially Instagram, she began speaking out about narcissistic abuse, cyberstalking, and mental health.

Alana welcomed the public into her private life through a series of intense and emotional posts. While Alana has been saying these things on Instagram, there has been no evidence from the public or media that the stalking or hacking took place. These statements are only from her posts and are unverified by police or news sources. Although several posts have raised concern and scepticism amongst her followers, others offered support, congratulating her for speaking out about cyber harassment and digital safety.

Her current Instagram bio reads:

“Narcissistic and Cyber Abuse | Awareness and Education | Healing Together”

Where she’s focused on:

• Speaking out about narcissistic abuse.
• Raising awareness of risks to digital safety.
• Sharing lived experiences of cyberstalking.
• Creating conversations around mental health and healing.

Public reaction and mental health concerns

The recent statements made by Alana have sparked diverse responses across online platforms, including Reddit discussion boards and fan page comments. There are comments expressing concern for Alana’s wellbeing and deeming that she ‘may have mental health issues that are undiagnosed’. While others believe she is merely being authentic and vulnerable during a time when too many people are silent about abuse and trauma.

This, of course, is a polarising conversation. However, it is an important conversation that can help raise awareness of larger issues facing our technology-driven world today, as well as the issues surrounding the treatment of women across digital platforms and the limited protections available to those affected by cyber harm.

Public response in Australia includes:

• Support for her courage to speak out.
• Concern about her well-being and safety.
• Calls for greater digital awareness of cybercrime.
• Discussions around the line drawn between truth and trauma online.

A bigger message: Women’s voices, online safety, and healing

Regardless of how her content is received, Alana is using her platform for more than attention. In a country where digital abuse is becoming a widespread issue, her unfiltered voice has encouraged others—especially women—to reflect on their own experiences with online harassment, control, and emotional recovery.

Just one example, she’s no longer a former MAFS bride. as much as she is part of a larger conversation on the negatives of privacy, the overlap of vulnerability, and a lack of support system for people experiencing trauma. 

Why Australians still love Alana

Numerous Australian fans have related to Alana’s open and authentic communication style, even calling her honest, grounded and emotionally open.

Many reasons why Alana Lister’s ongoing appeal in Australia: 

• Down-to-earth personality: She stays authentic and avoids putting on a show for fame.
• Relatable experiences: Common Australians will relate to her candour on grief, mental health, and healing.
• Professional mindset: Beyond being a public figure, she maintains a strong work ethic and purpose.

Social media presence and influence

Alana Lister has become active online, especially on sites like Instagram and TikTok. Alana doesn’t have an official site with workout plans or beauty tips. She strictly uses Instagram (and sometimes TikTok), and her posts are mainly focused on advocacy, not lifestyle posts. Her integrity distinguishes her; she often offers frank comments about her practices and points of view and does not soften reality.

• Honest captions about mental health
• Behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections
• Discussions around cyber abuse and emotional trauma

Rather than curated lifestyle content, Alana uses her platform to support followers struggling with self-worth, body image, and healing.

A role model for young Australians

Alana’s appeal goes beyond flash and scandal; she reflects a change in public figures’ worth for young Australians. She promotes:

• Self-expression
• Authenticity
• Emotional growth
• Body positivity

She candidly shows how she handles difficult circumstances and helps others to feel less alienated.

Conclusion 

Alana Lister has followed a journey far from the ordinary. From her years as a teacher in Queensland, to national television, then social advocacy, and who’s to say how her journey will further impact our thinking. In a country where reality TV fame is fleeting, what makes Alana different is that she is willing to say what she thinks, right or wrong. She reminds Australians at large that behind the social media and television drama, there are real people with real stories of struggle, hurt, resilience, and hope.