Former Bachelor star Matty 'J' Johnson has hit back after being criticised for receiving the 2026 Australian Father of the Year award.
The 39-year-old television personality and social media star defended his achievements in fatherhood and charity work after podcaster Amber Paul publicly questioned the decision.
Johnson is best known for appearing on the fifth season of The Bachelor Australia in 2017, where he met his wife Laura Byrne, 40. The couple married in 2022 and share three daughters: Marlie-Mae, seven, Lola, five, and Poppy Pearl, who turns one this month. The Australian Fathering Awards are held annually by organisation The Fathering Project to recognise positive male role models.
The controversy began when Influencer Updates podcast host Amber Paul shared a video clip on Instagram on Tuesday expressing her confusion over the award selection.
Paul stated in the clip that she found the choice strange and did not understand how the criteria were set. "I hate it.... I don't care who wins it and who doesn't win it. I don't even understand what the criteria would be for this. This is so random to me," Paul said.
She suggested that the choice might have been driven by promotional strategy rather than merit. "I think that Matty is obviously a very famous person, and whoever is hosting this award... great marketing to give it to Matty J," she said. She added, "I'm sure he's a great dad. I don't deny that, but I just thought it was a very strange award."
Public backlash and online criticism
The Instagram video quickly attracted comments from social media users who echoed Paul's sentiments. Several commentators questioned the reasoning behind honoring a television personality over other parents.
"I find these awards absurd. I can think of a few other stellar dads who deserve to be awarded too," wrote one viewer. Another commenter asked, "Yes, what was the criteria? Be famous and be a dad? What has he done that's so exceptional?"
A third user agreed with Paul, writing, "I fully agree hahaha, so weird," while another commenter called the recognition an "absolute joke". A fifth person questioned the trend of awarding influencers, writing: "Being famous because of reality TV and now a podcast and an endless stream of Instagram ads makes one father of the year these days?"
Supporters defend Matty Johnson
Despite the backlash, numerous social media users stepped forward to defend Johnson, pointing to his advocacy work for men's mental health and family life.
One supporter highlighted his media work, writing: "I suggest you listen to his podcast Two Doting Dads, shedding light and awareness about so many parenting things and a strong focus on men's mental health and vulnerability." The commenter added, "He's a very worthy winner. He's helping so many people through that podcast and undoubtedly helping many dads be better, supportive partners as well."
Another defender noted that previous winners included prominent Australian media figures. "Hamish Blake won it previously. It's just about shining a light on great dads who set a good example and Matty is undeniably that. He has stepped back in his career to support his wife, can we please celebrate that?" the user wrote. A third supporter pointed out, "Have you listened to his podcast and seen the things he goes around doing for Australia in regards to parenting? He's trying to use his fame for good."
Matty Johnson responds on social media
Johnson addressed the criticism directly in a video posted to his Instagram account on Wednesday, admitting that seeing the negative reaction made him "sad".
Refusing to argue for his own entitlement to the honor, Johnson explained that he wanted to clarify his actual contributions to family and community initiatives. "I don't wanna sit here and justify why I deserve to win that award. I just wanna make you aware of some of the things that I've done in the parenting space that you might not know," he said.
Johnson outlined his involvement with several national non-profit organisations across Australia. "I work as an ambassador for three really awesome charities in Australia. One is the Australian Childhood Foundation, with kids in the foster care system. The Starlight Foundation, working with seriously ill kids in hospitals, and Movember, raising awareness for men's mental health issues," the reality star explained.
He also detailed his work hosting the podcast Two Doting Dads, which he has led for the past three years. The show reaches 100,000 listeners per month and focuses on family challenges and expert advice. "We try to normalise the everyday struggles parents are facing. More importantly, we bring on experts to educate us and the listeners, mums and dads, about really important topics," Johnson said.
He noted that the podcast covers critical parenting topics, including child safety, bodily autonomy, miscarriage, sobriety and postnatal depression. "I'm so lucky to have such an amazing audience on social media and I hope that you can see that I push for dads to be more involved, more present, more emotionally available," Johnson said. He concluded: "Does that mean that I should be Father of the Year? Who knows. But I hope that you can see that I've done something, one little thing, that might maybe be considered for the award."
Wife Laura Byrne and fans show support
Following Johnson's video response, his comments section was flooded with positive messages from followers, colleagues and family members. His wife, Laura Byrne, showed her support by replying, "Well bloody said," while Amber Paul also chimed in with: "Love this explanation."
Fans praised Johnson for using his public platform to encourage positive parenting habits among men. One supporter commented: "Outside of the incredible work you do for charity, you are an outstanding role model and advocate for young dads. This is essential and something not everyone will understand is so needed and makes such a huge difference."
Another follower wrote: "We love you Matty. You are influencing dads to be more present and involved and that is VERY IMPORTANT work. You are normalising dads talking about dadding, and making that sexy! All the mums here cheering you on." A third person added, "Outrageous! You are an amazing dad and you're inspiring so many other dads out there to do and be better."
