They all are. Half of them are speaking about stuff they shouldn’t be this season.
‘Bad behaviour’: MAFS bosses slam rogue contestants who ‘blame the edit’
The TV executives behind the Married At First Sight franchise has hit out at rogue brides and grooms who refuse to own up to their own behaviour.
Executive producers Alex Spurway and John Walsh have slammed contestants who use the age-old excuse of “blaming the edit” to explain their actions on the show.
“I don’t think there’s such a thing as a bad edit, just bad behaviour,” said TV exec Spurway.
“People come into MAFS flawed – we’re all flawed as human beings. And we’re never going to shy away from those flaws. We show the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Fellow executive producer John Walsh agreed with Spurway, saying the brides and grooms know exactly what they’re in for.
“They’re fully aware of what they’re getting into,” he added. “They make choices on the show about what they want to say and do, and then we put it to air.”
Episode 12 - Dinner Party
After an eventful Intimacy Week, PAUL and CARINA, JAMIE and DAVE and RHI and JEFF have solidified their connections and are entering the second Dinner Party confident and stronger than ever.
For TONY and MORENA, however, their relationship is tense. A fiery argument during Intimacy Week have left them on icy terms. For BILLY and SIERAH, the couple are on different pages. SIERAH needs more physical touch, but BILLY wants to work on an emotional connection first. SIERAH isn’t the only bride frustrated with the state of her relationship as AWHINA and ADRIAN are on rocky ground. Despite their unmistakable chemistry, AWHINA has concerns whether they are compatible outside the experiment.
The couple on everyone’s minds is JACQUI and RYAN after RYAN communicated disrespectful comments about JACQUI at the Groom’s Intimacy Workshop with Expert ALESSANDRA. The group want answers, but JACQUI and RYAN, are coming into tonight’s Dinner Party with a fresh perspective after deciding to press the reset button after a turbulent Intimacy Week. They are both feeling strong and united and will tackle any questioning from the group as a team.
The Cocktail Party begins, and the brides are quick to discuss JACQUI and RYAN. AWHINA reveals that ADRIAN told her what RYAN said at the Groom’s Intimacy Workshop and JAMIE reveals DAVE regrets not calling RYAN out when he had the chance. When JACQUI and RYAN arrive, the brides huddle to ask JACQUI privately if she has been intimate with RYAN to which JACQUI replies ‘no’ as they are trying to have an emotional connection instead. The brides are left confused as they know the intimate comments RYAN has made, so something is not adding up.
The couples walk into the dining room and all cheer to the second Dinner Party. There is nervous energy in the room, and everyone wants answers from RYAN and JACQUI. The groups start to question JACQUI and RYAN, and at first, the two are a united front…but, as soon as JACQUI reveal they had issues to work through this week, BILLY pipes up and asks if one of the issues surrounds RYAN saying JACQUI has “crazy eyes”.
The group are left waiting for the other shoe to drop but JACQUI laughs it off saying she knows she has crazy eyes. BILLY asks JACQUI if she’s ok with RYAN’s comment about her appearance and JACQUI plays it cool. JAMIE jumps in, wanting to clear up the confusion on their intimacy as JACQUI said they hadn’t been intimate, but RYAN said they have. DAVE drops the bomb revealing RYAN said JACQUI “gives good head” in front of all the boys at the Intimacy Workshop.
A heated discussion between DAVE and RYAN erupts before JACQUI tells RYAN that he shouldn’t be talking about her like that behind her back, JACQUI feels humiliated and tells RYAN that he should be saying she’s the most amazing person in the world and to not talk about their intimacy again. JAMIE says they are compatible, but this sparks a trigger in JACQUI referring to the Photo Ranking Task and RYAN placing her third. JACQUI reels saying she will never settle for less and that she deserves better. JACQUI says that tonight she put RYAN first and defended him, but she’s had enough and leaves.
In the background we hear MORENA yell out RYAN’S name. She’s cutting through the chatter. After banging on the table, she finally gets RYAN’S attention and tells him off for the rude comments he made. PAUL asks MORENA that she’s giving relationship advice to others but what about her relationship? PAUL tells her he heard her screaming in the hallway at TONY to which MORENA disagrees. Things get heated and PAUL and MORENA argue back and forth with PAUL making an observation about how disconnected the couple are. This enrages MORENA, who details that TONY goes home every weekend leaving her alone in their apartment.
TONY defends himself explaining sometimes he feels he doesn’t have a say in the relationship and that he’s scared to talk to her as he doesn’t want to offend her. MORENA doubles down feeling abandoned by TONY – she doesn’t want advice from anyone.
The group moves on to ADRIAN and AWHINA. AWHINA knows they are compatible and have chemistry but that she’s thinking about the future and outside the experiment and the fact that she’s a single mum. AWHINA wonders whether ADRIAN will fit into her lifestyle with her son. ADRIAN says that he thinks they are compatible but when she says things like that, it makes him think they are never going to work. PAUL jumps in and says that ADRIAN told him that if the relationship works out, he will raise her child as his own to which ADRIAN retorts that never happened. AWHINA stays silent but when she decides to start talking again, ADRIAN quickly shuts her down.
Nothing seems resolved between the couple, and feeling annoyed, ADRIAN, gets up and moves to the other side of the table next to SIERAH. AWHINA is left alone feeling shut down and unheard.
What? There’s editing on this show? Who would have thought… lol.
I can’t wait for the dinner week to happen. So i can see the amount of drinks and food on the table to change constantly within each shot like every season. Lol.
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You can say that again. Mafs bosses are obviously pissed about the contestants calling out the bullshit. Don’t get me wrong it’s juicy and can’t be utter trash funny but I remember I stumbled across a YouTube video a few years ago of Mishell from 2020 talking about how bad her mental health was during filming from being kept in the apartment block. Then goes on to say if you breach your contract they’ll come after you for whatever you’ve got. The producers would go on the fabricate scenes and take what was said out of context.
Am I surprised absolutely not. But the culture is disturbing and toxic.
Stars, viewers complain after G-string scenes air on Married At First Sight
Complaints have been lodged with Australia’s broadcast watchdog after sex-fuelled scenes aired on Channel 9 reality show Married At First Sight, as some contestants reveal they’ve been left publicly humiliated by the racy “Pornhub” footage.
“I feel incredibly uncomfortable with what has gone to air,” one of the show’s female contestants told news.com.au following Monday’s episode that showed full-body shots of her dressed in revealing lingerie.
“My mum’s pretty uncomfortable about having had to watch it. It aired on national TV and it feels pretty disgusting.”
Some of this year’s wives were “pressured into doing things they didn’t want to do”, she said. She claimed co-stars Awhina Rutene and Adrian Araouzou were provided with strawberries and chocolate and “told to put it on each other’s bodies”.
“But they pushed back and didn’t want to do it,” she said. “They just put them in a bowl and ate dessert instead.”
SEASON 12 INTRUDERS
BETH, 28 QLD
Salon Manager
Loyal, fun and vibrant, Beth hails from Lancashire, Northwest England and moved to Australia 12 years ago with her family.
Having never had a boyfriend before, Beth wants to find love as it’s something she has always longed for, she is ready to settle down and share her life with someone. Her ideal partner is someone that can make her laugh and that she can be herself around.
Describing herself as brutally honest and someone who will say it how it is, Beth isn’t afraid of confrontation, while at the same time she is always the person people can lean on for advice and support.
VERONICA, 32 NSW
Personal Trainer / Actor
Loud, fun and full of life Veronica is a personal trainer and actress from Sydney. Having given up on the local dating scene, Veronica is putting her trust in the Experts and is hoping to be matched with someone who brings joy and laughter into her life.
After experiencing heartbreak in her previous relationships, Veronica is ready to settle down and start a family and believes that respect and kindness are the foundations to a great relationship. Her biggest red flags are lack of manners and empathy.
As a successful model, having competed in Miss Universe Australia twice, Veronica describes herself as confident, driven and always looking to grow.
LAUREN
Returning
Fiercely independent with extremely high standards, Lauren knows what she wants and won’t settle for anything but a real man – a man that is instinctively masculine, chivalrous, and takes the lead.
Lauren considers herself an old-school romantic and jokes that she was born in the wrong decade. She’s a homemaker at heart who wants to take care of her man – she is definitely “wife material”. But modern dating is not for her, and she admits that communicating isn’t her strong suit.
As a successful business owner, running her own corporate gift business, Lauren knows she can come across as standoff-ish and people are often quick to judge her. So she is hoping the experts can help her to not only find the perfect match but teach her a few things along the way.
CLINT, 43 TAS
Pro Golfer / Business Owner
As a successful pro golfer and business owner, Clint has achieved a lot in sport and business, and he feels like the one thing missing is someone special to spend the rest of his life with.
After his 10-year relationship ended, Clint has spent time to focus on personal development and it has given him a clearer sense of what he is looking for in a partner.
A self-declared romantic, who loves to love, Clint is looking for the same in a partner, someone to build a life with who is empathetic, affectionate and driven. The biggest red flag for Clint, is someone that isn’t open to self-growth.
ELIOT
Returning
Well-travelled, confident and blunt, straight-shooter Eliot knows exactly what he wants in a partner. Aspiring to have a nuclear family, Eliot is looking for a traditional relationship where he is the provider.
Having set up businesses in Australia and Sri Lanka, Eliot calls the Gold Coast home and lives a relaxed beach lifestyle.
With a lengthy list of attributes for his future partner, Eliot admits to very high standards and his number one deal-breaker is a lack of authenticity – if she’s not authentic Eliot will run.
He calls himself a lone wolf, but now he wants a partnership with a classy woman who will soften his hard edges.
TEEJAY, 28 QLD
Business Development Manager
Teejay comes from a large family of Greek and Indian heritage and is one of seven siblings, and the only one that is still single! Now he is ready to start building a life with someone.
As a sports fanatic, having played AFL since he was 6, Teejay is very social and keeps himself busy but admits he would love someone to come home to at night.
Having been in two long term relationships in the past, Teejay describes himself as a loving, caring and tentative partner. Ready to settle down and become a dad, his ideal match is someone that makes him laugh yet fill him with emotional and mental stimulation at the same time.
It’s hard to take any of this seriously when a new groom intruder pops up and I recall seeing him on another reality show. Not that anyone has ever taken this stuff seriously.
Previous contestant on Big Brother. Hmmm.
Surely there is people in this country that would be somewhat decent and there for the real reasons without all the agency and wannabe famous egos peoples?
All the blokes look the same. Big chests, tattoos, big heads. 
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Wtf did I just watch? Jackie sort your shit out
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Episode 14
It’s a new week in the Experiment and some couples are looking for a fresh start after last night’s confronting Commitment Ceremony.
MORENA has learnt that her tone and mannerisms are having a detrimental effect on her marriage to TONY and is committed to turning over a new leaf to revive her marriage, which is music to TONY’S ears.
Meanwhile BILLY and AWHINA are feeling troubled about their respective relationships after it was revealed, their partners ADRIAN and SIERAH secretly shared deeply personal information with each other, rather than confide in their own husband and wife.
Meanwhile, RYAN has woken up on cloud nine, relieved that wife JACQUI has promised to leave past issues behind them and press the reset button on their relationship. However, this morning JACQUI has had a change of heart, having reflected on comments made by other couples surrounding her relationship at the Commitment Ceremony.
JACQUI can’t help but reflect on the times she has felt let down by her husband in their marriage. JACQUI acknowledges her standards are high and difficult for most people to reach and decides that she won’t give up on RYAN, rather she will teach him how to become the husband she wants him to be. She decides to create a ‘rap sheet’ of RYAN’S shortcomings.
Blindsided by JACQUI’S decision to dredge up the past again, RYAN struggles to understand what JACQUI’S motives are and a heated argument ensues. RYAN is delivered another blow when JACQUI tells him that she would prefer not to be considered his wife.
Meanwhile, our Experts are busily meeting and matching the next couple to enter the experiment, BETH and TEEJAY. BETH, a bubbly 28-year-old from Brisbane has never had a boyfriend and is desperate to start a family of her own.
And 28-year-old TEEJAY who has never had an issue attracting women – but has been unable to find “The One”.
All the original couples are invited to attend the wedding of BETH and TEEJAY and welcome the new couple to the experiment. But for JACQUI and RYAN this wedding could not come at a worse time as tensions still linger from their disagreement. JACQUI, wanting some advice for her relationship, decides to text JEFF for a one on one.
Unimpressed with this unsolicited text message RHI and JEFF struggle to understand JACQUI’S motives in reaching out to him. RHI is upset that JACQUI would specifically request RHI be excluded from the JACQUI and JEFF catch up. Unsure of what they should do to address the issue, RHI and JEFF decide that they will confront JACQUI the next time they see her, which is likely to be the wedding.
When BETH and TEEJAY meet at the altar for the first time their connection is undeniable and while reading their hopeful vows to one another, JACQUI can’t help but compare their promises to the ones made by RYAN on their own wedding day.
Feeling frustrated, JACQUI attempts to ask whether RYAN can see how he hasn’t delivered on his promises to her on this experiment. RYAN is perplexed JACQUI chose to use the newlyweds’ vows as a learning opportunity and hopes JACQUI will not ruin the wedding by turning the focus onto their relationship, “because today is not about us”!
When the guests arrive at the wedding reception, RYAN vents to the other couples about JACQUI’S criticism of their relationship and reveals JACQUI pulled out a ‘rap sheet’ aimed at RYAN earlier that day. JACQUI is unimpressed RYAN chose to humiliate her in front of everyone stating what RYAN is telling them is untrue.
Frustrated, the table tell JACQUI and RYAN that they don’t believe they have a future together and RYAN agrees with them; however, JACQUI disagrees, saying she does in fact like Ryan and wants to be with him. At this point RHI’S frustration at JACQUI’S leads to a confrontation demanding to know why she would message JEFF behind her back.
The table is left speechless by this revelation before exploding with disapproval. JACQUI leaves the table to escape the backlash but draws more attention to herself when she breaks down in front of the entire wedding before being pulled up by a confused AWHINA who reminds JACQUI that today is not about her.
The wedding celebrations resume, and the happy couple continue to get to know one another. BETH notches up the courage to tell her new husband that she has never had a relationship before. TEEJAY cannot hide his surprise at this revelation and is shocked that no man has ever appreciated what an incredible woman BETH is and reassures her with a kiss.
They return to the wedding for their first dance as husband and wife, everyone is thrilled to see how well the new couple have bonded. However, RHI laments how JACQUI’S behaviour was unacceptable and declares that after today “I am done with Jacqui… I’m done with her”.
Hmmmm. Could this be the moment that ruins MAFS? Why would they let a bride and groom return for a second chance? The fact that that Eliot guy just chucked a wobbly because he didn’t get what he asked for and now has been rewarded with a second bride means that all contestants on future seasons may do the same? What is the incentive to stay with the one you were matched with if you can have a chance at an upgrade?
Really funny decision from the producers. Maybe they threatened to sue or something??
Married At First Sight Australia narrator revealed as prominent actress
Taking over the reins from Nine presenter Georgie Gardner, who filled the role for the first four seasons, NIDA graduate Helen Dallimore has been unmasked as the show’s longstanding narrator.
Dallimore, who appears to have not given any interviews about her time working on the series, has a prolific background in theatre, film and television, having graduated from the acclaimed drama school in 1995.
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She’s out of control and the full definition of a narcissist. She’s just on another level to anyone we’ve seen on this before.
It’s hard to take the whole bloody show seriously
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IMO she needs professional help! Then again maybe she being paid to perform!
Episode 15
It’s the morning after BETH and TEEJAY’S wedding, and as the newlyweds happily head off to tropical north QLD for their honeymoon, the rest of the couples are still spinning from the JACQUI and RYAN chaos that ensued at the wedding.
Having spent the night in separate apartments, RYAN has woken up reeling. After finding out JACQUI messaged JEFF behind his back, RYAN wants answers. The couple have a heated exchange and RYAN leaves their apartment more bamboozled than ever.
Today also marks a first in MAFS history. The Experts reveal they will be bringing back both members of an original couple, LAUREN and ELIOT and rematching them both with new partners.
Having been abandoned by ELIOT on day two of their honeymoon, LAUREN’s faith in love has been rocked but she wants to believe in love again and has decided to give the experiment another shot.
The decision to bring ELIOT back into the Experiment, was not one the Experts took lightly. Since leaving the Experiment ELIOT claims to have reflected and taken on their feedback. ELIOT wants to do the experiment right. He is re-entering the Experiment with a different mindset and is willing to drop his coveted checklist.
Leading up to her second wedding ceremony, LAUREN is increasingly apprehensive. She doesn’t want to go through this a second time just to be hurt again. While her groom to be CLINT, an ex pro golfer and entrepreneur is nothing but hopeful. Having spent his adult life focused on his career, getting married is a milestone he’s never managed to achieve. CLINT can’t wait to meet his bride and start this new chapter.
After a tense introduction, LAUREN quickly reveals in her vows that she has been in this experiment before. And it isn’t until the ceremony concludes, and the couple have their first time alone together, that she starts to see the man in front of her. CLINT is caring and open and genuinely concerned for her past experience. And once seated at their reception, CLINT reveals not only has he come out of a 10 year relationship but he has done the work to better himself. This is extremely impressive to both LAUREN and her bridesmaids. By the end of the wedding, LAUREN is laughing and feeling hopeful of her future with CLINT.
ELIOT’S second wedding ceremony to new wife VERONICA gets off to a rocky start. While the pair appear to have chemistry, after ELIOT delivers some cryptic vows VERONICA’S bridesmaids are left with questions.
Once seated at their wedding reception, VERONICA’S bridesmaids start asking the hard questions. ELIOT reveals not only had he been married before in the Experiment, but he left after only 3 days. VERONICA’S bridesmaids are shocked and unconvinced ELIOT will do the right thing by their best friend. VERONICA, however, is more forgiving and is looking forward to getting to know him.
All three intruder couples arrive on their honeymoons. While BETH and TEEJAY enjoy a scenic helicopter ride and LAUREN and CLINT bond over some wine tasting, ELIOT and VERONICA settle into a romantic lunch. Things are going extremely well, and as their relationship grows, VERONICA feels it’s increasingly important for her to share some personal information with ELIOT. VERONICA reveals she has endometriosis, which could impact her ability to have children. Given ELIOT’S desire to have a large family, she’s unsure how he will take the news. However, ELIOT is understanding and grateful for VERONICA’S honesty. This brings the couple even closer, and they share a kiss as the sun sets.
Back in Sydney, AWHINA is arriving home after spending the day at a Married at First Sight publicity shoot, where the couples were required for a number of different promo shots. For one of the shoots, only a handful of the cast participated, and ADRIAN wasn’t one of them. Feeling frustrated by this, ADRIAN leaves the promo shoot frustrated and angry. Later, AWHINA is expecting to find him in their apartment, however she arrives back to empty drawers and ADRIAN’S wedding ring on the table. AWHINA calls ADRIAN and he tells her he is not coming back. ADRIAN has quit the experiment.
Wednesday:
MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT SHATTERS AUSTRALIAN STREAMING RECORDS
Australia’s biggest show just got bigger, reaching 11 million viewers with huge Year-on-Year growth on both Broadcast TV and BVOD
Married At First Sight has broken an Australian CFTA record for BVOD streaming, with seven episodes now each watched by more than one million viewers solely on 9Now, on top of the overnight broadcast television viewing figures.
The 12th season of MAFS, which has so far reached 11 million viewers after just 14 episodes across Total TV, has proven to be a watershed moment for Australia’s Free to Air Broadcast Video On Demand (BVOD) platforms. As MAFS continues to dominate the daily conversation, the series has now reached a tipping point where 40% of the Total TV average audience is viewed on 9Now.
As viewers migrate to watching television on 9Now, OzTam consolidated data shows significant Year-on-Year growth in all key demos and Total People for MAFS, with half of the episodes aired being watched by more than one million BVOD viewers to date:
- Launch episode BVOD Total audience watched by 1.110 million viewers since January 27
- Episode two BVOD Total audience watched by 1.114 million viewers since January 28
- Episode three BVOD Total audience watched by 1.123 million viewers since January 29
- Episode four BVOD Total audience watched by 1.110 million viewers since January 30
- Episode six BVOD Total audience watched by 1.046 million viewers since February 3
- Episode seven BVOD Total audience watched by 1.081 million viewers since February 4
- Episode eight BVOD Total audience watched by 1.050 million viewers since February 5
*Source: TVMAP Program Analyser, OzTAM VOZ Data ,National (inc Spill), Married at First Sight, Cumulative Reach (includes encores), Average Audience (excludes encores), 27/01/2025 - 17/02/2025 v 29/01/2024 - 19/02/2024, Total People, People 16-39, Total TV, Total Broadcast, Total BVOD. Consolidated 28 as at 17/02, YoY based on When Watched for like for like comparison. Data copyright © OzTAM 2025*These episodes will continue to grow over the coming days, weeks and months as viewers catch up on the series that has once again captivated a nation and dominated conversation.
And crucially for advertisers, MAFS is consistently engaging with the key demo of People 16-39, with 60% of this audience coming from 9Now.
Across Total TV, MAFS has seen double-digit growth not just on BVOD but also on broadcast TV. The series to date has recorded an average Total TV audience of 2.45 million, with broadcast TV up 15% YoY and BVOD up a huge 36% YoY, resulting in Total TV growth of 23% YoY.
Hamish Turner, Director of 9Now and Programming, said: “Married at First Sight resonates with Australians like no other program. With the series holding up a mirror to society, the story arc of MAFS provides not only the classic watercooler conversation, but is also relevant to today’s complex world of dating and relationships. Its success continues to drive massive engagement across all platforms, with the format seeing incredible yearly growth and engagement that is critical to maintaining audiences throughout the year.”
Matt James, Nine’s Acting Chief Sales Officer, said: “The critical mass engagement from Australians that Married At First Sight attracts is undeniably an indication of the power of television. With more than half of 9Now viewers coming from 16-39s who are deeply engaged with each episode, there is no other platform where advertisers can reach this audience at scale in a premium, brand-safe environment in such a small window of time.”
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I don’t understand how this show is still growing. A few people I knew who were fans of this show have stopped watching now. Something suss is going on here.
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