Married At First Sight: Why Franchise Fans Accuse Producers Of Fakery

The reality show Married at First Sight is built on the concept of marrying strangers based on relationship experts’ analyses, and it’s time to explain why some people who watch the series think it’s fake. On the show, the catch is that these strangers won’t meet until their actual weddings days, in front of their families and friends. Viewers who have doubts about the MAFS franchise speculate that producers influence the onscreen action.

The Married at First Sight success rate has been a hot topic since the USA show debuted in 2014. Going on this show is always a gamble. After all, it’s out of the ordinary to see two complete strangers get married without knowing what they are getting themselves into. While these cast members put their faith in the love experts, some couples don’t get their happily ever afters. Although couples such as Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner from season 1, Ashley Petta and Anthony D’Amico from Season 5, and Stephanie Sersen and AJ Vollmoeller from Season 8 are still together, there are plenty of MAFS stars who divorced after the show.

Those who have taken part in the Australian version of the show have come forward to allege that Married at First Sight is fake. One participant did breach his contract by claiming there was mistreatment on set. Jono Pitman, a former participant in the Australian version, spoke about how he was repeatedly asked questions until the producers got the answer they wanted. Producers apparently encourage certain moments, but the American version may be the most honest one. Former MAFS participant Elizabeth Bice posted a tell-all YouTube video explaining that while the producers never encouraged fights, the situations they were put in heightened their emotions. Producers played a role in creating said situations. As for the Australian version, participants have talked about the lack of bathroom breaks and sleep deprivation. See Elizabeth’s video below:

In the American version, the couples spend a lot of time together. The marriages are legally binding, with the option to divorce after eight weeks of being together. However, redoing scenes is commonplace. Participants have said that they need to shoot some scenes more than once. If a scene looks particularly awkward, there is a chance it was reshot. Former Married At First Sight (Australian TV series) participant Simone Lee Brennan said she’s had conversations stopped when the cameras stopped rolling. Also, she claims that certain dinners she had with her husband were staged at home.

Without franchise drama (not to mention MAFS villains like Chris Williams), viewers might be bored by couples who get along or aren’t perfect matches. On the USA version, out of 12 completed seasons with 39 couples, 12 remain together. Five have started families of their own. Married at First Sight continues to be an interesting concept that keeps viewers intrigued, but the authenticity of the franchise is always in question.

Source: Elizabeth Bice/YouTube

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