It’s supposed to be the happiest day of a person’s life, but for this unlucky-in-love lot, a wedding means nothing but angst. Well, what do you expect when you have no idea who’s waiting for you at the end of the aisle?
Still, while it may not be so enjoyable for the hopefuls getting hitched, it makes great viewing for us. And the latest season of Married At First Sight promises everything reality TV binge-watchers could dream of – from runaway brides to wedding bands flushed down the loo, strippers and twins.
Let’s meet the crew!
‘I was divorced with a kid at 24!’
Lauren, 33, car salesperson, NSW
She tied the knot at 23, but Lauren’s first marriage was over after a year! And she’s not wasting any time with this union either, admitting she’ll bolt if her chosen bloke doesn’t have the dad gene.
“I’m not going to put my son [Dylan, 11] through what I’ve put [him] through before, with past boyfriends treating me like crap. I’m going to knock it on the head straight away,” she says, adding that she almost found The One post-divorce, but the age gap – 22 years! – came between them.
“He was probably the best father Dylan could have hoped for. [But] we were just not compatible.”
‘My mum signed me up’
Sharon, 31, business owner, WA
It’s hard to believe Perth beauty Sharon needs any help finding love, but after a string of bad luck, mother dearest stepped in.
“It was my mum who brought [the show] to my attention and suggested I apply,” Sharon tells NW.
And it seems mother knows best, with Shaz spilling that she trusted the experts to find her perfect match so much, she might be all in on the wedding night!
“Shhh… That’s a secret!” she says of whether wedding-night traditions are followed. Ooh!
At least she had some moral support on the show – from her twin sis Michelle!
‘I’m not looking for love’
Jesse, 31, retail worker, SA
He claims he wants to get married and eventually have children, but serial flirt Jesse attracts an endless stream of women, thanks to his glorious, er, peach…
No, seriously – he works at his family’s fruit and veg business!
Jesse also reckons he’s not looking for love, as he believes it won’t come along if he’s actively seeking it.
Welcome to Married At First Sight, buddy!
‘I’m too good looking’
Andrew H, 30, aerodrome plant operator, Qld
He’s served in war zones and worked in Antarctica, so when we asked Andrew why he’s still single, we weren’t expecting him to blame his rugged good looks.
The former army combat engineer is joking, of course, but he does have a sincere side, telling NW, “Working in isolated communities made it hard to commit and maintain a relationship.” We bet.
Jonathan, 29, entrepreneur, Qld
We can see why Jonathan gets a healthy dose of attention from the ladies – he’s successful, sexy and he knows it!
Unfortunately, he reckons the attention doesn’t come from the types of girls he wants. All we have to say is, whoever marries Jonathan had better be ready to meet their match.
We predict dramz.
John, 53, business owner, Vic
“I never thought I’d be 53 and single,” spills the divorced father-of-two. “I’ve tried everything – singles nights, bars, online dating, speed dating – but nothing stuck!”
And while he’s excited about what MAFS may have to offer, his family isn’t – his mum’s a nuptials no-show!
‘I take my clothes off for money’
Michael, 30, office worker/male entertainer, WA
His name is Michael, but after dark he prefers “The Hollywood
Stripper”.
So what does someone who has women falling at his feet look for in a partner? “Small ears, good teeth, is physically active… Shorter than me, especially if she has heels on, under 60kg. I don’t mind fake boobs,” he says.
Er, so what doesn’t he want ? “A smoker.”
And does Mr Fussy want kids? “I’m undecided, but more towards no.”
Andrew J, 38, fire fighter, WA
We’re predicting great success for Andrew in the love stakes – who can resist a firefighter?! But he’s not as tough as his occupation might lead you to believe.
Deep down, he’s a big softie who’s given up on online dating as it wasn’t giving him the long-term love he desires. And getting married to someone he’s never met is the answer?
Go figure!
Simon, 39, business owner, Qld
It’ll be impossible to keep a straight face around Simon. The wise-cracking goofball makes the most of every day after epilepsy derailed his life, requiring him to have brain surgery and learn to speak again.
Cheryl, 25, hair salon manager, Qld
She boasts that she could have anyone she wants, but there’s only one guy this confident chick is interested in – Mr Right. Cheryl’s never met anyone who comes close, though, telling NW, “I’ve been single 25 years.”
Pressure’s on then, groomy!
‘My family disowned me’
Former model Deborah, 53, has risked everything to find love! “Going on the show caused a lot of conflict in my family, and I lost members and friends,” says the Queenslander.
‘I don’t struggle to get a date’
Nadia, 36, flight attendant, Qld
We’re not surprised Nadia gets asked why she isn’t married yet. Take a look at her! But the part-time model tells NW that the guys in her world are rubbish, explaining, “I felt I was becoming a short-term ego boost, an option, nothing would stick.”
And after she and her ex split during her mum’s heartbreaking cancer battle, Nadia just wants a man to stand by her. “When I needed him, he wasn’t there,” she says.
Nick, 29, carpenter, Vic
Bubbly Nick – who lives in the city but prefers the farm, where he grew up – is a hit with kids and can’t wait to have some of his own. But at 29, he’s struggling to find that ideal woman. The problem?
He falls head-over-heels too hard and too fast, leaving himself vulnerable.
‘I party with Blake Garvey’
Michelle, 31, cleaning business manager, WA
After her seven-year romance came to an end, Michelle returned home from the UK to find that her twin sis Sharon was auditioning for MAFS, so she decided to give it a go, too!
“Having experts match you up really takes the hard work away,” she tells NW, adding that she’s had no luck on the singles scene, despite putting herself out there.
In fact, she sees quite a bit of former Bachelor love rat Blake Garvey.
“He’s a lovely guy and I have all the time in the world for him, and vice versa,” she spills.
Sounds like a solid back-up plan to us! Er, maybe not…
‘Work comes first’
Anthony, 33, racing broadcaster, NSW
Anthony may be successful in his career as a commentator, but putting his ambitions first has left his love life in rather different shape. Sure, the tell-it-like-it-is sharp shooter fell in love with racing at a young age, but now that he’s in his early 30s, he’s ready to pursue a new passion – one that can actually love him back.
Good luck!
Alene, 31, nurse, NSW
Her family didn’t jump at the idea, but Alene says she needed MAFS after seven years being single. “I gave online dating a go and noticed people aren’t ready to settle down,” she says.
“I really hope to meet Mr Right.”
‘I spend my days in the mines’
She may be surrounded by men all day as a mining truck driver, but 37-year-old Susan from WA feels like she’s just one of the boys…
‘I’m too shy to pick up’
Queensland mining technician and father-of-two Sean, 34, is totes timid. And living in the sticks makes it even harder to find a cowgirl to ride off into the sunset with him!
‘I feel lonely a lot’
Our hearts ache for Vanessa, 31. The Victorian university student admits she’s had her heart broken so many times, her family are losing hope she’ll find someone. Enter MAFS…
‘My last relationship was toxic’
“Princess” Scarlett, 28, is desperate for a fairytale ending after an explosive fight finished her two-year chapter with an ex, she claims.
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