Every year, Channel Nine’s social experiment Married At First Sight has its fair share of controversial couples—remember Dean Wells and Tracey Jewel? Or Lizzie Sobinoff and Sam Ball? Yeah. Well, safe to say Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson are 2021’s pick, having caused a stir since the minute they wed on our screens.
From the very start, Bryce’s behaviour has been a point of contention with viewers, with many calling out the series for pairing the two together. At one point even expert John Aiken called out the 31-year-old reality star for his “toxic masculinity.”
Despite all this, it seems the couple is on their way to making it to final vows, with fans finding clues that hint they’re still very much together.
Now with the final vows done and dusted, with the couple deciding to continue their journey beyond the experiment, Bryce and Melissa have released an emotional statement confirming they are still together.
Sharing a photo of the pair from the final commitment ceremony, Bryce wrote: “We know people don’t agree with how our relationship appears to be from the outside. We have proven you can be happy with someone when others negatively judge our relationship from afar without knowing the home truths. People are always going to have opinions as we do in our own relationship. In the end, @mafs shows everyone that love silences all ♥️”
Melissa echoed his sentiments, writing: “My heart is full. I love this man so much and we truly make each other happy every single day. While it might be hard for some to believe, it is my decision, my life and my choice. And I choose him. He is my partner, my lover and the man that I have fallen head over heels for. Our love story is what I asked for; an all consuming and unconditional love. And I have found that with Bryce ❤️💋🥰 #MAFS.”
Appearing on The Kyle & Jackie O Show last month, Bryce told the hosts that he and Melissa have discussed “making it official”—meaning, getting married legitimately—and are prepared to start a family together.
“That’s the plan,” he said, before adding the pair “want a normal family life” together once the madness around their relationship quietens down.
While Bryce said they wanted to make things official, he admitted he hadn’t proposed but had picked out an engagement ring.
“[I’m] just waiting for the right time. I’ve got some big grand plan that doesn’t involve Channel Nine,” he said.
Despite the rocky road, it seems Melissa and Bryce have also “completely won over” their families and are planning an engagement following the end of the show next month, a source told New Idea.
“It’s clear that they are very much in love and are happy,” they added.
Reality TV site The Wash caught Bryce and Melissa at the airport together, and when asked about his behaviour toward Melissa on screen he responded “The edit is definitely part of me, good parts and bad parts. I think everyone else can work that out.”
In the clip, Melissa stands by his side and responds “I know the real Bryce, what everyone is seeing is a great edit – I’ll say that.” They definitely appeared quite cosy!
