The sixth season of the highly-anticipated Married At First Sight officially kicked off on Monday night and there was no shortage of drama with a whole lot of nerves, fights and tears involved.
What is arguably the most talked-about and controversial reality TV show in Australia, Married At First Sight sees a a bunch of contestants pair up and agree to tie the knot when they first meet. Since its first season in 2015, the ground-breaking social experiment has never failed to deliver memorable contestants, bombshells and scandals.
While there’s only one couple left standing after five seasons, many others have moved on and led successful careers, got married and had babies. While we brace ourselves for many more drama-filled episodes, let’s take a look back on the most memorable stars of Married At First Sight and where they are now.
Tracey Jewel (Season 5)
Tracey Jewel’s time during season five was full of controversial moments as she dealt with her partner Dean Wells’ ‘cheating’ ways and later shocked everyone when she arrived at the final dinner party with fellow contestant Sean Thomsen (who was paired with Blair Rachael). She later split with Thomsen and moved on with former lover Patrick Kedemos. However they broke up in August 2018 after she said he left her in Europe with no money. She also revealed her PTSD diagnosis last year and blamed the show for her mental health spiral. She told Who that, “everything stems back down to being on the show. If I was offered support back when the show was airing, maybe things wouldn’t have spiralled so far out of control, if I was given a support network early on.” According to her Instagram bio, she is currently working as a marketing strategist and author.
Davina Rankin (Season 5)
Davina Rankin had a tumultuous time during season five of MAFS so it’s no surprise she has stayed out of the spotlight and is content doing so. She revealed to Now to Love that, “the show was a bit of fun at the time, but the backlash was brutal.” The former contestant is now based in Brisbane and juggles many roles including running her own event company, fashion label and fitness studio. She is currently dating her business partner, Jaxon Manuel.
Dean Wells (Season 5)
It’s no question that season five’s Dean Wells was the most divisive contestant in MAFS history. Not only was he blasted for his sexist attitude and behaviour towards women, he betrayed his wife Tracey Jewel by exchanging flirty messages with fellow contestant Davina Rankin (who was paired with Ryan Gallagher). They made a pact to leave their partners but it all fell apart when Wells sensationally backed out and instead confessed. He is currently a creative director at Arcade Studios and has been outspoken about Nine’s mistreatment to him during filming.
Troy Delmege (Season 5)
From his bizarre toothbrushing technique to those park photos, Troy Delmege certainly went down as one of the most memorable contestants in MAFS history. The matchmakers paired him with Ashley Irwin but while the show was airing, photos of Delmege having a heavy PDA session with Carly Bowyer (while they were wearing their wedding rings) were blasted all over the media. They decided to pair up and went on to post loved-up pictures on their Instagrams after the show, however they ended up parting ways.
Nasser Sultan (Season 5)
While Nasser Sultan’s faux marriage to Gabrielle Bartlett didn’t work out, the season five contestant continues to appear in reality TV with an appearance on Kyle Sandilands’ new show Trial By Kyle. According to NW magazine, casting agents from The Bachelor reached out to Sultan for a spin-off series aimed at an older demographic. Until we find out if the rumour is true, Sultan has been enjoying his newfound fame since filming wrapped.
Michelle and Sharon Marsh (Season 4)
Michelle and Sharon Marsh were the first twins to ever appear on the reality show. While Michelle’s pairing with Jesse Konstantinoff didn’t last beyond the show, Sharon and Nick Furpy continued afterwards. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long in the outside world and they split in July 2017. Sharon revealed to OK! that while the chemistry was there with Konstantinoff, she wasn’t sure whether they were truly in love. Since then, Sharon celebrated a one-year anniversary with a mystery man in a photo in October 2018, and Michelle is dating firefighter Adam Medwick. The twins also launched their own wine company called TWiiNS Wine.
Craig Keller (Season 3)
While Craig Keller’s marriage to Nicole Heir didn’t last, the ‘bad boy’ is now leading a very different life. When filming wrapped, he began dating his now-wife Katie Martin, who he has known since primary school, and got a new job as a youth worker. They welcomed their first child together, Penny Lane, in December 2018. Keller is also a step-father to Martin’s two children, Harry and Evie. He has since credited the show for giving him a newfound sense of maturity.
Erin Bateman and Bryce Mohr (Season 2)
MAFS doesn’t exactly have a proven track record of success but there is one remaining couple left standing with season two’s Erin Bateman and Bryce Mohr still together. The couple celebrated their three-year anniversary last year in November and have exciting plans to move in, have a wedding (a real one) and a baby. In an episode on The D&M podcast, Bateman cited their relationship’s success to keeping it private. She said, “I’m sure it infuriates a lot of people that they’re not kept in the loop because the nature of reality TV is you then go on to flaunt your whole life on social media.”
Simone Brennan (Season 2)
Simone Brennan shocked viewers during the season two finale when she decided to end her ‘marriage’ with fellow contestant, Xavier Forsberg, because he wasn’t affectionate enough. After she wrapped up filming the social experiment, Brennan went on to launch a make-up business. She made headlines in January 2017 when she blasted Forsberg and the show’s matchmakers in a tell-all for her blog, The Dating Journal.
