When the cameras stopped rolling on Married At First Sight, I knew the drama wasn’t done.
So I did what any reality TV reporter with too many cast members’ numbers saved in their phone would do – I threw my own reunion.
Last Sunday, I invited 13 of the biggest personalities from the season to Ovolo Hotel in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo, where we took over the waterfront venue for an invite-only, dinner party that quickly became one of the most chaotic nights I’ve ever hosted.
The cast didn’t hold back on the glam either.
Jamie oozed old-school Hollywood in a high-neck black gown with a dramatic choker neckline.
Carina shimmered in a metallic chain-mail top that snaked across her waist, paired with a figure-hugging black skirt.
When the cameras stopped rolling on Married At First Sight 2025, I knew the drama wasn’t done. So I did what any unhinged reality TV reporter with too many cast members’ numbers saved in his phone would do – I threw my own reunion
When the cameras stopped rolling on Married At First Sight, I knew the drama wasn’t done. So I threw my own reunion, writes Ali Daher
Awhina stunned in a teal pleated gown, and Ryan made a fashion statement in a plum-coloured suit with a black shirt.
With cameras whirring in the background, the cast finally got to say the things they weren’t allowed to on air – and then some.
The event couldn’t have been more perfect. Guests were treated to delicious gourmet food as they sipped on St Hugo Wines, Balter Cerveza and The Rock’s own Teremana Tequila.
Here are some of the most chaotic moments that played out:
Eliot and Jamie’s unexpected spark
Jamie Marinos was clearly in a flirty mood, calling Eliot Donovan her ‘husband’ multiple times throughout the night and even giving him a cheeky kiss.
‘One for my husband!’ she shouted, while Eliot looked more than happy to play along. ‘You thought it was Dave and Veronica?’ she laughed to the group.
Threesome talk gets… loud
Things escalated quickly when the champagne was flowing. At one point, Beth Kelly blurted out: ‘We’re having a threesome tonight!’
Jamie Marinos was clearly in a flirty mood, calling Eliot Donovan her ‘husband’ multiple times throughout the night and even giving him a cheeky kiss
Things escalated quickly when the champagne was flowing. At one point, Beth Kelly blurted out: ‘We’re having a threesome tonight!’
‘I popped my p***y!’
Yes, that was a direct quote from one of the brides.
Amid jokes about Cameo side hustles and foam party promotions, one bride proudly declared, ‘I popped my p***y!’ before launching into a pitch for a new career in adult-themed birthday greetings. ‘$17 a video. I get my drinks for free. I’m on!’
Jamie misses the sex… but Eliot’s a stand-in
When the group joked about what Jamie misses most about her ex, Awhina Rutene chimed in: ‘Do you know what Jamie misses the most about Dave? How much he would have sex with her!’
Jamie didn’t deny it – instead she laughed, ‘That’s what Eliot’s for now!’
Eliot’s marriages are the punchline of the night
To his credit, Eliot took the ribbing like a champ.
‘He’s had two failed marriages,’ someone joked. ‘External validation is everything.’
Eliot laughed it off but was later urged to join Cameo. ‘I’d get paid in tequila,’ he replied.
When the group joked about what Jamie might miss most about her ex, Awhina chimed in: ‘Do you know what Jamie misses the most about Dave? How much he would have sex with her’
All the most memorable cast members were in attendance at the Daily Mail x MAFS party
Carina and Paul stay ‘amicable’ after the heartbreak
Carina Mirabile was all class when asked about Paul Antoine, telling guests: ‘We’re on a good basis – we’re friends and that’s all we are.’
Ryan’s brutal reaction to Jacqui and Clint’s engagement
The shockwaves were real when news of Clint Rice and Jacqui Burfoot‘s post-show engagement dropped – and Ryan Donnelly wasn’t impressed.
‘I just wanna say cheers to the happy couple,’ he said, his voice dripping in sarcasm.
‘It was completely candid, unplanned, not a publicity stunt whatsoever. I’m so happy.’
When I asked him if he was worried about Jacqui storming in, he laughed: ‘Security’s been given a photo.’
Awhina swears off men for 75 days… sort of
‘I’m going 75 days!’ Awhina proudly announced, declaring she was swearing off men while focusing on exercise and self-growth.
But despite only being five days into her man detox, she did admit she had a speed dating event planned…
The shockwaves were real when news of Clint Rice and Jacqui Burfoot’s post-show engagement dropped – and Ryan Donnelly wasn’t impressed
Katie Johnston revealed she was still waiting on that long-overdue kiss from her miserable groom Tim Gromie. ‘He owes me!’ she laughed
Katie laughs off Tim ‘Gutter’ Gromie
Katie Johnston revealed she was still waiting on that long-overdue kiss from her miserable groom Tim Gromie. ‘He owes me!’ she laughed.
Guests teased that she might need to chase him down the gutter – a reference to an unflattering photo of the groom that did the rounds after his exit from the show.
Those unkind jokes aside, no one seemed to know what the hell happened to Tim.
If you’re out there and fancy doing that interview, you still have my number…
Ashleigh is done with TV for good
When asked if she’d return to Married At First Sight, Ashleigh Ackerman didn’t hesitate. ‘Absolutely not,’ she declared.
Everyone laughs at Billy Belcher
Billy wasn’t there – but he may as well have been, given how often his name was dropped by the other guests.
One party-goer joked he’ll be trying to flog birthday greetings on Cameo for $84.
When asked if he was worried about Morena Farina walking into the party, Tony Mojanovski smirked, ‘There’s no sliding doors here, so I won’t see her walk in on me’
Tony throws shade at Morena
When asked if he was worried about Morena Farina walking into the party, Tony Mojanovski smirked, ‘There’s no sliding doors here, so I won’t see her walk in on me.’
He added that he’d been ‘practising yoga’.
I’ve interviewed these people for months, but nothing compares to watching them off-script, half-cut and unfiltered for a couple of hours.
By the end of the night, my phone was full of blurry selfies, my voice was hoarse from laughing, and half the cast were already plotting a post-show podcast or OnlyFans collab
I’m not going to lie, it was a night almost everybody needed
By the end of the night, my phone was full of blurry selfies, my voice was hoarse from laughing, and half the cast were already plotting a post-show podcast or OnlyFans collab.
I’m not going to lie, it was a night almost everybody needed.
Eliot and a few others thanked me the morning after, telling me that my event was one of his highlights from the show.
Channel Nine, if you’re reading this: next time, film the after-party.
