Married At First Sight 2026: Meet the hot new brides and grooms looking for love ahead of explosive premiere

Married At First Sight Australia returns to screens on February 2.

And with a cast packed full of bold personalities, unfiltered opinions and intriguing backstories, season 13’s brides and grooms are already being tipped as some of the most explosive in the show’s history.

This year’s line-up includes empty-nesters ready for a second shot at love, social media-savvy singles with high standards, and grooms who admit compromise has never been their strong suit.

From fearless brides who won’t hesitate to call out bad behaviour to confident grooms convinced they know exactly what they want, the experiment promises no shortage of tension from the very first ‘I do’.

MAFS expert John Aiken says this year’s participants are not here to play nice.

‘They are fearless and will hold everyone to account,’ Aiken told Daily Mail. ‘That is going to create some very fiery dinner parties.’

Several cast members bring what Aiken describes as a heavy TikTok flavour to their dating approach, making for entertaining television.

MEET THE CAST:

Alissa Fay, 33, South Australia: Nurse and social media manager

A glamorous nurse with more than 270,000 TikTok followers, Alissa thrives in the spotlight and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

Friends describe her as ‘fiery but loveable’ and someone who never backs down from a challenge.

Fresh out of a six-year relationship that ended late last year, she’s cautiously hopeful but won’t tolerate nonsense for airtime.

She’s tipped to be one of the most talked-about brides of the season.

Rebecca Zukowski, 51, Victoria: Leasing manager

A striking blonde with a reputation for telling it exactly how it is, Rebecca is a powerhouse at work and unapologetic in life.

Now an empty-nester after her 19-year-old son moved out, she feels it’s finally her turn to focus on love.

Friends say she loves champagne, girls’ nights and has a wicked sense of humour once her guard drops.

Her no-nonsense approach could clash spectacularly with the wrong groom.

Gia Fleur, 35, Victoria: Disability support worker

Dubbed by crew as ‘the wildest bride in MAFS history’, Gia is a heavily tattooed extrovert who lives unapologetically.

She’s confident, outrageous and completely unpredictable – and knows it.

Previously married and a mum, she’s done with flashy men and wants real commitment.

If anyone’s storming out of a dinner party, insiders say it’s Gia.

Julia Vogl, 35, Victoria: Confidence and charisma consultant

A former journalist who has interviewed Cher, Kate Winslet and Matthew McConaughey, Julia knows how to read a room.

Friends say she’s magnetic, articulate and has a way of extracting secrets without trying.

Bisexual and open-minded, she admits she’s struggled to find the full package.

Insiders tip her as a breakout star with serious main-character energy.

Brook Crompton, 27, Queensland: Model

A sun-kissed glamour girl with a polished Instagram feed, Brook is the life of the party with a fiercely loyal streak.

She admits nearly every ex has cheated, leaving her wary and occasionally jealous.

When she’s not modelling, she’s known for backing her friends no matter what.

She’s done with time-wasters and wants someone who can make her laugh.

Rebecca ‘Bec’ Zacharia, 35, South Australia: Account manager

One of Adelaide’s most recognisable socialites, Bec has been a fixture on society pages for years.

Twice voted the city’s most eligible bachelorette, she worries time is slipping away.

Previously engaged, she famously called off her wedding four months before the big day.

Friends say she turns heads, moves in the right circles and has razor-sharp wit. 

Melissa Akbayir, 28, New South Wales: Public servant

A stylish free spirit who recently swapped Canberra for Sydney in search of better men.

Bubbly, funny and self-deprecating, Mel insists she’s a catch – and doesn’t hide it.

She’s been single for six years and feels the pressure as friends settle down.

All she wants is her fairytale, complete with the perfect husband and life.

Rachel Gilmore, 35, Victoria: Team leader

Known for her boundless energy and sharp people skills, Rachel has always been the social glue.

She hasn’t had a serious relationship in 14 years, only situationships that went nowhere.

Despite past knockbacks, she’s warm, protective and not afraid to call out bad behaviour.

She’s hoping MAFS finally delivers someone who chooses her fully.

Stella Mickunaite, 32, New South Wales: Beauty technician

Lithuanian-born Stella moved to Australia alone nine years ago with no safety net.

Blunt, passionate and deeply emotional, she’s often misunderstood.

She believes relationships only begin once fire and chemistry appear.

Insiders say she may look petite, but she’s no pushover.

MEET THE GROOMS:

Chris Nield, 31, Victoria: Construction supervisor

Once a tradie and now the boss, Chris admits he loves telling people what to do and has little patience for incompetence.

Obsessed with AFL, he’s lived the classic tradie-footy lifestyle but says his partying and player days are behind him.

A self-described boy’s boy, he has no platonic female friendships and struggles with compromise, admitting there’s not much wriggle room for him to change now he’s in his 30s.

Blunt, upfront and sometimes controversial for the sake of it, Chris insists he’s a big softie underneath it all and is hoping the experts prove him wrong about finding love. 

Luke Fourniotis, 30, Victoria: Farmer

At first glance, Luke doesn’t look like a farmer – and he never planned to be one either.

In recent years, he’s taken over his late father’s cattle property, splitting his time between city life and the land.

While the farm has brought him peace, he admits he misses the buzz of the city and the hustle of everyday life.

After losing his dad and his only serious relationship ending soon after, Luke hopes the experiment helps him move past his fear of loss and finally find his wife. 

Scott McCristal, 33, Queensland: Business owner

A confident, car-loving adrenaline junkie who lives life in the fast lane and runs multiple businesses.

Determined to build an empire, Scott is a self-confessed workaholic with every minute of his day mapped out.

Often judged on his looks and cheeky persona, he insists he’s not a party boy or a player, just misunderstood.

A big softie at heart who admits he’s lonely, Scott is hoping the experiment helps him find a woman who fits into the life he’s built, without losing himself again.

Danny Hewitt, 34, Victoria: Real estate and businessman

A slick operator who swapped high-vis for designer suits after moving from the UK.

Tattooed, confident and charming, Danny admits his past player ways cost him good women.

Underneath the swagger, he insists he’s fiercely loyal.

He’s looking for a ride-or-die partner who puts fire in his belly.

Grayson McIvor, 34, Queensland: Company director

Once destined for AFL stardom, injuries derailed Grayson’s sporting dreams.

He admits falling into a party-boy lifestyle before hitting a major reset.

Family is now his priority, with his parents his biggest supporters.

Friends say his polished exterior hides emotional depth.

David Momoh, 31, Queensland: E-commerce product manager

A former rapper turned tech-savvy entrepreneur, David is sharp, stylish and ambitious.

Raised by pastor parents, faith plays a central role in his life.

Often mistaken for a playboy, he insists he’s serious about settling down.

Sources say he could be the season’s dark horse.

Steve Powell, 50, Victoria: Creative director

A silver fox with four daughters and a career flipping pubs and hospitality venues.

He loves good food, good drinks and great atmosphere.

Previously married, he admits past selfishness hurt relationships.

Friends wonder if he’s ready for MAFS-level scrutiny.

Filip Gregov, 37, Victoria: Carpenter

A disciplined chippie known for cold showers and early gym sessions.

Deep, spiritual and family-oriented, he’s always searching for meaning.

After years of self-work, he believes he’s ready for love.

Whether his bride shares his traditional mindset remains to be seen. 

Steven Danyluk, 34, New South Wales: Marine technician

A self-described goofball, Steven is adventurous, fun-loving and not afraid to be silly.

He spent most of his 20s fronting a heavy metal band chasing rock star dreams, before swapping gigs for boats and launching his own marine business.

Now one of the only single guys left in his friendship group, Steven admits modern dating hasn’t been kind and feels women come with endless checklists.

Personality matters most to him and he’s diving headfirst into the experiment hoping to meet an ambitious, easy-going woman who laughs at his jokes and accepts him as he is.

Speaking to Daily Mail about the upcoming season expert John Aiken explained that producers have managed to secure personalities and backgrounds not seen before in the experiment.

‘There’s more cultural diversity, there’s a sports presenter who loves cricket, and there are also personalities who break the mould of previous seasons,’ he revealed.

‘It’s a very different mix to what we’ve had in the past.’

‘They’re authentic. Sometimes that makes them controversial, but it also makes them relatable. Whether people are cheering for them or against them, they’re watching,’ he added.

Viewers should expect a perfect storm of glamour, big personalities and explosive potential, as tattooed bombshells, TikTok sensations and high-flying professionals collide.

Insiders say the drama has already begun and the cast hasn’t even filmed their first dinner party yet.

‘There’s a lot of ego this year – and some of them are treating it like the Olympics of drama,’ one production source spilled.

‘If you thought last season was bad… you haven’t seen anything yet.’