Married At First Sight’s top boss Tara McWilliams has admitted that some of the participants who appear on the show are not ‘100 per cent genuine’.
McWilliams, who is credited with transforming MAFS into the ratings juggernaut it is today, told Daily Mail Australia that fame, rather than love, is often the driving force for some of the show’s contestants.
She said while there are several reasons contestants decide to join the show, most are excited by the experience as a whole.
‘Everyone’s genuinely there because they enjoy mixed views. They want the experience… and genuinely want to have the experience,’ she said.
She emphasised that the ‘experience’ extends beyond just being on TV.
Married At First Sight’s top boss Tara McWilliams has admitted that some of the participants who appear on the show are not ‘100 per cent genuine’
McWilliams, who is credited with transforming MAFS into the ratings juggernaut it is today, told Daily Mail Australia that fame, rather than love, is often the driving force for some of the show’s contestants. (Pictured: Bride-to-be Eden Harper)
‘We don’t and we’re never gonna know how genuine people are,’ she confessed
She said while there are several reasons contestants decide to join the show, most are excited by the experience as a whole
‘It’s about being in the ‘bubble,’ experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, and pushing through relationship challenges,’ she said.
McWilliams said there has been many times the show’s producers have doubts about the authenticity of the couples and had to boot them off.
‘I can count it on probably two fingers the number of times it’s happened where we’ve gone, “We’re not buying this, and it’s time to go”, and I’m not going to say who those couples ares,’ she said.
However, McWilliams does not shy away from acknowledging that sometimes, the show’s producers have doubts about the authenticity of the couples
She said although it is rare, there have been instances where participants had ulterior motives.
‘I’m talking over the course of us the whole time we’ve made this this show, we’re talking what seven, eight seasons or whatever it is…’ she said.
‘We put a plan in place for them to leave, we called the and said ”we’re not buying this, and we’re not a place for you to come and find fame, you have to be invested in your relationship.’
‘I can count it on probably two fingers the number of times it’s happened where we’ve gone, ‘We’re not buying this, and it’s time to go,’ and I’m not going to say who those couples ares,’ she revealed. (Pictured: Steve Burley and Mishel Karen)
Supporting McWilliams’ statements, producer Alex Spurway added, ‘It’s the investment in the relationship and the experiment.
‘You’ve got to want to be there, you’ve got to want to do the work, you’ve got to want to participate.’
Married At First Sight returns to television on Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine
Married At First Sight 2024: Meet the cast
Lauren Dunn
32, PR Maven, Perth
Tori Adams
27, Development manager, Melbourne
Sara Mesa
29, Nutrition Coach, Sydney
Eden Harper
28, Recruitment Consultant, Gold Coast
Cassandra Allen
30, Administration Officer, Gold Coast
Lucinda Light
43, Wedding Celebrant & MC, NSW
Ellie Dix
32, Registered Nurse, Gold Coast
Natalie Parham
32, Physiotherapist, Melbourne
Andrea Thompson
51, Wedding Photographer
Michael Felix
Melbourne, 34, Sales Rep
Jayden Eynaud
26, Professional kickboxer, Gold Coast
Tim Calwell
31, Online business owner, Gold Coast
Ben Walters
Tour Director, Newcastle
Collins Christian
State Government, Perth
Jack Dunkley
34, Personal Trainer, Gold Coast
Jono McCullough
39, Managing Director, Brisbane
Richard Sauerman
62, Motivational Speaker
Timothy Smith
51, Gin Distillery Owner, Melbourne
Tristan Black
29, Entertainment Manager, Sydney
Simon Flocco
Marketing manager, 39, SA
Do you have a tip about MAFS 2024? Email ali.daher@mailonline.com
