Married At First Sight experts admit they ‘can't really avoid' controversial contestants after Nine came under fire for show violence

Sky News AU

18 hours ago

Married At First Sight experts Alessandra Rapolla and John Aiken have made a huge admission about controversial contestants joining the reality TV juggernaut - that seem to fly in the face of network's desire to keep the show's drama "out of the courtroom".
Speaking to SkyNews.com.au at the 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards at Sydney's The Star on Sunday evening, Rampolla and Aiken divulged details about how the Nine Network will clean up the reality dating show in 2026.
Nine has implemented stricter background checks, more in-depth psychological screening, and tough guidelines aimed at avoiding another police scandal after groom Paul Antoine punched a wall last season.
However, Rampolla said the network and production company Endemol Shine Australia still "can't really avoid" having questionable cast members on the show.
"We're just beginning the filming (for the 2026 season), and the checks and balances are there previously," the clinical sexologist said.
"But then also people can choose to disclose or not disclose (their background).
"And they can choose to act a certain way and then reveal themselves through many months of filming and all the stresses that go into that."
"So you can't really avoid if somebody is perhaps willingly trying to be deceptive."
Rampolla said the experts will nevertheless always "call out" and "bring about" different ways of managing deceptive brides and grooms.
"And really find a good, safe resolution," she said.
Aiken echoed his co-expert, saying the duo, along with their third counterpart, dating coach Mel Schilling, will help mitigate the risk of cast members being aggressive next year.
"We're always very, very strong on checks and balances," he said.
"What we found as experts is that people will surprise us all the time, and then it's what we do to manage it."
Elaborating on the changes to the next season as filming gets underway, Aiken said many "strong women" who are culturally diverse are set to walk down the aisle to shoot their shot at finding love on TV in 2026.
"We have a lot of strong women on the show this year, which I think will bring different mindsets, different perspectives, which is great, but also culturally as well. We wanted to bring different cultures in there," he said.
An insider last month told SkyNews.com.au the final weeks of pre-production were stressful, with the show at risk of losing strong brides.
'We struggled a bit locking in the last few grooms,' the source said.
'We had some really strong women and didn't want to lose them, so it was a bit of a puzzle to get the right matches.'
It comes as a NSW Police spokesperson told SkyNews.com.au "no further police action is expected" following last year's investigation into the program after groom Paul Antoine's violent act, in which he admitted to punching a hole in a wall during filming while arguing with his onscreen "wife".
MAFS producers are promising a 'fresh take' on the dating show's format, which has dominated Australian reality TV for more than a decade.
Nine executives reportedly issued a very clear directive: 'Go hard on challenging the participants, but keep the drama out of the courtroom.'
'Safe Work was also heavily involved in reviewing the show's future, and Channel Nine has taken their recommendations very seriously,' a network insider said.
'They want compelling TV but not at the expense of cast wellbeing or legal risk.'
While Channel Nine has yet to confirm an official air date for the next season, MAFS season 13 is expected to premiere in January 2026.
SkyNews.com.au have reached out to the Nine Network for further comment.