Married At First Sight has always delivered drama, but 2025 is gearing up to be the most chaotic season in the show’s history.
Insiders are teasing that fans can expect a season packed with mass walkouts, rogue cast members, and even wild accusations that a bride has been showing other grooms an explicit video of herself.
Daily Mail Australia has the exclusive on what’s in store – and it’s unlike anything MAFS fans have seen before.
Jamie Marinos, Rhi Disljenkovic, and Awhina Rutene are three names you won’t be forgetting anytime soon, with each bringing their own brand of chaos, humour, and no-holds-barred confrontations to the series.
Fashionable Perth bride Carina Mirabile and Kiwi born lawyer Jacqui Burfoot will also leave a lasting impression with viewers.
And with bombshells dropping left and right, they’re poised to make this season one of the most unforgettable yet.Â
Married At First Sight fans, get ready – next year’s brides are bringing unmatched drama, shocking revelations, and enough scandal to keep viewers talking long after each episode
As for the grooms, they’re not about to be outshone.
Adrian Araouzou, along with the season’s ‘big three’ – Dave Thomas, Jeff Gobbels, and Billy Belcher – are already proving to be a dramatic addition to the lineup.
Perth FIFO wellness coach Paul Antoine is also set to get viewers talking, while Gold Coast groom Eliot Donovan will leave a lasting impression.
The season’s ‘big three’ Dave Hand (left), Billy Belcher (right) and Jeff promise plenty of memorable moments
Runaway brides and grooms
In a MAFS first, a record number of participants walked off the set, leaving producers scrambling to pick up the pieces.
Gold Coast groom Eliot Donovan led the exodus, quitting just hours after marrying Lauren Hall.
Sources close to the production reveal that Eliot wasn’t impressed when he met Lauren, and by morning he’d packed his bags and booked a flight home.
‘Eliot didn’t hold back when it came to voicing his disdain for Lauren. From that moment, it was all downhill,’ shared an insider.
Photos exclusively obtained by Daily Mail Australia show Lauren arriving solo at the first dinner party as crew members shielded her from prying eyes.
In a surprising twist, both Eliot and Lauren were brought back later with new partners as ‘intruders,’ setting the stage for an explosive dynamic.
Lauren was re-paired with professional golfer Clint Rice, while Eliot was paired with ‘nightmare’ bride Veronica Cloherty. But even that was just the beginning.Â
Eliot Donovan, a Gold Coast groom, has sensationally quit the experiment just hours after marrying his bride, Lauren Hall, leaving his bride stranded on their honeymoon
MAFS 2025 is already proving to be the most explosive season yet, with shocking revelations, unexpected connections, and jaw-dropping moments shaking up the experiment
A mass exodus and couples vanishing
At the season’s first commitment ceremony, three couples decided to quit, creating a mass exodus that sent shockwaves through the show.
Producers considered bringing in new intruders earlier than planned to fill the gaps, while remaining cast members had to navigate rising tensions on set.
‘Losing six people in two weeks is unheard of,’ an insider revealed, adding that the walkouts have divided the cast.
Some members feel relieved to see certain couples go, while others view the departures as an insult to the experiment.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that several cast members broke protocol and quit the show without having to wait until a Commitment Ceremony.
One cast member confided, ‘People walking out so soon made the rest of us question why we stayed. Some felt like the whole thing was becoming a joke.’
At the season’s first commitment ceremony, three couples decided to quit, creating a mass exodus that sent shockwaves through the show. (Awhina Rutene and Adrian Araouzou)
Cracking Down on Misogyny: A Bold New DirectionÂ
In a significant shift, MAFS producers have taken a tough stance on misogynistic behaviour, making it clear they won’t tolerate disrespect on set.
Brides and grooms have been encouraged to stand up against vile treatment, with experts promising ‘boundary-pushing’ moments in the season’s heated commitment ceremonies.Â
Expert John Aiken hinted that fans will see a new side to the experiment this year, with participants crossing lines in ways that will leave viewers stunned.
This shift is set to fuel some intense showdowns as cast members are confronted on their toxic actions and held accountable in ways fans haven’t seen before.Â
Several grooms, including Tim Gromie, Adrian Araouzou, Jake Luik, and Ryan Donnelly, are expected to come under fire for their behaviour.
Meanwhile, brides Morena Farina, Jacqui Burfoot, Sierah Swepstone and Lauren Hall will also have some explaining to do for their behaviour.Â
‘As bad as you think it is… it’s worse. This season, we’re not letting any of that behaviour slide,’ teased a production source.
This change has sparked intense showdowns, as grooms rally to defend their partners and take a stand against any toxic actions.
MAFS producers have taken a tough stance on misogynistic behaviour, making it clear they won’t tolerate disrespect on set. Pictured grooms Tim Gromie and Jake Luik
Most controversial couple to date
Insiders are tipping Jacqui Burfoot and Ryan Donnelly to go down as the most polarizing pair in the show’s history – eclipsing even the infamous Bronte and Harrison saga.
Sources close to the production have revealed that Jacqui, a 29-year-old self-proclaimed ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ entrepreneur, and Ryan, 36, an outspoken project, are ‘absolute bananas’ both on and off-screen.
Fans expecting another run-of-the-mill love story should brace themselves for fireworks, backstabbing, and the kind of chaos that will make past seasons look like a Disney fairytale.
A well-placed source spilled the tea, telling Daily Mail Australia, ‘Their journey on the show will make Bronte and Harrison seem like a happily-ever-after romance.
Every dinner party, every commitment ceremony, they’re either at each other’s throats or dragging the rest of the group into their mess.’
And it’s not just their on-screen antics that have people talking.
Insiders warn viewers to prepare for what could be an Olivia Frazer-style edit, with Jacqui and Ryan each vying for the title of the season’s villain.
Insiders are tipping Jacqui Burfoot and Ryan Donnelly to go down as the most polarizing pair in the show’s history – eclipsing even the infamous Bronte and Harrison saga
Another insider revealed, ‘They both have this unpredictable energy. One minute Jacqui’s tearing Ryan apart for something petty. It’s bananas – you won’t know whether to laugh, cry, or turn the TV off.’Â
The pair’s relentless drama hasn’t just affected their own relationship but has also driven a wedge through the group.
According to insiders, the other couples either avoid them entirely or get sucked into their disputes.Â
‘It’s exhausting for everyone involved,’ a source added.
‘They argue like it’s a sport, and the rest of the cast has to suffer through it. But you can’t look away – it’s trainwreck TV at its finest.’Â
Sources close to the production have revealed that Jacqui, a 29-year-old self-proclaimed ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ entrepreneur, and Ryan, 36, a project manager, are ‘absolute bananas’ both on and off-screen
Explosive Confessions and X-Rated Revelations
The season’s most jaw-dropping moments come from shocking revelations and unexpected past connections.Â
Newlyweds Jeff Gobbels and Rhi Disljenkovic caused a stir when it was revealed they’d actually dated before being paired by MAFS ‘experts.’
The ‘accidental’ reunion had everyone talking and promises to fuel more explosive scenes in the episodes ahead.
One of the season’s most shocking revelations comes from bride Morena Farina, who learned that her groom, Tony Mojanovski, is still legally married to his ex-wife.
Sources close to the production reveal that Morena, 57, was devastated by the news, which came to light during their honeymoon.
According to insiders, Tony, 53, had separated from his previous partner years ago but never finalised his divorce.
Photos from outside One Global Resorts show a visibly upset Morena, suitcases in hand, as she reportedly quit the show in tears after Tony’s bombshell confession.
In a stunning twist, it was revealed that Rhi and her MAFS partner Jeff Gobbels were far from strangers when they walked down the aisleÂ
The two had actually dated before being ‘accidentally’ matched by the show’s so-called experts, making for one of the most scandalous pairings in MAFS history. Rhi and Jeff pictured
‘It was one of the best days of her life, but then it all came crashing down when Tony revealed his secret,’ a source close to the show shared.
Meanwhile, during an intruder wedding, bride Jamie Marinos dropped a bombshell, confessing at the reception that she’d had a fling with the groom, Teejay Halkias, long before the experiment.
Guests at the wedding recall the atmosphere shifting instantly, with bride Beth Kelly – who had just exchanged vows with Teejay – visibly blindsided by the news.
‘I just sat there thinking, ‘What?!’ She said it so casually, and the whole room froze,’ said one stunned guest.Â
Elsewhere, cast tell Daily Mail Australia that one ‘unhinged’ bride reportedly was caught showing another groom an explicit video of herself in an attempt to cause some drama on the show.
Having failed her mission, she was then caught texting another bride’s husband.
‘Her rude, disrespectful and unhinged behaviour will be called out at the reunion,’ claimed the source.
One of the season’s most shocking revelations comes from bride Morena Farina, who learned that her groom, Tony Mojanovski, is still legally married to his ex-wifeÂ
Photos from outside One Global Resorts show a visibly upset Morena, suitcases in hand, as she reportedly quit the show in tears after Tony’s bombshell confessionÂ
Diva Demands and Rule-BreakersÂ
The season 12 cast were the ‘most rogue cast to date’ and will push the boundaries unlike ever before.Â
Behind the scenes, diva demands and cast behaviour have pushed producers to their limits.
Two brides allegedly issued ultimatums to production, making demands that have reached the top levels.Â
Meanwhile, early on one groom was caught secretly messaging former MAFS cast for advice on dealing with producers, adding fuel to the speculation he may break his contract.
‘He’s vocal about feeling set up, and it’s causing a lot of tension on set,’ an insider shared.
Daily Mail Australia revealed that producers imposed a strict new curfew after several participants were labelled ‘disrespectful’ and ‘selfish’ for disappearing during filming.Â
This decision follows an incident back in September in which one couple went missing mid-shoot, causing chaos for the production crew.
The season 12 cast were the ‘most rogue cast to date’ and will push the boundaries unlike ever before. Behind the scenes, diva demands and cast behaviour have pushed producers to their limits. (Pictured: Clint Rice and Lauren Hall)
Meanwhile, early on one groom was caught secretly messaging former MAFS cast for advice on dealing with producers, adding fuel to the speculation he may break his contract
The cast, who were initially given a curfew of 10pm on weeknights and 11pm on weekends, are now facing even stricter rules.
According to a leaked email sent to the cast from the production team, the new curfew times have been moved up to 8pm on Fridays and Sundays, and 9pm on Saturdays.Â
The email from production expresses the frustration and disappointment with the participants’ actions.
It reads, ‘Unfortunately, over the weekend two participants decided to cease communication with production on Saturday night and not return to the apartments by curfew – let alone at all.’Â
Daily Mail Australia revealed that producers imposed a strict new curfew after several participants were labelled ‘disrespectful’ and ‘selfish’ for disappearing during filming. (Pictured: Carina Mirabile and Paul Antoine)Â
Explosive Fights, Feuds, and a Season Like No Other
Next year’s MAFS will also deliver the most chaotic dinner parties and commitment ceremonies yet.
Expert Alessandra Rampolla hinted at the emotional turbulence ahead, telling Daily Mail Australia, ‘Participants come in saying they want change, but often end up choosing exactly what they had before.
‘This season delves into the complexity of human behaviour and the challenge of finding a real match.’
The cast is reportedly delivering high-stakes confrontations that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.
‘These participants aren’t afraid to call out BS,’ another source said.
‘This season has the most compelling mix of personalities we’ve ever had, and the network is thrilled with the casting.’
With rumours swirling of additional shocking revelations and no shortage of chaos, MAFS 2025 is shaping up to be the most unforgettable season in the show’s history.
Awhina Rutene (pictured) has been described as a rule-breaker who brings a feisty edge to the season, keeping both her fellow brides and producers on their toes
Awhina’s dynamic with the other brides, particularly Jamie, adds even more tension, with the two often finding themselves at the centre of drama
From unexpected connections to explosive fights, this season will leave fans reeling with every episode. Prepare for a wild ride—this is MAFS like you’ve never seen before.
‘Next year’s series will see couples go through some real challenges viewers haven’t seen before and audiences will be shocked,’ the spy teased.
‘Every year you see reports that the new season of MAFS is going to be crazier, and that the cast are the most rogue yet, but this season actually takes things to a whole new level.Â
‘Like, I was actually shocked by a few of the things. MAFS 2025 cast are like no other.’
Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine after the Australian Open. Stream seasons 1-11 on 9Now.