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Much to the relief of many fans, Juliette and Joel have officially exited Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 after Juliette’s behaviour towards her partner and fellow participants sparked backlash.

But Joel has revealed that her vitriol towards him didn’t stop when she walked out of the Commitment Ceremony, revealing that Juliette sent him a ‘vile’ text shortly after they wrapped filming.

“The day after we left the show, she sent me this vile, abusive message blaming me for everything,” Joel told Chattr.

He explained that he messaged her to check in, but her response was brutal. She fired back with a scathing text claiming no woman would ever willingly subject herself to the kind of “torture” she believes he put her through.

“Gia just called me to tell me how fucking vile you were about me yesterday and how you just completely threw me under the bus,” Juliette’s text began.

“When the night before, we were extremely intimate and you backed me completely about how vile Bec’s comments were. You loved how I planned to expose her with the texts until you realised I was being made the martyr, and if you backed me, you’d go down with me, which is when you switched up quickly. That was a reflection of the first commitment ceremony.”

Joel stressed that despite Juliette’s wording in the text, the couple never had sex. She rounded out her message to her former MAFS hubby by telling Joel he’ll end up alone.

“I think you should take a good, hard look at yourself. You made me feel so vulnerable, and after we were intimate, you turned on me the next day. I hope you know that no woman will ever subject herself to this type of torture that you’ve put me through. You were raised by such an amazing woman; I hopelessly expected more.”

MAFS’ Joel reveals where he and Juliette stand now

It’s bad news for any Joel and Juliette shippers out there — if they even exist — as the MAFS groom has told Chattr there’s absolutely no relationship between the two now. He said that as soon as he received the above text from Juliette, he blocked her, and hasn’t spoken to her since.

“In real life, now she’s blocked, and she does not have any access to me, and she will never have any access to me. I will never speak a word to her ever again. She doesn’t exist to me in the outside world,” he said.

“Read and block! Read, screenshot, block, goodbye forever,” he added. “I’m not going to respond to her, she doesn’t deserve a f**king word out of me.”

Mic drop!

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday at 7:30pm this week on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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“It’s how I felt in the moment, and I don’t regret telling him that I love him, because that’s how I feel.”

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm this week on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Married at First Sight (MAFS) expert Mel Schilling has shared the heartbreaking news that her cancer has spread to the left side of her brain, and there’s nothing that doctors can do for her.

Mel was initially diagnosed with Colon cancer in December 2023, and the tumour was successfully removed, and she was given the all clear. However, in November 2024, small nodules were found in her lungs during a routine scan.

“Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing,” she began in an Instagram post.

“Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side. After many tests, I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do.”

Mel said that she’s “still fighting”; however, daily activities have become extremely hard for her.

 “I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me. I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.”

Mel finished the post off by thanking her fans for all the support they’ve given her over the years, and encouraging people to get checked if they suspect anything is wrong with their health.

“If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life,” she wrote.

Mel Schilling will exit MAFS Australia after the 2026 season

In February, Mel announced that 2026 would be her final season on MAFS Australia, after working on the hit show since 2015.

“After 12 extraordinary seasons, I have made the heartfelt decision to step away from my role as an expert on Married at First Sight Australia,” she said in a statement.

While Mel didn’t specifically reference her health as the reason she was leaving the show, she did say she wanted to prioritise her time with her family.

“This hasn’t been a choice I’ve made lightly. In recent years, my health challenges and living in the UK spending up to three months a year away from my family is no longer sustainable. It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life,” she said.

“What began as a small social experiment has grown into a global phenomenon, and I have felt truly privileged to be part of that journey. I am incredibly grateful to the fans, the production team, and my fellow experts for their trust and passion over the years.”

Our thoughts are with Mel and her family during the difficult time.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Around seven months have passed since Married at First Sight’s (MAFS) Couple’s Retreat took place, and Bec has revealed whether her and Rachel’s friendship has recovered from the feud that took place in Kiama.

While the women formed a close friendship at the beginning of the season, it all fell apart during the Couples’ Retreat when Bec made a joke about Rachel and Steven’s sex life in front of the group, which is now known as finger-bang-gate. However, the ladies appeared to start making amends at the last Dinner Party, and Bec told Chattr their relationship is now fully repaired.

“Rachel and I speak to each other three to four times a day. She was here in Adelaide with me for my birthday. I’ve stayed with her in Melbourne. She is the most amazing soul, and we love each other. We support each other,” she said.

Bec added that she and Rachel were bracing for the Couples’ Retreat fallout and had had plenty of conversations about how they’d handle the public’s reaction when it played out on TV.

“We knew that this was coming, and we’ve had such in depth conversations about what is happening and what is going to happen, and we’re just really happy that it’s, you know, it’s coming to an end now, but yeah, she’s my best friend, and I’m hers, and, yeah, it’s a beautiful friendship.”

Bec reveals how Rachel is doing, watching the MAFS Couples’ Retreat drama play out

Bec said that it’s been hard for Rachel to watch the Couples’ Retreat drama play out again as the episodes air for the nation.

“I think for Rachel, it’s reliving it again, you know, and it did hurt her. It hurt her to the core. And I think the fact that the comment was talked about for three days straight, and it was a time when she and I were so distant, and we’re at loggerheads that, you know, reliving it again is difficult,” she explained.

Bec also acknowledged that Rachel has struggled with the mixed reactions from viewers, particularly comments suggesting she overreacted.

“I think she feels like a lot of the public is divided. Some people are like, get over it. Some people are like, “We completely sympathise with you, Rach. And I think it meant something, and it was so important to her, and it really hurt her so much. So, it’s got to be hard to see people saying to her, get over it.”

She admitted that if she could take back the finger-banging comment, she would do so in a heartbeat.

“I, of course, regret what I said. I think, you know, in that moment, it wasn’t said, you know, with the intention to hurt. It was said with the intention to be funny. It’s such a retro term as well. I thought that, you know, it wasn’t going to hit as hard as it did, and I have huge regrets for saying it, because I never intended to hurt my darling, Rachel,” she said.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Bec copped backlash all week for the crude joke she made about Rachel and Steven at the Married At First Sight (MAFS) Couples’ Retreat, but unseen footage has since revealed Steven joking with Bec about the same topic moments before the toast, a detail many viewers believe completely changes the dynamic. And, in an interview with Chattr, Bec confirmed that Steven’s earlier joke about the topic made her feel comfortable enough to reference it in her toast.

ICYMI, on the first night of the Couples’ Retreat, Bec and Steven told the group that their “intimacy levels had increased” the previous night. Then, shortly after, Bec gave a toast and jokingly listed things that had recently happened between the remaining couples, finishing off by announcing that Rachel and Steven had “finger-banged”.

However, an unseen clip was aired on Stan’s MAFS: After The Dinner Party, which took place between Rachel and Steven’s news and Bec’s toast, showing Alissa, Bec and Steven joking about the couple’s recent development.

“So glad you stuck a finger in, babes,” Bec told Steven, to which he responded with a hearty laugh and said, “How do you know it’s only one finger?”

Bec told Chattr that Steven’s remark made her feel like the topic was something she could joke about in her toast.

“Of course it did,” she said. “It was a light hearted chit chat that Steve-o and I were having, and I never would have said it if I thought that if I thought that it was going to hurt Rachel as much as it did… I take accountability for the fact that it came out of my mouth.

“But it kind of gave me a little bit of a green light to say it at the end [of the toast]. It was meant as a joke. It was never meant to hurt anyone, but then I kind of feel like I was fed to the wolves a little bit.”

She added that she was disappointed that she had to take all the heat while Steven stayed quiet about his comment, but said that at the end of the day, she never should have said what she did.

“I’m not going to blame Steven for something that I’ve done,” she said. “But, I can understand that Steven was probably worried that he was complicit in the joke, and he didn’t want to ruin his relationship any further with Rachel. So I get it, but at the same time, it all landed on me.”

Why didn’t Bec tell Rachel about the joke Steven made?

Rachel appeared on the latest episode of Stan’s MAFS: After The Dinner Party and watched the unseen footage alongside Bec and Steven. In the segment, Rachel admitted that had she known about Steven’s joke, her reaction to Bec’s toast would have been very different. So, why didn’t Bec tell Rachel what he had said behind her back?

“It’s not my it’s not my responsibility to tell Rachel that her husband and I were joking about that. That’s Steve-o’s responsibility,” Bec explained.

“Because I guarantee you, by me going in there and being like, well, ‘Rachel, Steve-o and I were joking about this. That would have been turned to — I mean, you saw how harshly I was attacked by Gia and Juliette, just for one comment — so that would have caused Rachel and Steven to have another massive argument, which would have been twisted to be my fault. It’s not my responsibility to tell Rachel what her husband was saying to me. It’s his.”

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Casting has officially opened for the next season of Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2027, so if you’ve ever thought about applying, now might be your moment.

Still dreaming about finding “the one”? Or maybe you’ve never been in love but are ready to take the plunge. Either way, applications for MAFS 2027 are now open.

While we’re still deep in the drama of Season 13, Australia’s biggest social experiment is already gearing up for Season 14 — and it could be your chance to meet your soulmate. So if you’re ready to put your love life in the hands of the experts, now’s the time to get your application in.

Who knows — you might walk away with your forever person… or at the very least, a little fame.

How to apply for MAFS Australia

To apply for MAFS Australia 2027, head to Channel Nine’s official casting page here.

To be eligible to be cast on the Channel Nine show, you must be available to film between mid-July and November 2026. So if you have a job and you think you’re in with a chance, maybe give them a heads-up.

The application states the show is looking for participants of all ages and backgrounds who are truly committed to finding love. If you are a science enthusiast, you’ll appreciate that the experiment is guided by science and psychology, but you will not meet your match until your wedding day… eek!

How long does it take to complete the MAFS application form?

According to previous contestants, the MAFS application process is pretty lengthy, so we decided to sign up and see just how long it actually takes.

Applicants must complete an extensive, often invasive, questionnaire. It starts with basic details like height and weight, then moves to personal questions, such as “Why are you looking for love?” and “Is there anything you’d hesitate to tell your future partner?”

Applicants must also upload a full-body photo, a recent picture, and a one-minute video introducing themselves and explaining their motivation for wanting to join MAFS.

If that slightly invasive process hasn’t scared you off yet, then it might be time to get your application in.

When do applications close for MAFS 2027?

There’s no information about when casting will close for MAFS 2027 just yet, but get in quick so you don’t miss out.

What’s changing for MAFS in 2027?

Recently, Mel Schilling announced that this will be her last season as an expert on MAFS since 2015. The announcement comes after Mel was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2023, and after going through six months of chemotherapy and life changes, she decided to put her family first.

We don’t know who will replace her and join John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla on the couch yet, but it will surely shake things up.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Monday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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The rivalry between Gia Fleur and Bec Zacharia is set to continue during tonight’s Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2026 Dinner Party. However, while Gia supposedly talks a big game about exposing Bec with screenshots, we’re in for a rather boring ride as we never actually get to see them.

According to MAFS Funny, the “receipts” Gia has become a main storyline, but will be dragged out over the coming week. “I’m told by many people that we shouldn’t get too excited — as she just has screenshots of Bec apparently bitching about Alissa and other girls to her, which she doesn’t actually expose to the group but just tells Chris [Robinson] and Juliette [Chae Fava] about,” the host said on Facebook.

A source also told MAFS Funny the Dinner Party will revolve around Bec and Juliette. “Gia keeps telling everyone she’s got screenshots of everything but doesn’t bring them out, and wants to drag the drama into more episodes,” they said.

“The Dinner Party this week is just all about Bec calling out Juliette while Gia stays silent at Juliette’s side.”

MAFS fans criticise ‘dull’ storylines

Most of the MAFS 2026 drama has revolved around fights amongst the brides, and many viewers are getting sick of it.

“So Bec and Juliette going full bogan screaming harridans. Getting a bit dull,” one person remarked.

“I’m so bored of it. I’ve been watching MAFS UK on 9Now from 2023, and it’s [so] much better than this awful viewing,” another added.

“The whole retreat had my brain so confused. It was totally disjointed and nothing made sense. I’m finding the whole show exhausting and praising god that I’m not in my early 30’s if this is how they behave,” a third said.

“This is the most boring season ever! Constant bickering and nothing else, I’ve started turning it off,” another chimed in.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Monday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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The internet has gone wild over photos of Married At First Sight (MAFS) 2026 groom Luke Fourniotis and 2025 bride Jamie Marinos, but an insider close to this year’s cast has painted it in a very different light. While fans were delighted to see a new power couple emerge, the truth is a little more calculated.

“Luke got a really good edit, so a lot of people think he has got a big head now that the show has aired,” the source reveals. “While Mel tried to leave at the first Commitment Ceremony, Luke chose to stay even though their relationship had no spark and wasn’t genuine. Some cast members felt this decision raised questions about his true intentions on the show.”

The groom has signed up to do some paid nightclub appearances and there have been rumours of Channel Seven trying to clinch him for Farmer Wants A Wife. Our insider believes this shows what Luke really wanted: fame. “A few contestants have said this makes them wonder if he was more interested in the exposure that comes with the show rather than finding a real connection,” they spill.

Chattr understands that ex-MAFS contestants can get paid upwards of $4,000 for a single nightclub appearance or event, which can be extremely lucrative after their time on the show.

“When you see him out now doing appearances and being photographed with other reality personalities, it kind of confirms what some of the cast suspected, that he saw the show as a launchpad,” the source adds.

However, Jamie has since reached out to Chattr and says this is completely different from her experience with the groom. “Luke is actually super humble and kind. Even more genuine in person,” she declares.

“I don’t know why anyone would say that, it’s the furthest from the truth.”

What else has MAFS’ Jamie said about Luke?

Back in February, Jamie told Chattr she would be open to meeting Luke one day, while also calling him a “handsome boy”.

“I can’t say if I’d go on a date with him, because I don’t actually know him yet or know him properly,” she said at the time. “But I definitely, you know, look forward to meeting him one day.”

Multiple fan edits have been made shipping Jamie and Luke together, and the bride admitted she had seen quite a few.

“It’s actually so funny, this online movement kind of came out of nowhere,” she said. “I think Australia is having a bit of a crush on Luke because he seems so beautiful, he’s a handsome boy, I definitely can’t wait to meet him.”

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Monday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Love to chat about Reality TV? Join us in our new Facebook group and come chat! Or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more entertainment news. 

Rachel and Bec were at the centre of the Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 Couples’ Retreat drama after Bec made an offhand remark about Rachel and Steven’s sex life that didn’t land well.

On the first night of the retreat, Rachel told the group that her and Steven’s “intimacy levels had increased” the previous night, which was met with cheers from her fellow castmates. Then, shortly after, Bec gave a toast and jokingly listed things that had recently happened between the remaining couples, finishing off by announcing that Rachel and Steven had “finger-banged”.

Rachel was initially caught off guard by Bec’s crude joke, and stayed upset for the remainder of the episode.

Some viewers have taken to social media to admit Bec’s comment was inappropriate, but argue that Rachel’s reaction was over the top.

“What’s the big deal? It was a joke, they are all adults, what is the problem? They’ve never heard a sex joke before? I think the reaction was a bit immature,” one person wrote on Reddit.

“Rachel does seem to have a tendency to get way too carried away. Bec is no star. But Rachel went way overboard,” another penned, while a fourth said Rachel’s reaction dragged out for too long. “The way Rachel was walking around the next day on the retreat, like her dog had died, really p**sed me off, and she’s been one of my favourites. It was too much. She needs to grow up and learn to move on.”

One Reddit user pointed out that by reacting so strongly to the comment, Rachel drew even more attention to it. “These people go to sex shops and talk about all their fantasies on camera and then pretend this drunken comment was somehow outrageous when neither of these adults has kids at home watching. Rachel could have just let it slide, and no one would have remembered the comment the next day. As things go, this was about the least toxic thing Bec has ever said,” they wrote.

Later in the episode, things got tense at Girls’ Night when the comment was brought up once again, and Bec ended up leaving. However, after talking it through with Danny, the couple returned to the gathering and asked Rachel to step away so the three of them could discuss the issue with Steven as well.

“I just saw the part where Rachel was like. ‘Looks like I HAVE to leave Girls’ Night early, but it’s not my choice?’ Oh ffs. Stop being a victim. Go with them or say NO,” one person wrote.

Other fans think Rachel was rightfully upset over Bec’s crude comment

Other viewers, however, felt Rachel was justified in being upset by Bec’s crude remark about her sex life.

“It was crass, and Bec had no right to make a public spectacle of it. Bec is a complete moron with no filter when she drinks,” one wrote. Another said, “I think it was inappropriate on Bec’s part. I think Bec is garbage.”

A third user was very passionate that Bec was the bride in the wrong at the Couples’ Retreat.

“I DO NOT find that sort of supposed “humour” funny at all. It’s vulgar and revolting. If anyone EVER made that sort of joke about me around me? I’d be mortified and highly offended. I’m no prude about sex. But I don’t do and NEVER have done sexual activity jokes much at all and certainly not ones that graphic. Disgusting. Rachel and Steve have every right to be upset and offended.”

While viewers remain divided over who was in the wrong, one thing’s for sure — the fallout from the comment is set to explode in tonight’s episode.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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The Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 experiment has finally reached the much-anticipated Couples’ Retreat, and this time, it’s in the new location of Kiama. This part of the experiment is meant to help relationships deepen and strengthen. But as viewers know all too well, the retreat is usually where tensions boil over, alliances form and fall apart, and dramatic walk-outs become inevitable.

This year, for the first time ever, the MAFS Couples’ Retreat is filmed at Greyleigh, located in Kiama on the picturesque NSW South Coast, just 90 minutes south of Sydney. Once a renowned dairy farm, Greyleigh is now known for wedding locations, holiday destinations and events.

Keep on reading to see what else we know about the new Couples’ Retreat location!

The history of the MAFS retreat at Greyleigh

Not only is Greyleigh a luxury accommodation, but it’s a living piece of history. In the 1800s, Greyleigh was a renowned Dairy Farm, and was a place where George Grey (the original owner) and his ancestors worked the land. Around the time the stud farm was set up, George married his wife, Susan Lee, and combined their names to form “Greyleigh,” and the rest is history.

Notably, the original homestead was restored, and the guest house sits amongst the century-old camellia trees, which fill the space with natural light. To make this stay even more luxurious, it offers vintage furniture and hand-selected or one-off, custom-designed pieces.

How much does it cost to stay at the MAFS retreat?

Greyleigh is available to book for weddings, holiday destinations and events, and whilst the official Greyleigh website doesn’t show the prices for stays without officially enquiring first, according to Destination Kiama, to stay at Greyleigh, it generally costs between $3,250 and $4,750 per night and the property is normally a whole property hire rather than just individual rooms.

What are the room choices?

The Homestead features four bedrooms, including a secluded upstairs loft that feels like a hidden retreat away from the rest of the house, which might explain why the grooms were racing to claim the best room.

The property can accommodate up to 12 guests, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including an ensuite. The main bedroom features a queen bed, while the second bedroom, known as The Library, includes two single beds that can also be configured as a king, along with a cosy fireplace. The third bedroom is designed for groups, with three bunk beds and its own lounge area.

Upstairs, the Loft offers a more luxurious and private space, complete with a custom-made four-poster king bed, kitchenette, private bathroom and Juliette balcony. Opening the French doors to the balcony reveals views of a 100-year-old camellia tree, towering cabbage-tree palms, and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

Each room is finished with decadent touches, including French and German lighting, king beds, clawfoot bathtubs, Italian marble and farmhouse sinks, giving the property a refined yet relaxed country feel.

The Guest House

The Guest House is a heritage cottage that consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms and can sleep up to 6 guests. The main bedroom features two single beds or a King bed. the second bedroom includes a queen bed with an ensuite, and the third bedroom has a queen bed. The Guest House also features rural hardwood flooring, antique brick pavers, and layered lighting that give the whole space a calming feel.

What other facilities are there at Greyleigh?

Spread across 200 acres, Greyleigh offers far more than just its Homestead and Guest House. Guests can explore orchards, herb gardens and rolling paddocks, meet farm animals, or wander the expansive lawns and scenic walking areas across the estate. There are also curated experiences available, including spa treatments, poolside relaxation, private dining and cooking classes, yoga sessions and even helicopter tours over the South Coast, all designed to help visitors unwind and connect with the surrounding landscape.

MAFS 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

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The upcoming Married at First Sight (MAFS) drama kicks off with a comment Bec makes during the welcome toast, and the fallout spirals throughout the entire Couples’ Retreat — eventually leading to her and Danny reportedly being sent home early.

According to MAFS Funny Podcast, all of the drama is centred around a “joke about fingering” about Rachel and Steven.

“Essentially, as far as I’ve been told, the retreat starts with Rachel and Steven sharing how they’ve just enjoyed their first bit of intimacy, finally, which wasn’t quite full sex, but they did sexual stuff… and obviously everyone’s very happy for them.

“And then a few wines later, along comes Bec, and she apparently stands up to be like a speech to the entire group, where she mentions various couples in whatever stage they’re at. And the speech ends with her congratulating Steven in front of everyone, and, I quote, on finger-banging Rachel.”

Josh said some of the other participants laughed about the comment while others cringed, but it deeply upset both Steven and Rachel, and the rest of the week quickly became consumed by the fallout. According to the podcast, Bec and Rachel later attempt to smooth things over, but the conversation quickly goes off the rails.

“Rachel is even more hurt when she finds out that Steven and Bec had like, a private chat at some point about this. I think he was maybe trying to defuse the situation, or perhaps he was trying to say, Hey, I didn’t actually do that specific act,” Josh says.

Gia and Juliette involve themselves in the MAFS couples retreat drama

While the feud was originally between Rachel and Bec, Gia and Juliette managed to get themselves involved.

“Gia also somehow manages to bring herself in the middle of the big finger bang divide with Juliet by her side. And you know, as Rachel becomes too emotional to argue, Gia and Juliet are now hammering back, like, how could you do that? You’re disgusting, you’re a mean girl. You’re like, I don’t know. Essentially, they just want a reason to go at Bec,” Josh said.

“And then it becomes so messy and toxic that then Gia’s man Scott and Bec’s man Danny, then start fighting or falling out or having an argument.”

Josh claimed that the situation escalated so much that Bec and Danny were sent back to Sydney before the rest of the group.

“It becomes so toxic that producers have to step in and send Beck and Danny back to Sydney, like, a day before everybody else anyway,” he said.

The drama never ends!

Juliette shocked viewers when she wrote ‘Stay’ at the Married at First Sight (MAFS) Commitment Ceremony, just a day after she came for Joel’s jugular at the Dinner Party. But, despite writing leave and being ready to exit the experiment altogether, Joel told Chattr that he felt some relief when he saw Juliette’s decision.

ICYMI, Juliette’s takedown of Joel kicked off with a claim he’d called himself the “star” of MAFS — something she later admitted on Stan’s After The Dinner Party she’d misheard. Throughout the Dinner Party, Juliette continued to roast him in front of the group and even mocked him for sleeping with a teddy bear while questioning his masculinity.

Joel told Chattr that he was devastated when he left the Dinner Party, and spent the following day contemplating his Commitment Ceremony decision. Joel explained that he has struck up some amazing friendships with the rest of the cast, which he didn’t want to walk away from.

“I was in knots. All day, I was in knots. I was feeling sick to my stomach, because on one hand, I was having fun on the show. I know it seems quite crazy to say that, but like, apart from, despite Juliette’s treatment of me, I was having fun in this crazy, you know, world of reality TV, and I didn’t want to leave the show,” he explained.

Why Joel decided to write ‘Leave’

However, Joel explained that once he’d really thought it through, he knew he ultimately couldn’t let Juliette’s bad behaviour slide.

“But on the other hand, if I write ‘Stay’, I lose all credibility forever. What kind of message would that be to send out to people that I’m okay with being abused by Juliette in front of the whole group like that? Like, no, everything I say that I stand for would be false. So I realised that my gut was telling me, it was screaming at me, ‘You cannot, you cannot,'” he said.

“You have to risk what you want. You have to risk the consequences of leaving the show to stay true to yourself. So that was a message, like that was a lesson. That was a lesson I learned to listen that day, always straight, stay true to yourself, no matter what the consequences are. And that’s what I did. I wrote leave, and I risked it all. And she wrote ‘Stay’,” he said.

While Juliette’s decision meant that Joel had to stay with her in a couple for another week, the silver lining for Joel also meant he’d be taking part in the upcoming Couple’s Retreat and be able to spend some more time with his newfound pals.

“Some of the people there are just amazing, and I feel like I’ve made friends for life,” he said.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Every single one of the cast members on Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 has walked down the aisle of their own wedding, but are the marriages actually legal or just commitment ceremonies?

In Australia, couples must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage at least a month before tying the knot. Since the MAFS experiment runs for around two months, it would technically be possible to legally wed. But, fortunately for doomed couples like Joel and Juliette and Tyson and Stephanie, the MAFS weddings aren’t legal and are simply ceremonies created for the show.

“They are not legal,” Alissa Fay explained in an interview with Chattr. “It’s going in and giving the experiment a good crack. But, there’s nothing legal or binding you two together. It’s just a beautiful wedding — It’s like a real wedding day. It feels like a real wedding day. But no, you’re not signing your life away and your assets away and everything.”

Sam Stanton, who married cowboy Chris Robinson in a mid-season garden wedding as an intruder, said that while the weddings aren’t legal, it mimics the exact concept.

“There is no legality to the wedding. It’s not a legal marriage, but it’s, it’s a real commitment to each other. You’re committing to moving into each other and like giving it a red-hot crack. So, it’s like the concept of marriage,” he told Chattr.

Gia Fleur said that fans are questioning online how she married Scott McCristal, considering he’s reportedly only separated from his ex-wife outside of the experiment.

“Everybody is like ‘Oh, Scott was already married’, but I’m like, we weren’t even legally married ourselves! None of us get legally married. Thank God, honestly or there would be a lot of divorces right now,” she laughed, adding there’s “no document signing, nothing at all.”

One international season of MAFS has legally binding weddings

While the weddings on MAFS Australia aren’t legally recognised, every couple on Season One of the New Zealand version actually tied the knot for real.

Yep, four couples who’d never met before the show got legally married on TV. Of those couples, only one is still together: Angel and Brett.

Since then, MAFS NZ has changed its format and removed the legal marriages, with couples now taking part in simple commitment ceremonies for the show.

Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Love to chat about Reality TV? Join us in our new Facebook group and come chat! Or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more entertainment news