Off the back of speculation circling that Steven and Rachel split shortly after Married at First Sight (MAFS) Final Vows, she’s confirmed the rumours and revealed what led to their break-up.
Along with Filip and Stella, Rachel and Steven were the only other couple to say yes at Final Vows. However, Rachel told Daily Mail Australia that things started going awry between them almost immediately after.
“We’d really spoken about him coming to Melbourne… that was his opportunity to show up for me,” she explained. “But there was always an excuse and a reason not to come.”
“He listed the reasons why he couldn’t come… and they were all to do with me… That really took me by surprise. I should have been the reason you’d want to run to Melbourne.”
Rachel explained that she decided to take a trip to Sydney to help reignite their spark; however, a light bulb moment stopped her when she realised she was putting more into the relationship than he was.
“I was like, maybe I should just jump on a plane and go to Sydney and remind him how much I care,” she said. “What stopped me was thinking… why am I always the one running to him?”
“When does he run to me and show up for me?”
Steven dumped Rachel before the MAFS Reunion was filmed
Rachel revealed that Steven dealt the final blow to their relationship right before the Reunion was filmed.
“He said, ‘I don’t think I can be the man that Rachel wants me to be,'” she recalled.
Rachel explained that the breakup was extra painful because she’d gone above and beyond to make sure Steven was happy and felt safe.
“I’ve never asked Steven to be anything other than himself… I was willing to move my whole life to Sydney for him.”
“I think deep down he didn’t want the same things… and he didn’t want to hurt me,” she said. “But ultimately, he did.”
However, Rachel said that despite the fact that Steven broke her heart last November, there’s no animosity between them.
“Steven still has a very special place in my heart,” she said. “Seeing him is always really nice… It’s weirdly still a bit of a safe place for me.”
Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 Reunion airs Sunday and Monday on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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