$1,178 loophole that leaves MAFS stars struggling to pay their bills: 'Appalling'

MAFS fans rejoice! The hit reality show is about to be back on our screens, premiering Monday January 27, and a TV insider has told Yahoo Lifestyle that the show is ready to "double down" on drama. Sounds terrifying, but exciting.

“This season's participants get put through their paces like nothing we have seen before," the insider said, with a contestant also revealing that "the twists this year are much more psychologically challenging and will surprise viewers."

Alluding to a big twist right at the end of the show, and one that has never been seen before in previous seasons, the TV insider said: "There is a twist right at the end which we have never seen before and it is guaranteed to shock the audience. It will be hard to undo or redo."

MAFS salaries exposed

Despite the fact the participants of MAFS take over our screens for numerous nights per week, the payment for their services isn't exactly fantastic, with the insider saying the show is not going to make you "rich or famous".

"We make sure that the applicants understand that you need to be financially stable because the show has caused problems for people who may have high mortgages or are accustomed to a higher payday," they revealed.

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Now, a 2025 participant has spilled more details on the pay, saying they weren't prepared for what they signed up for.

"Nothing could prepare me for what I had signed up for and while you do get sucked in by the glitz and glamour the remuneration is appalling," they said. "You get $150 a day plus a $128 food allowance for the week. All up you get $1,178. The way we are paid as 'contributors' and not as a proper job is how they can pay you so little."

They went on to say long days filming and dinner parties going well past midnight don't get you any extra compensation.

"Some shoots were twenty hours and paying us as 'contributors' is a loophole that allows for no overtime," the source said. "The weekly 'dinner parties' could go well past midnight and the 'commitment ceremonies' averaged between 8 and 12 hours."

MAFS stars not paid for publicity opportunities

While the general consensus is MAFS stars going on the show for money or fame, the insider said the truth is the participants don't even get paid for show promo.

"You don't actually get paid for any 'publicity opportunities' while the show is on. It’s kind of expected but not enforced," they said. "All radio, TV, and print is offered by Channel Nine and you can either play along or not."

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A 2024 participant also spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle, saying most people are trying to juggle their fulltime jobs again as well as show commitments by the time MAFS finally airs.

"It is weird you do feel like there is this interest in you like you are a Kardashian but you are actually juggling a full-time job at that point, plus the interest from the fans," they said.

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