MAFS star exposes surprising contract clauses: '7 rules of the game'

As any former contestant would tell you, reality TV contracts are lengthy, complex, and often quite intense. Participants are required to sign an iron-clad document agreeing to be portrayed however producers want, which ultimately prevents networks from being sued over a ‘bad edit’.

With this year’s season of Married At First Sight well underway, a former participant has lifted the lid on the reality show and revealed the seven major rules all brides and grooms must agree to in their contract. Richard Sauerman, who was paired with Andrea Thompson last season, recently posted the list on Instagram explaining that the MAFS contract is 37 pages long with these clauses listed in a highlighted box on page one.

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What does the MAFS contract look like?

According to Richard, the MAFS contract includes the following stipulations which he refers to as ‘the seven rules of the game’:

• You may or may not be shown in a way that you consider favourable or unfavourable.

• You may be shown in a way you consider to be embarrassing.

• You and your Partner may not result in a successful or compatible match.

• You may receive a lot of public attention, including on TV, in newspapers, social media and by paparazzi and other commentators, that may be untrue, negative or unwanted.

• You are not guaranteed financial rewards or fame by participating - this is a program where the main goal is to find love.

• Your appearance on the Program may result in others seeing or treating you differently in your personal, work or professional life.

• You may experience these things during and after your participation in the Program and its broadcast in both Australia and internationally.

MAFS bride speaks out about contract

While the contract might be alarming for some people, 2024 bride Eden Harper tells Yahoo Lifestyle she had no problem signing it as she had already considered the potential risks during the lengthy interview process.

“I knew if I did say something dumb they’d air it, but that’s the risk you take going on reality TV,” she says.

“I absolutely stopped and thought during the interview process that this could go very badly, but by the time I read the contract, I had already gone through all of those clauses in my head. I knew that and had come to my decision before I read it, so it wasn’t concerning.”

MAFS 2025 cast spoil their storylines

Another clause in the MAFS contract prevents participants from spoiling their storylines on the show, however, two 2025 cast members have already gone rogue.

Adrian Araouzou has seemingly confirmed he’s no longer with his bride Awhina Rutene after he was spotted “holding hands” with a mystery woman in Sydney’s CBD last week.

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Meanwhile, Morena Farina recently confirmed things don’t work out with Tony Mojanovski following a bombshell confession at the first commitment ceremony.

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