Married At First Sight 2021: Meet the brides and grooms
It’s a brand new year and a brand new batch of brides and grooms are preparing to say 'I do' to a complete stranger in the highly anticipated eighth season of Married At First Sight Australia.
From tender-hearted teachers to outspoken alpha males and an introvert who is so shy she’s never been on a real date, the 18 contestants on MAFS 2021 are sure to stir up some serious drama.
Here’s everything we know about the single stars before they walk down the aisle when MAFS starts at 7.30pm Monday, February 22 on Nine and 9Now.
To whet your appetite for the chaos to come, why not relive some of the most scandalous moments from the show’s history so far?
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Get to know the MAFS 2021 brides and grooms
Joanne, 39 - the ‘hot mum’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Barber
‘Hot mum’ Joanne loves her three sons and her job but wants to meet someone to share her life with.
A real go-getter, Joanne finds it hard to meet single men while living in a very family-orientated area. She is honest and has no filter and is looking for a partner who is funny and laidback.
Sam, 32 - the one with ‘high standards’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Construction/Clothing Brand Owner
With a reputation for calling a spade a spade, Sam knows what he likes and doesn’t like when it comes to relationships and isn’t afraid to say so.
For the past three years, he’s been single and focussing his attention on his dual careers in construction and fashion with hopes of launching two clothing labels. Sam’s finally ready to meet his ideal woman but his high standards might get in the way.
Alana, 30 - the ‘heart of gold’
From: Queensland
Occupation: Teacher
Energetic and fast-talking Alana puts her heart and soul into her job as a teacher, which doesn’t leave her much time to date.
Single for three years, Alana is looking for a partner who is loyal and willing to share deep conversations as she likes to communicate how she’s feeling. She admits that her sensitivity and emotions may have affected her relationships in the past.
Belinda, 29 - the ‘dating novice’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Door-to-door sales
Belinda is confident, quirky and a bit of a dating novice having been on just three dates in her life.
A door-to-door sales representative who lives with her cat, Belinda has never had a boyfriend or been in a relationship so MAFS will certainly be a new experience for her.
James, 44 - the ‘cheeky chappy’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Prestige Car Company Owner
Self-described “cheeky chappy” James is a successful prestige car company owner who loves his life of luxury.
The divorced father of three has been dating for a year and tends to keep his luxe lifestyle under wraps in the early days of a relationship to make sure he’s found the ‘right type’ of woman.
Melissa, 31 - the ‘introvert’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Workplace Trainer
Extremely shy and introverted, Melissa has never been on a date despite plucking up the courage to give dating apps a go.
Desperate to find love, she’s taking a leap of faith with MAFS and hopes that her future husband won’t judge her for her lack of dating history.
Beth, 39 - the ‘aspiring mum’
From: WA
Occupation: Retail Worker/Student
Beth has always wanted to become a mum but realises that she might not have that much time left to make her parenting dreams come true as she’s nearing her 40th birthday.
When the love of her life broke her heart after nine years together, Beth put up some serious emotional walls and has been single ever since. She’s looking for a partner who shares her sense of humour, looks a bit like surfer Mick Fanning and, of course, also wants kids.
Jason, 35 - the ‘larrikin’
From: Qld
Occupation: Construction Estimator
A true larrikin, Jason is the life of the party and enjoys living the same bachelor lifestyle of his twenties — despite being 35.
After noticing that he’s one of the last of his mates who is still single (and some serious urging from his mum), Jason has realised that it’s time to leave the big nights out with the boys behind and get serious about finding The One. But can he buckle down and stay true to his word?
Samantha, 31 - the ‘business boss’
From: ACT
Occupation: Property Developer
Divorced single mum Samantha has raised two sons while juggling her career as a successful property developer in a male-dominated industry.
Strong and driven, she already owned several businesses before she turned 30. Her parents disliked her first husband and refused to attend their wedding, so Samantha — who describes herself as a “little bit of Aussie bogan” — hopes her mum and dad will get to see her in a wedding dress second time round.
Patrick, 27 - the ‘unlucky in love’ one
From: Victoria
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Previously unlucky in love and now living alone, personal trainer Patrick is looking for his ideal match to continue his adventures with.
Keen to settle down and start a family, his dream wife would be loyal, caring and friendly — but definitely not ‘fake’ or ‘plastic’ looking.
Jake, 32 - the ‘charming country boy’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Charity CEO
Charming and good-looking, Jake grew up in the country with country manners and considers himself an old-school type.
He used to play AFL professionally and is now the CEO of a mental health charity, Outside the Locker Room. Jake is looking for someone to love him for himself, not for who he is, and has previously ended an engagement when he realised he didn’t love his fiancée anymore.
Bryce, 31 - the ‘alpha male’
From: ACT
Occupation: Radio Announcer
This super-confident single is a great talker.
Bryce is an alpha type male who can come across as cocky and intimate other men, not that it bothers him much.
This super-confident ‘footy bloke’ recently ended an engagement but says he’s ready to settle down and “do whatever it takes to make love blossom” on MAFS.
Coco, 30 - the ‘energiser bunny’
From: NSW
Occupation: Pilates Studio Owner
With as much get-up-and-go as an energiser bunny, pilates studio owner Coco needs a partner who can keep up with her busy and regimented lifestyle.
Describing herself as “just like a chocolate milkshake, only crunchy” in a promo, Coco was previously married but it lasted just six months because she felt she was playing second fiddle to her mother-in-law.
Booka, 31 - the ‘rock n roller’
From: WA
Occupation: Musician/Mental Health Worker
Booka has one of the most interesting career combinations of the contestants, working in mental health while also spending nine months of the year touring with a heavy metal band.
As a singer and keyboard player, Booka finds herself lonely while on the road and has been single since 2016. Booka has a tendency to ‘lose’ her identity in relationships and is seeking a partner with whom she can be herself.
Russell, 37 - the ‘jokester’
From: SA
Occupation: Diesel Mechanic
Russell loves a beer and a yarn as much as the next bloke and enjoys mucking around with his nephews.
He took his jokester persona to the extreme when he proposed to a stranger on a whim while on holiday in Las Vegas. Remarkably, the pair began dating and even got married but the union lasted just a year. Russell has been single for the last four years and envies his mates who are married with kids.
Brett, 31 - the ‘romantic’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Student/Electrician
Electrician and psychology student Brett is looking to meet a naturally beautiful, laidback woman and even has a Gordon Ramsay-approved meal in mind to knock her socks off.
He has a big heart and volunteers with the Salvation Army to assist the homeless — his dream is to open a treatment centre to help the vulnerable.
Rebecca, 27 - the ‘flirty extrovert’
From: WA
Occupation: Business Manager
Extroverted and flirty, Rebecca admits she tends to intimidate other women so is sure to be a force to be reckoned with on MAFS.
She recently called time on a 10-year relationship with her AFL player ex due to infidelity on both sides and has a long list of physical attributes for her next beau.
Cameron, 32 - the misunderstood ‘meathead’
From: Victoria
Occupation: Crane Operator
His tattoos and shaved head often see Cameron mistaken for a bit of a meathead but in reality, this love-seeking crane operator is really just a “teddy bear”.
Single for two years since returning from working in the mines in WA, Cameron admits he has trust issues after being cheated on in the past but is ready to open himself up and find The One.
When does MAFS 2021 start?
Married At First Sight season eight starts at 7.30pm Monday, February 22 on Nine and 9Now.
Returning experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling will be joined by a new face, clinical sexologist Alessandra Rampolla who replaces departing sex expert Dr Trisha Stratford.
Puerto Rican-born Alessandra brings 20 years of experience to her latest gig and has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.
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