'Married At First Sight' faces complaints over explicit scenes
Viewers criticize Married At First Sight for racy content as ACMA investigates complaints.
 |
| Bride Jacqui Burfoot has faced challenges this week on the series. © Channel 9 |
By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina
Married At First Sight has come under scrutiny after explicit scenes aired on Channel 9, prompting complaints to Australia’s media watchdog. Contestants have spoken out about their discomfort, with some calling the footage “humiliating” and likening it to content found on adult websites.
The controversy erupted following Monday night’s episode, which featured contestants in revealing lingerie and engaging in suggestive acts. One female contestant, who spoke anonymously to news.com.au, expressed distress over how she was portrayed.
“I feel incredibly uncomfortable with what has gone to air,” she said. “My mum had to watch it on national TV, and it feels pretty disgusting.”
The episode, which aired in the family-friendly 7:30 p.m. time slot, showed contestants in provocative poses. In one instance, a bride was filmed bent over while licking chocolate off her on-screen husband’s nipple.
“I always assumed they wouldn’t put anything inappropriate on air,” the contestant added. “There’s a presumption that if something crosses the line, it won’t be broadcast.”
ACMA receives complaints over explicit content
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) confirmed it has received multiple complaints from viewers regarding this week’s Married At First Sight episodes. Public concerns center around whether the content was appropriate for prime-time television.
“Consistent with the broadcasting co-regulatory system and the Commercial TV Code of Practice, these complaints have been referred to the broadcaster in the first instance,” an ACMA spokesperson said. “If complainants do not receive a satisfactory response within 60 days, they may refer the matter to ACMA for assessment.”
The explicit content aired as part of the show’s controversial “intimacy week,” which encourages couples to strengthen their relationships through physical closeness. The challenge was led by the show’s resident sexologist, Alessandra Rampolla, who instructed the wives to design their “ultimate fantasy night.”
However, one female contestant, speaking anonymously for fear of repercussions, claimed participants were misled about how much footage would be shown.
“In previous seasons, lingerie shots were only shown from the neck up. I assumed that would be the case this year,” she said.
She also alleged that some contestants were pressured into situations they were uncomfortable with.
“Awhina Rutene and Adrian Araouzou were given strawberries and chocolate and told to put it on each other’s bodies,” she said. “They pushed back and just ate dessert instead.”
Contestants react to the rising explicitness
The episode featured Carina Mirabile and Paul Antoine engaging in one of the more graphic scenes, with Mirabile wearing a G-string while licking chocolate off Antoine’s body. The moment sparked backlash from viewers and former contestants alike.
Selina Chhaur, a past MAFS participant and current host of the Back to Reality podcast, admitted she was shocked.
“That was so sexual. I felt like I was watching Fifty Shades of Grey,” Chhaur said.
She recalled her own experience on the show, noting that while producers do not “technically force” participants into anything, the pressure to comply is significant.
“You can say no, but you wouldn’t catch me doing what they did this year,” she said.
Chhaur also pointed to the stark contrast between her season and the current one.
“I was filmed in a bikini on my honeymoon, and I still cringe about it,” she said. “But this season? A contestant was topless, legs spread on a chair, in just a skimpy G-string. That’s a whole other level.”
Contestant Sierah Swepstone, who was featured in that scene, later responded to criticism via Instagram.
“I’m all for body confidence, sex positivity, self-love, and self-confidence,” she wrote.
However, other participants have expressed regret over their involvement in intimacy week. Sources close to contestant Jacqui Burfoot say she felt uncomfortable watching herself in sheer lingerie on national television. The situation worsened when her on-screen husband made a crude comment about her in front of other contestants.
“She feels slut-shamed by Australia,” the source claimed.
Former contestants say the show has changed
Al Perkins, who starred in the 2022 season of Married At First Sight, said he was shocked by the escalation of sexual content this year.
“When I saw that footage, I thought, ‘I’ve seen that on Pornhub’,” Perkins said.
He recalled the intimacy challenges from his season being far tamer.
“Our tasks were things like hugging, eye contact, and some kissing,” he said. “We weren’t even asked to wear lingerie. The most extreme thing we did was look at sex toys and talk about them. At the time, I thought that was crazy. Now, that seems mild.”
Channel 9 declined to comment on the controversy, and Married At First Sight executive producer Alex Spurway also did not respond to requests for clarification on the rise in explicit content.
Despite the backlash, Perkins offered a different perspective, urging viewers who were uncomfortable with the content to simply turn off the show.
“I’m sure people have worse things in their Google search history,” he said.
With ACMA monitoring complaints and contestants voicing concerns, it remains to be seen whether Married At First Sight will adjust its approach to explicit content in future seasons.
