Married at first sight Season 18 is expected to have several “scandals” rocking the show, and there are signs that they could be publicity stunts and could affect the perception of the season. Married at first sight Season 18 premiered in early October 2024 and currently has three episodes released. Fans were introduced to the cast of five couples: Karla J and Juan, David Trimble and Michelle Tomblin, Allen Slovick and Madison Myers, Emem Obot and Ikechi Ojoré, and Camille and Thomas. Different MAFS season 17, which saw the franchise’s first runaway bride, every couple said I do on their wedding days.
MAFS Season 18 fans had access to the episodes “Matchmaking Special” and “Kickoff Special”, where they gained more information about the origins and motivations of the cast. In the “Matchmaking Special,” viewers learned about the process in which experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson and Dr. Pia Holec select participants and match them. Additionally, the “Kickoff Special” featured a panel of reality TV experts, who shared their opinions on the potential success of the matches. Whatever the opinions and processes, there will be two scandals in season 18, but they may not be as serious.
MAFS Season 18 Will Have a Cheating Scandal
How big an effect will this have?
In the first news that emerged Married at first sight production around the 18th season, a cheating scandal was denounced. At this point, there has only been speculation about who is involved in the matter. In one of the season’s trailers, Dr. Pia relays, “Infidelity between two couples is unprecedented” (through @mafsfan.) This plays into the idea that two people on the show will cheat on their spouses with each other. At this point, it is also unclear how far the parties involved will go with each other.
Reality TV trailers are known for promoting a highly edited and dramatic version of the events that take place. It’s possible that the cheating situation isn’t as extreme as it seems. With Season 17 being a failure in terms of failed couples, cast animosity, and production interference, Season 18 has a lot to catch up on, and the cheating scandal could be a publicity stunt to attract more interest in the drama.
MAFS Season 18 Will Have a Couple Swap
Is couples swapping exaggerated?
When word of Married at first sight season 18 broke for the first time, @mafslifetime, MAFS‘ official Instagram page, stirred the pot with his post. They showed a montage video with photos of the different couples and incited speculation with the post’s caption.
“Introducing the couples from season 18 of #MarriedAtFirstSight… or not?”
The post strongly suggested that the couples who are paired up are not the ones who will finish the experience together. The cheating scandal is also likely linked to the couple-swapping scandal. However, the idea of couples swapping can be exaggerated to cause even more drama and increase conjecture and interest in the season.
MAFS Season 18 “Scandals” Aim to Engage Viewers
But the Season 18 cast was also called “mature”
In the promotional introduction of MAFS season 18, the production also coined the cast as “mature,” which goes against the negative twists highlighted by the two scandals. This will show that production will say anything wild or unusual about the season to increase engagement. Often in Married at first sight story, the heavily edited drama portrayed in trailers and online posts ends up not being as steamy as what actually happens.
As in season 17, the runaway bride situation, while appealing, fell flat as viewers were never told the runaway bride’s identity or decision-making about not going through with the wedding, although viewers were led to believe that they would know more. The cheating and couple-swapping scandals could just be publicity stunts.
Or they could talk about complicated situations that will arise in season 18, but they won’t be indicative of an actual couple swap or physical betrayal between the participants.
However, the proposition of the scandals and the way in which they were focused served its purpose of engaging MAFS fans, even if it’s all a publicity stunt. THE Married at first sight the franchise has been declining after years of lackluster seasons with low entertainment value. The franchise may be grasping at straws and overdramatizing it to drum up interest in the new season.
MAFS drama will hurt the season and the show
MAFS fans want to see solid matches
The central premise of Married at first sight It is up to the “experts” to choose participants who are emotionally intelligent and available, and people who have a strong desire to find their forever person. The other part is the experts who match people who are compatible in terms of value systems, life goals, cultural background, appearance preferences and non-negotiables. But the show has strayed too far from providing that to the MAFS public and the cast members, as evidenced by the large number of failed couples.
That said, the two scandals that will reportedly rock season 18 are not what viewers are looking for this season. THE Married at first sight franchise seems to be went in a new direction focused more on manufactured dramawhich means that the propelling of scandals could be part of this and therefore a publicity stunt. With so much season ahead, as the couples just got married and aren’t even on their honeymoon, speculation about the intention and truth behind the scandals is unclear.
Viewer perception and the perceived success of the season depend on how the scandals play out.
What is clear is that Married at first sight Season 18 is engaging viewers, but not with the drama they’re asking to see. Other more successful seasons of the show featured quality cast members on marital journeys that were fun without all the cast animosity and serious pitfalls like scandals. Time will tell this season whether the intensifying scandals will be indicative of publicity stunts or whether the season will actually go wrong.
Married at first sight airs Tuesdays at 8pm EDT on Lifetime.
Source: @mafsfan/Instagram, @mafslifetime/Instagram