Whether you love it or loathe it, Married At First Sight (MAFS) is one of Australia's most popular reality TV shows and it's coming back in 2023.
The show's concept can be described as a string of arranged marriages of sorts, where two strangers meet at the altar for the first time and tie the knot in front of their family and friends.
But the lavish weddings are only the start of the emotional rollercoaster for the cast (and us as viewers). As the couples embark on honeymoons, move in together and meet the other pairs at the infamous dinner parties, the social experiment truly unfolds to test the theory of whether you can you fall in love after getting married at first sight.
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While the 10th season is very much in the early stages of production, there are already snippets of information surfacing about what to expect from MAFS in 2023.
Who Is In The Cast of MAFS 2023?
Melinda Willis — 32 (CEO, Fashion & Beauty from QLD)
Melinda Willis is a flight attendant-turned-beautician from Brisbane. She already boasts over 150,000 Instagram followers, counting the likes of former MAFS cast members Jules Robinson, Joshua Pihlak, Jason Engler and KC Osborne as fans.
Over on her TikTok account that has over 29,000 followers, Willis is often seen dancing, doing her makeup or miming to the latest trending sound. She has some experience in front of the media, after competing in a beauty pageant 'Mrs Ocean Australia'.
Tahnee Cook — 27 (PR Manager from NSW)
Tahnee Cook is a 27-year-old content creator from Sydney with more than six years experience within the social media and digital marketing space.
A look at her official website reveals she's been part of social media campaigns for several hair and beauty brands, and an appearance on MAFS may very well boost her rising influencer status. She also co-hosted the podcast called The Like Us Girls with digital creator, Tonia Stapleton from 2019 to 2020.
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An apparent friend of Cook's told Daily Mail that she's a huge fan of One Direction and will "definitely give [former MAFS star] Domenica Calarco a run for her money" when it comes to be entertaining on TV.
You can follow Tahnee Cook on Instagram here.
Alyssa Barmonde — 35 (Executive Assistant from NSW)
Hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Alyssa Barmonde is a single mother and baker looking for love on the show.
She specialises in bespoke buttercream cakes and has updated her business's Instagram account bio to say she's not taking any new orders. Here's wondering if she'll be whipping up her own wedding cake for her MAFS nuptials.
Bronte Schofield — 28 (Online Beauty Educator from WA)
Bronte Schofield is another contestant on MAFS this year.
"Bronte is an amazing chick. She speaks her mind and isn't afraid of confrontation," an apparent friend of the brunette told Daily Mail.
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Claire Nomarhas — 31 (Kindergarten Assistant from VIC)
It's confirmed childcare worker Claire Nomarhas is appearing on MAFS 2023 after she was recently spotted filming the hen's party scenes in Sydney.
With her social media accounts on a tight lockdown, there's not too much information floating around about the brunette, but a high school friend has referred to her as a "firecracker".
Janelle Han — 28 (Beauty Influencer from WA)
Janelle Han already has a bit of a profile thanks to her over 500k following on TikTok.
The makeup artist of Chinese and Singaporean descent has previously spoken about how she put her energy into her social media work after a breakup, and it seems to have paid off.
“I actually ended things with my boyfriend, and so a week later, I was like, f... this. I’m going to focus on me and focus on my career," she told Perth Now in March. "And I’m like, I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to bust out some content.
"I made a few Squid Game videos and I think they got like 40 million views... that’s what really made me."
Sandy Jawanda — 36 (Dental Hygienist from VIC)
Sandy Jawanda is a Melbourne-based dental therapist and the first Indian bride to appear on Married At First Sight Australia.
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According to the website of her clinic, Plenty Smiles, Jawanda "enjoys spending quality time with friends and family" and "loves animals and is passionate about reducing our impact on the environment".
She runs the practice with her two younger sisters who also work in dentistry and oral health.
You can follow Sandy Jawanda on Instagram here.
Caitlin McConville — 27 (Makeup Artist from QLD)
Makeup artist Caitlin McConville will be bringing her bold beauty looks to MAFS.
The 27-year-old Queenslander already has over 17,000 followers on her personal Instagram account, and her business page indicated she's "currently not taking books" (because she's filming, of course).
You can follow Caitlin McConville on Instagram here.
Lyndall Grace — 27 (Accountant from WA)
Melissa Sheppard — 41 (Hairdresser from NSW)
Adam Seed — 35 (Business Owner from QLD)
If you love the British accent, get ready for Adam Seed on MAFS this year.
Seed relocated from London to Australia and is the co-owner of competition and lucky dip website, Meta Competitions.
Jesse Burford — 30 (Marriage Celebrant from WA)
Jesse Burford is a regular at other people's weddings, but now he's ready for his own. Based in Perth, he's a marriage celebrant as well as the vocalist of a heavy music band, MC and quiz host.
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"I'm here to deliver ceremonies that are real and down-to-earth, fun and engaging, and strive to have you and every one of your guests saying, 'Wow, that was the best wedding I’ve ever been to!'" he says on his official website.
You can follow Jesse Burford on Instagram here.
Cameron Woods — 27 (Carpenter from NT)
Cam Woods is a Darwin-based tradie originally from Grafton, NSW. He loves travelling and documenting his adventures on social media.
You can follow Cam Woods on Instagram here.
Dan Hunjas — 42 (Digital Marketing Business Owner from QLD)
Dan Hunjas is a father-of-one from the Gold Coast, and according to So Dramatic, he has a background in digital marketing.
According to the official website of his marketing agency, Hunjas is not all work and no play, as he enjoys dabbling in several hobbies in his spare time.
"A regular in the gym, Dan focusses a lot on his health and fitness.. A healthy body supports a healthy mind," reads a blurb on the site.
"And once the sun goes down, Dan can often be found at one of his favourite restaurant and bar locations on the Gold Coast, socialising and enjoying the company of his amazing friends and colleagues."
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You can follow Dan Hunjas on Instagram here.
Duncan James — 36 (Cyber Security Sales from NSW)
Hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Duncan James is an insurance worker on the hunt for his special person on MAFS.
Harrison Boon — 32 (Builder from NSW)
Who Are The Experts?
Clinical sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, relationship expert John Aiken and dating & relationship expert Melissa Schilling are all back as experts on Married At First Sight in 2023.
When Does MAFS 2023 Start?
The air date for Season 10 of MAFS is yet to be confirmed, but it will come after a huge lineup of dating shows in 2022 including Channel 9's Love Island Australia and Channel 10's The Bachelor Australia.
Where Is MAFS Filmed?
According to Daily Mail Australia, the hen's night — which is the party where all the brides meet each other for the first time — was filmed at Centennial Park's $15 million The Crossways estate in Sydney.
In previous years a warehouse in Sydney's Lilyfield has been hired out for the feisty dinner parties and commitment ceremonies, while couples are provided with accommodation at the SKYE Suites in Sydney's CBD.
What Is The Prize?
There's no specific prize as such, apart from being happily married if you decide to stay with your partner at the final commitment ceremony. After all, isn't finding true love the entire point of the show?
Remember to keep checking back here as we continue updating the behind-the-scenes details about the 2023 season of Married At First Sight.
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