Married At First Sight Australia returns to screens on February 2.
And with a cast packed full of bold personalities, unfiltered opinions and intriguing backstories, season 13’s brides and grooms are already being tipped as some of the most explosive in the show’s history.
This year’s line-up includes empty nesters ready for a second shot at love, social media-savvy singles with high standards, and grooms who admit compromise has never been their strong suit.
From fearless brides who won’t hesitate to call out bad behaviour to confident grooms convinced they know exactly what they want, the experiment promises no shortage of tension from the very first ‘I do’.
MAFS expert John Aiken says this year’s participants are not here to play nice.
‘They are fearless and will hold everyone to account,’ Aiken told Daily Mail.
Alissa Fay, 33, South Australia: Nurse and social media manager: A glamorous nurse with more than 270,000 TikTok followers, Alissa thrives in the spotlight and isn’t afraid to speak her mind
Friends describe her as ‘fiery but loveable’ and ‘someone who doesn’t back down from a challenge’
‘That is going to create some very fiery dinner parties,’ he continued.
Several cast members bring what Aiken describes as a heavy TikTok flavour to their dating approach, making for entertaining television.
MEET THE CAST
Alissa Fay, 33, South Australia: Nurse and social media manager
A glamorous nurse with more than 270,000 TikTok followers, Alissa thrives in the spotlight and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Friends describe her as ‘fiery but loveable’ and someone who never backs down from a challenge.
Fresh out of a six-year relationship that ended late last year, she’s cautiously hopeful but won’t tolerate nonsense for airtime.
She’s tipped to be one of the most talked-about brides of the season.
Rebecca Zukowski, 51, Victoria: Leasing manager: A striking blonde with a reputation for telling it exactly how it is, Rebecca is a powerhouse at work and unapologetic in life
Colleagues say she’s a powerhouse at work – driven, ambitious and laser-focused on her goals
Rebecca Zukowski, 51, Victoria: Leasing manager
A striking blonde with a reputation for telling it exactly how it is, Rebecca is a powerhouse at work and unapologetic in life.
Now an empty-nester after her 19-year-old son moved out, she feels it’s finally her turn to focus on love.
Colleagues say she’s a powerhouse at work – driven, ambitious and laser-focused on her goals.
But friends insist there’s a softer side to her: ‘She loves a night out with the girls, family dinners, and has a wicked sense of humour once she lets her guard down.’
She’s been single for a few years and is ready to settle down.
Her no-nonsense approach could clash spectacularly with the wrong groom.
Insiders tell Daily Mail that Rebecca was loved by all on set.
Gia Fleur, 35, Victoria: Disability support worker: Dubbed by crew as ‘the wildest bride in MAFS history’, Gia is a heavily tattooed extrovert who lives unapologetically
A self-confessed extrovert, she has a large circle of friends and a reputation for being the life of the party
Gia Fleur, 35, Victoria: Disability support worker
Dubbed by crew as ‘the wildest bride in MAFS history’, Gia is a heavily tattooed extrovert who lives unapologetically.
She’s confident, outrageous and completely unpredictable – and knows it.
Previously married and a mum, she’s done with flashy men and wants real commitment – so she says.
Gia has had several cosmetic enhancements and isn’t shy about discussing them. ‘She’s confident, outrageous and completely unpredictable,’ a source revealed.
‘If anyone’s going to storm out of a dinner party or start a full-scale blow-up, it’s Gia – but she also has a loyal, caring side for people she loves.’
Gia has zero filter and no interest in pretending otherwise.
Despite many thinking she’s on for fame, she’s here for one reason only – to find a husband.
Julia Vogl, 35, Victoria: Confidence and charisma consultant: A former journalist who has interviewed Cher, Kate Winslet and Matthew McConaughey, Julia knows how to read a room
Friends say she’s magnetic, articulate and has a way of extracting secrets without trying
Julia Vogl, 35, Victoria: Confidence and charisma consultant
A former journalist who has interviewed Cher, Kate Winslet and Matthew McConaughey, Julia knows how to read a room.
Friends say she’s emotional, articulate and has a way of extracting secrets without trying.
Bisexual and open-minded, she admits she’s struggled to find the full package.
Insiders tip her as a breakout star with serious main-character energy.
Julia’s also a style chameleon – she’s rocked everything from pixie cuts to waist-length hair – and insiders believe she could be one of the show’s breakout stars.
Brook Crompton, 27, Queensland: Model: A sun-kissed glamour girl with a polished Instagram feed, Brook is the life of the party with a fiercely loyal streak
She admits nearly every ex has cheated, leaving her wary and occasionally jealous
Brook Crompton, 27, Queensland: Model
A sun-kissed glamour girl with a polished Instagram feed, Brook is the life of the party with a fiercely loyal streak.
She admits nearly every ex has cheated, leaving her wary and occasionally jealous.
When she’s not modelling, she’s known for backing her friends no matter what.
She’s done with time-wasters and wants someone who can make her laugh.
Brook wants to feel secure, not constantly second-guessing.
Laughter is just as important to her as loyalty.
She’s done with time-wasters and wants something real.
Rebecca ‘Bec’ Zacharia, 35, South Australia: Account manager: One of Adelaide’s most recognisable socialites, Bec has been a fixture on society pages for years
Bec has carved out a successful career in London real estate
Rebecca ‘Bec’ Zacharia, 35, South Australia: Account manager
One of Adelaide’s most recognisable socialites, Bec has been a fixture on society pages for years.
Twice voted the city’s most eligible bachelorette, she worries time is slipping away.
Previously engaged, she famously called off her wedding four months before the big day.
Friends say she turns heads, moves in the right circles and has razor-sharp wit.
Bec lights up a room the moment she enters it.
Food, wine and humour are her love languages.
If a man can’t keep up, she’s not interested.
Melissa Akbayir, 28, New South Wales: Public servant: A stylish free spirit who recently swapped Canberra for Sydney in search of better men
Bubbly, funny and self-deprecating, Mel insists she’s a catch – and doesn’t hide it
Melissa Akbayir, 28, New South Wales: Public servant
A stylish free spirit who recently swapped Canberra for Sydney in search of better men.
Bubbly, funny and self-deprecating, Mel insists she’s a catch – and doesn’t hide it.
She’s been single for six years and feels the pressure as friends settle down.
All she wants is her fairytale, complete with the perfect husband and life.
Approaching 30, she feels the pressure as friends marry and have kids.
Mel insists she’s a catch and has no shame saying it.
She wants her fairytale ending, no compromises.
Rachel Gilmore, 35, Victoria: Team leader: Known for her boundless energy and sharp people skills, Rachel has always been the social glue.
Rachel Gilmore, 35, Victoria: Team leader
Known for her boundless energy and sharp people skills.
Rachel has always been the social glue.
She hasn’t had a serious relationship in 14 years, only situationships that went nowhere.
Dating knockbacks have dented her confidence over time.
Still, she’s no shrinking violet when it comes to bad behaviour.
Rachel craves consistency and reassurance.
She wants love, stability and a family of her own.
Stella Mickunaite, 32, New South Wales: Beauty technician: Lithuanian-born Stella moved to Australia alone nine years ago with no safety net.
Stella Mickunaite, 32, New South Wales: Beauty technician
Lithuanian-born Stella moved to Australia alone nine years ago with no safety net.
Blunt, passionate and deeply emotional, she’s often misunderstood.
She believes relationships only begin once fire and chemistry appear.
Insiders say she may look petite, but she’s no pushover.
Independence has been her survival mode for years.
Now she wants a man who can lead and protect.
Children and family are firmly on her agenda.
Chris Nield, 31, Victoria: Construction supervisor: Once a tradie and now the boss, Chris admits he loves telling people what to do and has little patience for incompetence.
Obsessed with AFL, he’s lived the classic tradie-footy lifestyle but says his partying and player days are behind him
MEET THE GROOMS:
Chris Nield, 31, Victoria: Construction supervisor
Once a tradie and now the boss, Chris admits he loves telling people what to do and has little patience for incompetence.
Obsessed with AFL, he’s lived the classic tradie-footy lifestyle but says his partying and player days are behind him.
A self-described boy’s boy, he has no platonic female friendships and struggles with compromise, admitting there’s not much wriggle room for him to change now he’s in his 30s.
Blunt, upfront and sometimes controversial for the sake of it.
Chris insists he’s a big softie underneath it all and is hoping the experts prove him wrong about finding love.
Luke Fourniotis, 30, Victoria: Farmer: At first glance, Luke doesn’t look like a farmer – and he never planned to be one either
While the farm has brought him peace, he admits he misses the buzz of the city and the hustle of everyday life
Luke Fourniotis, 30, Victoria: Farmer
At first glance, Luke doesn’t look like a farmer – and he never planned to be one either.
In recent years, he’s taken over his late father’s cattle property.
He splits his time between city life and the land.
While the farm has brought him peace, he admits he misses the buzz of the city and the hustle of everyday life.
After losing his dad and his only serious relationship ending soon after.
‘Loss changed Luke more than he admits,’ says a friend.
Luke hopes the experiment helps him move past his fear of loss and finally find his wife.
Scott McCristal, 33, Queensland: Business owner: A confident, car-loving adrenaline junkie who lives life in the fast lane and runs multiple businesses
Often judged on his looks and cheeky persona, he insists he’s not a party boy or a player, just misunderstood
Scott McCristal, 33, Queensland: Business owner
A confident, car-loving adrenaline junkie who lives life in the fast lane and runs multiple businesses.
Determined to build an empire, Scott is a self-confessed workaholic with every minute of his day mapped out.
Often judged on his looks and cheeky persona.
He insists he’s not a party boy or a player, just misunderstood.
A big softie at heart who admits he’s lonely.
‘Success has been lonely for Scott,’ an insider reveals.
Scott is hoping the experiment helps him find a woman who fits into the life he’s built, without losing himself again.
Danny Hewitt, 34, Victoria: Real estate and businessman: A slick operator who swapped high-vis for designer suits after moving from the UK.
Friends say he has a magnetic personality and ‘can talk his way into – or out of – anything’
Danny Hewitt, 34, Victoria: Real estate and businessman
A slick operator who swapped high-vis for designer suits after moving from the UK.
Tattooed, confident and charming, Danny admits his past player ways cost him good women.
Underneath the swagger, he insists he’s fiercely loyal.
He’s looking for a ride-or-die partner who puts fire in his belly. ‘Danny’s learnt the hard way,’ says someone close to him.
Those mistakes forced serious self-reflection.
He’s fiercely loyal once he commits.
He’s ready for a ride-or-die relationship.
Grayson McIvor, 34, Queensland: Company director: Once destined for AFL stardom, injuries derailed Grayson’s sporting dreams
Grayson is just as comfortable in a boardroom as he is at a Sunday session
Grayson McIvor, 34, Queensland: Company director
Once destined for AFL stardom before injuries derailed his career.
He admits falling into a party-boy lifestyle.
Eventually hit a turning point and matured.
‘Family is everything to Grayson now,’ an insider says.
He’s extremely close to his parents.
He wants a natural, confident woman.
Grayson is a true believer in the experiment.
David Momoh, 31, Queensland: E-commerce product manager: A former rapper turned tech-savvy entrepreneur, David is sharp, stylish and ambitious
Often mistaken for a playboy, he insists he’s serious about settling down
David Momoh, 31, Queensland: E-commerce product manager
A former rapper turned tech-savvy entrepreneur, David is sharp, stylish and ambitious.
Raised by pastor parents, faith plays a central role in his life.
Often mistaken for a playboy, he insists he’s serious about settling down.
Sources say he could be the season’s dark horse. ‘David’s far more serious than people expect,’ a friend says.
Ambitious, disciplined and highly driven.
Long-term relationships have eluded him so far.
He wants the full package, not just chemistry.
Steve Powell, 50, Victoria: Creative director: A silver fox with four daughters and a career flipping pubs and hospitality venues
Previously married, he admits past selfishness hurt relationships
Steve Powell, 50, Victoria: Creative director
A silver fox with four daughters and plenty of life experience.
Has built a career flipping pubs and hospitality venues.
Loves good food, good drinks and great atmosphere.
‘Steve’s far softer than his confident exterior suggests,’ an insider says.
Previously married and honest about past mistakes.
Fatherhood reshaped his outlook on relationships.
He wants companionship, not compromise.
Filip Gregov, 37, Victoria: Carpenter: A disciplined chippie known for cold showers and early gym sessions. Deep, spiritual and family-oriented, he’s always searching for meaning
Filip Gregov, 37, Victoria: Carpenter
A disciplined chippie who lives by strict routines.
Early mornings, gym sessions and cold showers are non-negotiable.
Croatian-born and deeply family-oriented.
‘Filip’s done the work and knows what he wants,’ says a mate.
He believes self-discipline is the key to love.
Traditional values guide his relationships.
Filip hopes MAFS finds him his future family.
Steven Danyluk, 34, New South Wales: Marine technician: A self-described goofball, Steven is adventurous, fun-loving and not afraid to be silly
Steven Danyluk, 34, New South Wales: Marine technician
A self-described goofball with a love of adventure.
Spent his 20s chasing rock star dreams in a metal band.
Now runs his own boat repair business.
“Steven just wants someone who laughs with him,” an insider says.
Modern dating has left him frustrated.
He feels women come with endless checklists.
Steven wants someone who accepts him as he is.
Speaking to Daily Mail about the upcoming season expert John Aiken explained that producers have managed to secure personalities and backgrounds not seen before in the experiment.
‘There’s more cultural diversity, there’s a sports presenter who loves cricket, and there are also personalities who break the mould of previous seasons,’ he revealed.
‘It’s a very different mix to what we’ve had in the past.’
‘They’re authentic. Sometimes that makes them controversial, but it also makes them relatable. Whether people are cheering for them or against them, they’re watching,’ he added.
Viewers should expect a perfect storm of glamour, big personalities and explosive potential, as tattooed bombshells, TikTok sensations and high-flying professionals collide.
Insiders say the drama has already begun and the cast hasn’t even filmed their first dinner party yet.
‘There’s a lot of ego this year – and some of them are treating it like the Olympics of drama,’ one production source spilled.
‘If you thought last season was bad… you haven’t seen anything yet.’
