Married At First Sight’s David Momoh has broken his silence after viewers accused him of joining the experiment purely for fame and to promote his music career.
The 31-year-old Brisbane-based e-commerce manager found himself under intense scrutiny after Monday night’s premiere, which featured an awkward altar standoff and a kiss that quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Speaking candidly to Daily Mail after watching the episode back, David admitted the experience was confronting and nothing like he expected.
‘It honestly felt like I was watching a Netflix series,’ he said.
‘I didn’t realise how anything came across. Everything was happening in the moment, so watching it back was a complete surprise.’
Much of the backlash centred on the dramatic moment when his bride Alissa halted the ceremony and said she could not marry him unless he got down on one knee.
Married At First Sight’s David Momoh (pictured) has broken his silence after viewers accused him of joining the experiment purely for fame and to promote his music career
The 31-year-old found himself under intense scrutiny after Monday night’s premiere. Pictured with bride Alissa
David revealed the pause at the altar felt far longer in real life than what viewers saw on screen.
‘Deep inside, I was processing what the next steps were,’ he said.
‘I was thinking, “Do I just leave the altar? Is someone going to come and whisk me away now?”‘
He added that the moment dragged on painfully.
‘It felt like six minutes of us just standing there awkwardly,’ he said.
‘I genuinely couldn’t tell if she was being serious or joking. I’d never seen someone go from sobbing to suddenly being that firm.’
David said what ultimately made him relent was the emotional weight of the moment, particularly seeing the reactions of her family and friends.
‘I looked at her family’s faces and felt she needed reassurance,’ he explained.
David admitted the experience was confronting and nothing like he expected
David has also been forced to address claims he only joined the show to revive his rap career
‘I put my ego aside. If your partner needs reassurance, that doesn’t take anything away from you as a man.’
The couple’s first kiss also sparked a flood of online commentary, with many viewers branding it uncomfortable to watch. David was quick to see the humour in it.
‘The kiss was diabolical,’ he laughed.
‘The camera guy absolutely did me dirty. I don’t think I could even watch it back myself.’
He insisted the moment was exaggerated in the edit.
‘I swear it didn’t go for that long. It felt like slow motion on TV,’ he said.
David has also been forced to address claims he only joined the show to chase clout and revive his rap career.
‘That one makes me laugh,’ he said.
‘People think I’m trying to push my rap career, but I actually left that behind years ago.’
Despite the intense reaction online, David said he is unfazed by criticism and is not concerned about how he is being portrayed
David revealed he walked away from his record label and no longer has ambitions of becoming a mainstream rapper.
‘I’m 30. I’m kind of over that,’ he said.
‘If you’re not Drake or Central C, the reality is it’s tough. I’ve released a couple of house tracks, but I’m not chasing fame. I’m very happy in my web development career.’
He described music as something that has always been part of his life rather than a publicity tool.
‘Music’s just in my soul,’ he said. ‘I’ve played heavy metal, rap, now house. It’s not about fame for me.’
Despite the intense reaction online, David said he is unfazed by criticism and is not concerned about how he is being portrayed.
‘Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,’ he said.
‘No one understands the room unless they were there. If you weren’t in my shoes, you don’t know how you’d react.’
As for fears he could emerge as a villain this season, David remains philosophical.
‘Public perception can go either way,’ he said.
‘I could be a villain to some, a hero to others. All I care about is staying true to myself.’
