Summary

  • The Married At First Sight season 17 cast members have formed strong bonds and remained friends after their divorces.
  • Some cast members have moved on and found new relationships since the show, while others are focusing on their careers.
  • Despite the drama and challenges, the cast members continue to keep in contact with each other and reflect on their experiences.

The Married At First Sight season 17 couples are fast approaching MAFS Decision Day, a journey that pairs from the thirteenth installment once took. There was hope that the current season would be more successful. However, MAFS doesn't have the best track record in terms of matching couples that stay married.

If the last few seasons indicate what's to come, it's important to buckle up for the long haul, as the drama continues long after the cameras stop rolling. The Dev season might not have been a roaring success, but many bonds were formed between the Married At First Sight season 13 cast members in the past few years. Some connections were more unexpected than others.

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Brett Layton

Brett and Ryan from Married At First Sight smiling together inside

On Decision Day, Brett Layton decided to split with her husband, Ryan Ignasiak, and they went their separate ways. She may have parted with her husband, but she's remained friends with some of her season 13 costars. Brett was seen in Myrla Feria's TikTok of them and costar Rachel Gordillo, as all enjoyed a little carpool karaoke. However, since Brett keeps her accounts private, updates on her life usually come from snippets seen in her friends' posts. She has decided to stay connected with the show as a fan, sharing her thoughts on the MAFS season 14 couples with People.

Ryan Ignasiak

An image Brett and Whitney from Married at First Sight looking serious outside

Since divorcing Brett, Ryan has maintained contact with some other MAFS season 13 husbands. He attends workouts and dinners with them. Ryan has even attended an Astros game with Married At First Sight’s Doctor Viviana. She didn't return for the show and is now able to dedicate more time to outdoor projects and opportunities.

Ryan still works in the Houston Oil & Gas industry but finds time to appear for MAFS. He returned to the show for season 14's “Where Are They Now?” special episode, where he may have had some budding chemistry with Alyssa Ellman. The two were flirty with each other, and while they seemed to have more chemistry together than they had with their previous partners, the romance was short-lived.

Jose San Miguel

Jose smiling while talking to the camera in Married At First Sight MAFS.

Jose San Miguel and his wife, Rachel Gordillo, initially chose to stay together. Still, after sharing that they'd broken up after filming MAFS before later getting back together, they announced via US Weekly that they had filed for divorce and would be officially parting ways. He has since continued working as a Mission Flight Specialist for NASA and keeps in contact with other season 13 husbands.

Avid investigative MAFS fans have taken notice of a new woman in a few of Miguel's Instagram posts. While he hasn’t explicitly or publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship, he has responded to comments. He's let fans know that he's happy with his life and is continuing to move forward since his divorce.

Rachel Gordillo

Rachel and Jose embracing in Married At First Sight.

Rachel hasn’t slowed down since her time on the popular reality TV show. After filming and later going through her divorce, she’s stayed close to her season 13 costars, Johnny Lam and Brett. She has also formed a strong bond with Myrla.

When she’s not in Houston, Rachel travels worldwide and chronicles her adventures on Instagram and her personal blog, “Booked at First Sight.” She also doesn't shy away from her experience on MAFS and posts occasional lighthearted reels that reflect on her marriage. Rachel also discusses the feedback she's received from fans since filming.

Gil Cuero

Gil Cuero looking to his right in Married At First Sight.

Gil Cuero was a MAFS season 13 fan-favorite, and taking his side in his relationship with Myrla was easy. The experts on the show were hoping that being opposites would attract the two. Eventually, it did, but their differing values made it hard for their relationship to last through the difficulties that come with a new marriage after filming the show (via E! News).

Now, Gil spends a lot of his time traveling. He’s currently partnering with an agency to offer travel experiences. He wants to encourage others to travel to vacation destinations curated by the company. While Gil insists that he's happily single and “in a relationship with his passport” (via Gil's Instagram), some MAFS have still tried suggesting he “save” former MAFS from their bad relationships. Still, Gill doesn’t entertain the idea and instead pokes fun at the notion that he should be anyone's “savior” in his videos on his socials.

Myrla Feria

During the season 13 reunion and the "Where Are They Now?" episode, Johnny and Myrla spoke about the friendship they had formed after filming and how they became closer after her divorce from Gil. There was speculation about whether their relationship ever became romantic, but they both remain adamant that they are just friends and have never dated. Besides Johnny, she's remained close to Brett and Rachel as well. Her social media presence mainly includes workout videos and healthy lifestyle posts. She likely remains single.

Johnny Lam

Johnny Lam looking at the camera in Married At First Sight.

After his split from Bao Huong Hoang, Johnny has moved forward. He and Myrla became quick friends after each of their divorces. Still, he's been seen hanging out with the women on his season (except his ex-wife Bao) and even met up with Myrla while traveling in Europe last summer. He appears to be in a relationship with Kayla Fischer, a health and fitness entrepreneur.

Bao Huong Hoang

Bao smiling in Married At First Sight

After decision day, Bao and Johnny divorced, and she began dating her season 13 costar, Zack Freeman, who had previously been married to Michaela Clark. The relationship caused quite a bit of drama before eventually ending due to more cheating allegations that were brought up against Zack, according to US Weekly. Bao is now focusing on her work at MD Anderson Cancer Center and spending lots of time with her family and dog.

Zack Freeman

Zack Freeman looking annoyed in Married At First Sight MAFS

Zack and Michaela were not the best MAFS couple, and it was hard to root for them. While Zack was portrayed in a better light than Michaela, it was obvious they would each be happier with someone else. Zack said during the MAFS season 13 "Where Are They Now?" episode that he could see Bao becoming that happiness, but after a few months of dating, the two eventually split. The software engineer has since largely stayed out of the public eye.

Michaela Clark

Michaela squinting her eyes in Married At First Sight MAFS

Michaela chose not to attend the overnight outing with the other cast members at the official close of the Houston season. She was seen as a villain due to some of her outbursts of frustration regarding her relationship, but she says that she wants to work on herself and move forward. While Michaela is still healing from her experience on Married At First Sight, she hasn't completely put it behind her and still keeps in contact with other members of the Houston cast, most of them being the other women, as well as Johnny.

Married At First Sight airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.

Sources: Myrla Feria/TikTok, People, US Weekly, Jose San Miguel/Instagram, Rachel Gordillo/Instagram, Booked at First Sight, E! News, Gil Cuero/Instagram, Johnny Lam/Instagram

Married at First Sight Season 17 poster
Married At First Sight

Based on the Danish version of the series, Married at First Sight is a reality show/social experiment that gives singles a chance to find a lifelong partnership with one particular caveat: they must agree to marry a stranger arranged the moment they meet. Experts provide counseling and guidance as they help couples navigate their new marriage with their unknown partner and highlight the journey of the newlyweds from wedding to honeymoon to beginning their new lives together. At the end of eight weeks, couples will decide to stay married or divorce.