Summary
- Elizabeth & Jamie divorced after trying to make it work, which ultimately led to separation and their own career paths.
- Deonna & Gregory remain happily married, welcoming a baby boy, building successful businesses, and attending family events together.
- Iris & Keith didn't last due to maturity concerns, leading to different paths: Iris as a fashion mentor, Keith as an author and model.
With 17 seasons of Married at First Sight complete, it's worth wondering how the couples will stack up against past contestants on one of the best reality TV shows. For instance, while season 9 of the hit reality dating show was somewhat marred by the revelation that Dr. Jessica Griffin left the show to pursue a romance with season 6 contestant Jon Francetic, in the end, two of four North Carolina couples ended up saying agreeing to stay married on Decision Day.
Now that nearly five years have transpired since the MAFS season 9 finale, there might be some curiosity about what the couples are up to in 2024. While Elizabeth Bice & Jamie Thompson, Deonna McNeill & Gregory Okotie, Iris Caldwell & Keith Manley, and Amber Bowles & Matthew Gwynne all got married at first sight, not everyone's marriages survived. As fans await Married At First Sight season 18, it's time to revisit the season 9 couples.
Elizabeth Bice & Jamie Thompson
MAFS Season 9- Divorced
Despite appearing to be a slightly odd match on their wedding day, Elizabeth Bice and Jamie Thompson managed to solidify their bond on the popular reality dating show, grow to love each other, and eventually remain together on Decision Day. The two continued to build on their romance in 2020 when the couple relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Santa Barbara, California. Later that year, the two starred in the spinoff show Married At First Sight: Couples Cam.
Elizabeth and Jamie moved back to the Charlotte area from Santa Barbara in 2022. They opened up about her regrets over moving and the seasonal depression she experienced as a result. However, Jamie and Elizabeth announced their divorce in 2023. While Jamie continues to work in the tech sector, Elizabeth gives makeup, skincare, hair formula, and diet tutorials online. They've remained relatively private regarding their divorce.
Deonna McNeill & Gregory Okotie
MAFS Season 9 - Married
As one of the best couples in MAFS history, Deonna McNeill and Gregory Okotie became instant fan favorites when they met and married on the show. Thanks to her reserved and conservative roots and his confident swagger, the two complimented each other extremely well, so it was unsurprising that they decided to remain together during the finale.
Since appearing on the show, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together in September 2020. In February 2021, Deonna and Gregory welcomed a baby boy named Declan. Still residing in the Charlotte, North Carolina area in 2024, Gregory launched his clothing line, and he and Deonna have forged partnerships with Hello Mockingbird and Panera. The happily married couple attended Deonna's sister's wedding at The Creek Club at I'ON in South Carolina, with Declan serving as the ring bearer along with his cousin.
Iris Caldwell & Keith Manley
MAFS Season 9 - Divorced
When Iris Caldwell and Keith Manley got hitched on the guilty-pleasure dating show, trouble in paradise began brewing immediately. Aside from their apparent lack of chemistry, Keith felt Iris was too immature for marriage despite sharing a religious background. As a result, Keith opted for a divorce on Decision Day, ending their romance in the only split decision of the season.
After appearing as a panelist on the MAFS "Kicking off San Diego" episode in June 2022, Iris has left her role as a non-profit program coordinator to work as a fashion, beauty, and travel mentor. Spending time between North Carolina and South Florida, Iris has partnered with Accent Prone, a clothing, furniture, and jewelry brand, and regularly gives fashion tips.
Despite expressing his willingness to try and make their marriage work, in the end, Keith Manley felt his wife was not mature enough for long-term compatibility. As such, he opted to get divorced on Decision Day while she wanted to remain married. While Keith still works as a mentor and life coach, he has also become an author, writing a self-help book, Life Is Just A Walk Within, published in 2021.
He has also been found modeling for such clothing brands as Finesse University, Kashiyama US, and Briggs and Riley luggage. While Keith continues to live in the Charlotte area, according to ET Online, he was spotted getting close to R&B singer Ari Lennox when he was in San Diego in June 2022. However, he appears to be single.
Amber Bowles & Matthew Gwynne
MAFS Season 9 - Divorced
Easily the most toxic couple on the acclaimed reality dating show's ninth season, Amber Bowles and Matthew Gwynne were the only ones from MAFS 9 to agree to divorce on Decision Day mutually. It was easy to be livid regarding how Matt callously treated Amber, making no attempt to change for her and eventually being accused of infidelity. It wasn't a surprise when the two decided to end their marriage.
Amber continues to work as a middle school teacher and has wisely capitalized on her TV appearance by becoming a public figure, influencer, and travel expert. Amber has been sightseeing in such exotic locales as Bermuda, Costa Rica, Grenada, and other places since appearing on MAFS. Amber lives with her dog, Lenny, in a dream home she purchased in 2021.
When Matt joined MAFS season 9, he was a former professional basketball player looking for a new line of work. After the messy Amber debacle that left fans deeming him public enemy number one, Matthew has protected himself from online criticism by setting his Instagram account private. He relocated from North Carolina to Nashville, Tennessee, and now works as a Market Asset Service Agent for J.P Morgan Chase.
Matt was arrested in Nashville in November 2021 for allegedly breaking into the home of his then-girlfriend. The Married At First Sight alum was charged with vandalism and released on $2,500 bail three days later. Hopefully, for his sake and those of his acquaintances, Gwynne can stay out of trouble in 2024 and beyond.
Married At First Sight is available for streaming on MyLifetime.