Ryan Oubre and Clara Fergus's Married at First Sight season 12 ending was happy, and it's time to talk about clues that showed the couple wouldn't go the distance after the show was over. They recently decided to call it quits on their reality television romance. Fans were once rooting for Ryan and Clara, as they overcame several obstacles before choosing to stay together on Decision Day. In hindsight, however, Ryan and Clara demonstrated plenty of reasons why they weren't likely to last long after the end of season 12.
Although their marriage would turn out to be short-lived, audiences were supportive of Ryan and Clara's journey from the altar to Decision Day. They didn't have that much in common, but Ryan and Clara really wanted their marriage to work. The pair's determination spoke to the
"hopeless romantic" spirit of the Married at First franchise. Fans wanted Ryan and Clara to prove that being dedicated to marriage was enough to make a relationship work, even though the newlyweds were two very different people. Unfortunately, Clara and Ryan's desire to be married proved to be a weakness. as it clouded their judgment and resulted in a countdown to their divorce.
It was easy to root for Ryan and Clara, but it was also evident why the pair might not last. For starters, Ryan never seemed as into Clara as he should've been. Throughout season 12, Ryan struggled to meet Clara's emotional and physical needs. One of the first signs that this Married at First Sight pair was headed for trouble was Ryan's admission that he had never been in love before. Immediately, this concerned Clara, who wanted to be in a marriage with someone she knew could fall in love with her. Throughout the entirety of season 12, Ryan was hesitant to tell Clara that he was in love with her. It wasn't until the reunion that Ryan finally confessed that he was in love with his wife. Ryan's reluctance to be emotionally connected to Clara should've told fans everything they needed to know.
In addition to Ryan not meeting Clara halfway emotionally, he also left her unsatisfied when it came to her physical needs. Ryan explained that he didn't want to have sex with Clara until he was in love with her. While this came off as a noble decision to some viewers, others found it selfish. Clara shared that she put effort into making sure that Ryan's needs were met, but he never reciprocated. Even after Ryan confessed that he was in love with Clara at the season 12 reunion, the pair didn't say whether or not they'd taken the next step physically.
Understandably, Clara was eager to get divorced and move on to her next relationship. Only two months after the Married at First Sight season 12 reunion, the pair, who once had MAFS vow renewal plans, announced their divorce. On TikTok, Clara counted down to September 8, the day the exes signed their divorce papers.
Fans wanted this season 12 pair to stick it out together, but clearly, Clara and Ryan weren't as optimistic as the Married at First Sight audience. From not falling in love with each other to a troubling lack of intimacy, Ryan and Clara showed signs that pointed to a future divorce. Ryan and Clara might not be the Married at First Sight success story fans wanted them to be, but their divorce served as Clara's personal happy ending.