Since 2014, couples have been getting married at first sight on network television, beginning on the FYI channel and winding up at Lifetime. The show draws attention with its unorthodox concept and interesting variety of couples. Fans love to see the journeys accompanying each experiment, and they also like to keep up with who is still married and who doesn't last after the fact.
Reality television isn't always as realistic as viewers think, but that's what makes it so entertaining most of the time. Here are ten facts any Married at First Sight fan should know about the show's casting process.
Apply Online
Want to be considered as a cast member for Married at First Sight? The initial steps for applying are actually quite simple. The Lifetime website sometimes has an application when the show is headed to a new city.
Other times, it can be found at separate web pages after a quick Google search. Anyone with Internet access can fill out the application.
Or Be Scouted
In addition to putting out an online application, Married at First Sight also does some degree of scouting for every season. Chris Coelen of Kinetic Content told E! that the show seeks to "make the prospective pool as big" as it can be.
That's why the casting team will scout out singles in person (pre-COVID-19) or online through dating apps.
Specific Questionnaire
Looking at the online MAFS questionnaire is enlightening. A 2020 application begins with basic background and contact information. It gets more complicated, though. After going through education and work experience, each prospect must share their weight, height, ethnicity, and cultural background.
The casting team wants to know how candidates feel about being matched with people of the same or different ethnicities, even going so far as to ask about any "deal-breakers." The questions get even more personal, covering family experiences, memories of parents, and reflections on current dating life.
Be Ready For Marriage
On reality shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, it is easy for contestants to enter for the wrong reasons and not really care anything about marriage. The writers of the Married at First Sight application word one question especially carefully: "Why do you think you are ready for marriage now? Why Married At First Sight? What makes you a good candidate for the MAFS experiment?"
Subsequent questions ask what marriage means to the applicant and what his or her current living situation is. MAFS is looking for someone who is unattached and ready to commit to another person.
Real Time Frame
After finishing up with other questions on religious affiliation, sexual orientation and basic preferences, the questionnaire lays out a group of dates and asks that candidates list any conflicts with those dates.
For example, the 2020 Houston application wants to know who can be available November 14-15 and 20-23, 2020 as well as January 29 to February 7, 2021. It's possible that responses to those dates help weed out unavailable applicants.
Get Ready
MAFS isn't messing around. A given locale's casting posters have advertised eye-catching questions like, "Ready for the ultimate leap of faith? Exhausted all options? Ready to find the love of your life?" Those are pretty straight-forward.
The show is a huge leap of faith, and it is designed for people who are ready to try something totally crazy in hopes of finally finding love.
Fair Response
According to Soapdirt.com, around 50,000 people usually apply to be on each season. That may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things. But considering that all those people sought out the application or jumped when they caught it posted somewhere (and then took the time to fill it all out), 50,000 isn't bad.
Since only three to five couples have been put together per season, the mass of candidates is quite a bit to sift through.
Age Requirement
While some reality shows take singles who are barely 21 or 22, Married at First Sight has an age requirement of 25 or older. If you can rent a car, you can marry a stranger.
In all seriousness, the human brain isn't fully developed until the age of 25, so perhaps the casting directors are just trying to eliminate any tomfoolery that may come with greater youth.
Further Steps
For those who check all the boxes, there is some more funneling to do. The casting department continues to narrow down the pool, giving the smaller circle of candidates even more detailed questioning procedures. 100 to 200 people get to go to workshops and meet with experts for psychological and background evaluations.
Dr. Pepper Schwartz will go to candidates' homes in the final rounds of decision-making.
What Are They Looking For?
Dr. Pepper told E! that she is watching for candidates who are coachable. She is "looking for heart, for warmth, for the ability to empathize with someone else."
Chris Coelen noted a desire for authenticity and kindness. Red flags for Coelen and Pepper include inconsistent stories and/or a hunger for fame or career opportunities. The three main experts (Dr. Pepper, Pastor Roberson, and Dr. Griffin) always have the final say.