Married at First Sight: David and Michelle Reveal Their ‘Stressful’ Journey and Why It Ultimately Failed

Married At First Sight couples always explain how difficult the process can be, and MAFS season 18 couple David & Michelle are sharing all about their “stressful” but life-changing experience. Throughout MAFS history, couples have been doing their best to make sure that they’re moving forward together, rather than apart. While some of the couples have eventually separated, the Married At First Sight journey is typically one that’s taken together, regardless of what happens during the marriage to make participants satisfied or dissatisfied with one another. Throughout the show’s run, viewers have seen couples who are entirely unsupportive, but it’s rare.

Married At First Sight season 18 has already introduced several of their seasonal couples, and the journey is set to truly begin in the coming episodes. David and Michelle, who viewers met during the matchmaking special, seemed to be a pair that would work on paper. With similarities in their personalities and a lot of goals that seemed to align for the Married At First Sight experts, David and Michelle sounded like a pair that would be able to go the distance. Even seeing them both talk about what they were looking for in a match made MAFS viewers hopeful.

While it’s unclear if David & Michelle, or any of the Married At First Sight season 18 couples, make it to Decision Day and choose each other, the couple’s perspective seems to have changed after their difficult experience. David and Michelle both seemed to come into Married At First Sight hoping for a genuine, life-changing experience and while it’s possible they both found that, it may not have been a positive one. The pair spoke to Screen Rant separately, explaining their thought processes on the application process and providing a look into how their thinking has changed after MAFS season 18.

Screen Rant: Why did you decide to apply for Married At First Sight?

Michelle: I applied for MAFS because I was at a point in my life where I was truly ready to meet my person and share my life with them! Everything else in my life was in order and I was just missing my person to share that with!

David: The reason I decided to apply for Married At First Sight was actually my parent’s 36th anniversary, I was looking through photos and it made me realize that’s something I want. I adore their friendship, their laughs and their love. So at this point in my life, I have my 2 careers, and I am happy emotionally mentally, and physically and ready to give my all to find that ride or die.

Screen Rant: What surprised you the most about the MAFS interview/screening process? Did it meet your expectations?

Michelle: I was surprised how long the interview/ screening process took. There was one point so much time had passed that I assumed I was not one of the people chosen. I wish I had had more time to spend with the experts to discuss expectations.

David: The most surprising part about the interview/process was getting the call back as they felt I might be a great candidate for the show. Also, I enjoyed the workshops but was shocked during the process of trying on the rings for ring size. I’d never seen a ring on the ring finger which made me question myself if I was really ready to marry a stranger! But at that point, I also got excited and was hoping they could find me my ride or die. Not knowing anything about the show or the process I was coming in with an open mind, going with the flow and letting things ride the course.

Screen Rant: What was the most important thing you were looking for in a partner?

Michelle: Kindness, and someone who had a similar lifestyle.

David: The most important part I was looking for in a partner is someone with strong family ties, a strong woman who has a big heart, not selfish, an independent woman who has her own life, and who is not going to just depend on me in a relationship and can navigate on their own if need be.

Screen Rant: What are three words you’d use to describe your Married At First Sight experience?

Michelle: Learning curve, stressful, and personal growth.

David: Life Changing, Exciting, and Hard/Stressful.

Screen Rant: How has your outlook on MAFS changed since you’ve been part of the show?

Michelle: I think it is easy to sit and watch the show and judge the actions of others but once you live it, it is so much harder than you would expect. You can come in with the best intentions and for all the right reasons but marrying and living with a stranger is so hard.

David: My outlook about Married At First Sigh t hasn’t changed since I hadn’t seen the show and only knew the concept. However, I heard lots of people say it was going to be hard and I took that lightly as I am one to think hard is what you make hard, if you make things easy and come in with an easy life going mindset and let things play out then everything will fall in place. Positive vibes all day, enjoy the moment and everything will work out baby!

Screen Rant: Is there anything you would change from what you were looking for a partner before you were matched up on MAFS?

Michelle: I would have been more specific on what I was looking for. I would have put an emphasis on the fact that I am attracted to men who are extremely driven and goal-oriented.

David: I believe the one thing I would change is elaboration on my definition of what I think is strong and independent and give more insight of what that means to me. But I would hold so tight to family ties, but also need to be open-minded with what family means to others because in my eyes family is everything.

Screen Rant: What’s one answer you gave that you think led the experts to match you with your MAFS spouse? Would you change that answer now?

Michelle: I told the experts that I was open to being matched with someone who did not own their own home but maybe needed to be a bit more specific.

David: The one thing I believe matched me with my wife is asking for a strong, independent, woman and would I change that? No, but I’d elaborate on it deeper and explain more about what that means to me. I just feel that everyone has their own definition.