All the single parents who have gone searching for love on MAFS over the years
They went looking for someone to love them and their kids, but how did they go?
Looking for a life partner is challenging enough when it your own heart that you are looking out for. Add the hearts of your children into the mix and the search for love becomes a much bigger deal.
No wonder so many Aussie single parents are putting their trust in the experts at Married at First Sight to help them find true love by marrying them off to a complete stranger and throwing them into a pressure cooker experiment on television. What could go wrong?
We take a look at the single parents who placed their hearts in the hands of the experts to get it right.
In 2017, Married at First Sight relationship expert, Mel Schilling spoke with 9Honey about the challenges that come with being a single parent looking for love.
“You’ll probably need your training wheels on for a little while – the rules have changed,” she said. Highlighting that communication and letting your date know that your kids were number one, was the important thing.
“They’re not mind readers. Let them know where your boundaries are, and ask them to respect this,” Mel said.
The expert also shared some wisdom for those without kids who might find themselves dating a parent.
“They won’t necessarily be as available as you might be,” Mel said.
“What I recommend here is having a really honest discussion with your new partner, and depending on their age, also with your kids,” is the advice from Mel.
So how did single parents go in their search for love by marrying a stranger? Take a look in the gallery below …
The single parents searching for love on Married at First Sight Australia …
Melissa Sheppard, 2023
Vivacious hairdresser, Melissa’s 10-year marriage ended several years ago and she co-parents her son whilst living with her twin sister on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Melissa says that she is not meeting the man of her dreams at school pickup and has put her love (and sex) life in the hands of the experts who have matched her with fellow single parent, Josh.
Josh White, 2023
Stable, dependable Josh might just be what Melissa is looking for.
While she said she was looking for a manly Thor what she actually got was rom-com and Disney loving single dad, Josh.
In fact, this loveable single father of two loves Disney so much so that he named his kids after his favourite characters!
Here’s hoping the experts know what they’re doing.
Alyssa Barmonde, 2023
Born and bred in Utah, Alyssa has been single for 12 months since her seven-year marriage ended.
Now living in Sydney’s Northern beaches and a single mum to son Leon, Alyssa is trying her luck with new husband, the chisel jawed Duncan.
Here’s hoping it all works out.
She finds dating as a single mum extremely hard, especially on dating apps which are overwhelming. Walking down the aisle again, Alyssa is a little more trepidatious but hopeful of finding love once more.
Shannon Adams, 2023
At first, with his self-assuredness and jokey attitude, 30yo Shannon might appear like your average carefree bachelor – but deep down he’s another sensitive soul who wants to be loved.
With a three-year-old daughter he loves dearly, Shannon was in an on-again-off-again relationship with his ex-partner for many years. Although they share custody, he has ended things with his ex and is ready to move on with someone he can build a future with.
Here’s hoping his match, Caitlin is the right one.
Dan Hunjas, 2023
At 42yo, Dan has been married twice and is the father of a 16-year-old girl who is his world.
So far things are looking sweet for his match with bride Sandy Jawanda after a great chemistry on their colourful wedding day.
Harrison Boon, 2023
32yo single dad of a three-year-old, Harrison is open to having more children with the right woman. But he won’t just settle for anyone – he sets the bar “ridiculously high” to achieve greatness in love.
As for his marriage to beautiful bride, Bronte, it seemed like a match made in heaven; until partway through their wedding reception when Bronte’s friend pulled her aside and told her Harrison apparently has a girlfriend waiting for him. The friend also claimed that Harrison told this girl he would be back with her as soon as the MAFS experiment ended.
There will definitely be some drama between these two during the rest of this year’s Married At First Sight season and it’ll be interesting to see whether Bronte and Harrison stay together or call it quits…
Carolina Santos, 2022
As one of this 2022’s intruder couples, 33yo Carolina Santos certainly made an entrance … eventually.
Unhappy with her makeup, the self-proclaimed “diva”, kept her groom Dion Giannarelli and guests waiting for three hours while she removed her professional glam look and reapplied the whole look herself.
It didn’t seem to impact their relationship too much, with the couple bonding over an appreciation for the finer things in life.
Carolina eventually let her new groom in on the fact that she already had a man in her life – her 16yo son.
‘“I got pregnant when I was really young. I was only 15, and then I decided to run with it and raised him all on my own,” she confessed to a stunned Dion.
While he was initially caught off guard by the revelation, Dion was able to come around and be a bit more understanding.
“You’ve done an amazing job to raise a 16-year-old boy at such a young age,” he told Carolina.
“You should be very proud. Thank you for being honest and telling me.”
Matt Ridley, 2022
39yo Queenslander, Matt has not had the typical journey of fatherhood.
The warm and engaging MAFS groom and his ex-wife went through years of devastatingly unsuccessful IVF treatments before deciding to give their parental love to high needs, emergency foster placement babies and children.
The pair cared for an incredible 27 kids during their relationship, but it took its toll and the pair eventually split.
Matt remains determined that his dreams of becoming a father again will come to fruition. Here’s hoping that his MAFS marriage to Kate Laidlaw is the key to that happening for him.
Selin Mengu, 2022
Matched with fellow single parent, Anthony, 32-year-old model and executive assistant, Selin was hoping to find someone who could be a great partner and role model for her 2yo son Roman.
So far things are looking good as she’s happy at the wedding to her new “gentleman” husband.
Anthony Cincotta, 2022
Six-foot-four, “gentleman” Anthony is looking for someone to love him and his daughter, 9yo Gabriella.
Salesman by day, and pro wrestler Tommy Hellfire by night, Anthony opened up his love for his little girl early on.
“She means the absolute world to me. My daughter is on the spectrum and she sees the world in her own beautiful way,” he said on ep 1.
“I feel like crying now talking about my daughter. She’s amazing.”
Andrew Davis, 2022
“Larger than life Texan”, Andrew Davis – is bringing a lot of character to his look for love. he’s also bringing a 2yo daughter!
Twice-divorced, Andrew moved to Australia four years ago with his second wife and the pair now share custody of their little girl.
James Susler, 2021
Dad of three, James described himself as a “Cheeky chappy” who loves luxury cars, designer clothes and the finer things in life.
Unfortunately his search for love fizzled out on the show as his match with fellow single parent, Joanne didn’t last the distance.
Joanne Todd, 2021
Bubbly Jo figured she’d give MAFS a try after her marriage with her ex collapsed and the 39-year-old barber was left with three young boys to look after by herself.
Sadly, her pairing with James was a dud.
Samantha Harvey, 2022
This successful property developer didn’t always have it easy and she shared the tale of being left to care for her new baby and toddler with little money after leaving her ex-husband.
Fans fell in love with her and were outraged at her treatment by cheating scoundrel, Cameron, who she was matched with on the show.
Poppy Jennings, 2020
Poppy won the hearts of the nation when she said: “I’ve got two-year-old twins and when they were six-weeks-old, my husband had a terrible accident. He tripped and fell into his co-worker’s vagina and he’s still stuck there!”
Poppy shared the tale of when she was sitting on the couch breastfeeding her baby boys when their dad walked in, and told their mum that he no longer loved her.
Poor Poppy! She didn’t have much luck on the show either, as her relationship with MAFS husband Luke was not ideal.
Luke Elgin, 2020
Single dad of two teenage daughters, FIFO worker Luke went looking for love on MAFS.
Sadly his union with Poppy came to a nasty end and the pair left the show early.
Mishel Karen, 2020
Single mum to two grown children, unlucky in love, Mishel tried her luck on MAFS.
Her daughter begged her to reconsider her TV wedding to a total stranger.
And she may have been right. Mishel’s pairing with Steve was less than ideal in the end.
Stacey Hampton, 2020
Lawyer, and a single mum, Stacey declared herself “an overachiever with a grounded family life”.
Alas, her match with bad boy Michael Noonan seemed doomed from the start.
Chris Nicholls, 2020
Another single parent, Chris is a father to two young boys, and dreamt of a forever marriage, “just like his parents”.
Sadly it was not meant to be with his MAFS partner, Vanessa.
Ning Surasiang, 2019
Single mum to three, Ning searched for love on MAFS.
For a while it looked good with her MAFS hubby, Mark Scrivens, but sadly it was not meant to be.
Telv Williams, 2018
Things looked so promising for Telv, a single dad of two, when he was paired with Sara Roza.
The pair looked ready for the long haul, but sadly, it was just not to be.
Justin Fischer, 2018
He’s a self-made businessman with three successful companies to his name.
And the only thing missing from single dad of two girls, Justin’s life is love.
Unfortunately he did not find it on MAFS!
Tracey Jewel, 2018
Single mum with self-proclaimed “sexual superpowers” was looking for someone to love her and her daughter.
Unfortunately her time on MAFS was troubled by a cheating scandal and some pretty bad rapping from her MAFS hubby, Dean.
Jo Mcpharlin, 2018
Fans fell hard for single mum “Foxy Jojo”.
Unfortunately her MAFS husband, Sean Donnelly did not and he wore the scorn of the nation for not giving Jojo the love and respect she deserved.
Gabrielle Bartlett, 2018
Previously married and twice engaged, single mum Gabrielle tried her love-luck on MAFS.
Sadly for her, she was paired with MAFS villain Nasser and there was no love to be found.
Melissa Walsh, 2018
Mornington Peninsula-based mum, Melissa tried her hand at love on MAFS and ended with a beautiful friendship with John instead.
John Robertson, 2017 & 2018
After a wobbly start for single dad John following his break-up with TV wife Debbie in 2017, it seemed as though the experts had been successful with their coupling of John and Melissa Walsh in 2018.
Although fans were rooting for them, it was not meant to be in the end.
Lauren Bran, 2017
Single Lauren was struggling to meet guys before giving MAFS a try.
It then became arguably the biggest scandal of Married at First Sight Australia up until that point, when Lauren left Andrew Jones hanging after their wedding day.
