Reality AF: The 12 Best Couples in Married at First Sight History

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Set in Chicago, Season 18 of Married at First Sight (or MAFS as fans call it) is still in its early stages. While viewers wait for the cheating scandal and a couple swap that Lifetime highlighted in a press release before the season began (my money is on David and Ikechi swapping wives), now is ironically the perfect time to reflect on MAFS’s many successes.

Any Married at First Sight fan will tell you that the show has its issues. As a die-hard viewer I’ve written about the show’s terrible matchmaking record, its broken matchmaking process, and its worst couples, where I included the entire cast of its Denver-based 17th season. I’ve even chatted with Pastor Cal about the show’s divorce rate and how some undeserving people slip through casting.

Despite being critical of the show, I can freely admit that Married at First Sight has led to several successful relationships. Even though one of the couples on this list is no longer together, the rest are still married and most of them have children. Here’s a look at the 12 best couples in Married at First Sight history.

12. Amelia and Bennett (Season 11, New Orleans)

Yeah, yeah, I know. These two divorced a year after filming ended. So why include them? Because they were about as perfect a couple I’ve seen on this series. They were both likable nerds who were really into each other so I’m shocked they didn’t work out. But at least they gave us a good example of how the MAFS process can still be a net positive even if the relationship doesn’t last.

11. Stephanie and AJ (Season 8, Philadelphia)

Of all the couples on this list, this is the one I’d never thought would make it when I first saw them paired. AJ, a bit loud and obnoxious, wasn’t comfortable in front of the camera on his season. At one point he even snapped at a producer. Yet, five years later they’re still together and now live in Florida.

10. Nicole and Christopher (Season 16, Nashville)

This duo was one of the rare pairings that worked from the jump. Chris, easy going and mild-mannered, was a perfect balance for his outgoing and charismatic wife, Nicole.

9. Danielle and Bobby (Season 7, Dallas)

Yet another instant connection, Danielle and Bobby both shared a love of family and were ready to have kids right away. The pair celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary earlier this year and now have three children: Olivia, Savannah, and Bobby IV.

8. Brianna and Vincent (Season 12, Atlanta)

The only couple to survive the Atlanta season, which gave fans the horrific Chris/Paige pairing, Brianna and Vincent are thriving. The couple have a daughter together, Aury Bella, and are currently pregnant with their second child.

7. Kristine and Keith (Season 8, Philadelphia)

This duo had an instant attraction but had to overcome a common relationship dilemma: money. Kristine made more money than Keith but the couple managed to overcome the issue and bought a house together nine months after their season ended.

6. Jessica and Austin (Season 10, Washington D.C.)

Season 10 had two of the worst couples in series history (Taylor/Brandon and Mindy/Zach) but also one of the best. A mellow couple that just clicked, Jessica and Austin recently celebrated the birth of their second son, Everett, in August. Their first, Westin, was born in 2021.

5. Deonna and Gregory (Season 9, Charlotte)

This couple had to deal with an uncommon issue. Usually the male in a marriage is emotionally closed but in this relationship it was Deonna, who’d been single for a while. The pair managed to make things work and have a 3-year-old son named Declan.

4. Shawniece and Jephte (Season 6, Boston)

Of all the couples to remain married, none had as much of a roller coaster experience as Shawniece and Jephte. The couple initially struggled and temporarily separated after the experiment ended. They figured things out and recently celebrated their 7th anniversary. Their daughter, Laura, turned 6 in August.

3. Ashley and Anthony (Season 5)

After striking out with couples in seasons 2, 3 and 4, with no pair staying together, the Married at First Sight formula looked busted early. Luckily for the franchise Ashley and Anthony hit it off right away in Season 5. They’ve been married since 2016 and have two daughters, Mila and Vaeda.

2. Amani and Woody (Season 11)

Perhaps the most likable couple in MAFS history are Amani and Woody, a playful pair that didn’t seem like they’d be a match. In episodes before the wedding, Woody had a playboy persona. But as soon as he met Amani at the altar, he changed his tune and the couple never looked back. They have two sons, Reign and Rai.

1. Jamie and Doug (Season 1, New York)

Married at First Sight wouldn’t be nearly as popular as it is today if it wasn’t for its most successful and famous couple, Jamie and Doug. Although things didn’t start off well for the pair. Jamie, who had previously appeared on the 16th season of The Bachelor (the Ben Flajnik season), quickly felt overwhelmed and her authentic reaction made her a fan favorite. Doug, patient and kind, won viewers and Jamie over. The couple has now been married for 10 years, have a daughter (Henley) and a son (Hendrix), and announced in August they are pregnant and expecting twins.

Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not applying to be on Survivor for the 100th time, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.

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