Married At First Sight groom Haydn Daniels said he will not miss the show after appearing on New Zealand’s first season.
“There seems to be a genuine conflict between the increasing awareness of the mental health of participants and the entertainment value of shows like MAFS,” he said.
Daniels was married to Belle on season one of the show and later decided the pair had little in common and chose to opt-out. The groom discussed that producers then made him out to be a villain and asked him probing questions to develop an entertaining storyline.
“When my wife and I were at odds, I was led to believe she wasn’t going to come to a pre-arranged lunch and I should return home. They allowed me to catch a separate flight to create more drama, knowing that she would be left sitting there alone,” said Daniels.
He said that networks will continue to produce entertaining reality shows and pretend the health of contestants is their utmost priority.
During filming Daniels was told he would have access to psychologists and experts, yet when he requested to speak to one he was instead put to his wife and filmed to create an argument and dramatic content.
He said when he attempted to speak out about the mental health of participants he was told the show must go on.
Daniels said he hopes MediaWorks is feeling pressure from sponsors who are uncomfortable pairing their brand with this toxic behaviour.
“Watching people’s suffering and manipulation are not particularly entertaining for me.”
The ex-contestant now lives with his partner Emily and dog Lola in Auckland, where he works as a teacher.
MediaWorks has defended the process of the show and said it had taken extra measures to protect the contestant’s mental health. The company said they provide a psychologist both during and after filming.
