5 interesting facts about Married at First Sight South Africa

Cape Town – The second season of the hit show Married At First Sight South Africa premieres on Friday, 6 October on Lifetime (DStv 131). 

The second ‘super-sized’ local season of the international reality series, has been increased to nine captivating episodes, from six last season. 

We got the scoop from executive producer Rebecca Fuller-Campbell for some interesting facts about the show.

1. Hundreds of people entered!

700 people entered for the second season of the show. There are even people who tried to apply for the next season.

2. The matching process

Unlike other reality shows there isn't an audition process but rather matching workshops. The process takes several months and includes: Psychiatric assessments, sexual health checks, background checks, financial assessments as well as a whole host of personality tests and workshops. It takes approximately four months from call to entry to final matching. The core part of the series is shot over nine weeks from matching announcements to the final decisions.

3. No sneak peeks

Female and male applicants meet on separate days, as the only time the chosen pair will see each other is on the wedding day. Some of the applicants had met before, but no close friends were at the workshops. It’s generally a very personal journey and doesn’t tend to attract friends applying together.

4. A case of cold feet

There have been participants who withdraw at the final stage after being matched. Participants are constantly encouraged to be sure of what they are doing, no one is forced into marriage. The marriage is real so everyone has to be 100% sure before going through with the ‘I do’s’!

5. The strangest reaction from a family member

"We had a mother who on camera was very accepting and understanding but did not agree with the process and voiced some doubts. But then when she thought we weren’t filming voiced her real opinions, starting with an expletive," says Fuller-Campbell.

Watch a promo here:

Catch Married at First Sight South Africa Fridays at 20:50 on Lifetime (DStv 131)