MAFS’ Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven slam show for villain edit

One of this season’s most controversial couples on MAFS, Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven have unleashed on the “social experiment”.

Two of last year’s Married At First Sight contestants have accused the show of fooling the country and deceitful editing.

One of the villains of this year’s cycle, , Bryce Ruthven, 31, drew intense criticism for what viewers deemed as toxic behaviour, gaslighting and emotional manipulation towards Melissa Rawson, 31.

“We knew what the truth was from day one but unfortunately the country got fooled,” said Ruthven during an appearance at Melbourne’s The European Hotel, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.

“They have to have a villain and for some reason I got picked out.”

Rawson agreed with her fiance and said that while she wasn’t “overly happy” with their edit, she understood that they were “making a television show” which needed to be entertaining.

Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson. Supplied Channel 9.

In the months after the show ended, the couple announced they were engaged. Picture: Instagram.

While Rawson and Ruthven are one of the few couples from MAFS who have stayed together after filming, they were also one of this season’s most controversial.

A Change.org petition launched during the season accused Ruthven of “mentally torturing” his “wife”, with creator of the petition, Angela Rowell saying Channel 9 failed their “duty of care” to Rawson.

“She is being subject to gaslighting, emotional manipulation, isolation, and countless other TEXTBOOK signs of a controlling and or abusive relationship,” wrote Ms Rowell.

“The network has also failed duty of care to viewers putting together a final edit that shows these signs, supporting the relationship, and completely ignoring the obvious signs of control and abuse Melissa is subject to.”

The petition amassed 15,620 signatures, with several comments denouncing the show.

A scene from this season of MAFS where Bryce Ruthven makes Melissa Rawson cry. Picture: Channel 9.

One incident in particular caused a lot of controversy and shut down filming after Ruthven allegedly forcibly kissed the cheek of fellow contestant Bec Zemek.

Speaking to KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O after the show finished, Zemek admitted her reaction at the dinner party was manufactured. When asked whether she hated Ruthven, Zemek responded that she “absolutely” did not.

Joining the interview, Ruthven doubled down on Zemek’s claims.

“Listening to you finally admitting those rumours came from producers it’s what I said for two months filming the show,” he responded. “Finally someone else backs that up and tells the truth.”

“Bec said it, but they tell you what to do … You’ve got us two who were butting heads the entire show agreeing with each other now.”

Rawson gave birth to twin sons on October 16, 10 weeks before her official due date. Picture: Supplied.

Speaking to New Idea in July, Rawson and Ruthven seemed to be above the criticism. Announcing their engagement and pregnancy – Rawson has since given birth to twin boys, Levi and Tate – the couple said they were happy.

“It’s been a whirlwind, but we’re so incredibly happy,” said Rawson.

“We’d already been married on the show and, with our relationship getting stronger, this just felt like the logical next step,” she added.

Ruthven sidestepped the abuse allegations and said that following the show, they were ready to ‘cement their love’.

“We’re not doing this for anybody else, it’s about us – we’re cementing our love,” he said.

“Melissa deserves to be happy and I’m apparently very good at that, so I’m looking forward to making it all official.”

Originally published as MAFS’ Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven slam show for villain edit