Bring on the trashy drama! What we know about MAFS 2025 before it has even started

With multiple exes paired together, a Bachie alum heading back to our screens, and a mass exodus in the first week, there's no doubt that the drama this season will be piping hot.

It’s official - there’s now less than two weeks left until MAFS 2025 hits our screens!

The 12th season of Married at First Sight AU is set to be bigger and better than ever, matching the growth of the show itself, which now garners audiences from the US and the UK in addition to us Aussies.

And sure, they might say that every year, but with reports of multiple contestants quitting in the first week, exes being paired together, and a solid mix of successful matches and dramatic blow-ups, we’re starting to think it might be true.

This year, we’re being brought 20 singles trying to ‘find love’ on the show this year - plus a few intruders along the way.

Here’s what we know so far.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this.

Image: Nine.

RELATED: When is Bluey set? Fans have theories

We are never ever getting back together (or maybe we are)

Rumours are flying that not one but two pairs of exes have been matched as part of MAFS season 12.

The first couple, now officially revealed as Melbourne locals, former Neighbours actor, Jeff Gobbels, and fitness influencer, Rhi Disljenkovic, were first speculated to have a history back in July last year when filming was taking place.

Yahoo Lifestyle revealed that after turning to see his bride for the first time, Jeff said “Hey Rhi” before she had even introduced herself. Rhi was reportedly later seen explaining their connection to a producer off-camera after tying the knot.

Now, with the release of the first lot of trailers, it appears that Jeff and Rhi aren’t alone in the dilemma.

In one of them, a now-viral clip sees bride Carina Mabile - a 31-year-old Digital Marketing Manager from WA - walk down the aisle to meet her new husband, who also happens to be her ex.

“I know him… can you believe that?” she tells a producer.

When asked how it ended between the two, Carina then confesses that he ghosted her - yikes!

But, as for whether these were accidental - I find it hard to believe.

A familiar face

Of course, MAFS is always full of influencers and other people who have previously been in the media. But, it’s rare for someone to come in for their second reality stint.

Among this year’s cast, you may have noticed a familiar face in 31-year-old Sierah Swepstone.

Despite being referred to in her official bio as a Financial Associate Advisor with little experience in the way of love, Sierah may have a little more experience than you might think, having appeared on Jimmy Nicholson's season of The Bachelor AU back in 2021.

Though she didn’t take home the final rose, which ultimately went to Holly Kingston, Sierah did make it through 8 episodes of the series and was a fan favourite, thanks to her hilarious one-liners.

Who wouldn’t remember her saying "I was so full of gas I could have started levitating” in the first episode?

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

RELATED: Squid Game 3 is on its way and fans already have theories

A mass exodus

It appears quite a few of this year’s contestants were less than satisfied with their matches, with a whopping six allegedly taking off within the first week of the show.

According to Yahoo Lifestyle, two couples call it quits during the very first commitment ceremony, with another groom, Eliot Donovan being the first participant to quit the show after being “unimpressed” with his bride Lauren Hall.

It’s been reported since that the show was able to find a replacement husband for poor Lauren, but as for that pairing’s success, we’ll have to wait and see.

A few raunchy surprises

If that subheading was giving you war flashbacks to Dom and Olivia’s OnlyFans scandal, circa 2022, I’m sorry - but this is potentially much worse.

An insider told The Daily Mail that bride Jamie Marinos is set to declare she has slept with intruder, Teejay Halkias, in the past, none other than AT HIS WEDDING.

“We were all sitting at the main table, enjoying the wedding, and then Jamie just walked over and said, ‘I slept with TJ’. The entire room froze. It was like a grenade had gone off—nobody could believe what they were hearing,” they said.

I can’t imagine that will go down well.

One bride is also rumoured to show fellow MAFS contestants a saucy video of herself in order to get the attention of another groom. We don’t know who this bride is just yet, but regardless the fallout will be momentous.

Can it get any more intense?

As if these poor people don’t go through enough on the show (already cringing at the thought of the photo ranking challenge), Nine has also revealed something brand new is coming in 2025: Final Test Week.

The week is set to put some of the strongest couples through all kinds of emotional challenges and pressures in the international first, finally putting the question, ‘is the grass greener on the other side?’ to rest. Wife swap, anyone?

MAFS will premiere on Monday January 27 on Channel 9 and 9Now at 7.30pm.

Originally published as Bring on the trashy drama! What we know about MAFS 2025 before it has even started