MAFS wife Selina left in tears after Cody’s remarks about her ethnicity
Viewers have pointed out a glaring problem after a MAFS bride was left inconsolable when her husband confessed he wasn’t attracted to her “nationality and look”.
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MAFS contestant Selina was left heartbroken and sobbing uncontrollably in Wednesday night’s episode after asking husband Cody whether he’s not attracted to her due to her ethnicity.
The experts had tasked the pair with posing “hard questions” as part of Confessions Week, with Selina — who has been open about being bullied in the past — asking Cody whether he’s not affectionate towards her because she’s Asian.
Asserting he’s “not racist”, Cody explained that he’s “more familiar” with “blonde, surfy” women from Sydney’s northern beaches.
The difficult conversation came after Cody had placed Selina second behind blonde, blue-eyed Samantha in the ruthless attractive-ranking exercise earlier in the day, and following on from a honeymoon which saw the newlyweds struggle with physical affection as Cody admitted his “schlong wasn’t co-ordinating with his head”.
“I would like to know if it’s my nationality that turns Cody off, and is it my nationality that he doesn’t find attractive, and therefore has not shown me any affection and is struggling to,” Selina told producers before sitting down with 30-year-old swim coach Cody.
“Is the lack of interest, attraction and affection due to my nationality and look?,” asked Selina, 32, from SA.
Taking a deep breathe before his response, Cody said: “I think it did honestly play at it initially. I’m not racist by any means but it’s not something I’m familiar with. To be honest … the short answer is it probably did.
“I am attracted to you, as long as you understand that there’s nothing that’s stopping us from progressing the relationship,” he added, later telling producers Selina’s background is “not something that bothers him”.
“I’ve always sort of been open to the idea, it’s just something I’ve never normally gone for. And I don’t know what that’s from … personal preference … yeah,” he told Selina.
Explaining himself to the camera, he continued: “Selina’s nationality, or ethnicity or however you want to phrase it, is not a big deal. Selina typically isn’t my type, I do usually go for that blonde, surfy look, that’s just what I'm magnetised towards and what I've always gone for on the northern beaches.
“But I’ve never looked at Selina differently and I’ve always wanted to progress and move forward in the experiment,” he said, conceding that he’d “f***ed up”.
“I have upset her a few times and it’s accumulated and I’m aware of it and this is adding to it … I’m super remorseful to have made those comments that have come out the wrong way,” he said.
Elsewhere, a devastated Selina was left sobbing as she told producers Cody’s remarks had “broken” her.
“I’ve obviously had my suspicions that Cody wasn’t feeling ‘this’,” the hairdresser said before breaking down in tears.
“I’m trying to be positive but this has really broken me.
“He knows I’ve been bullied all my childhood based on that. I can’t change my nationality.
“It’s hard because I really like him and I’m trying really hard … I can’t change that I’m Asian,” she said.
Viewers took to social media to rally around a “beautiful” Selina, as they pointed out the “underlying issue” with Cody’s confession.
as an asian australian I relate to selina so hard. you feel like you donât fit into asian beauty standards, nor australian standards. I get having a âpreferenceâ but letâs not delude ourselves that there is an underlying race issue #mafsau
— ri âï¸ (@whygeestan) February 9, 2022
No Selina - it is not embarrassing for you. You are a wonderful human. He should be utterly ashamed. #MAFSAustralia#mafsau
— Culture Booga (@culturebooga) February 9, 2022
Cody does not realise Selina has been retraumatised. It's massive. Oh My heart. #MAFSAU
— Cat Pillow ðð¾ (@GlitterGdn) February 9, 2022
i was going to tweet about how selina deserves better than someone who bases attraction on race but i have a feeling she already knows that, or should anyway. instead iâll say that youâre a beautiful woman inside and out and we love you #MAFS#MAFSAU
— alysha (taylorâs version) (@intosneedy) February 9, 2022
Selina has dyed her hair blonde and wears blue contact lenses. Iâm scared #MAFSAU will tip her further into racial self loathing. She is beautiful inside and out. This guy is not worthy
— Bella Mei Wong (@bellameiwong) February 9, 2022
Selina crying that she can't change that she's Asian, after the two and a half years Asians have faced since COVID, is dark, it's deep, and it's real.#MAFS#MAFSAU
— So Dramatic! (@sodramaticpod) February 9, 2022
According to Body & Soul, the application process for Married At First Sight involves extensive questions about what potential contestants look for in a partner.
News.com.au has reached out to Channel 9 for comment on how Selina and Cody were matched for the program.
Sunday night’s commitment ceremony will see Selina and Cody decide whether to “leave” or “stay” in the experiment.
Married At First Sight continues Sunday night from 7.30 on Channel 9
Originally published as MAFS wife Selina left in tears after Cody’s remarks about her ethnicity