Is This The End For MAFS?

For the first time in eight seasons, fans turn on the ‘toxic’ show

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While the show has never shied away from controversy, this year Married At First Sight has incited intense fan backlash like never before – with many taking to social media to slam its bullying, toxic masculinity, and “triggering” gaslighting behaviour by some of its contestants.

“This is getting really toxic now, what happened to all the love?” one user wrote on the show’s official Instagram account.

“The behaviours on this show are so disgusting. It’s not getting called out enough,” another wrote.

And with Nine deciding to mute comments on all of the cast’s Instagram accounts, fed-up viewers have taken matters into their own hands by starting a petition for the network to apologise over their alleged disregard for their duty of care, primarily in regards to Bryce and Melissa, both 31. “This season features a couple, Melissa and Bryce, who portray an excessive amount of domestic violence (DV) signs which are not being handled by the network appropriately,” the petition bio reads.

‘Melissa is being subjected to mental torture’

“These signs are being disregarded by producers and the network and Melissa is being subjected to mental torture, very obviously to the viewer, creating a distressing viewing experience.

“Melissa is being subject to gaslighting, emotional manipulation, isolation, and countless other TEXTBOOK signs of a controlling and or abusive relationship.