The New Zealand version of Married At First Sight is back with a diverse and eclectic new cast that easily trumps Australia’s cookie-cutter singles.
MAFS NZ unveiled the official season two cast on Sunday, which features a same-sex couple, a Jewish teacher, foreign-born brides and grooms and much more.
Leading the pack is Instagram fashion influencer Samuel Levi, 25, who is best friend’s with last season’s villainous gay groom Benjamin Blackwell.
It’s back! Married At First Sight’s season two cast is led by gay groom Samuel Levi, 25, who is a well known Kiwi Instagram influencer
The socialite briefly appeared on screen last season as part of Ben’s ‘pretty committee’ friend circle, but has now returned as a full-fledged groom himself.
He’s already had to fend off speculation that he’s using the show for fame, telling the New Zealand Herald that he’s ‘definitely looking for love’ and is ‘ready to settle down’ at the tender age of 25.
Despite shunning fame for love, Samuel’s wedding ceremony will feature a number of Kiwi celebrity guests, including Bachelor reject Alysha Brown, TV personality Erin Simpson, and of course, Ben Blackwell.
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before? Samuel is best friends with season one villain Benjamin Blackwell (R), and even appeared at his TV wedding last year
Friends in high places! The socialite, who has had to fend off claims that he’s using the show for fame, can be seen rubbing shoulders with MAFS Australia star Nasser Sultan at an event
Also set to shake things up is Japanese-born beauty Yuki Sato, 31, who is a hairdresser and business owner based in Christchurch.
According to Stuff, the outspoken stunner says that any men that just want to date ‘a submissive little Japanese girl’ are in for a shock because she’s a ‘strong woman’ who doesn’t hold back.
Also adding some more diversity to the cast is Russian bride Ksenia Smorodinova and South African-born barber Gareth Noble.
Confident: Also set to shake things up is Japanese-born beauty Yuki Sato, 31, who is a hairdresser and business owner based in Christchurch
‘Strong woman’: The outspoken stunner says that any men that just want to date ‘a submissive little Japanese girl’ are in for a shock because she’s a ‘strong woman’ who doesn’t hold back
Ksenia, 33, is a sales manager whose biggest dealbreaker in a partner is a man who ‘lacks ambition.’
Meanwhile, tattooed hipster and yoga enthusiast Gareth, 26, is after a partner that isn’t ‘afraid to try new things’.
The cast also contains Jewish teacher Monique Lee, 25, who refuses to date anybody ‘cocky or right-wing,’ and says she wants somebody ‘non-judgmental and open-minded.’
International: Also adding some more diversity to the cast is Russian bride Ksenia Smorodinova (L) and South African-born barber Gareth Noble (R)
Wild child! Tattooed hipster and yoga enthusiast Gareth, 26, is after a partner that isn’t ‘afraid to try new things’
Speaking about the new cast, Kiwi ‘relationship expert’ Tony Jones told Newshub that contestants needed to prepare to be their ‘authentic selves.’
‘We know we have found singles with commonality that are a genuine fit, but in order for these relationships to work the singles will need to be prepared to be their authentic selves and give it their all, despite the unique circumstances,’ he said.
Unlike the first season of MAFS NZ, the marriages in season two won’t be legally-binding.
Lefty! The cast also contains Jewish teacher Monique Lee, 25, who refuses to date anybody ‘cocky or right-wing,’ and says she wants somebody ‘non-judgmental and open-minded’
Will these grooms get lucky? Helicopter engineer Wayne, 32, (L) entrepreneur Dave, 44, (R) are two of the single fellas on the new season
The reason for the change could have something to do with season one star Haydn Daniels taking the show to court to have his marriage to co-star Bel Clarke annulled, claiming that the ‘scientific’ matching process he was promised only consisted of an attractiveness test and nothing more.
Despite plenty of drama on season one, the show spawned one successful couple in Brett and Angel Renall.
The blissfully happy couple recently celebrated their one-year anniversary together and are planning to buy a home and start a family soon.
MAFS NZ will premiere on New Zealand’s Three network ‘soon’.
Blonde bombshell: Ottie Schwartz, 32, says she’s the ‘life of the party’ and ‘crazy and beautiful’
Will he find love? Electrician Tayler Morgan, 29, says he has ‘no game’ and needs help in the romance department