Top 10 Best Married at First Sight U.S. Moments

Eccentric and artsy pair Bennett and Amelia won viewers’ hearts on Season 11, but an unexpected twist early on nearly threw a wrench in the works. When the singles from New Orleans met at their wedding, they surprised everyone by revealing they had actually met at a party years before. Seeing as the show’s entire premise is based on strangers being matched by professional matchmakers, this could have been a major error on the show’s part. However, the two didn’t appear to have spoken again after that initial meeting (depending on what report you read), although they admitted to feeling an attraction to each other. Although they would later divorce, their connection during filming made for one of the show’s sweetest arranged marriages.

Season 8 couple Kristine and Keith were attracted to each other as soon as they met at their wedding. And while lifestyle differences led to a few bumps in the road along the way, the two never lost their physical attraction. They made this clear at the reunion. On the season's Decision Day, a ceremony where couples decide whether or not they want to stay together, Keith and Kristine were so excited to be staying together that they made the most of a filming break and decided to “take advantage of the bed” that was on set. As their fellow castmate said, “TMI,” Keith and Kristine, TMI.

This entry belongs to another Season 8 couple that wasn’t as successful. Kate never felt secure in her relationship with Luke. This was made worse when Luke admitted he wasn't all that attracted to her. When reunion host Kevin Frazier pressed the issue at the reunion, Kate addressed her suspicions that Luke might be gay. Things escalate from there. More accusations, a bizarre tidbit about Luke’s Facebook relationship status, and Luke’s canned answers lead to a heated exchange between him and Frazier. It’s an awkward moment, but Frazier handles it with professionalism and poise.

Even though the show is about finding successful marriages, we find it hard to believe the producers aren’t casting for drama as well. Few “Married at First Sight” couples brought the drama like constantly bickering Season 9 cast members Jamie and Elizabeth. From their honeymoon trip to their “basic caucasian” private life, the two were always able to find something to fight about. After an argument in front of the other couples, Beth becomes enraged when Jamie won’t apologize for his behavior and pushes a coffee table across the room, knocking over filming equipment in the process. Despite their sometimes volatile relationship, Beth and Jamie are one of the show’s success stories. They’re still together three years on.

Chris went into Season 12 of “Married at First Sight” making a habit of keeping secrets. Less than a day into their marriage, he told his new wife Paige he wasn’t initially attracted to her. This hadn't stopped him from consummating their marriage. But the other shoe dropped in the next episode. He admits to Paige, in the most frustrating and roundabout way possible, that his ex-fiancée is pregnant with his child. The moment is frustrating, entertaining, and completely bonkers in the way only “Married at First Sight” can be. Understandably shocked, Paige never really recovered from the news.

You know the saying “opposites attract.” Well, for this Season 3 couple, opposites did exactly what you'd expect them to do. Aggressive Sam and passive Neil clashed from the start. Neil’s passiveness made him a target for aspersions on his manhood, with Sam even suggesting they switch outfits at one point. Things came to a head during a spirited game of tetherball on their honeymoon. Neil had finally had enough, and Sam clearly did not take this well. Different communication styles are one thing, but these two had major personality differences from the start. As Sam so elegantly put it [“He’s a vanilla wafer and I’m like a Samoa cookie.”] Needless to say, this marriage didn’t last.

Some people don’t deal well with being told what to do. These people generally don’t like being on reality shows, but they make great TV. Case in point: Brandon. This Season 10 husband didn’t adjust well to being documented 24/7. After an already intense argument with his new wife Taylor, Brandon became uncooperative with the producers who made an on-screen appearance to try to get him to put his microphone back on. Brandon continued to antagonize the producers, daring them to put their hands on him. The couple’s argument continued upstairs, where not even a closed door could keep prying cameras away.

Season 6’s Shawniece and Jephte had a few bumps early on in their marriage (xref). Although it wasn’t always easy, the two found a genuine connection. As the season went on, though, they won over the audience with their unfolding love story. But their story on the show got a poignant end when Shawniece presented Jephte with a pair of baby’s shoes—her way of telling him she is pregnant with their child. The two have a lot to figure out in regards to their marriage, but promise to always be there for one another. This emotionally raw moment addresses how complicated and fulfilling relationships can be, especially under the microscope of television.

Season 7’s Tristan lived out a “Married at First Sight” nightmare when his new wife was detained at the airport before their honeymoon. Mia’s husband and the producers were left totally in the dark by the issue until it came out there was a warrant for her arrest, and she was charged with stalking and credit card fraud. Although Tristan decided not to let the event color his perceptions of his new wife, the two never seemed able to trust one another. The two would later divorce. It’s probably for the best. When they did announce their divorce on the reunion special, they couldn’t even agree on who initiated it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Initial Reaction, “Wedding Prep”
Fate Intervened When Anthony’s Fiancée's First Initial Appeared to Him in a Dream

Amber Abandoned, “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not”
Amber Learns Her New Husband May Have Been Unfaithful

I (Don’t) Want To Hold Your Hand, “The Honeymoons”
The Couple’s Chemistry Was So Off They Couldn’t Even Hold Hands without Fighting

“See Me!”, “Honeymoons Part 2”
Sheila & Nate Have a Tearful Heart-to-Heart on Their Honeymoon

The Question, “All Roads Lead To This”
Bobby’s Proposal to Danielle Made for an Emotional Decision Day

This moment comes from the very first season. The show’s entire premise, that the newlyweds will not meet their spouses until the wedding, pays off in a big way when Jamie sees her soon-to-be husband, Doug, for the first time. The tears start flowing when she realizes she is not as attracted to him as she wants to be. Just when it looks like Jamie’s about to bolt, she says “I do.” From this intensely awkward start, America got to watch as the two fell deeply in love. The two are a “Married at First Sight” success story, and are still going strong to this day.