These Married At First Sight Season 17 Cast Members Are Still Trying To Be Relevant (Are They Chasing Clout?)

Summary Only 18.75% of Married at First Sight couples are still together after 17 seasons.

Season 17 featured a messy cast who tried to control their narratives but failed.

Some cast members, like Emily and Michael, are still seeking attention post-show.

Married at First Sight season 17 was one of the messiest seasons to date, with many clout-chasing allegations, and there are still cast members who are trying to be relevant. Season 17 aired its final episode on April 23, 2024, after starting in mid-October, making it the longest season in Married at First Sight history. Adding to the show's poor success rate, all five couples are no longer together. Only one couple, Becca Haley and Austin Reed said yes to each other on Decision Day, but they broke up for good the very next day.

Over the 17 seasons, there have been 64 couples. of those 64 couples, only 12 of them are still together, making Married at First Sight's success rate only 18.75%. However, when the matchmakers have gotten it right, they've really gotten it right. The couples still together in the franchise are enviable and set a great example of what couples in the show can aspire to. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson, and Dr. Pia Holec are the show's expert therapists tasked with matching the couples and guiding them on the eight-week-long journey - but they've missed a lot, including clout chasers.

The MAFS Season 17 Tried To Dupe The Process

The Season 17 Cast Tried To Control The Optics

There were a lot of firsts in Married at First Sight season 17. Michael Shiakallis' original mystery bride was not ready to marry a stranger and ditched him at the altar. Following that, Michael was rematched with Chloe Brown, and the pair began their experience halfway through the season. But the biggest first was the group dupe that was pulled. The whole cast, excluding Michael and Chloe, came together and decided to control their narratives and only display themselves in ways that would make them look good. However, the plan backfired.

The season 17 women thought the men were trying to silence them and cared more about optics than their wives' feelings. This setup of trying to outsmart the show only created tension and animosity among the men and women of the season and made season 17's cast the most contentious group ever (via Lifetime.) Given the dupe they were trying to pull off, all those involved could be deemed clout chasers, but there are some who have continued to try and stay in the spotlight. Many MAFS fans also feel like there were a lot of attention seekers in season 17.

Related 20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.

Michael Shiakallis

Michael Has Been Hitting The Podcast Circuit

Close

Michael was a Married at First Sight season 17 cast member who applied for the show after being recruited. Since the show has aired, Michael has been touring the podcast circuit. He's given interviews on Regular Guys Random Thoughts, Little Miss Recap, and Are You My Podcast? It could be that Michael wants to set the record straight by giving interviews on different platforms, or it could mean that he wants his fifteen minutes of fame to extend.

Michel presented as very flashy on the show, and his eccentricity was given a platform that he likely hadn't had before, so there was an incentive for him to want to stay in the spotlight. Michael is also very active on Instagram and often posts behind-the-scenes shots from the season. He also maintains relationships with the other MAFS season 17 cast members, which got him a lot of airtime during the "Where Are They Now?" episode.

Emily Balch

Emily Tries To Flex On Instagram

Emily's Instagram bio says a lot about her, and how she seemingly wants more clout for being portrayed as a villain in Married at First Sight season 17.

"The one who #disrespected MAFS S17."

Emily's behavior during an episode of Afterparty towards host Keisha Knight Pulliam and during the Reunion towards Kevin Frazier showcased her true colors and highlighted Emily's mean-spirited nature that Brennan saw. It's possible Emily lashed out in order to get more screen time and become more talked about since it seems she's embracing the "disrespectful" label.

Outside of talking up her villain label, Emily spends a lot of time flexing on Instagram. She rubs the trips she takes in her followers' faces and showcases her ego in her cations. Emily has also partnered up with a medspa, which means she is trying to use her MAFS appearance to her advantage.

Lauren Goodger

Lauren Is Doing Partnerships

Close

Lauren also touts her Married at First Sight appearance in her Instagram bio, although her page is private. She has partnered with the same medspa as Emily, and the pair are making an appearance together and promoting it as them being reality TV stars to come and see. Lauren also flexes her vacations and continues to try and stay relevant through social media.

Married At First Sight is available to stream on Lifetime.

Source: Lifetime/YouTube, Regular Guys Random Thoughts, Little Miss Recap, and Are You My Podcast?, Emily Balch/Instagram, Lauren Goodger/Instagram