When Married At First Sight UK kicked off its latest season last month, one couple immediately captured the hearts of viewers – dog walker Kristina Goodsell and mechanic Kieran Chapman. With their infectious energy, they seemed like the perfect match when they first met at the altar.
Now, in their exclusive interview with OK!, the duo still exudes positivity. “We’re even better now, talking to you! ” Kieran, 28, says with a smile, while Kristina, 31, giggles beside him. Although they can’t reveal their current relationship status while the show is still on, their strong bond is evident. However, they admit that adjusting to reality hasn’t been easy. In this chat, Kieran and Kristina open up about the challenges they faced off-camera, Kristina’s struggles with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), and how some castmates caused tension…
Hi, guys! How has it felt watching yourselves on TV over the past few weeks?
Kieran: It’s a massive pinch-me moment. It’s nice, because you always reflect on the kind of person you are and how you come across. So, to get positive feedback has been amazing.
Kristina: Yeah, it just feels so surreal. But it’s also so comforting to see me and Kieran together. It’s been emotional watching myself because, now, I’m on good medication for my PMDD, and before I wasn’t. So, it has made me realise how emotional and unstable I was at that time. It’s sad, but I’m also proud of how far I’ve come – with huge thanks to Kieran for that.
What were your first impressions of each other, and Kieran’s famous false teeth?
Kristina: Ha! On the wedding day, my dad and I were crying before we started walking down the aisle. When I got closer to Kieran I noticed the teeth and everyone started laughing, but I was so scared in case they were real – I didn’t want to laugh so I completely blanked it out. Kieran obviously then saw the terror in my eyes, and took them out. But I was so happy I got Kieran. I did the show because I wanted a husband, I was lonely and nothing was working out for me. I wanted to spread my wings and see what the Universe threw at me. And luckily, it threw Kieran at me!
Kieran: The funny thing is, I had intended to take the teeth out halfway through my vows – so they were meant to stay in a lot longer! But I was so happy. Before, I was pretty confident and comfortable, but the cherry on the cake was missing. Someone who completes my life. I wasn’t expecting Kristina at all – I thought my energy levels were through the roof, then I met Kristina.
Kieran, did you find it difficult to navigate Kristina’s PMDD on the show?
Kieran: Yes, I could sit here and say, “No, It was a doddle” but it was hard. I didn’t even know what PMDD was before Kristina. We h ad one very minor argument on the honeymoon, which wasn’t aired. It was Kristina’s PMDD showing for the first time in our relationship, and I didn’t know what it was or how it was going to be expressed. But we had a discussion and it was squashed in an hour. There were times when it was really difficult and you had to sit back and go, “There’s more to this person than the PMDD.” There’s a lot more to Kristina and I don’t want her to ever think that’s all she’s known for.
Kristina: Aw, thank you, Kieran. I have had a lot of lovely messages from PMDD warriors since the show aired, and I’m happy to have been able to spread awareness.
Has your relationship been accurately portrayed on the show so far?
Kieran: I think so. We were a couple of little clowns trying to make the most of it all – two love bugs! I think it’s important to get stuck in and be yourself. The hardest part for me was being vulnerable. It’s hard enough doing that behind closed doors, let alone in front of the world. But I am in touch with my feminine side and I’m not scared to say that. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m emotional for a bloke. I’m not scared to be emotional.
Kristina: We were cruising through. It was sometimes hard on the couch because Kieran doesn’t like to focus on his emotions. I would ask him to tell me what was going on and Kieran would sit back and say, “No, I’m fine.”
How has the overnight rise to fame been?
Kristina: It’s been overwhelming but in the best way. It’s a lot to take in but we’re just riding the wave.
Kieran: I went shopping a couple of days after our wedding was on telly and I couldn’t walk for more than 50 metres and I had 10 selfies taken. I was like, “I just want to go to Primark!” But I’ve taken it as a compliment. I do want to give a shout-out to Caspar [Todd]. He’s been getting a lot of negativity since the show aired but he is a great guy and someone we all went to for advice.
What has life been like since filming the show?
Kristina: It’s been difficult, hasn’t it, Kieran? Trying to navigate life again has been tough. You go from living with each other to being back with your friends and family while catching up with work. But the welfare from the show has been good, they’ve been checking in and making sure we’re OK.
Kieran: It’s very strange to go from living in a bubble with your wife and all these amazing people you’ve met, getting into a routine, and then coming out and being like, “What on earth am I meant to do now?” All you’ve known for the last three months is: wake up, be filmed with your partner and friends. You switch off from the outside world so it’s really hard going back into it.
We’ve seen new couples come on the show recently. How did they change the dynamics?
Kieran: It’s not right to say, but we were the OGs so we had created a friendship group before they came in. One person really stirs things up and that’s Hurricane Hannah [Hannah Norburn], we’ve all nicknamed her that! She is a lovely girl but she threw a spanner in the works. You’ve got all that to come on the show.