Reality TV stardom has turned into a career nightmare for Married At First Sight contestants, with several losing their jobs or struggling to secure employment after appearing on the show.
Four cast members from the current season – Jacqui Burfoot, Ryan Donnelly, Adrian Araouzou and Tim Gromie – can’t find jobs as they attempt to return to their normal lives.
Controversial bride Jacqui Burfoot has claimed she had to walk away from her career as a lawyer after her negative portrayal on the show led to intense public scrutiny.
The 29-year-old told Sky News the backlash she received for how she was portrayed on the show left her feeling unwell and forced her to step away from her role.
‘I left my job… I tried to go back to work but I was mentally distressed and couldn’t work,’ Jacqui said.
‘I wasn’t medically capable of performing my job because of the distress and trauma I experienced.’
Jacqui added she is considering changing her name and appearance to resume her professional career.
Meanwhile, her TV ex-husband Ryan Donnelly, 36, resigned from his Project Manager role last year in order to film his stint on MAFS, reports Yahoo.
He has reportedly been unable to secure full-time employment since leaving the show and is now working casually as he pursues a career as an actor.
Similarly, groom Tim Gromie’s career as a primary school teacher is also in jeopardy following backlash from viewers and complaints from parents at schools where he previously worked.
His rejection of his bride Katie Johnston, based largely on her appearance, caused outrage and it’s unclear whether he will be returning to teaching.
Finally, Adrian Araouzou’s sports bag brand PAKD Sport doesn’t appear to be doing well, with its social media presence significantly diminishing.
Further, Adrian’s dessert account Sweet Sundayz, which he ran with his former best friend Jasmin Weston, was taken down and their friendship ended.
The cast’s employments woes had come to light as Jacqui revealed she tried to quit the show because she was not ‘mentally well’ during filming.
In a recent interview the 29-year-old said things got so bad for her she felt she was ‘incapable’ of making decisions for herself.
She also admitted to feeling ‘unstable’ and resorting to locking herself in a private room.
Jacqui revealed her torment during a chat with Yahoo Lifestyle.
‘I was not mentally well [during filming]. It’s not funny, not a joke, and that’s a really tough thing to do because it’s very humiliating… it feels like I’m a laughing stock,’ she said.
‘It’s very challenging on myself. It is not easy. It’s very embarrassing and a lot of people would probably just not want to get out of bed ever again.’
Jacqui said at one stage during production she was crying so much she had to get away to a private room and refused to participate in filming because she was too upset.
‘I was in the mind frame of, “I’m broken. I can’t move. I just want to sleep. I want you to leave me alone,’ she said.
‘I don’t know what’s going on. I feel confused. I need to process things and I don’t know what I’m doing”.’
Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine.