MAFS 2023: Jackson Lonie warns upcoming participants to ‘trust your gut’

Filming for the 2023 season of Married At First Sight is well and truly underway.

And as next year’s brides and grooms prepare to settle into their new ‘married’ lives, some of the show’s past participants have offered words some advice.

‘If you’re confused about something that’s being said that makes absolutely no sense they’ve already come up with a story line for you,’ Jackson Lonie warned. 

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, Jackson recalled: ‘There was one time when we were on the couch and what the experts were saying made absolutely no sense to us and anybody else.’

Jackson urged the new cast to pay attention to what the experts are saying to them at the commitment ceremonies as it will give you an indication to your storyline and not to be afraid of walking out at any time.

‘If you starting to feel like you are the bad guy then I’d be having chats with producers, but you’ve got to trust your gut,’ he said.

‘If you feel like your producer is pushing you in a certain direction it’s because they’ve created a narrative for you and you need to just do what’s right for you.’

Jackson revealed a secret trick he used while filming last year’s series if he didn’t want producers or camera crews to enter his room at a certain time.

‘I would just always answer the door naked so that they wouldn’t wanna come in,’ he laughed.

‘Me, Cody [Bromley] and Brent [Vitiello] would always catch up for drinks on the weekend because we weren’t allowed to go out because of COVID.’

Meanwhile, Matt Ridley, who was paired with Kate Laidlaw on this year’s season, told the 2023 cast to ‘be 100% unapologetically yourself’.

‘People know bulls**t, people see it and they call you out on it. Not just at the time of filming (within the group) but also when it goes to air,’ he warned.

‘If you are 100% yourself from the moment you arrive to when you leave the experiment, you will have nothing to worry about.’

‘You can walk away either in love with your partner, or with your head held high, being proud.

‘My advice to Season 10 couples is to work hard on your relationship. You are put together as a couple for a reason.’

‘Once you write “leave” on commitment night, there is usually no coming back. It sends a clear sign to your partner that you’re checking out and that you do not want to be there.’

‘What you see on TV will never be a true reflection so don’t stress about the story line,’ urged Rebecca Zemek, who failed to find love with Jake Edwards in 2021. 

‘Go with the flow and secretly record everything,’ Beck continued.

Kerry Knight, who recently got engaged to her MAFS groom Johnny Balbuziente, warned: ‘Just remember, this isn’t ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!!’

‘It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment or the grandiosity that is the production of MAFS,’ Kerry continued.

‘Whatever your motivation is, try to run every decision through a filter of what would make yourself, your parents and your friends proud. Don’t lose sight of that!’ 

Meanwhile, Booka Nile, who failed to find love with Brett Helling, encouraged the new cast to be prepare themselves for a whirlwind of emotions and not be scared to reach out for support when needed. 

‘I’d say it’s an experience synonymous to having a fever dream,’ she said of her experience.

‘There’s no way to really describe what the entire experience was like using words. It will be what you decide to make it.’

‘Just try and remember who you are and use the time to reflect on the best and worst parts of yourself,’ she said. 

‘Prepare yourself for the fact that it won’t be what you expect. Prepare yourself for the fact that it’ll be a whirlwind of emotion in the best and worst way.

‘Don’t be scared to be vulnerable, don’t be scared to reach out for support when you need it and cherish the friendships you form while you’re there,’ she urged.

‘They’re the only ones in your life who will truly understand what this experience was like and if you cherish the bond you all share, then you’ll walk out of there with love in your life whether it works out with your match or not.’

The cast will be paired by experts Mel Schilling, John Aitken and Alessandra Rampolla, who will all be returning for season ten next year.