Married At First Sight stars reveal the shockingly low amount they get paid to appear on the show – as some say they could barely afford to survive

From lavish weddings to chic honeymoons, the life of a Married At First Sight contestant may seem luxurious.

But when it comes to receiving payment for their time on the show, contestants often want more.

In recent years, a number of former contestants have come clean about what they earned from the controversial show, with most claiming they barely earned enough to survive.

The most recent was groom Al Perkins, who told Ny Breaking Australia last week he earned a pittance for his time.

“MAFS pays you a little over a grand a week… But it’s only after the approvals after that that you make your money,” said Al, who appeared on the show in 2022.

Domenica Calarco, who appeared on the series in 2022, also previously revealed that she received a weekly salary of approximately $1,050.

Similarly, MAFS 2023 groom Jesse Burford claimed he made almost the same amount, revealing in an Instagram Story last May that contestants on his season were paid $1,175 per week.

And Nasser Sultan, who appeared in season five in 2018, also previously revealed that his salary on the show didn’t even cover his living expenses.

In recent years, a number of former contestants have come clean about what they earned from the controversial show, with most claiming they barely earned enough to survive. (Photo: current participant Jack Dunkley)

Al Perkins (pictured) told Ny Breaking Australia last week that he earned a pittance for his time

“You get $150 for a day, that’s all,” the former music promoter shared Now to love in January 2023.

‘But on top of that you also have to pay the costs: your living expenses with the woman you marry.’

“It’s not $150 clearly. You still have to pay rent when you rent, you have to pay your rego and it’s 12 hour filming days,” he added.

Domenica Calarco, who appeared in the series in 2022, also previously revealed that she received a weekly salary of approximately $1,050

Similarly, MAFS 2023 groom Jesse Burford (pictured) has claimed he has earned a similar amount, revealing in an Instagram story last May that contestants on his season were paid $1,175 per week.

Nasser, who was “married” to single mother Gabrielle Bartlett, added that the contestants’ groceries were not covered and that producers made them shop at the same expensive supermarket during filming.

“Gab and I would sometimes spend up to $70 a day just living, so we didn’t have much left after that,” he said.

The controversial star also claimed he earned less than some of his co-stars, citing Davina Rankin and Sarah Roza, who he claimed earned $50 a day more than him.

And Nasser Sultan (pictured), who appeared in season five in 2018, also previously revealed that his salary on the show didn’t even cover his living expenses.

“Basically, the more you did for the show, the more you got,” he continued.

Mikey Pembroke from the 2020 season, meanwhile, said that contestants didn’t make a dime during the filming of MAFS, and the only money they received was to “live on” during production.

“You’re not getting paid at all – this is something that needs to change,” he previously said on the I’ve Got News for You podcast.

‘But the show makes an incredible amount of money. And if, for example, you were in a TV show that is doing very well, the actors get paid more and more because it is doing so well.’

Mikey Pembroke (pictured with Natasha Spencer) previously said that the 2020 contestants didn’t make a cent while filming MAFS, and the only money they received was to live on during production.