The Married at First Sight Cast Got This "Off-Camera" Advice From the Experts
MAFS experts Paul C. Brunson and Dr. Lisa Paz reveal what they told the couples at the "front end of the show."
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Key Takeaways
- Paul C. Brunson and Dr. Lisa Paz advised the Married at First Sight Season 20 cast to be authentic and vulnerable from the start, saying personal growth and stronger connections come from showing their real selves.
- The experts emphasized that couples often struggle when they present a “representative” version of themselves instead of being open and genuine both on and off camera.
- Brunson and Dr. Paz explained that while they carefully match couples based on factors like compatibility, attraction, and lifestyle, the success of a marriage ultimately depends on the couple and the unpredictable element of chemistry.
Before cameras started documenting every step of their new relationships, the Married at First Sight Season 20 couples were given indispensable advice by experts Paul C. Brunson and Dr. Lisa Paz.
On August 11, Brunson and Dr. Paz participated in a Reddit AMA session, fielding real questions from fans in an open "Ask Me Anything" format. The popular Reddit tradition has historically been eye-opening no matter who participates, and the experts' official MAFS Season 20 AMA was no exception.
One of the highlights was Brunson and Dr. Paz revealing a behind-the-scene conversation that took place with the cast before the season got underway.
RELATED: Dr. Lisa Paz Explains How Married at First Sight Matches Couples: "We Will Deep Dive"
MAFS Season 20 experts reveal the "off-camera" advice they gave the cast
After being asked on Reddit, "What is the most common mistake you see couples on the show make?" the experts didn't pull any punches.
"I think the most common mistake — for me, observing — is allowing their representative to represent them," Brunson said. "You know, opposed to being authentically them and stepping into their vulnerability. And most of them — I shouldn't say most of them, some of them — those who have grown the most are the ones who become vulnerable quickly."
As MAFS Season 20 rolls on, viewers have seen how levels of vulnerability and connection have been put to the test. So much so that one couple even decided to break up before Decision Day.
As it turns out, an honest request by the experts before the experiment got underway might have made the difference for some couples.
"We asked them at the front end of the show, we bring everyone together and we say off-camera, 'Be your most authentic self,'" Dr. Paz revealed. "The best way that you might go through this process is to be as real and as open as you can be."
"And I think we do a good job modeling that for them," Brunson explained. "They see how we interact with each other, how we agree to disagree, how we're consistent whether the cameras are on or off. And we require the same from them."
RELATED: Married at First Sight's Experts Reveal the Unexpected "Key" to a Strong Relationship
Paul C. Brunson on the experts' role on MAFS: "We make the match, we don't make the marriage"
In addition to their Reddit AMA, the Season 20 experts also stopped by the fourth hour of TODAY on August 13 to chat with Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones. During the interview, Brunson and Dr. Paz explained that they take many factors into consideration like attraction, compatibility, and lifestyle, but also warned that even their best attempts at creating a love connection could fall short.
"There's always the X-factor we can't account for," Dr. Paz explained, and pointed to Jones affirmatively when the co-host brought up the word "chemistry."
"We say that, 'We make the match, we don't make the marriage," Brunson revealed. "They have to make that."
RELATED: MAFS Couples Give Candid Relationship Updates in "Truth-Telling" Group Therapy Session
So, which marriages will work? Decision Day is right around the corner. Until then, new episodes of Married at First Sight Season 20 drop every Thursday exclusively on Peacock.
