Who Are Still Together Married at First Sight: The Reality of the Success Rate

Who Are Still Together Married at First Sight: The Reality of the Success Rate

Let's be real for a second. The success rate of Married at First Sight is, honestly, kind of a disaster. If you walk into a marriage with a stranger, the odds are stacked against you from the jump. Most of these couples flame out before the reunion special even airs, leaving a trail of Instagram apologies and awkward legal filings. But strangely enough, a few actually make it. It’s wild. People always ask me who are still together Married at First Sight because, let’s face it, we love a underdog story. We want to believe that some chaotic social experiment run by "experts" can actually result in a 40-year anniversary.

Usually, it doesn't.

But for the handful of couples who have survived the cameras, the pressure, and the realization that their spouse chews loudly, the bond is surprisingly tight. We aren't just talking about people who stayed together for a six-month contract. We're talking about houses, dogs, and a small army of MAFS babies.

The Pioneers of Staying Put

You can't talk about who are still together Married at First Sight without starting in Season 1. Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner are basically the patron saints of this franchise. If you saw that first episode, you'd have bet your entire savings account they wouldn't last a week. Jamie was literally sobbing on the floor because she wasn't attracted to him. It was brutal to watch.

Fast forward over a decade? They have a family. They have a podcast. They’ve documented every single high and low, including some really heartbreaking struggles with pregnancy loss and secondary infertility. They proved that the "at first sight" part is actually the least important variable. It was Doug’s patience—which was honestly saint-like—that saved that marriage. It's a lesson for the newer seasons: if you don't have immediate "sparks," maybe don't delete their number just yet.

Then there’s Season 5’s Anthony D'Amico and Ashley Petta. They were a breath of fresh air because they actually liked each other from day one. No manufactured drama. No screaming matches over who didn't do the dishes. They just... worked. They’ve since welcomed two daughters, Mila and Vaeda. They stay relatively low-key compared to some of the other couples who chase the influencer lifestyle, which might actually be the secret to their longevity.

Why Most Couples Fail Where These Couples Won

It’s easy to blame the experts. Honestly, some of the matches in recent years feel like they were designed by someone who hates love. But if you look at the people who are still together Married at First Sight, a pattern emerges. It’s not about "compatibility" on paper. It’s about conflict resolution.

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Take Jephte Pierre and Shawniece Jackson from Season 6. That was a rocky start. Jephte was closed off. He didn't even want to share a bed. There were points where viewers thought, Okay, this is over. But they stayed. They did the work. They had a daughter, Laura, and even though they’ve been open about going to therapy and nearly splitting up a few times, they are still standing. They represent the "grind" of marriage. It isn't a fairy tale; it’s a choice you make every morning when you’re annoyed at the person sleeping next to you.

The Success Stories That Surprised Everyone

Usually, by the time we get to the later seasons, the "fame" aspect starts to poison the well. People go on the show for a blue checkmark, not a spouse. Yet, Season 8 gave us Stephanie Sersen and AJ Vollmoeller. AJ was... a lot. His temper during filming was a major red flag for fans. Everyone thought Stephanie would run for the hills. Instead, she knew how to handle his big personality. They travel the world together now, proving that what we see on a highly edited TV show isn't always the full picture of a relationship.

Then there is the Season 9 powerhouse: Deonna McNeill and Greg Okotie.

They were so stable it was almost boring TV. Boring is good. Boring means you aren't fighting about whether or not your husband is secretly texting his ex. They welcomed their son, Declan, in 2021. When you look at who are still together Married at First Sight, Greg and Deonna are the gold standard for emotional maturity. They didn't rush the physical side. They built a friendship first.

The Breakout Stars of Season 10 and 11

Season 10 was mostly a dumpster fire (remember Taylor and Brandon? Yikes), but Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd saved the season. They were the only couple to survive that year. They’re still together, raising their son Westin. They had a very "normal" vibe—she’s a nurse, he worked in network technician roles. They didn't try to be "TV stars."

Season 11 brought us Woody Randall and Amani Smith. Honestly? They might be the coolest couple the show has ever produced. Their chemistry was instant. It was electric. They have two kids now, Reign and Rahki. What’s interesting about Woody and Amani is that they didn't just survive the show; they thrived in the aftermath. They became a brand, but a brand built on a seemingly very real foundation of mutual respect.

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Bennett and Amelia from that same season? That was a heartbreaker for fans. They were the quirky, indie darlings everyone loved, but they eventually split. It goes to show that even when the "vibe" is perfect, lifestyle differences—like residency locations for doctors—can tank a marriage.

The Long List of Those Still Standing

If you're keeping score at home, the list is shorter than you'd hope, but longer than you'd expect for a show with such a wild premise.

  • Season 1: Jamie and Doug (The OGs)
  • Season 5: Ashley and Anthony (The Chicago favorites)
  • Season 6: Shawniece and Jephte (The ones who fought for it)
  • Season 7: Danielle Bergman and Bobby Dodd (They literally never argued on camera)
  • Season 8: Stephanie and AJ (The travelers)
  • Season 9: Deonna and Greg (The steady ones)
  • Season 10: Jessica and Austin (The quiet winners)
  • Season 11: Amani and Woody (The fan favorites)
  • Season 11: Karen Landry and Miles Williams (They had a slow burn that actually lasted)
  • Season 12: Briana Myles and Vincent Morales (The "Vinny and Bri" charm)
  • Season 16: Nicole Lilienthal and Christopher Thielk (The newest additions to the success list)

Wait, Season 12? Yeah, Briana and Vincent. They were a highlight of the Atlanta season. While everyone else was losing their minds, Vincent and Briana were navigating their "boss" personalities and learning how to compromise. They have a daughter now, Aury Bella. They’re a reminder that sometimes the experts actually get it right.

What About the "Non-Traditional" Successes?

We also have to mention the people who didn't stay with their original match but found love within the MAFS universe. It’s a small club. It’s weird. But it happens.

If you look at the spinoffs and the "Where Are They Now" specials, you'll see people like Briana and Vincent hanging out with other successful couples. There’s a community. Sometimes, the trauma of being on a reality show is the very thing that bonds these people together for life. They understand a specific kind of pressure that no one else does.

Is the MAFS Model Broken?

When we look at who are still together Married at First Sight, we have to acknowledge the failure rate is somewhere north of 80%. That’s grim.

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In the recent seasons—specifically Denver and Nashville—the success rate has plummeted to basically zero. The Denver season was a literal mutiny. The couples were caught "pinky swearing" to lie to the cameras. It was a mess.

So, what changed?

Initially, the show felt like a documentary. Now, it feels like a casting call for Bachelor in Paradise. The experts—Dr. Pepper Schwartz and Pastor Cal—seem to be getting less and less screen time to actually help the couples, while the producers focus on the "dinner party" drama. The couples that last are the ones who ignore the cameras and focus on the person sitting across from them.

Key Takeaways for Fans and Future Contestants

If you’re watching the show and trying to figure out who will make it, look for these signs. It’s not about the wedding day. It’s about the "boring" stuff.

  • Financial Alignment: Couples like Bobby and Danielle (Season 7) were on the same page about money immediately. No debt secrets. No hidden spending habits.
  • The "Slow Burn" Factor: Miles and Karen (Season 11) are a great example. Karen was very hesitant. She didn't want to jump into bed. She didn't want to perform for the cameras. That guardedness actually allowed them to build a real-world foundation.
  • Willingness to do Therapy: Every single couple on the "still together" list has mentioned using therapy—both on and off the show.
  • Ignoring Social Media: The couples who stay together often go "quiet" for a few months after their season airs. They focus on their marriage instead of their follower count.

Actionable Next Steps for MAFS Enthusiasts

If you want to keep up with the couples who actually made it, stop just watching the main show. The main show is for drama. The "real" updates happen in a few specific places.

  1. Follow the "MAFS Fan" Accounts: There are several dedicated Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts that track public records. They find the divorce filings long before the network announces them.
  2. Check "Couples Cam": While it's a bit more produced, the MAFS: Couples Cam series gives a much better look at the daily lives of people like Greg and Deonna or Anthony and Ashley.
  3. Listen to Podcasts: Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner’s podcast, Hot Marriage. Cool Parents, is probably the most honest look at what happens after the cameras leave. They talk about the stuff the show won't touch, like intimacy issues and the reality of living with a stranger.
  4. Look for the Babies: It sounds cynical, but in the MAFS world, a pregnancy is usually the strongest indicator that a couple has moved past the "experimental" phase and into a permanent partnership.

Ultimately, the answer to who are still together Married at First Sight is a living document. It changes. Sometimes a couple stays together for three years and we think they’re "safe," only for them to announce a split on a Tuesday afternoon. But the couples listed above—the ones who have crossed the five-year mark—have beaten the odds in a way that is genuinely impressive. They took a ridiculous premise and turned it into a real life.

The show might be about the wedding, but the success is always about the work that happens when the lights go out.