‘Married at First Sight’: Fans Praise Miles Williams For His Insightful Comments About the Black Lives Matter Movement
Miles Williams quickly emerged as a fan-favorite cast member on Lifetime’s Married at First Sight season 11. While he and his wife, Karen Landry, often struggled with issues of connection and intimacy (both emotional and physical), Miles was frequently willing to be open and vulnerable.
So it was fitting that, on the most recent episode of Married at First Sight, Miles opened up a broader conversation about racial injustice amid the Black Lives Matter movement and protests related to the murder of George Floyd. Fans praised Miles for his insightful comments on his experience with discrimination as a Black man in the U.S.
Miles opened up to his castmates at a couple’s retreat
The Married at First Sight couples (minus Brett Lindsey and Olivia Cornu, who had already broken up) headed out for a retreat on the October 14 episode. The stricter quarantine restrictions had lifted, leaving some room for the couples to have fun together.
Still, Miles admitted, he wasn’t exactly in a celebratory mood. The protests against police brutality left him feeling like he had a weight on his shoulders.
Karen, too, told Lifetime producers that she was thinking more than ever about anti-Black violence.
“It’s emotional, especially now, considering the fact that I’m married to a Black man,” Karen said thoughtfully. “It makes you just think about things even harder, and it hits home a little bit different.”
When Karen and Miles sat down with the other couples to discuss how things had been going, Miles immediately got raw and real with his castmates about his true feelings.
“There’s so much going on in the world,” Miles told his castmates, who listened with rapt attention. “And I think that the killings of Black people really gets to me.”
“As a Black man, these are instances that happen far too often – seeing Black people die at the hands of police, or just die unjustly,” Miles continued. “And to me, I thought it was important for them to know where I was at – one, so I could take care of myself this weekend, and also to not feel like I was putting somebody off or not being my full self.”
The ‘Married at First Sight’ star said he wanted to share his feelings in order to ‘be present’ in the moment
Miles went on to explain that he initially didn’t want to come on the weekend trip at all because he didn’t feel up to interacting with others at the moment. But he and Karen discussed it, brainstorming ways to support each other and take care of one another amid the trauma and chaos. Ultimately, they agreed the trip might be a good chance for them to get away for some downtime and peace.
The Married at First Sight star concluded his thoughts by explaining the pressure he often felt to “be present” in the moment, despite everything that was going on.
“I think it’s really hard for us as Black people to feel like we have to be ‘on’ and we have to talk about this, or we have to engage,” Miles said, “or we have to pretend as if this stuff isn’t bothering us or isn’t affecting us. As Black people, we’re expected to show up and be fully ourselves all the time, even in the midst of things that are happening like this.”
Karen told Lifetime producers that she was surprised Miles was so willing to open up about the potentially sensitive topic. She went on to say that she “respected” her husband for sharing his feelings with the group and offering his insights.
Fans praised Miles for his openness and honesty
Many Married at First Sight fans complimented Miles on his remarks in the emotional scene.
Jamie Otis, a Married at First Sight alum herself and the host of Married at First Sight: Unfiltered, wrote on Lifetime’s Instagram post, “MILES IS SUCH A GEM! I mean, he wears his heart on his sleeve and really CARES about others. He’s able to be so vulnerable & we don’t see a lot of men with that trait. I’m so proud of him for speaking up for the Black Lives Matter movement too. I’m sure it’s not easy (as he said).”
Other fans called Miles “brave,” especially because he opened up a conversation about the Black Lives Matter movement on a national network reality show.
“Good for you Miles for the courage to say how you are feeling, unapologetic,” one Instagram user wrote gratefully.
Another fan added similarly, “Thank you MAFS…this is the first I’ve seen a real-life issue addressed on this show…Keep this format. This is the best cast you ever had. Nobody is here for the fame. Very authentic group.” Other viewers admired Miles for his willingness to speak his truth, no matter what the reception might be.
