‘Married at First Sight’: Lifetime Will Finally Address Expert-Cast Member Dating Controversy On ‘Where Are They Now’ Special
Lifetime’s Married at First Sight always features plenty of surprises, as volunteers from around the country sign up to be legally married to a stranger. Key to the show is the franchise’s trio of experts (like Season 10’s Dr. Viviana Coles, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, and Pastor Cal Roberson), who usually act as counselors to the participants and hail from backgrounds like sociology, marriage and family therapy, and spiritual advising.
After Married at First Sight Season 6, one of the show’s former experts—Dr. Jessica Griffin—got a little closer with one of the cast members than anyone might have expected. Season 6 groom Jon Francetic broke things off with his wife Molly Duff, claiming she was “verbally and emotionally abusive.” After the show wrapped, however, Jon ended up with Dr. Jessica instead.
The show has never addressed this surprising turn of events. But on the upcoming post-Season 10 update special, Married at First Sight: Where Are They Now?, former cast members will finally take on the MAFS elephant in the room.
An update special will air on Lifetime on Apr. 29
Married at First Sight: Where Are They Now? airs on Lifetime on Wed., Apr. 29. The special will be hosted by Kevin Frazier, who received widespread praise from fans for asking the tough questions on the Apr. 22 Season 10 reunion.
TLC’s description of the special suggests that couples from all 10 previous seasons of the popular show will give updates on where they are today in their relationships and lives—from babies and conflicts to new business ventures and happy marriages. Diehard fans will certainly be tuning in to hear about all their past faves, especially those who aren’t active on social media.
“This is the ultimate series reunion, featuring cast members throughout Married at First Sight history,” the description reads, according to Heavy.com. “Host Kevin Frazier sits down with happily married couples, controversial cast members, and spouses on the brink of divorce, while showing never-before-seen-footage of two dramatic birth stories and getting insight into the shocking romance between a former expert and one of the husbands she helped match.”
Season 6’s Molly Duff will be on hand to give her thoughts on Jon Francetic’s relationship
Molly, from Married at First Sight Season 6, became one of the most controversial wives in Married at First Sight history when she not only refused to have sex with Jon but also repeatedly insulted him—even calling him “disgusting” in one clip that Jon secretly recorded. At Decision Day and the reunion, Jon accused Molly of berating him behind the scenes, treating him poorly on a regular basis, and even of being “emotionally abusive.”
She will appear on Married at First Sight: Where Are They Now? to tell her side of the story. In one preview clip, she appears via webcam, declaring, “I’ve never talked about this publicly until now.” The former cast member will likely share all of her thoughts, and hopefully some juicy details, about exactly how she felt when her ex-husband got together with one of the experts who matched them in the first place.
Dr. Jessica Griffin’s relationship with a former cast member led to her departure from the show
Dr. Jessica and Jon made quite the social media splash when fans on Reddit claimed they saw them together at Boston-area bars after Jon’s season wrapped. Later, they publicly announced their relationship. (Dr. Jessica no longer appeared on Married at First Sight.) After dating for a few years, they launched their own couples’ coaching and relationship-building business, called Love Builder.
Jon proposed to Jessica in 2019, and the couple recently shared an adorable engagement shoot. It’s unknown as to whether they will appear on the special themselves, but here’s hoping.
Some viewers wondered if Dr. Jessica’s relationship with Jon constituted a breach of contract or an ethical issue due to her status as a therapist. The couple has since clarified that there was no breach of ethics. Dr. Jessica’s role on the show was not that of a clinician, but more as an onscreen adviser.
