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Sometimes, saying “I do” to a stranger on reality TV works out. The successful marriages of Married at First Sight couples like Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner and Deonna McNeill and Gregory Okotie are proof that the Lifetime’s show’s unconventional relationship experiment can work. But it’s much more common for the couples on the show to flame out on their way to Decision Day, sometimes in a spectacular fashion. That was the case for the cast of Married at First Sight Season 17. 

For its 17th season, which premiered in October 2023, MAFS headed to Denver. The experts matched five couples. Four made it down the aisle, and one unlucky groom got a do-over when his first bride bailed on her wedding day. By the end of the season, most of the marriages were in shambles, with several of the cast members admitting that they’d coordinated behind the scenes to deceive producers and control their portrayal on the show. In short, it was a disaster, with all the couples opting for divorce by the time the eight-week experiment was over.

Married at First Sight attempted to right the ship with season 18, which is set in Chicago. While there have been some seriously rocky moments for those couples, there’s at least one pair who seem like they might stay married, giving fans hope that the Married at First Sight concept isn’t totally broken. But what about those cast members from Denver? Here’s what we know about where the MAFS Season 17 cast is in 2025. 

Emily and Brennan 

Emily Balch had never been in a serious relationship before she married Brennan Shoyket. While the MAFS experts thought their shared values would give them a solid foundation, this relationship was doomed from the start. Brennan was turned off by Emily’s party-girl ways. Meanwhile, Emily felt Brennan was controlling, emotionally unavailable, and aggressive. She also could not understand why he wasn’t attracted to her. They both wanted a divorce on Decision Day. 

Since filming for Married at First Sight ended, Emily has spent time backpacking in Vietnam and traveling in Europe, she shared on her Instagram. She also had surgery for a wrist injury she sustained in an ATV accident that was seen on the show. Her social media also shows her spending time with some of her fellow MAFS Denver brides and her adorable dog Lulu. Although her marriage was a bust and the experience painful, she says she came out of it a stronger, healthier person. 

“I lost a ton of friends, and had a ton of strained relationships, across the duration of both during and post filming which now I’m so incredibly grateful for because once the toxicity was shed from my life,” she wrote. “It opened up the space, and capacity, for me to see the people who showed up to support me and the relationships both old & new that were bringing me joy, tears, laughter, accountability, growth and most importantly what were all healthy – which I realized I lacked in most of my relationships prior to MAFS.”

While Emily is an open book on social media, Brennan is staying out of the spotlight. His Instagram is set to private. According to a 2024 report from Monsters and Critics, he had moved on with a new girlfriend following his split from Emily. 

Clare and Cameron

Clare Kerr, a therapist, never clicked with Cameron Frazer, a bike shop owner originally from New Zealand. At the one-month anniversary couples’ dinner, the pair announced their plans to divorce. During the reunion episode, Cameron was accused of being the mastermind of a plan to fake storylines for the show in order to protect themselves and their image. He said Clare was the master manipulator. Either way, it was clear there was no hope of reconciliation for these two. 

Since MAFS Season 17 ended, Cameron has stayed out of the spotlight. He does not have a public social media presence. His bike shop, Broken Carbon, does have an Instagram, but it hasn’t been updated since 2023. Clare’s Instagram is private, though her bio seems to reference her Married at First Sight experience. “You are not the story someone else wants to tell about you,” it reads.

Lauren and Orion

Lauren Goodger and Orion Martzloff were the first Married at First Sight Denver couple to hit the skids. During the honeymoon, Lauren made a racially insensitive comment related to Orion’s Native American heritage that permanently damaged their new relationship. They split up shortly after returning home from their trip to Mexico. Orion later made an effort to reconnect with Lauren, which she rejected.

Orion, who runs his own electrical business, is active on Instagram. His posts show him on skiing trips with his friends, spending time with his family, and on a recent fall vacation to Salem, Mass. Lauren’s Instagram is private. In her bio, she refers to Married at First Sight as “The Truman Show.” She appears to still be friends with most of her fellow season 17 ladies, based on photos Emily has shared on her social media. 

Becca and Austin

Becca Haley and Austin Reed‘s marriage started off on a positive note. But after a promising beginning, the relationship stalled, with conflicts over a lack of intimacy a major issue for the pair. Despite some major challenges, they decided to stay together on Decision Day. But when Becca learned that Austin had spent the night socializing with one of the show’s producers, she broke things off for good. 

Becca might not have stayed married to Austin, but love is still very much a part of her life thanks to her thriving wedding photography business. She shares her work on Instagram. Austin’s Instagram is private. According to his Instagram, he works in business development at a solar power company. 

Michael Shiakallis and Chloe Brown

Michael Shiakallis has the dubious honor of being the first Married at First Sight cast member to be stood up at the altar. The experts tried to make it up to him by giving him a second chance at love with Chloe Brown. While Michael and Chloe developed a solid connection during their brief marriage, they ultimately decided not to stay together on Decision Day. 

Michael is active on Instagram, where he posts about boxing, his recent travels, and more. In October, he shared his predictions for MAFS Season 18 during an appearance on Are You My Podcast? Chloe’s Instagram is private. While some of the women of her season have maintained a friendship post-filming, Lauren is not part of that group. 

“My life improved immensely when I removed myself from the women,” Chloe said during the show’s Where Are They Now? special. 

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