Sandy Jawanda stepped out of her comfort zone by appearing on Married at First Sight Australia 2023, but was almost immediately faced by “casual racism” from Dan Hunjas‘ close friends at her TV wedding.

During the January 31 episode, the 36-year-old dental hygienist opened up about her Indian-Punjabi cultural heritage and experience as a first-generation Australian.

“Being very much Indian but also Australian, the hardest thing is meshing those two together,” Sandy explained.

married at first sight dan sandy
Married at First Sight 2023’s Sandy Jawanda was almost immediately faced with “casual racism” from Dan Hunjas’ friends at her TV wedding. Source: Nine.

She continued: “There’s a certain expectation with Indian girls that they have to be a certain way. Talking to boys, having male friends, even just going to a party and being around males was not the norm.

“So for me, doing something like this, I’m going have go up against culture, tradition, my parents… As extreme as this is, I feel empowered to know that I’m making this decision just for me. It’s purely for me.”

After being brought to tears by her parents refusing to support her decision, Sandy walked down the aisle with her younger sisters and best friends there for her on the big day.

Married at First Sight Australia 2023 fans call out Dan Hunjas‘ friends’ insensitive first reactions

However, during the ceremony, Sandy was faced with “casual racism” from her new groom‘s “shocked” friends.

Married at First Sight fans immediately rallied behind the TV bride, calling out the guests’ insensitive comments that the cultural wedding wasn’t what they “expected”.

mafs
But after the ceremony, Sandy was faced with “casual racism” from her new groom’s “shocked” friends. Source: Nine.

“Wow, this is a bit over the top,” one of Dan’s male friends commented, while another female friend added: “Dan doesn’t know what he’s in for. I don’t if this is what he bloody signed up for either.”

“This is not at all what I expected. It’s got to be Thai or Indian or something,” a third friend commented, looking around the room with an unimpressed expression.

However, MAFS fans praised Dan for not having the same problematic reactions as his friends and not making “snap judgements”. We stan.

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