Married at First Sight Australia fans were horrified by Shannon Adams‘ “cruel” and “disgusting” comments towards his “wife” Caitlin McConville, with many questioning if producers had any duty of care for the 2023 contestants.
During the February 14 episode, the TV groom made shocking comments about her appearance, which left Caitlin in tears.
Shannon told Caitlin she was “a good-looking girl, but not in [his] eyes” after they attempted one of the Intimacy Week tasks.
“I was hoping we do find a connection. But that physical attraction, I don’t know if it’s there. I know I’ve been told to ‘step up and try’. I don’t want to be cuddling up to someone when I don’t want to,” Shannon said.
Shannon argued that she didn’t “blow [him] away” when she walked down the aisle. He even suggested that she wasn’t “enough” to stop him from straying back to his ex-fiancée.
Fans slammed Shannon for the unnecessary and “heartbreaking” confrontation.
Many suggested that Shannon made his way to the top of the (extensive) Married at First Sight 2023 d*ckhead list. An impressive feat, given he’s up against Harrison Boon‘s gaslighting BS.
Married at First Sight fans share their concern for Caitlin McConville‘s wellbeing
MAFS fans voiced their concern for many of the 2023 contestants’ mental health, including Caitlin.
“That whole conversation was just about how I’m not good enough. How if I would have walked down the aisle and blown him away, none of that with his ex would have happened, like it was all my fault,” Caitlin said after Shannon’s confrontation.
Viewers questioned whether producers had any “duty of care” for the participants by putting them with “toxic” and “emotionally abusive” partners.
They pointed out that the nature of the experiment – including the rules around the “stay” or “leave” cards for each Commitment Ceremony – forced the women to forgive abusive actions and ignore red flags around problematic behaviour.
MAFS fans praise Caitlin McConville for standing up for herself after Shannon Adams’ cruel comments
Caitlin quickly became a Married at First Sight fan favourite after putting Shannon in his place, calling him out for his “degrading” comments and problematic expectations.
She reminded him that she came into the experiment ready to accept anyone for exactly as they are, but he clearly wasn’t ready to do the same.
“This is my defending myself because I deserve to be defended because I deserve to love myself and I deserve to sit here and say I’m beautiful, whether you think it or not,” Caitlin said.
She added: “You need to respect me, I’m a brilliant person, and it is a privilege to be in the experiment with me.”
After receiving a childish sigh from Shannon in response, Caitlin held her head high as she packed her bags and walked out.
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