They may not have walked away from Married at First Sight hand-in-hand with their assigned partners, but Jamie and Awhina definitely left with something just as meaningful: each other.
The two have formed a beautiful, post-experiment friendship that they say is the biggest win of all. While packing together for the airport after last night’s drama-filled viewing party of the reunion dinner, the pair caught up with WHO to chat about their MAFS journeys, what they’ve learned, and why they’re grateful—even for the chaos.
Awhina didn’t hesitate when asked whether she’d repeat her MAFS experience. “No,” she said. “But if I had to deal with Adrian again for three months to get Jamie, I’d do it.”
And Jamie? “I had a very beautiful journey, and I think there’s beauty in the highs and lows,” she explained. “I definitely experienced them all, but it was pretty incredible. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, and I would do it all again.”
“Awhina said if she gets to meet me again, she’d say yes, absolutely—if we got to leave with each other.”
That’s the bond they’ve built. “I think everyone knows I didn’t leave with a husband,” Awhina reflected. “But I definitely left with a wife.”
Their connection has blossomed into a genuine friendship that extends far beyond the show. “That friendship isn’t about MAFS now,” Awhina added. “It’s just about each other.”
For Jamie, the experiment was an emotional rollercoaster, but it was a journey where she also discovered a lot about herself. “I really learned that no matter what I’ve been through, I’m still a really good partner,” she said.
Walking into the reunion solo felt empowering. “It was amazing,” she said. “At that point, your self-worth takes a beating when you stick around for someone who isn’t deserving of you. So to walk in single and confident was incredible.”
Awhina, on the other hand, felt she already knew herself well, until she realised she’d been looking for something she didn’t actually need. “I know it sounds bad, but I don’t think I really learned a lot about myself on Married at First Sight,” she admitted. “I knew who I was coming into the experiment, I just felt like I was missing someone. And that was the biggest thing I ended up learning: I’m not missing anything.”
Neither Jamie nor Awhina are in contact with their TV spouses anymore. Jamie said she and Dave haven’t spoken since filming ended. “Everyone needs to protect their own peace,” she said. “Right now, the relationship I’m focusing on is with myself.”
Awhina’s story is a little more complicated. “I actually blocked Adrian about a week ago,” she admitted. While she tried to maintain a friendship post-show, she said Adrian began lashing out after episodes aired. “I was like his outlet. I’d be living my life and suddenly I’d get these reactive messages from him. It was bringing me back to the experiment, like I was waiting for the shoe to drop again.”
Eventually, she decided enough was enough. “I’m not going to help someone who can’t help themselves. I’m not going to support someone who has zero accountability. And even with a mirror snapped in your face four nights a week, you still can’t have any accountability for your behavior?” she queried. “Where’s my thank you for tolerating the bulls**t?”
One of the wildest reunion moments wasn’t even one that played out on air. Rather, it was Jacqui and Clint’s engagement during a viewing party of the episode—and although they may not have been present at the party, both Jamie and Awhina had thoughts.
“I thought it was a prank at the start,” Jamie laughed. “I was like, is it April Fools? But what a way to end the season, with something wild and unhinged. I loved it.”
Awhina agreed. “We were all confused, but then we were like, no—it’s Jacqui. Of course, it’s real. It’s so her. And have you seen the size of that rock? I’d be happy too!”
Now, both women are focusing on themselves, healing, and finding joy post-MAFS.
Jamie is still open to love, eventually. “I’d be open to dating soon, just probably not right now,” she said. “I’m really glad I took a massive break after the show. I definitely still want to have children and find my man. So hopefully this puts me in rooms I haven’t been in before.”
And she’s clear on one new dating requirement: “Someone with a sex drive,” she joked. “Apparently my needs are a lot higher than I thought!”
Awhina, however, is firmly done with reality TV. “I never watched the series, I went in blind. And my advice? Don’t. Watch the show. Know what you’re walking into.”
As for love? “I went in looking for a black cat. I’m looking for a golden retriever now,” she said with a grin.
Looking back, the women are proud of what they endured, how they showed up for themselves, and especially of the friendships they made.
Jamie summed it up best: “I’ll always be proud of how I rallied for my friends. That had a real impact, and I’ve gained some lifelong connections. But Awhina is the best thing I got from this experience.”
And honestly? That’s the kind of love story we really want to see.
