14 DAY TRIAL // Married at First Sight is getting a third season, but the entire casting process behind it, which is supposed to lead to viable, happy marriages between perfect strangers, is being called into question after the nasty split between Jessica Castro and Ryan De Nino.
The two married on season 2, but on the final episodes, it became clear that they were having some problems, mostly because of his highly flammable temper. They are now separated and it seems that things can only get worse between them.
De Nino, alleged drug user, violent man
The idea for the show is that so many people have been burned so badly by dating that they might be tempted to try getting hitched without even knowing the other person, after a careful selection process overseen by 4 specialists.
This would ensure perfect compatibility between the two, who literally meet at the altar, which is when they also decide if they want to go through with it or not. The wedding is legally binding.
The show follows the newlyweds for 6 weeks, at the end of which they decide if they want to stay married or split. During this time, they continue to receive counseling from the specialists, who are a psychologist, a sexologist, a spiritual adviser, and a sociologist.
For Jessica Castro and Ryan De Nino, their words of advice came too late. They are separated and she’s just taken out a restraining order against him, amid claims that he’s a habitual drug user and a violent man.
Rumor online has it that, after the breakup, he threatened her with “I plan on killing you and your family,” which prompted her to seek protection against any such attempt.
As of the time of writing, they’re also waging a war of words on social media, with De Nino posting photos of the restraining order and a promise that the truth will eventually come out. Meanwhile, Castro is firing back with motivational quotes about how you can’t keep down a woman determined to rise.
Show’s casting process is called into question
Their online squabble aside - because who can say they never fought like this, whether in real life or on social media? - this nasty split is bringing into question the validity of the casting process, the one that actually made the show sound like a good idea.
Word with the fans of the reality series is that the whole thing is fake from the start: the experts are bogus and there’s probably some manufactured drama with the split as well.
Faced with such criticism, A&E, which is now carrying Married at First Sight, tells People Magazine that the bitter split is actually confirmation that the show is real. They’re also shrugging off all responsibility for the way things panned out.
“Unfortunately, couples on the show can go through real divorces, and divorce can often be difficult,” the network says in a statement. “The experts on our show have the best of intentions and highest hopes for success for each couple. After undergoing extensive background and psychological checks by third parties, couples agree to be legally married on our show. We document their journey for six weeks after their wedding, but we can't control how they behave, or govern their actions after production. Our thoughts are with these individuals, and as always we have offered each of them significant aftercare resources.”
The second video embedded below offers a more detailed look into the casting process, which starts out by including hundreds of applicants, but narrows them down to only a few. These are then paired with each other based on compatibility and what they’re looking for in a partner.
Unfortunately this isn't something I'd wish on anyone. To hear and read about the forum on Thursday to come home and find this on Friday. To see the IG on Sat and see the location was enough. They say first 48 for a reason. This is another fact here's the order of protection- which had me in awe and when I read it was disgusted. Bash me all you want, say whatever it is about me just remember this board don't break for nada. Why I posted this will be thoroughly explained when the times right. #CheckMate A photo posted by Ryan De Nino (@thatkidnino) on Jun 13, 2015 at 2:46pm PDT