A Former ‘MAFS’ Star Has Slammed The Show, Saying “Somebody Is Going To Die”

A former Married At First Sight star has spoken out about the dangers of reality TV, calling out the show for a lack of duty of care for the contestants.

CW: This article talks about suicide. 

Clare Verrall appeared on Season 2 of MAFS and is set to spill all in an upcoming interview with Channel 7 program Sunday Night.

Verrall was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after an attack in 2015 and said that after appearing on the show in 2016 she suffered from panic attacks, anxiety and tried to end her life twice.

Verrall shared Sunday Night’s promo to her Instagram page and said she was “anxious” for the interview to screen.

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So I did an interview… first time my fat head has been in front of the camera since MAFS. I just saw the promo as the interview goes to air on Sunday. I'm ever so pleased that I put on so much bronzer that I colour matched my face to the orange/dirt coloured wall behind me 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️😂. I have to admit, I'm so anxious for this to screen as I know I’m going to be raked over the coals again by trolls. I didn’t say anything bad about my match Jono as he, like me was just one of their puppets. I earnestly wish him nothing but happiness. My beef is with @channel9 as the situation they put us both into was very damaging, particularly for me as I went on the show right after a experiencing a major trauma, resulting in me developing PTSD which they were aware of. I must admit, I’m so nervous to see how the interview end up once exited. I want to get the message I out though that as these shows become more & more SUPERSIZED, the absolute lack of duty of care for the cast all in the name of ratings is horrific. Viewers should know that as soon as the network have made their money from you. Then network simply kicks you to the curb leaving you to scramble around in the dirt, trying desperately to piece your life back together. There have been a number of reality TV cast members who have taken their own lives overseas recently due to the fall out of these shows. I also know some Australians who have made attempts on their own lives in the aftermath of a show they were on, including myself. What will it take for Australia to wake up to what we are watching & therefore supporting?? Does someone have to die first??? I only agreed to do this rather intimidating interview so people can get a peek behind the fake glitz into the very dark side of some ‘Reality TV’ shows and decide if they want to continue to support having these shows like this on the air. @withrepost • @sundaynighton7 “Reality” TV at its most twisted – what actually goes on behind the scenes of these social experiments. @angelacox7 discovers the dark and very dangerous side to the genre’s relentless drive for controversy. That’s 8:30pm on @channel7 #MAFS #MarriedAgFirstSight #RealityTV #MentalHealth

A post shared by Clare Verrall (@clareverrall) on May 14, 2019 at 4:56am PDT

“My beef is with Channel 9 as the situation they put us in was very damaging,” Verrall said on Instagram. “I want to get the message out that as these shows become more and more SUPERSIZED, the absolute lack of duty of care for the cast all in the name of ratings is horrific.”

Verrall then touched on former TV stars overseas who have died by suicide after appearing certain reality shows.

“There have been a number of reality TV cast members who have taken their own lives overseas recently due to the fallout of these shows. I also know some Australians who have made attempts on their own lives in the aftermath of a show they were on, including myself.”

“What will it take for Australia to wake up to what we are watching and therefore supporting?” Verrall questioned. “Does someone have to die first?”

Verrall’s post was met with support from former stars of The Bachelor franchise, including David Witko who wore the villain tag during Sam Frost’s season of The Bachelorette, and Steph Dixon who appeared on Richie Strahan’s season of The Bachelor.

Verrall also stated she didn’t meet the MAFS experts until the show started filming, therefore she had already been matched before even being introduced to the experts.

Verrall isn’t the first Aussie reality TV contestant to speak out recently against the lack of duty of care on programs like Married At First Sight and The Bachelor.

After the death of Love Island UK star Mike Thalassitis, Todd King from The Bachelorette, Tully Smyth of Big Brother fame and Sarah Roza from MAFS all spoke out about the hidden truths of appearing on reality TV.

“The networks and producers, the show psychologists and PR teams, need to do more in terms of supporting these people,” Smyth said, citing that more support is desperately needed for contestants after the shows go to air.

 

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A post shared by Tully Smyth (@tee_smyth) on Mar 18, 2019 at 7:43pm PDT

Roza was quick to agree, saying: “There are no check-ins, no reimbursement, no care factor. I’ve literally spent a very considerable amount of money getting help for myself post-MAFS… But I did it because I had to. I needed it.”

Verrall’s interview is set to air on Sunday Night, at 8:30pm on Channel 7.

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If you need support, both Lifeline on 13 11 14 and the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 offer 24-hour assistance. For further information about youth mental health, both headspace and Reach Out can provide guidance. You can also talk to a medical professional or someone you trust.