Fans have been dying to know which Married at First Sight season 9 couples broke up and which pairs are still together. All the couples that year appeared to be perfectly matched. However, conventional wisdom (and an array of pretty unimpressive personality quirks) created unexpected tensions for some of these participants.
Matt and Amber
Amber Bowles and Matthew Gwynne seemed like an odd pairing, based on looks. He’s a lanky professional basketball player and she’s a petite school teacher. Luckily, when the two met at the altar, sparks flew. Well, for Amber, at least. She gushed and swooned over her new husband, like, a lot. Although it seemed to overwhelm Gwynne, he was a good sport and reciprocated most of her affection. Viewers thought the experts got it right with these two until Gwynne became emotionally distant with Bowles as the season progressed. Granted, Bowles DID latch on tight to her husband, hinting at some boundary issues of her own. However, the Married at First Sight star didn’t deserve what happened next…
There were a couple of nights when he didn’t return home to their shared abode. Bowles admitted that she received intel from several friends and acquaintances that her husband was fraternizing with various women behind her back. Adding insult to injury, Gwynne seemed more interested in showcasing his barely-there musical talents on the show than getting to know his new bride. Another red flag was his family’s complete lack of participation in the MAFS process. He only had friends in attendance at their wedding. By the time Decision Day rolled around, this relationship was ancient history. The exes are still estranged.
Iris and Keith
Another couple that met with an unfortunate end was Iris Caldwell and Keith Manley. The striking Married at First Sight pair seemed to have the makings of a great love story. However, the groom was not made aware in advance that his bride was saving herself for marriage. As his name implies, Manley was a regular stud about town and imagined his wife would be a woman with a libido to match his own. Caldwell spent the duration of the marriage attempting to fly her freak flag, to no avail. Manley politely requested a divorce on Decision Day, even though Caldwell was all-in on staying married after the show wrapped.
In September 2020, Caldwell hinted on her Iris Caldwell Instagram that the couple’s short-lived MAFS marriage was officially dissolved. She posted her handle on a dating site and left a cryptic message about “it” being “over.” Meanwhile, Manley seems to be living in Los Angeles. His Instagram is filled with posts from various locations throughout the city. Just weeks after Caldwell’s message to her followers, he mused about his own future by asking, “What if some of us were meant to walk alone?”
Deonna and Greg
One couple that didn’t surprise too many people with their decision to remain married was Deonna McNeill and Gregory Okotie. Sure, he had a few jitters at the wedding, and there was the occasional flare-up over intimacy. Still, this couple realized they were evenly matched. The Okoties celebrated their wedding anniversary in March. They were cast in a spinoff series called Married at First Sight: Couples Cam. The self-shot reality show features couples from various seasons and keeps fans updated on their relationships.
The Okoties also announced in early September that they’re expecting their first child together. They told People magazine: “We’re excited to announce that we are expecting our first child! It’s surreal to think that less than two years ago we met for the first time at the altar and now we are expanding our family! We are blessed to begin this new chapter and can’t wait to meet our little bundle of joy.”
Jamie and Elizabeth
The final match made in MAFS season 9 occurred between Elizabeth Bice and Jamie Thompson. The tech entrepreneur and his fiery bride were paired, and the chemistry was immediately evident. Bice is a red-haired spitfire, while Thompson is a nice Southern gentleman who seemed to like his bride’s wild side and outspoken personality. Their union, however, was a bit of a roller coaster. Bice is a self-professed princess; her own parents joked about it during their taped confessionals. Meanwhile, Thompson showed that he had his own baggage, including a bad temper and a defeatist attitude. There were several disagreements between the pair which threatened to end their union.
Despite the fireworks, Bice and Thompson remained committed to making things last. They stayed together after the show ended, but it wasn’t an easy happy ending by any means. Bice and Thompson briefly split, due to the rigors of keeping love going without the benefit of counselors and cameras around all the time. Other stressors, like the unexpected illness of her beloved dog, further complicated the relationship. The couple eventually reconciled and moved to the Bay Area in 2020. He’s currently working as a tech consultant, and she’s building her empire as an entrepreneur and social media influencer. They’re also starring in Married at First Sight: Couples Cam.
Season 9 was perhaps one of Married at First Sight‘s most heartfelt installments. The individuals chosen to spend their lives together were a mixed bag of basic, nutty, and just plain made for each other. For the most part, the experts actually seemed to take into consideration what most of them wanted in a partner, except in the case of Matt Gwynne. They should have spent a bit more time brushing up on their NBA handbooks and matching him with an Instagram model or a party girl.
As for Bowles, if producers decide to bring back Married at First Sight: Second Chances, she’s a shoo-in. Maybe next time the experts will even hit the bullseye by gently nudging her towards a relationship with friend and close confidant Raven, whom they turned down for the show that season. MAFS’ other casualty, Iris Caldwell and Keith Manley, still hold a place in viewers’ hearts. Even Caldwell admits that the door might still be open for reconciliation in the future, at least on her part.
It’s nice to see the remaining marriages (the Okoties and the Thompsons) working out so well. Baby Okotie will join a growing list of children born into the franchise, further legitimizing the show and its formula for matchmaking. Sure, MAFS season 9 wasn’t a 100 percent win for the experts, but fans got a nice mix of drama, sex, and heartbreak. These are all of the things that make Married at First Sight worth watching.
