Summary

• Season 17 of Married at First Sight in Denver had the longest duration, with couples facing unprecedented challenges and drama.
• Couples like Becca and Austin, Clare and Cameron, and Lauren and Orion ended in divorce due to major compatibility issues.
• The season featured conflicts involving religion, physical intimacy, secrets, and accusations, leading to divorced couples and broken trust.

Dr. Pia Holec as the matchmakers and therapists guiding the couples in the process. Dr. Pepper has been with the show since the very beginning, while Pastor Cal ed in season 4, and the newest addition Dr. Pia has been involved for three seasons.

The experts had a pool of over 1,000 applicants in Denver, although several of the make up for that with additional episodes.

Becca Haley & Austin Reed

Divorced After Decision Day

Becca and Austin had instant chemistry at the altar, and it was apparent that they had similar senses of humor. Furthermore, Austin was accepting of Becca's medical conditions that limited her activity level and her decision not to drink. On the honeymoon, the pair only grew closer and shared similar visions for the future. However, cracks in their compatibility started to show upon returning from the honeymoon. Becca didn't like Austin's religious belief system and the idea that anyone who wasn't a believer would go to hell. Furthermore, Becca wanted to move at a much faster intimacy pace than Austin.

Becca grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of physical intimacy in her and Austin's relationship, and it continued to be a sore spot all season. Moreover, Austin felt like Becca was trying to make him look bad on camera after she called him "combative" and "dismissive," and Austin felt he was being silenced. Despite their issues, Austin and Becca said yes to each other on Decision Day only to break up the next day in front of the other couples after Austin got caught in a lie about hanging out with their producer the night before. They are still divorced.

Clare Kerr & Cameron Frazer

Separated On One-Month Anniversary

Married at First Sight season 17 couple Cameron and Clare seemed to have an initial spark on their wedding day, but that was as long as their spark lasted. Clare felt a disconnect on the morning after their wedding when Cameron said he forgot Calre was there. She grew more frustrated when Cameron wouldn't keep pace with her and help her with her bag on the the way to the honeymoon and didn't share her value of therapy. They managed to have one fun occasion on the honeymoon, but it wasn't enough to help their relationship.

Upon returning to Denver, Cameron found out Clare wanted to raise kids in the church and he adamantly did not. Cameron was also attracted to Clare but not getting anything back from her in return. On their one-month anniversary, Clare and Cameron announced to the group they wanted a mutual separation. Shortly thereafter, Cameron developed a serious heart condition and had to have surgery. Clare tried to Cameron, but he didn't want her involved because of added stress. The pair showed up to Decision Day only to divorce, but in a friendly way.

The friendliness all changed the day after Decision Day when the group got together. Clare accused Cameron of silencing her and Cameron unleashed Clare's alleged secrets. He called Clare a "puppet master" and said she told him she wasn't attracted to him early on and made him upkeep lies for optics' sake.

"I've literally lied every single day of this fucking marriage to protect [Clare], " Cameron shouted.

Things got even uglier at the Reunion when Cameron accused Clare of having a boyfriend the whole time who she was sleeping with. It also came out that Cameron organized a Married at First Sight season 17 dupe by getting all the couples to act certain ways in front of the camera to make themselves look better. Despite the falsities and allegations, Cameron said he would try to get back with Clare in a romantic way. Clare has moved on and is in a long-distance relationship while Cameron is off social media.

Lauren Goodger & Orion Martzloff

Divorced Right After Honeymoon

Lauren and Orion had the shortest marriage in Married at First Sight season 17. When the strangers met at the altar, they had instant attraction. Lauren had never dated anyone outside of her race and Orion is a proud Native American. At the wedding, during the wedding night, and at the beginning of their honeymoon they shared cute moments with kissing and deep conversations that looked promising for their future. However, everything was derailed by Lauren making an insensitive remark about Orion having "red skin."

Orion took the comment personally but tried to get over it. Things were made worse when Lauren divulged that she had sex with someone a few months before getting married on the show. Orion tried to overcome his ill-feelings on that subject too, but was ultimately unable to do so. They were counseled by the experts, but it was already too late by that time. Orion asked for a divorce upon returning from the honeymoon, while Lauren said she wanted to keep trying at that time (via Lifetime.)

During a group gathering, Orion and Lauren came back together and Orion said he wanted to "build a bridge" back to Lauren. Lauren was agreeable but grew frustrated by Orion not following through with trying to reconnect. At the Reunion, Lauren accused Orion of being on the show for the wrong reasons and using it as a platform for his Native American heritage. Orion denied the allegation. On the "Where Are They Now?" episode, Orion said he was working on his follow-through and that he regretted not moving in with Lauren and asking for a divorce too soon.

Emily Balch & Brennan Shoykhet

Separated Days Before Decision Day

Emily had never been in a relationship before coming onto Married at First Sight, and Brennan said he didn't believe in divorce. The couple got along well on the honeymoon, and seemed to have good potential. However, upon returning from the honeymoon, Brennan announced that he was no longer attracted to Emily but would not reveal the reason why.

It took all season before Brennan finally told Emily that he was turned off by her mean-spirited nature and consistent negativity.

Brennan's ission happened after they had bonded in a traumatic experience when Emily was involved in a serious ATV accident and Brennan was there for her. In any case, Emily thought she was "the most positive f***ing person," and resented Brennan for saying she wasn't. A few days before Decision Day, Emily and Brennan officially split. They did show up to Decision Day to say no to each other and hurl accusations that the other was trying to make them look bad.

At the Reunion, Emily accused Brennan of trying to get with her best friend and of trying to silence her during the Married at First Sight process. Since their split, Emily is still single and very involved with her season 17 girl clique with Clare, Lauren, and Becca. Brennan is in a relationship and claims to be very happy now.

Michael Shiakallis & Chloe Brown

Split Up On Decision Day

Michael was originally matched with a mystery bride who showed up to the altar only to tell Michael she wasn't ready to marry a stranger. Michael picked up the pieces and was asked if he wanted to try again with someone else. He agreed and was matched with Chloe.

They had a very entertaining relationship and were the only couple to consummate their marriage. Chloe accepted Michael's eccentric style and the duo shared a similar sense of humor. However, they were misaligned on their visions for the future with Chloe wanting an animal sanctuary and a lot of foster children and Michael being unsure of wanting that.

Come Decision Day, Chloe said yes to Michael, but Michael said no, citing that he was not ready for marriage and couldn't give Chloe everything she deserved (via Access Hollywood.) The pair parted ways amicably but didn't talk until the Reunion, where Michael itted he didn't try hard enough. Married at First Sight season 17 couple Michael and Chloe are still great friends today and both of them are currently single.

Married at First Sight seasons 1-16 are available to stream on Discovery+.

Source: Lifetime/YouTube, Access Hollywood/YouTube