After all the drama, catfights, shouting matches and tears on this year’s traumatic season of Married At First Sight Australia, you’d think Bec Zacharia would never want to attend another dinner party in her life.
But the 35-year-old Adelaide firecracker became one of the show’s most talked-about stars. She couldn’t resist an invite to an intimate evening meal with her Kiwi fans. The dinner, held at new Pukekohe, Auckland eatery Appetite, also included radio star Sharyn Casey.
“The food was f***ing amazing,” Bec laughs.
“They set up the whole room as one long dinner table, just like on MAFS. It was incredible and everyone was so kind. It just left such a good taste in my mouth.”
It was Bec’s first visit to New Zealand and while she reckons we feel “pretty Aussie” to her, she’s been charmed by Kiwis and particularly our coffee.
“I’ve had one of the best coffees I’ve ever had,” she gushes.
“Everyone has been so hospitable. I cannot wait to come back.”
Behind the scenes on MAFS
But we’re not here to talk flat whites. Any recent viewer of MAFS will know Bec’s time on the programme was, to put it mildly, a lot. Matched with British-born Danny Hewitt, 34, her experience on the show was defined by confusion and emotional exhaustion. She claims she also had a partner who knew exactly what he was doing in front of the cameras.
“I was in a constant state of panic at all times, not knowing which way was up and which way was down,” she tells Woman’s Day.
“If I ever brought up an issue with Danny and he didn’t agree with it, it would be twisted and made to look like I’d done something wrong.”
Looking back differently
Since leaving the show, Bec says her suspicions about Danny have proven correct.
“He told someone, allegedly, that he and his best friend had a business plan the whole time. But then you can’t take anything Danny says for gospel. When we were on the show, he said you’d never see him on Instagram or doing podcasts, and lo and behold, he’s doing every podcast, Instagram and TikTok he can get on.”
The highs and lows
But Bec admits the couple had some fun times, putting a lot of their challenges down to long filming days, and being away from friends and family. The stress contributed to what she calls a “pressure-cooker environment” that saw MAFS producers encouraging couples to air their grievances with others on camera.
Bec reveals that contestants are kept waiting for hours, phones confiscated, with nothing to do, often dressed “in full glam” before dinner parties even begin. And once at the parties, they’re not allowed to leave until execs get what they want.
Behind production pressure
“An executive producer will walk in the room and say, ‘If you haven’t given me what we’re looking for, we’re not moving and you’re staying.’”
On one occasion, Bec took matters into her own hands.
“One night, we were all arguing so much, I just stood up and said, ‘Girls, we’re done,’ and we all walked out.”
Controversy continues
But while there are calls for the series to be cancelled following allegations of rape on the UK series, Bec insists, “Look, I wouldn’t be here in New Zealand without the show, so I can’t say I wish it hadn’t happened. There are a lot of great things about MAFS too.”
“Alissa and I are very close now,” she insists, adding that they’re both based in Adelaide.
No contact
It’s not so surprising Bec has “zero communication” with nemeses Gia Fleur and Juliette Chae, and she’s equally dismissive of grooms David Momoh and Scott McCristal.
“I don’t think David was accurately represented as to who he actually is,” she tells.
“The boys this year were very much protected. It was all about the villainous women.”
And Danny? “He’s not in my life,” she says with barely concealed contempt.
What she’s doing now
These days, Bec is focused on paid appearances, an upcoming brand trip to Bali and hot dates, although she’s keeping the details on the latter firmly under wraps.
“I’m keeping everything private until it’s something to talk about,” she smiles.
As for regrets on the show? Bec shares, “If I could give my past self some advice on day one, I’d say, ‘Stop, breathe and don’t react. Trust your gut and leave because he’s not into you.’”
