TV

Liam and Samuel’s romance in paradise

Celebrating their anniversary in Aotearoa, the reality stars reveal what they’ve learnt about themselves in the past year

Married At First Sight’s first-ever crossover couple have finally taken the next step in their relationship in a Kiwi adventure that’s been a long time coming.

Despite appearing in the reality TV hit in different countries, New Zealand groom Samuel Levi and Australian star Liam Cooper eventually found love exactly a year ago – and now the Melbourne-based pair have finally ventured across to Aotearoa together, giving Liam the chance to meet Samuel’s parents in West Auckland.

“Mum’s taken a real liking to Liam,” laughs Samuel, 29.

“She told me I can call her Mum!” says Liam, 31, proudly.

The adventure-loving pair, both business entrepreneurs and influencers, then went on to spend an action-packed week in Rotorua, where they caught up with Woman’s Day at off-the-grid glamping site Kokako Retreat, near Hamurana Springs.

Howdy, pardner! A horse trek was on Samuel and Liam’s wish list.

Sadly for us, despite the stunning location, there wasn’t a proposal!

“We do talk about getting engaged sometimes,” reveals Liam. “But we’ve done that with the show and I’m not ready to do it again! We’ve talked about kids too, but as much as I’d love a little mini-me… No way! In saying that, I just met Samuel’s nephews yesterday and they’re so cute.”

“But they’re terrors as well,” adds Samuel. “It’s much easier when you can give them back.”

Although both say being on the show has put them off marriage for life, they’re also thankful for the experience as it was how they eventually met. Last year, the two were invited to the Big Gay Out on the Gold Coast and bonded over their shared experience.

“I wasn’t looking for anyone at the time,” explains Liam. “I’d just come off the show, so when I met Samuel, I just thought, ‘Cool! Someone who understands what I went through and who loves adventures. Let’s hang out!'”

From there, Samuel joined Liam on a road trip to Sydney and they went skydiving together. About a month later, Liam realised he felt something stronger than friendship. He recalls, “I was scared to go public because I knew I was going to cop it.”

Liam was the first-ever bisexual groom on MAFS Australia, where he married Georgia Fairweather, and only came out to many of his friends and family via the show. While he didn’t expect it to be a smooth ride, he was still surprised at the backlash he faced.

“It was like ripping off the biggest Band-Aid ever,” he says. “I’d told my brother and sister before we went to air, but that was it. Then when I came off the show, a lot of people told me, ‘You’re lying to yourself – you’re actually gay.'”

Samuel admits even he was guilty of believing the misconceptions around bisexuality. He confesses, “Before I met Liam, I didn’t really understand it. I always thought you’re either gay or straight.

“At the start, I’d question where our relationship was going and ask things like, ‘If you see a female walking down the road, do you want that?’ But I’ve learnt a lot from him, which I’m grateful for. I was very narrow-minded.”

Meanwhile, Liam says he’s learnt so much from Samuel too, saying that his first same-sex relationship has taught him to be comfortable in his own skin.

He explains, “At first, when we were holding hands as we walked down the street, I had to be like, ‘This is OK. We can do this.’ But now I’m comfortable with who I am and who we are as a couple. Samuel has helped a lot with bringing that out in me. It’s been hard, but it’s been good.”

Country boy Liam, who grew up in rural New South Wales, moved in with city slicker Samuel last year and has slowly grown to love urban life in Melbourne, although he hints their loved-up adventure in New Zealand could convince him to cross the Tasman for good.

“There’s a whole world out there, but for now, we’re focused on saving for a house,” says Liam.

Samuel adds, “Wherever we end up, we’ll definitely be back. I need to show Liam the South Island and all that Queenstown has to offer.”

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