MAFS Star Jo Todd Finds Love Again with Singer Luke Stapleton
Married At First Sight fan favourite Jo Todd has embarked on a new romantic chapter with singer Luke Stapleton, creating an unexpected reality television crossover. The 43-year-old bride, who appeared on Channel Nine's 2021 season paired with Melbourne businessman James Susler, exclusively revealed her new relationship to Daily Mail, sharing details about her post-show journey and healing process.
A Full-Circle Reality Television Connection
Jo Todd's new romance carries a distinctive MAFS connection that fans will appreciate. Luke Stapleton previously appeared on the show in 2025 as controversial groom Tim Gromie's best man, creating an intriguing link between the two reality television personalities. Even more remarkably, Luke had originally applied to participate in the same season as Jo but withdrew just two weeks before filming commenced.
"So, his name is Luke, and I kind of met him through social media," Jo explained during the interview. "But the thing is, he actually applied to go on MAFS the same season as me, but he turned it away two weeks before, so I feel like it should have been him that could have been matched, not James and I."
Reflections on MAFS Experience and Personal Growth
Looking back on her time in the controversial social experiment, Jo expressed no regrets about her participation. She described how the experience helped rebuild her confidence during a difficult period in her life and ultimately strengthened her character.
"When I think about MAFS, I don't regret it," she stated. "I feel like it brought out a lot of confidence in me, because I was in a pretty dark place at the time. So, I feel like my confidence came back out. Obviously James taught me a lot and brought some more strength out of me. Having to deal with him. Disaster."
In one particularly amusing anecdote, Jo revealed she had an unexpected encounter with her television ex-husband James Susler years after their MAFS experience concluded - not at an upscale Melbourne venue as one might expect, but at a Kmart store.
Post-MAFS Relationships and Healing Journey
Following her appearance on the show, Jo married longtime friend Joe Donaghy, who had supported her through the aftermath of her television experience. That relationship lasted several years before the couple separated approximately one year ago. Jo described the breakup as painful but transformative, leading her into a period of intensive self-reflection and healing.
"After we split up, I just went on a huge healing journey," she explained. At that time, she had firmly decided against dating anyone new, a sentiment Luke shared when they first began communicating online.
Luke recalled their initial conversations: "I just told her that I'm not interested in anything. I was also saying, I'm on my healing journey. I actually had a little app saying, I don't want to date, I don't want to talk, I don't want to meet anyone for a whole year."
Jo echoed this sentiment, adding: "I said a whole year. Next minute, three months later, I'm like, damn, I've failed at that."
An Unexpected Romance Blossoms
What began as a casual meeting with no expectations quickly developed into something much more significant. Luke remembered their first encounter as simply "a drink" with "nothing expected," but the chemistry between them proved immediate and undeniable.
Jo described how their first date extended into a long evening of souvlakis, darts, and deep conversation. Since that initial meeting, the couple has spent every single day together, forming an inseparable bond that both describe as remarkably easy and natural.
"We've spent every single day together," Luke confirmed. "From the moment we met, we haven't had a day apart."
Jo added: "The spark keeps itself alive. It's so good, it's so easy."
Navigating Family Life and Future Plans
The couple has successfully integrated their lives, with Jo introducing Luke to her two sons, Ryder and Cayden. The introduction was facilitated through Luke's huskies, which helped break the ice with the children who love dogs.
"Ryder and Cayden just love the dogs, and he's so good with kids, so it was easy," Jo explained. "My boys are really understanding and accepting."
Despite their ten-year age difference - with Luke being the younger partner - the couple reports no issues related to the gap. They now enjoy evenings watching Married At First Sight together, including the UK version, as part of their regular routine.
The couple is already planning a trip to New Zealand for Jo's upcoming birthday and has even joked about secretly applying for MAFS together someday to see if they would be matched by the experts.
Luke's MAFS Fallout and Current Perspective
During the interview, Luke addressed his own MAFS experience and the subsequent fallout with former friend Tim Gromie. He claimed their friendship dissolved after he publicly supported bride Katie Johnston and shared his honest observations about what transpired during filming.
"A month after the show aired, he's like, 'You f**king liar, f**k you,'" Luke recalled. "We all saw it. I was just clarifying what actually happened."
He went on to criticize Tim's treatment of Katie, stating: "He just completely dismissed that. Like, she was actually a really nice person. I actually thought they were really well matched. And he just treated her like a piece of s***."
Despite these past conflicts, both Jo and Luke appear focused on their positive new relationship and the healing journey that brought them together, creating what Jo describes as a "full-circle moment" in her reality television experience.
