A bride on the US version of Married at First Sight has confessed that she and her television husband were acquainted years before appearing on the show. Estate agent Jalyn Garcia married Josh Black during the opening episode of the latest series, which aired on E4 on 18 May.
The programme claims to match complete strangers based on their suitability, but Jalyn has revealed she recognised Josh immediately as they met at the altar. Speaking on the What's the Reality podcast, she said she had first encountered him roughly eight years earlier at their local gym.
Josh approached her and introduced himself, and they would see each other occasionally. At one point, he bought her a drink at a bar where he worked, but Jalyn was in a relationship at the time, so they never dated. They had exchanged contact details but did not pursue a romance.
Despite their prior meetings, Jalyn insisted she knew little about Josh beyond the gym he frequented. She confirmed that Josh also recognised her on their wedding day, but both kept quiet during filming. The couple appeared well-matched in the first episode.
Jalyn told the experts she wanted a fairy-tale ending and someone to build a family with, while Josh said he was searching for his happy ever after. The series also features Jalyn's mother, Belynda Chapa, making history as the first mother-daughter duo to marry in the same season.
