Michael Shiakallis, a participant from Season 17 of Married at First Sight, has been opening up about his journey on the show, including the surprising revelation that he was recruited rather than applying himself.
In a recent disclosure, Michael confessed that he didn’t originally sign up for the marital experiment but was instead scouted through social media. The revelation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes process of casting for reality TV.
Recruitment on social media was the catalyst for Michael’s MAFS journey, as he learned about filming for the new season through this unconventional method. However, things took an unexpected turn when his first bride declined to walk down the aisle, marking a historic moment in the show’s history.
During an episode of the Regular Guys Random Thoughts podcast, Michael candidly shared his recruitment experience, admitting that he was initially contacted by someone from the production team.
Reflecting on the process, Michael clarified that being recruited didn’t necessarily mean a fast track to being cast on the show but rather served to raise awareness and encourage potential candidates to apply.
Initially skeptical about the vague details provided via Instagram, Michael’s curiosity was piqued when the recruitment efforts persisted. Upon further investigation, he discovered the affiliation of the recruiter with Kinetic Content, the production company behind Married at First Sight and other reality TV shows.
Despite the initial ambiguity, Michael eventually connected the dots and realized that the opportunity was indeed for Married at First Sight. Following a phone conversation with the recruitment team, Michael decided to pursue the opportunity, ultimately completing the lengthy application process and submitting the required video.
His journey from recruitment to becoming a participant on Season 17 of MAFS underscores the intricate process of casting for reality television and offers insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts to assemble a diverse and engaging cast.
