MAFS’ Steven reveals how he REALLY feels following brutal split from Rachel as he discusses backlash – and one thing that happened off-camera that would change everything

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Steven Danyluk, a groom from Married At First Sight, has finally spoken out about why his marriage to Rachel didn’t work and addressed the drama that happened afterward in a very honest interview.

The 35-year-old Sydney mechanic recently told Daily Mail Australia that he was sincere during the TV experiment and denied accusations that he cut off contact with his on-screen wife after the show finished filming.

‘I did not f***ing ghost Rachel,’ he said bluntly.

We kept in touch, and I traveled to Melbourne to visit her. There’s a lot of inaccurate information circulating online.

Steven described himself as a hopeless romantic and said he’d joined the experiment on a spontaneous decision after being out with friends.

He admitted to often saying and doing foolish things, and hoped that advice from experts might help him improve.

Before appearing on the show, he led a simple, everyday life – he worked as a mechanic, enjoyed fishing in his free time, and watched his friends start families.

I’m in my thirties now, and a lot of my friends are starting families and settling down. It makes me think I’d like that stage of life for myself, too.

Steven and Rachel seemed like a sensible match at the start of the season, though their relationship began in a slightly strange way.

He remembered how nervous they both were on their wedding day, a funny mix-up where he initially mistook a male guest for his groom, and Rachel’s well-known, infectious laugh.

‘There was a lot of laughing… but it actually helped me. The nerves went away,’ he said.

Things started well for the couple – they even shared a bed on their wedding night and had a pleasant honeymoon. However, problems soon began to surface.

A turning point came during intimacy week, when Steven refused to kiss Rachel during a key task.

Looking back, he admits it was a mistake.

‘I should’ve just kissed her,’ he said.

‘But I didn’t want to be performative or fake it. There was so much going through my head.’

The incident clearly bothered Rachel and signaled the start of increasing emotional difficulties between them.

‘That’s when I realised she was more invested than I was,’ he admitted.

A major conflict arose during the couples’ retreat when a private and inappropriate comment about their intimacy was revealed to everyone.

Steven has apologized for what he said, admitting it wasn’t the best way to put things, and believes the issue has been exaggerated.

He admitted to saying something silly when no one else was around, and felt it was wrong for someone to then share it publicly.

The fallout deeply affected Rachel and put further strain on their relationship.

Even though their relationship had its challenges, Steven maintains that he and Rachel shared a real connection and that he truly fell for her.

He pinpointed homestays as the moment everything shifted.

‘I started thinking – I could do life with this woman,’ he said.

‘She had my back, even with my family. That meant everything to me.’

By Final Vows, both chose to continue their relationship – a decision Steven stands by.

‘I needed to see what it was like in the real world,’ he said.

Off-camera, however, reality quickly set in.

With Steven based in Sydney and Rachel in Melbourne, distance proved to be their biggest challenge.

‘MAFS isn’t real life,’ he said.

‘There’s no bills, no work, no responsibilities. Then suddenly you’re back in it and it hits hard.’

While the pair remained in contact and spoke regularly, Steven admits communication wasn’t perfect.

‘I could’ve done things differently. I regret that,’ he said.

When he eventually flew to Melbourne to see Rachel, the reunion didn’t go as planned.

‘The energy just felt off,’ he revealed.

After hours of emotional conversations, the pair mutually decided to end things.

‘She said, ‘Are we just delaying the inevitable?’… and she was right.’

The fact that they had previously broken up made their reunion awkward. They originally intended to arrive together, but changed their plans at the last minute.

‘It was confusing. We weren’t together, but we still had each other’s backs,’ he said.

Since leaving the show, Steven has faced a lot of harsh criticism and harassment online, with people spreading rumors about his personal life, including his sexuality and mental wellbeing.

‘People calling me gay as an insult – that’s what upset me,’ he said.

‘Even if I was gay, why is that funny? Why are people laughing?’

He denied accusations that he was awkward or showed signs of being on the autism spectrum, arguing that editing manipulated footage to create that impression.

‘I’m not as much of a dork as they made me out to be,’ he said.

Steven feels important details about his relationship with Rachel were omitted, specifically how they developed as a couple and emotionally resonant moments they shared.

‘We both f***ed up at times. We worked on it. That development wasn’t shown,’ he said.

He also revealed tensions with the experts, particularly during the final commitment ceremony.

‘I felt like I was being forced into an answer,’ he said.

‘They put me in a position where I felt like the asshole.’

Despite their breakup, Steven insists there is no bad blood between him and Rachel.

‘We’re cordial. We still talk quite often,’ he said.

‘I’ve got nothing but respect for her.’

But he admits one question still lingers.

‘What if… what if I did things differently? Would we still be together today?’

Now focusing on personal growth, Steven says the experience has changed him.

‘I’ve learned I’m my own worst enemy,’ he said.

‘I was too worried about being liked instead of just being myself.’

And for future contestants, his advice is simple:

‘Speak your mind and be yourself – otherwise you’ll regret it.’

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2026-04-15 08:04