There was a big casting mistake made inMarried at First Sightseason 18, but it may have been purposeful.Married at First Sightseason 18has five episodes out, and viewers have met the five couples of the season: Emem Obot and Ikechi Ojoré,Karla Jand Juan, Camille and Thomas, Michelle Tomblin and David Trimble, and Allen Slovick and Madison Myers. UnlikeMarried at First Sightseason 17, all the couples in season 18 said yes to each other at the altar. Season 17 had the franchise’s first runaway bride, leaving the groom, Michael Shiakallis, to be rematched.
Now, season 18 fans are watching the couples in the honeymoon portion of the experiment. TheMarried at First Sightexperts, whose job is to match, guide, and counsel the couples, do not go on the honeymoon, even though this portion is where a lot of early problems arise. David and Michelle have experienced nothing but trouble after saying I do and sharing their first kiss. There have been several red flags noticeable in David, andit’s questionable how he got through casting and was chosen for the show. However, there could have been a point to it.
David Trimble’s Background
David Loves Family
35-year-old David holds down two jobs.He is both a social worker and a construction project manager, although he hasn’t spoken about how he divvies up his time between the two. He is passionate about working out, as he wakes up at 4:30 a.m. every day to hit the gym. David also has a background in physique competition.
David is extremely close with his family, and he idolizes his parents' long and successful marriage. He was previously in a relationship on and off for 12 years. Perhaps the most problematic part of David’s background is his current living situation. David used to live in a vacant storefront unit that he owned, butdecided to move in with his parents.He moved into the basement unit his parents have in their home. David explained that he pays rent to help them with the mortgage, has his own entrance, and has the ability to move out when he wants but that he’s there by choice.
Michelle immediately had major contention upon hearing David’s revelation that he lived with his parents. She felt contempt for David’s living situation, and thought it was unattractive for any man to be living at home.
“Like your mommy doing all your like things for you, that’s a turn off for me. I want someone who like, is independent.”
Michelle is failing to see beyond the optics of David’s living situation, but David is not doing a good job of changing her mind. David’s background has been affecting his marriage negatively, as Michelle can’t get over, or try to understand, why David has the home life circumstances he does. However, David may have been chosen for a purpose.
Why Was David Chosen For MAFS?
What Did The Experts See In Him?
The experts, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson, and Dr. Pia Holec, were all charmed by David. Outside of his background, David has a vibrant and boisterous personality.They regarded David living at home with his parents as multigenerational livingthat is part of David’s culture and closeness with his family, not as a red flag.
However, pastMarried at First Sightcast who have had similar living situations, unstable ones, or roommate-type environments have never worked out with their partners.
This should have been reason enough to not have chosen David as a cast member inMAFSseason 18.
Besides looking past David’s home life, the experts looked past his abrasiveness, another trait that Michelle is having contention with. The experts saw this trait as charisma and a zest for life, and as positive qualities he could bring to his marriage because he is driven. Moreover,the experts thought David and Michelle would be physically attractedto one another. David asked for a blonde-haired blue-eyed independent woman, and Michelle asked for a dark-skinned man with tattoos.
Is David A Producer Plant?
He Has A Big Personality
The negative aspects of David’s living situation and loud personality are affecting his marriage negatively, and they should have been seen as red flags. The fact these aspects were overlooked begs the question of whyLifetimeproducers wanted him on the show.
David could be a producer plant in season 18, meant to intentionally create drama.
The producers could have cast him knowing that he and Michelle would run into major issues. However, that is doing the show and viewers a disservice since the whole premise ofMarried at First Sightis to produce compatible and long-lasting couples.
MAFSproducers' decision to castDavid could play into the larger franchise narrative of manufacturing more drama, which has been happening in every season for the past few years. Reality TV shows have been known to cast people who are not right for the purpose of the show but serve a larger goal of creating more controversial situations for entertainment value. Based on this trend, it’s likely David is a producer plant, since there is a proven history inMarried at First Sightof cast with similar home lives not working out.
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Is David Part Of Any MAFS Season 18 Scandals?
It’s Possible
David is a casting mistake given his questionable background and tricky character, but he seems to be serving a purpose for producers. InMarried at First Sightseason 18 there will two scandals: a cheating scandal and a couples swap. Although it couldn’t be known ahead of time whether David would play into either, it’s looking likely.@mafsfanon Instagram shared a season 18 trailer that depicts Michelle telling, presumably David, that"married people don’t sext other women."
This denotes that David is part of shady drama that will go down. At this time, however,Married at First Sightseason 18 is just getting started, so what Michelle is saying could be geared towards someone else or another couple’s circumstances. Either way, viewers have already seenDavid and Michelle have the most drama, and that may be playing into producers' larger narrative for casting David on the show.
Married At First Sightairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.
Married At First Sight
Cast
Based on the Danish version of the series, Married at First Sight is a reality show/social experiment that gives singles a chance to find a lifelong partnership with one particular caveat: they must agree to marry a stranger arranged the moment they meet. Experts provide counseling and guidance as they help couples navigate their new marriage with their unknown partner and highlight the journey of the newlyweds from wedding to honeymoon to beginning their new lives together. At the end of eight weeks, couples will decide to stay married or divorce.
