Ok, guys and gals, grab your tea and popcorn because we need to spill the tea about Married at First Sight Australia Season 10. And no, I'm not talking about the cringe-worthy moments or the love triangles. We're here to talk about the lack of diversity, body positivity, and the show's overall realness.
Let's get real here, MAFS season 10 is as diverse as a vanilla ice cream cone mid-winter. I mean, with a population of over 25 million people, Australia isn't exactly lacking in diversity. So why is it that the show's producers can't seem to catch up with the times?
We're living in a world where diversity and representation not only matter more than ever before, but it's what viewers want to see!
Instead, what we get is tokenism. From where I'm sitting, a small number of individuals from minority groups are thrown in for the sake of appearing diverse while not addressing the larger issue of underrepresentation.
And, let's face it, tokenism is not just problematic, it's downright lazy. It perpetuates the idea that diversity is just a box to be checked off rather than a crucial aspect of representation.
While we're on the topic of representation, let's talk about something I'm personally passionate about — body positivity. Many reality TV shows have been called out for their lack of size diversity, with most only featuring conventionally attractive and slim contestants.
Sending a harmful message to viewers that only certain body types are deemed acceptable, desirable or worthy of love. And let's be real, this is not only damaging, but it's also so last century!
Enter Amber, size-inclusive designer, model, creator of the global movement @nonairbrushedme and my good friend. She's been a vocal advocate for size diversity on reality TV and in the fashion industry and is not afraid to speak up.
Amber says shows like Married at First Sight, are responsible for showcasing a range of body types, "I believe that true diversity and representation on reality TV shows can have a positive impact on society and break down harmful stereotypes.
"It's time for producers to step up and embrace all kinds of diversity, including size diversity, and give everyone a chance to see themselves represented on screen."
But it's not just about representation on TV. Amber has experienced firsthand the lack of diversity in the media industry. Despite being a trailblazer in promoting body positivity and diversity, she's faced numerous obstacles in her career due to systemic discrimination, which is not only frustrating but downright unacceptable.
According to Amber, who appeared in Farmer Wants A Wife Season 10, she was sent home after the first episode because of her size. She claims that the producers couldn't see past her size 16 frame and eliminated her on behalf of farmer Nick, who seemed interested in her during their initial meeting.
As a mental health nurse, Amber knows how damaging unrealistic body standards can be. She's seen patients with eating disorders and other mental health issues brought on by media portrayals of "perfect" bodies.
That's why she took matters into her own hands and created a global movement in @nonairbrushedme, an Instagram account with over 200k followers that's all about supporting women and promoting authentic beauty in every form. It's a safe space for people to be themselves and feel supported.
But she' didn't stop there! Amber is also the founder of @nonairbrushedmemgmt a modelling agency that is inclusive of ALL women!
From being a follower of NAM to now being a part of the NAM family and regularly sharing diverse and inclusive content on the page to help others — I have seen first-hand how seeing people from all walks of life can change how we think about ourselves and our worth. It's a game-changer, and it's time for more people to join the movement towards diversity and inclusion.
As someone who has experienced the transformative power of diverse content, I cannot stress enough how important it is to see yourself represented on screen. Representation matters!
Listen, I don't pretend to think that the relationship success rate of these shows has an excellent track record, but regardless, it's time for producers to embrace all forms of diversity and allow everyone to see themselves represented on screen.
Let's make reality TV actually realistic for once! It's time to get some diversity up in here and show everyone that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and colours. Only then can we break down those tired old stereotypes and make TV something that truly represents the real world.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Let me know in the comments below or head over to my Instagram — Should Amber and I go live on Instagram to discuss the tea in real time?
Until next time, keep shining like the sprinkle-covered donut you are, and don't forget to love and appreciate every curve, freckly or stretch mark on your beautiful body.
Your self-lovin' sista,
Brooke 🍩✨