There’s public outrage over a new Married At First Sight groom whose comments viewers have described as “misogynistic, disgusting and harmful.”
Tyson Gordon was introduced as an ‘intruder’ groom earlier this week, and audiences have not responded well to his inclusion on the hugely popular show.
Gordon, a 30-year-old former soldier, was matched with 32-year-old real estate agent Stephanie Marshall, has sparked outrage over his comments about wanting a “submissive” wife, disliking “woke” women and calling stay-at-home dads “feminine.”
On social media, the new groom has been criticised for comments about a woman’s “body count” – referring to the number of sexual partners. He told Marshall on the show that he ended a previous relationship when he learned the woman had been 78 sexual partners, because he “didn’t want to get HIV”.
In a confessional, Gordon added that he wanted a wife with “zero” former partners, describing women with higher “body counts” as “dirty” and with “daddy issues”.
Marshall told cameras she believes in equality and described Gordon’s attitude as “controlling.”
When she asked him what he wanted in a wife, she said: “Are you looking for someone who is going to bow down at you feet and treat you like a king?”
Tyson responded “absolutely not”, then added, “I don’t want a slave for a wife. I want someone who is submissive.”
Social media backlash MAFS groom Tyson Gordon
On social media, viewers said it was “irresponsible” of Nine to broadcast Gordon’s comments without them being challenged more strongly – for fear of them being normalised.
“This is not okay and is not good for young people who watch these clips on social media. It is damaging, and producers should be ashamed,” read one comment.
Another wrote, “He’s prob one of the worst males on MAFS… but there are a lot of men like this… poor Stephanie,” with someone else adding, “This guy is dangerous.”
Finally, this viewer was shocked: “How could the ‘experts’ give someone with these morals a go on this platform ???? Shame shame.”
Former bride Jacqui Burfoot, who appeared on last year’s season, has also commented: “MAFS fans saying producers may have finally gone too far casting Tyson.
“Meanwhile us brides have been calling them out for marrying us to grooms with a history of domestic violence and a criminal record, for many years now.”
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Top image: Stephanie Marshall and Tyson Gordon get to know each other on ‘MAFS’. Image: Nine