We are officially back in the thick of it with a brand new season of Married at First Sight Australia, and the drama is already hitting new heights. Expert John Aiken joined Sharyn to pull back the curtain on the experiment and reveal why some couples are doomed before they even walk down the aisle.

One of the biggest hurdles John sees this year is the influence of social media on dating mindsets. From "warrior mindsets" to the "blue and pink jobs" trend, participants are arriving with rigid rules color-coded by TikTok. John explains that when people show up with a strict list of non-negotiables and zero curiosity, it almost always ends in a quick exit.

Communication remains the ultimate make or break factor in the experiment. John shares the abrasive patterns he spots a mile away, like couples who use "sledgehammer" language or simply refuse to apologize. This year is particularly intense with a group of "boss babes" who aren't afraid to go low, making for some of the most confronting dinner parties we've seen yet.

We also got the lowdown on what the experts actually endure during filming. Those commitment ceremonies can run for a grueling eight hours, with John often on the receiving end of "daggers" from participants who don't like his direct feedback. It is a high pressure environment where the masks eventually slip, showing exactly why these people are still searching for love.

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