Jamie Marinos, a participant from Season 12 of Married At First Sight Australia, has recently opened up about her emotional journey following her split from husband Dave Hand. Despite the heartache, she expressed gratitude for the supportive community she has built since appearing on the reality show.
In an exclusive interview with 9Entertainment, the 28-year-old shared that the love and encouragement from her fans have made her experiences worthwhile. "I definitely think the MAFS community is one of the best ones. I've met some beautiful, beautiful people that have said the most amazing things and it kind of makes all your painful moments worth it," Jamie said, reflecting on the positive impact her journey has had on others.
Jamie revealed that many fans have reached out to her, sharing their own struggles and thanking her for her authenticity. "I've had so many people come up to me saying that they've experienced something similar, or they left their boyfriend because of my experience," she recalled. "It's crazy I've had mums thank me for being bare-skinned and showing my acne on TV. Just when you think, 'Oh, God, I wish I didn't have to experience some of the pain or the backlash,' it makes it worth it when you impacted someone's life in a positive way."
Her relationship with Dave Hand, which started off as one of the strongest on the show, took a turn when Dave admitted he wasn’t progressing in his feelings as quickly as Jamie was. Despite their commitment during the Final Vows, they ultimately decided to part ways at the Reunion. Jamie explained that she pushed for the breakup, stating, "I want someone who's going to love me and show up... without asking." In her eyes, that person wasn’t Dave.
Since their breakup, Jamie confirmed that she and Dave have had "no contact." She expressed disappointment over this, saying, "It is disappointing because there was a point where I thought Dave would just be in my life regardless, forever."
In the weeks following the end of MAFS, speculation has arisen regarding a potential romance between Jamie and co-star Eliot Donovan. On May 8, 2025, Jamie addressed this burgeoning relationship, stating, "I hang out heaps with Eliot. He's become a very good, very close person to my life so I'm really appreciative of Eliot." However, she chose to keep the specifics of their relationship vague, emphasizing that they are not rushing into anything official. "I understand everyone wants an answer but we're in the real world now, so it's not like we're going to be official or announce something tomorrow. I'm enjoying getting to know Eliot, I'm getting to know different people, I'm just being open," she said.
Jamie also dismissed allegations that their connection is merely a publicity stunt. "For me, the important thing is that it's not a publicity stunt, we just genuinely enjoy being around each other," she asserted. This declaration comes after fans expressed their hopes that the duo’s relationship is the real deal.
Both Jamie and Eliot faced challenges in their initial matches on MAFS. Eliot was matched twice during the show, first with Lauren Hall and then with Veronica Cloherty, but neither pairing showed lasting promise. Jamie's relationship with Dave, however, began as a fan favorite, only to unravel as the series progressed.
Looking ahead, Jamie remains optimistic about her future. "I'm definitely going with the flow, I do love living in Melbourne but I'm very much open to opportunities," she shared. Jamie expressed a desire to expand her career, stating, "I'd love to work more on TV or radio but I've loved the whole experience, I've enjoyed building this amazing community and I just want to keep meeting people and see where life takes me."
As fans continue to support her journey, Jamie Marinos is navigating her path with resilience and an open heart, proving that even in the face of heartbreak, there can be hope and new beginnings.
