Married At First Sight's Couples Retreat continues to draw drama as tensions flare among the brides, prominently featuring Lauren Hall and Jamie Marinos. During episode 23, which aired on March 4, 2025, conflict erupted at the retreat's Girls' Night.
During the gathering, Lauren became embroiled in controversy after making disparaging remarks about her co-stars. The drama peaked when Lauren, visibly frustrated by questions about her relationship with Clint Rice, stormed out, calling the other brides "losers." This was the third confrontation between Lauren and the other brides, illustrating her increasing isolation within the group.
Rhi, caught between the two, decided to check on Lauren after her abrupt exit, only to discover how far gone the situation had escalated. “I get a little bit torn because some of the language Lauren uses and some of the put-downs about the girls, I really struggle to digest,” Rhi explained. Despite Rhi's intentions for the conversation to be supportive, Lauren perceived it as unsupportive. “I’m disappointed with the way Rhi sort of turned on me,” Lauren remarked afterward, showcasing her feeling of abandonment.
Lauren's exchanges didn't stop there; she labeled the other brides as "drunk bogans" and "trolls" throughout the night. While expressing her disdain for the group, she stated her lack of interest in sharing more details about her relationship with Clint. "I don’t have a connection with Clint. There is no spark," Lauren asserted, maintaining her guarded stance throughout the episode, which sparked outrage among the women.
The results of Lauren's condescension were immediate, as Jamie, hearing of the insults directed toward her, vowed to confront Lauren for her comments. “I’m ready to go back to the boys and expose Lauren to the rest of the group,” Jamie swore. The ensuing conversation erupted during what was supposed to be group bonding, but quickly devolved as Jamie and her allies rallied against Lauren.
The discontent reached its nadir during the retreat's final dinner, where Dave Hand, Jamie's husband, called Lauren out for her insulting comments. “I think it’s super disrespectful to all the women here,” he asserted, challenging Lauren's behavior. Despite the confrontation, Clint stood by Lauren, reaffirming his loyalty. "After what I heard last night, I back Lauren," he proclaimed, igniting even more tension among the group.
Reacting to Dave's criticisms, Lauren defended herself with more vitriol, retorting, “They are all mental,” showing how defensive she had become. Jamie, sensing her rapport with her husband faltering, began expressing feelings of hurt. “I’m so hurt. I’m beyond hurt. Where were my friends when I needed them?” she lamented, indicating the fracture within their dynamic.
Lauren’s actions throughout the episode have branded her as one of the season's most notorious characters. Fans of MAFS have taken to Twitter, reaching for every opportunity to voice their outrage at her snub of fellow castmates and labeling her behavior as insufferable. "It’s pretty rude to have the guts to call these beautiful women 'trolls' and 'bogans'," one fan tweeted, reflecting the widespread discontent over Lauren’s conduct.
Channeling the frustration of audience members, many viewers expressed empathy for Jamie and the other brides caught up by Lauren's derogatory labels. “I’d hate to be out with Lauren and her girlfriends. Imagine what a trip to the fun park would be like,” another viewer mused, encapsulating the astonishment many felt at Lauren’s seemingly cavalier behavior.
This reality TV saga continues to expand as Lauren's machinations have isolated not only herself but her husband as well. The juxtaposition of her dismissive remarks about Jamie and her willingness to pawn off blame shifts much of the discomfort to Clint, highlighting the complex dynamics at play during Couple's Retreat Week.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether the group will unite to confront Lauren’s behavior or incur even more division within their ranks. With each episode, MAFS peels back the layers of human relationships and exposes their fragility, making it the season’s more compelling narrative.
Stay tuned as these dynamics evolve, culminating next week when the drama is sure to continue. Married At First Sight airs weekends on Channel 9 and live on 9Now.