MAFS Groom Steven Danyluk Breaks Silence in Explosive Interview
Married At First Sight participant Steven Danyluk has finally spoken out in a remarkably candid interview, revealing intimate details about his failed relationship with bride Rachel and addressing the swirling controversies that followed their television appearance. The 35-year-old Sydney mechanic sat down with Daily Mail Australia to set the record straight about his experience on the popular reality experiment.
Addressing Ghosting Allegations Head-On
Steven vehemently denies widespread claims that he ghosted his on-screen wife after filming concluded. "I did not f***ing ghost Rachel," he stated bluntly. "We stayed in contact. I flew to Melbourne to see her. There's a lot of bulls**t online that just isn't true." The groom insists he approached the experiment with genuine intentions, describing himself as a "hopeless romantic" who signed up on a whim after a late night at the pub.
"I say dumb things, do dumb things – I thought maybe the experts could teach me something," he explained. Before joining the show, Steven's life followed a predictable pattern of working as a mechanic, fishing on weekends, and watching friends settle down. "I'm in my mid-thirties… everyone around me is having kids and moving on. You start thinking, I want that too."
The Unusual Beginning and Growing Connection
Steven was matched with Rachel in what appeared to be one of the season's more grounded pairings, though their connection began unconventionally. He recalled wedding day nerves, a prank moment where he briefly mistook a male guest for his match, and Rachel's now-infamous giggle. "There was a lot of laughing… but it actually helped me. The nerves went away," he remembered.
Their early days showed promise, including sharing a bed on their wedding night and experiencing a relatively smooth honeymoon. However, cracks began appearing during intimacy week when Steven refused to kiss Rachel during a key task. Looking back, he admits this was a mistake. "I should've just kissed her," he confessed. "But I didn't want to be performative or fake it. There was so much going through my head."
This moment left Rachel visibly upset and marked the beginning of growing emotional imbalance in their relationship. "That's when I realised she was more invested than I was," Steven admitted.
Controversial Moments and Real-World Challenges
One of the biggest controversies emerged during the couples' retreat when a crude comment about their sex life was exposed before the entire group. Steven has since apologized, calling it a "bad choice of words", but insists the situation was blown out of proportion. "I said something dumb in private. That doesn't give someone the right to stand up and announce it to everyone," he argued.
Despite their difficulties, Steven maintains their connection was authentic and claims he developed genuine feelings for Rachel. He pinpointed homestays as the pivotal moment when everything shifted. "I started thinking – I could do life with this woman," he revealed. "She had my back, even with my family. That meant everything to me."
By Final Vows, both chose to continue their relationship – a decision Steven stands by. "I needed to see what it was like in the real world," he explained. Off-camera, however, reality quickly set in. With Steven based in Sydney and Rachel in Melbourne, distance proved their biggest challenge. "MAFS isn't real life," he noted. "There's no bills, no work, no responsibilities. Then suddenly you're back in it and it hits hard."
The Breakup and Aftermath
While the pair remained in contact and spoke regularly, Steven acknowledges communication wasn't perfect. "I could've done things differently. I regret that," he said. When he eventually flew to Melbourne to see Rachel, the reunion didn't go as planned. "The energy just felt off," he revealed.
After hours of emotional conversations, they mutually decided to end things. "She said, 'Are we just delaying the inevitable?'… and she was right," Steven recalled. Their breakup complicated the reunion episode, with the pair initially planning to enter together before a last-minute change. "It was confusing. We weren't together, but we still had each other's backs," he explained.
Dealing with Online Backlash and Production Issues
Since leaving the show, Steven has faced intense online trolling, including speculation about his sexuality and mental health. "People calling me gay as an insult – that's what upset me," he shared. "Even if I was gay, why is that funny? Why are people laughing?"
He also pushed back against claims he was "awkward" or "on the spectrum", blaming editing for creating a misleading narrative. "I'm not as much of a dork as they made me out to be," he asserted. Steven claims key moments of his relationship with Rachel were omitted, including their growth as a couple and emotional scenes. "We both f***ed up at times. We worked on it. That development wasn't shown," he revealed.
He also disclosed tensions with the experts, particularly during the final commitment ceremony. "I felt like I was being forced into an answer," he said. "They put me in a position where I felt like the asshole."
Reflections and Moving Forward
Despite their breakup, Steven insists there is no bad blood between him and Rachel. "We're cordial. We still talk quite often," he said. "I've got nothing but respect for her." Yet one question continues to linger: "What if… what if I did things differently? Would we still be together today?"
Now focusing on personal growth, Steven says the experience has fundamentally changed him. "I've learned I'm my own worst enemy," he reflected. "I was too worried about being liked instead of just being myself." For future contestants, his advice is straightforward: "Speak your mind and be yourself – otherwise you'll regret it."
Rachel and Steven's Relationship Timeline: What Went Wrong
Early Cracks – Honeymoon Tears Over 'Harmless' Joke
Their relationship didn't begin smoothly. During their honeymoon, what should have been a lighthearted moment quickly deteriorated when Steven made a comment about Rachel's love of footy – leaving her visibly upset and fleeing their date in tears. This incident revealed their different communication styles, with Rachel taking things to heart while Steven struggled to read social cues.
Brutal Rejection During Intimacy Week
Matters worsened during Intimacy Week – a moment many insiders believe defined their entire relationship. In a vulnerable gesture, Rachel planned a romantic 'Love Actually'-style moment, asking Steven for a meaningful kiss. Instead of complying, he rejected her advance. "I can kiss you Rachel, I can kiss you but I'm not sure that it'll make you feel something," he admitted, confessing he felt more like they were friends than lovers. Rachel was left humiliated, storming off in tears as their disconnect became painfully apparent.
'We Were All Rooting for Them' – Early Promise
Despite these setbacks, the pair initially showed genuine promise. At their first Commitment Ceremony, they appeared completely smitten, bonding over shared experiences and a similar sense of humor. "I really like Steven… I will tell you every freaking day if I have to," Rachel gushed. At that time, they were viewed as one of the experiment's most authentic couples – a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around them.
Retreat Drama Brings Them Closer – Then Blows Up
Ironically, one of their strongest moments occurred during one of the season's most explosive group settings. At the couples retreat, Rachel was humiliated after a crude comment about her intimacy with Steven was aired publicly. Rather than tearing them apart, this initially brought them closer together. Rachel later revealed Steven "had her back" during the fallout, strengthening their bond temporarily. However, the situation also exposed deeper issues concerning trust, communication, and how they handled external pressure.
The Underlying Issue – Friendship Versus Romance
Throughout the experiment, one theme persistently resurfaced – Steven remained uncertain whether the spark was truly romantic. While Rachel appeared fully committed from the beginning, Steven repeatedly questioned whether their connection was romantic or merely platonic. This emotional imbalance became the quiet tension that permeated their entire journey together.
