MAFS Veteran Eliot Donovan Reveals Surprising Past with Newcomer Sam Stanton
In a surprising twist for fans of the hit reality series, veteran Married At First Sight groom Eliot Donovan has revealed he shares an unexpected history with incoming intruder Sam Stanton. The revelation came through a TikTok video where Donovan shared a nostalgic throwback photograph from 2014, showing the pair together long before either entered the high-pressure world of reality television.
A Tropical Throwback to Simpler Times
The photograph captures a fresh-faced Eliot Donovan and Sam Stanton sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at a bustling bar in Saint Martin. Both men appear relaxed and carefree, wearing sleeveless tank tops and holding beers as they grin broadly for the camera. Donovan sports dark tousled hair and displays a muscular build while flashing a casual hand sign, with Stanton's arm draped casually around his fellow groom-to-be.
The tropical backdrop and crowded bar setting suggest a working holiday atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the intense dinner parties and relationship dramas that would later define their Married At First Sight experiences. "So I actually know the new masked villain that's coming on, this guy," Donovan began in his TikTok clip before quickly laughing and clarifying, "I'm just kidding, he's not a villain."
From Personal Trainers to Reality TV Stars
Donovan explained that the pair first met more than a decade ago while both were working as personal trainers. "We met back in 2014 though, there's a photo of us together at a bar in Saint Martin," he recounted. "I took over a ship that he was working on. I'll never forget, everyone on the ship was obsessed with this guy. They were like, 'Oh my God, he's so amazing.'"
The MAFS veteran admitted being intrigued by Stanton's popularity at the time, recalling how he messaged him to ask, "Dude, what the f*** did you do to this cast because it's like they're obsessed with you." Despite the initial hype surrounding Stanton, Donovan insisted his former colleague was genuinely impressive. "We ended up meeting up later on and he is just a really genuine, sweet guy," he affirmed.
Lost Contact but Continued Support
Although the pair eventually lost touch over the years and haven't spoken since their initial meeting, Donovan made it clear he supports Stanton's journey on the controversial reality show. "I do really hope that he finds love on the show and I'm so grateful someone genuine and positive is coming into the experiment," Donovan expressed. "Because I don't know about you guys but I don't even want to watch it at the moment, it's just so catty and toxic."
Donovan acknowledged that he doesn't know how Stanton's journey unfolds on the program, stating, "We don't talk or anything, so I don't know how his journey goes." However, his public show of support comes as Stanton himself navigates significant on-screen drama within the Married At First Sight experiment.
Sam Stanton's Own MAFS Journey
The 34-year-old fitness studio owner recently addressed husband Chris' shocking baby revelation, admitting he has "thought about it a lot" and questioned whether he should have known sooner. "I think there's definitely reasons that I should have known upfront what I was walking into," Stanton told Daily Mail, while showing empathy toward his partner's difficult position.
Despite the looming revelation, Stanton expressed confidence in handling the moment maturely. "I think when he does tell me, I'll receive that news well," he stated. Regarding their initial connection during their wedding in Episode 14, Stanton admitted the chemistry wasn't instantaneous. "I wouldn't say it was instant connection," he revealed. "I turned around and I was like, 'Oh, this guy's handsome - beautiful blue eyes, good looking dude - but it was definitely like, you're a stranger. I don't know you at all.'"
Calling Out Controversial Behavior
Stanton hasn't hesitated to voice criticism about other participants' behavior in the experiment, particularly taking aim at fellow groom Tyson. "What I'm not liking is seeing this Sergeant Tyson and the way that he speaks to women," Stanton said pointedly. "I think that's the problem with him. He really has some misogynistic values deep in him."
As alliances form and fractures deepen within the Married At First Sight experiment, Stanton teased possible tension between couples, specifically mentioning "The Chris and Gia versus Sam and Beck - there might be something there." However, he emphasized his genuine intentions for participating, stating firmly, "I was never ever going to stay if I found out it wasn't going to work for whatever reason. I'm not just going to stay there for no reason."
The connection between Donovan and Stanton adds an intriguing layer to the already complex dynamics of the popular reality series, revealing unexpected relationships that predate the manufactured drama of television matchmaking.
