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Married at First Sight's Erik Lake and Virginia Coombs Break Silence on Their Divorce

Married at First Sight's Erik Lake and Virginia Coombs set the record straight on their relationship status after filing for divorce earlier this summer.

By Mike Vulpo Jul 15, 2021 8:49 PMTags
Watch: "Married at First Sight" Couples Share First Impressions

Getting Married at First Sight is easier said than done.

E! News can confirm season 12 couple Erik Lake and Virginia Coombs filed for divorce earlier this summer. But before rumors start of a dramatic breakup, the couple is speaking out in an exclusive statement to E! News.

"We've made best efforts to keep some parts of our relationship out of the public eye. This entire process has been difficult as is without the constant chatter of public opinion," Erik and Virginia shared. "Contrary to popular belief, we've been together and trying to make our marriage work since Decision Day. While we have decided to get a divorce, we aren't closing the doors on a possible future together."

The couple added, "We love each other and will continue to navigate our new reality post show." 

While fans have been watching the couple experience newlywed life this summer on Married at First Sight: Couples' Cam, E! News has learned the pair's decision to divorce is being documented in real time and will be addressed in future episodes.

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Married at First Sight Season 13 Cast

Back in January, viewers watched Erik and Virginia put their trust in three relationship experts and say "I do" moments after meeting each other at their wedding altar.

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Married at First Sight cameras would then follow the duo for their first weeks of marriage. Once Decision Day hit, Erik and Virginia had to reveal if they wanted to stay married or get a divorce. The pair ultimately chose to stay husband and wife.

"The highs and ups of this have outweighed the lows beyond belief. It has been one of the greatest experiments of my life," Erik shared on Decision Day before getting down on one knee to recommit his love. "It's been crazy, but I would never change a single thing about any of it."

The pilot added, "You're one of the coolest people I've ever met in my life."

While Erik and Virginia's relationship may be going in a different direction, many couples formed on the Lifetime series are still going strong.

Check in with all the couples below and watch Married at First Sight: Couples' Cam (produced by Kinetic Content) Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.

Jason Carrion & Cortney Hendrix

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Divorced after five years

Doug Hehner & Jamie Otis

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

Monet Bell & Vaughn Copland

Finale Status: Separated 

Current Status: Divorced

Jaclyn Methuen & Ryan Ranellone

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Davina Kullar & Sean Varricchio

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced 

Ryan De Nino & Jessica Castro

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced 

Ashley Doherty & David Norton

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Samantha Role & Neil Bowlus

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Vanessa Nelson & Tres Russell

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced 

Lillian Vilchez & Tom Wilson

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced after 14 months of marriage 

Heather Seidel & Derek Schwartz

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Sonia Granados & Nick Pendergrast

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced; Nick now father of twins with girlfriend Heather Yerrid 

Cody Knapek & Danielle DeGroot

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Sheila Downs & Nate Duhon

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Ashley Petta & Anthony D'Amico

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Together and Proud Parents 

Molly Duff & Jonathan Francetic

Finale Status: Not Together

Current Status: Divorced. And in April 2019, he got engaged to the show's former marriage counselor, Dr. Jessica Griffin.

Jaclyn Schwartzberg & Ryan Buckley

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced after 10 months of marriage

Shawniece Jackson & Jephte Pierre

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

Danielle Bergman & Bobby Dodd

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

Mia Bally & Tristan Thompson

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Amber Martorana & Dave Flaherty

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Gregory Okotie & Deonna McNeill

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Together and Parents to Baby Boy

Keith Dewar & Kristine Killingsworth

Finale Status: Married

Current Status: Married 

Matthew Gwynne & Amber Bowles

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing

Elizabeth Bice & Jamie Thompson

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Split. On June 30, 2023, Jamie announced on Instagram, "After months of deliberation with Beth, we were just unable to find common ground. I had really hoped to resolve this, but it feels like we have reached the point of no return. So, I made the decision to go ahead and file for divorce for the sake of my own mental health and wellbeing."

Jasmine McGriff & Will Guess

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing 

AJ Vollmoeller & Stephanie Sersen

Finale Status: Married

Current Status: Married 

Keith Manley & Iris Caldwell

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing

Taylor Dunklin & Brandon Reid

Finale Status: Separated 

Current Status: Divorcing

Kate Sisk & Luke Cuccurullo

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing

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