Does Married at First Sight Work? How New Parents Jessica and Austin Are Giving Fans Hope

Before season 14 of Married at First Sight kicks off, E! News caught up with former cast members Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd to talk about how the show changed their lives.

By Mike Vulpo Jan 05, 2022 2:00 PMTags

TV Reality TV Interviews Exclusives Couples Celebrities Entertainment Married at First Sight

Watch: "Married at First Sight" Couples Share First Impressions

They didn't say it would be easy, but they said it would be worth it.

One year ago, Married at First Sight fans watched Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd meet for the first time at the wedding altar and proceed to say "I do."

For the next eight weeks, Lifetime cameras followed the newlyweds as they enjoyed a honeymoon, met each other's families and discovered whether they could truly live happily ever after.

While the four other couples from season 10 proceeded to get divorced, Jessica and Austin remain happily together in Washington, D.C. In fact, they are now parents to a handsome 2-month-old son named Westin.

"Both of us have been impressed with how patient we have been with Westin on these long nights," the couple exclusively shared with E! News on Jan. 3. "We continue trying to be a team and support each other to be better parents."

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Married at First Sight Season 14 Cast

According to Austin, his wife has gone "above and beyond" as a mother by consistently getting up multiple times a night to breastfeed. As for Jessica, she's impressed that her husband has become a diaper-changing pro.

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With a new season of Married at First Sight kicking off Wednesday, Jan. 5, some fans may be wondering what the couple did to have such a success story. In addition to taking advice from the show's experts—Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Dr. Viviana Coles and Pastor Calvin Roberson—both Jessica and Austin have some advice.

"Be yourself and have fun!" the pair shared. "Both of us did this along our own journey, along with being committed to the process and it worked for us."

Like the other couples from their season, every match from Married at First Sight's most recent season also broke up. Jessica and Austin say the experience can really work only "if both people are fully committed and wanting marriage."

"Originally, we were most grateful that we found each other, but it is now our son, Westin," the couple shared. "He is bringing us both a lot of joy. Makes everything make sense."

Find out where all the couples stand below. And watch a new season of Married at First Sight (produced by Kinetic Content) Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.

FYI

Jason Carrion & Cortney Hendrix

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced after five years

A+E Networks

Doug Hehner & Jamie Otis

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

A+E Networks

Monet Bell & Vaughn Copland

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

A+E Networks

Jaclyn Methuen & Ryan Ranellone

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

A+E Networks

Davina Kullar & Sean Varricchio

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

A+E Networks

Ryan De Nino & Jessica Castro

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Zach Dilgard/A+E Networks

Ashley Doherty & David Norton

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Zach Dilgard/A+E Networks

Samantha Role & Neil Bowlus

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

A+E Networks

Vanessa Nelson & Tres Russell

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced