One of the new stars of Married at First Sight has revealed he is “not comfortable” around his new wife.
Jephte Pierre, 26, said he views Shawniece Jackson, 29, as a “stranger” and that it takes him time to feel at ease around people he doesn’t know.
Watch our exclusive clip from this week’s Married at First Sight episode, Season 6 Episode 3, in which the couple meet with Boston-based psychologist and professor Dr. Jessica Griffin to discuss how they are feeling so far about the marriage.
Jephte is evidently moving at a slower pace than Shawniece, and it is clear that his attitude towards her is upsetting her.
Jephte leaves Shawniece looking very uncomfortable as he tells Dr. Griffin: “I can be polite, but I don’t like to open up to people that I don’t know, because I don’t do well with strangers. I know she’s my wife, but I don’t know her.”
Dr. Griffin tries to reassure him, saying: “There are a lot of reasons why we have found the two of you to be a really solid match, and compatible in a number of different ways.
Jephte replies: “Yeah, but she is a stranger. I’m not comfortable because I don’t know her, I don’t know who she is.”
The couple’s relationship got off to an awkward start last week after Shawniece gave Jephte a lap dance at their wedding — right in front of his mom, who had previously expressed concerns about him marrying a stranger.
This week’s episode sees all three couples left alone for the very first time on their wedding night. The next morning they find out where they’ll be going together on their honeymoons — but only after they meet their new in-laws at brunch.
Married at First Sight airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Lifetime.