In a surprising turn of events, Eden Harper, a contestant from the 2024 season of Married At First Sight Australia, has disclosed that Tim Gromie, a groom from the upcoming 2025 season, reached out to her via direct message while on his honeymoon. This revelation surfaced during a conversation with Yahoo Australia on March 13, 2025.
The Context Behind Tim’s Message
The DM was sent on August 11, 2024, shortly after Tim’s wedding to his bride, Katie, during a phase when filming for weddings and honeymoons was in full swing. Eden interpreted the outreach as a request for guidance—a fairly common experience among contestants of the series.
However, her perspective shifted after watching Tim’s remarks on air, where he expressed a preference for petite, blonde women. Reflecting on these comments, Eden remarked:
“But then I think when I watched it back, and the way he was speaking with her saying he wished he had someone else that was blonde and all of this, I was kind of like, this is not appropriate.”
The Content of Tim’s Message
In a post shared on her TikTok, Eden showcased the message she received from Tim:
“Hey been so refreshing listening to the interview on Yahoo. I’m on MAFS atm and. Now and so un sure. Hope to soon soon.[sic].”
Eden’s response was supportive:
“Hey! Hope you’re doing all good in there! It can be rough at times.”
Eden Reflects on the Timing and Context
Although Eden initially viewed Tim’s message as innocent outreach, she later reconsidered its appropriateness, particularly given the late hour it was sent—around 1 AM. “And it was sent at like one in the morning or something as well, so I’m like, is he sitting out the back drinking at the honeymoon, texting me? And so I was like this is not right,”she elaborated.
Eden Addresses Reactions to Her Comments
Despite some opinions deeming Tim’s message harmless, Eden expressed that it lingered on her mind after viewing his interactions on the show. She commented:
“The message was innocent, it’s not like he was hitting on me in the text. I think some people were like, ‘He didn’t even say anything bad.'”
She added:
“I’m not saying that he was hitting on me. I’m just saying, go inside and talk to your wife instead of DMing me.”
Tim’s Response and Departure from Social Media
Tim has since removed his social media accounts and is reportedly refraining from speaking to the media about his experience on the show. He has not publicly addressed Eden’s comments or the screenshot of their exchange that she shared online.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights from Eden
In addition to her reflections on Tim’s messages, Eden provided viewers with a glimpse into the production of Married At First Sight Australia. She revealed that there are significant breaks—sometimes lasting up to two hours—between the cocktail and dinner parties, during which participants are interviewed and photographed.
“You go back into the tents, every single person does a voxie [piece-to-camera interview], and then there’s the photo shoot,”she explained.
Eden also shared that she and her partner, Jayden Eynaud, often brought their own snacks, such as sushi, to mitigate disappointment from the meals provided during the dinners.
New episodes of Married At First Sight Australia can be viewed on Channel 9 and the 9Now app.