Exclusive: Ashleigh reacts to Jake's shocking Photo Ranking and reveals where she placed him during her judgement of the grooms
EXCLUSIVE: It was one of the most shocking Photo Rankings in Married At First Sight history – and bride Ashleigh still can't believe the words that came out of husband Jake's mouth.
Ashleigh and Jake had been progressing through the experiment fine, until the dreaded challenge had it all come crashing down.
Stream every episode of Married At First Sight for free on 9Now.
As he ordered the photos of the other brides, Jake, 30, also shared ruthless commentary, including that Jacqui had "crazy eyes" and Sierah's "face screams 'I could stab you in your sleep'".
In a completely shocking moment, he said of Awhina: "Not gonna sound like... not racist or nothing, but I do like Caucasian people mainly, mostly."
After Ash, 34, expressed her discomfort with the comments, Jake said it was a joke and was furious she was making him out to be a "vicious person". He soon stormed out.
Ash could not believe Jake's comments. Nine
EPISODE 8 RECAP: Ashleigh is horrified as Jake shares the most shocking Photo Ranking ever and Adrian is caught in a lie
However, in an interview with 9Entertainment Ashleigh stood by her reaction.
"I'm definitely very happy with how I handled it," she shared.
"To just basically roast each woman and have nothing really positive to say about anyone, me included – watching it back again, I feel that was completely accurate with what happened."
EXCLUSIVE: The MAFS 2025 stars spill on their most shocking dating stories
She had hoped to get an indication of what he found physically attractive through the task, but that didn't happen.
"I didn't mind where I was placed at all because they're all gorgeous, but if you've got this to say about these lovely ladies, what do you honestly, truly think about me?"
Jake went on to rank Ashleigh in the middle of the line-up and although Ash's ranking did not appear in the episode, she revealed she returned the favour.
Ashleigh wasn't impressed by husband Jake's commentary. Nine
"I thought, this is a real opportunity for me to show him how you can do it. Like, I'd never bash the guys appearances or attack different features," she said.
"For example, I popped Adrian towards the lower end, because he actually kind of reminds me of an ex partner I dated. So for me the physical attraction is not there because of that previous experience."
Ash ranked Dave and Billy the highest based on their physicality but also the personalities she'd gotten to see at the Dinner Party.
She placed Jake in the middle of the pack, "because physically, he wouldn't be someone I would normally gravitate towards, but the whole point of the experiment is to be open minded".
EXCLUSIVE: The MAFS 2025 stars spill their honest views on cheating: 'It depends'
"I think I handled the task quite well in comparison. Even Jake said, 'Oh, I guess that's how you do the photo ranking then, from a girl's point of view," she explained.
Ashleigh and Jake's relationship had got off to a great start before the ranking task. Nine
Ash said the Photo Ranking was a shock end to their Confession Week, which had otherwise had a breakthrough as the pair opened up about their pasts in their Confession Letters.
"It was the most open and vulnerable he had been with me and I really appreciated that," Ash continued, explaining that she had also opened up to Jake in return.
View gallery
Ashleigh and Jake's Wedding Album
Unfortunately, his comments were then a rude awakening.
"I want a family of my own, so I really am looking for someone that can be a really wonderful father," the dancer teacher said.
"Those comments in the Photo Ranking task – and my likelihood is building up young girls and women's confidence – felt a bit disrespectful. The future father of my children, I don't want him saying things like that."
It was a shocking end to Confession Week – and we have a feeling the experts are going to have a lot to say about this at Sunday's Commitment Ceremony!
Married At First Sight continues Monday through Wednesday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Stream every episode of Married At First Sight for free on 9Now
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest news from your favourite shows via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
