Married At First Sight bride Ashleigh Ackerman has finally spoken out about her partner Jake Luik’s controversial behaviour during the photo ranking challenge.
Speaking to Daily Mail , the 34-year-old dance school owner revealed that there was even more drama that viewers didn’t get to see on TV.
The 30-year-old groom has come under fire after making cruel and insensitive comments about his female co-stars, including Jacqui Burfoot, Rhi Disljenkovic, and Sierah Swepstone, while ranking them based on attractiveness.
Jake’s harsh remarks, including saying that Jacqui has ‘crazy eyes,’ Rhi has ‘a little lazy eye,’ and that Sierah’s face screams ‘I could stab you in your sleep,’ have been widely condemned by fans.
He also placed Ashleigh fifth in his rankings before later telling producers he could have ranked her even lower because she was not someone he would ‘conventionally go for.’
Now, speaking exclusively to Daily Mail , Ashleigh has lifted the lid on what really went down behind the scenes.
Married At First Sight bride Ashleigh Ackerman has finally spoken out about her partner Jake Luik’s controversial behaviour during the photo ranking challenge
Speaking to Daily Mail , the 34-year-old dance school owner revealed that there was even more drama that viewers didn’t get to see on TV
‘It was just as shocking for me as it was for everyone watching’
Ashleigh revealed that while she initially had a great rapport with Jake, his inability to take the experiment seriously and his crude humour started to wear thin.
‘Jake is a really lovely person, and he is really funny and quirky, but the more time we spent together, I realised I was looking for something serious,’ she admitted.
‘The jokes and banter started to wear a bit thin.’
Ashleigh said she was blindsided by Jake’s behaviour in the ranking task, explaining that it hit her hard because she had built strong friendships with the other brides.
‘When you’re in that bubble of the experiment, these girls are also my key support network and my friends,’ she explained.
‘The whole point of the task was forgotten. It’s meant to be a great way to understand what your partner is and isn’t physically attracted to, but I don’t feel like I got any of that from Jake.’
She also criticised his handling of the challenge, saying he could have been more respectful and mature.
‘I just think Jake could have handled it a little bit better, a little more maturely,’ she said.
‘One or two comments might be funny, but at the end of the day, words have power.’
‘Jake is a really lovely person, and he is really funny and quirky, but the more time we spent together, I realised I was looking for something serious,’ she admitted
The unseen moment: Ashleigh placed Jake fourth
While much of the drama centred around Jake’s ranking, Ashleigh revealed an unseen moment—she had also placed Jake in fourth place.
‘I wish everyone got to see that because I went after him and I placed him fourth as well,’ she revealed. ‘But I was quite honest about why I ranked the guys the way I did.’
She explained that her choices were based on personal attraction but were delivered in a respectful way.
‘I said to Jake that there’s a way to express what you do and don’t find attractive in a positive manner,’ she said. ‘For example, with Adrian, I mentioned that he reminded me of an ex-partner, so I ranked him lower. It wasn’t about tearing anyone down.’
Ashleigh even found something positive to say about Jake, despite ranking him lower.
‘I placed Jake fourth and I said in his photo that he reminds me of Robin Williams—he’s funny, quirky, and has that really big smile,’ she said. ‘That’s what I focused on instead of just picking people apart.’
While much of the drama centred around Jake’s ranking, Ashleigh revealed an unseen moment—she had also placed Jake in fourth place
Ashleigh made headlines when after she confided in Sierah about Jake’s remarks, sparking drama at the next dinner party. Looking back, she admitted she regretted the move. ‘I definitely felt like I crossed a boundary,’ she said
Did she regret telling Sierah?
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Ashleigh made headlines when after she confided in Sierah about Jake’s remarks, sparking drama at the next dinner party.
Looking back, she admitted she regretted the move.
‘I definitely felt like I crossed a boundary,’ she said.
‘When you’re amongst friends and having a few drinks, you vent about your relationship. But as soon as I told Sierah, reality hit—I knew the girls were going to come for him at the next dinner party.’
However, she was quick to clarify that she didn’t believe Jake’s comments were malicious, just poorly thought out.
Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine.