Would You Risk Your Relationship on a Reality TV Show?

As much as we love watching shows like My Kitchen Rules and MasterChef from the comfort of our own homes, it’s no secret that things are very different on set. The high-pressure situations mean relationships are often stressful and strained — something South Australian couple Ann-Marie Battista and Nick Sharp experienced during their time on the MKR set last year. In an interview with New Idea magazine, the married couple said the show had changed their relationship, especially in the kitchen. Ann-Marie says, “Prior to the show we liked being in the kitchen together but now we take it one at a time. It was one of the hardest times in our relationship. I’m confident once it all happens we’ll be back to our happy and healthy selves.”

You may recall during their first instant restaurant round that Nick took a much more laid-back approach while Ann-Marie came across as rather dominant in the kitchen, and she admits, “Given the time frame, the stress, pressure and expectation of the judges, I guess I did do a bit of bossing. This wasn’t comfortable for either of us.” The effect of the show isn’t only having a negative impact on Ann-Marie and Nick’s lives — Tasmanian contestant Melanie Maddock received death threats for her harsh criticism of other people’s food. It would be enough to make you think twice about auditioning for the third season. So would you risk your personal life and relationship for a reality TV show?