Married At First Sight’s Mishel Karen reveals her $40,000 debt from being on the show

Mishel Karen was left with more than a broken heart after Married At First Sight. 

The mother-of-two, 49, told the Not Here To Make Friends on Wednesday that she’s also $40,000 in debt thanks to her time on the show.  

Mishel explained that she’d torn her meniscus skiing on her honeymoon with Steve Burley, and that she’s been out of pocket ever since.   

‘I had the injury on the snowfield, so I tore my meniscus and had to have surgery and all up I’m in debt about $38,000,’ she said.

‘It’s massive. I’m a single mum, I’ve paid for my kids to grow up, private school fees, this is a big dint.’ 

Mishel said she isn’t the only contestant to have fallen into debt thanks to the show- but refused to name names.  

Later, Mishel revealed what went on behind-the-scenes at last Sunday night’s commitment ceremony. 

During the tense episode, Mishel’s ‘husband’ Steve, 52, elected to ‘leave’ the experiment because he wasn’t sexually attracted to her. 

Mishel chose to ‘stay’ in the experiment, claiming that a conversation with her daughter made her realise it was worth giving things with Steve another go.

On Wednesday’s podcast, however, Mishel claimed she actually wanted to write ‘leave’, but was pressured by producers to change her mind.  

‘Basically it was eight hours of delayed production, everyone was waiting for the commitment ceremony and it was [producers] convincing me to write stay,’ she said.  

‘[The producers knew] Steve was going to write leave and I think our characters hadn’t finished our roles yet,’ she speculated. 

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7.30pm on Nine