When Ella Morgan stepped onto the altar of Married At First Sight UK United Kingdom in 2023, she didn’t just enter a marriage experiment—she shattered a barrier. As the first transgender woman ever cast as a bride in the global Married At First Sight franchise, her season became a cultural lightning rod. Two years later, in an exclusive interview published by The News Pakistan on November 28, 2025, Morgan broke her silence—not just about her controversial affair with fellow contestant JJ Slater, but about the raw, messy truth behind reality TV’s most addictive ingredient: drama.
The affair that changed everything
Morgan didn’t just flirt with Slater during filming—she fell for him. And it showed. "JJ was naturally my type," she told The News Pakistan. "I didn’t plan it. But you don’t plan chemistry. You feel it." Their connection, unbeknownst to the show’s matchmakers, became the season’s most talked-about storyline. While the producers framed their interactions as "emotional missteps," Morgan insists it was never about manipulation. "I wasn’t trying to create headlines," she said. "I was trying to survive a situation where I was already under a microscope." Slater, meanwhile, moved on swiftly after filming wrapped. By mid-2023, he was publicly dating Katie Price, the British media personality known for her decades-long presence on shows like Loose Women and I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. For Morgan, watching Slater’s new relationship unfold was bittersweet. "I wasn’t jealous," she clarified. "I was just... surprised. He had so much more energy with her than he ever did with me on camera. Maybe that’s the real edit.""From MAFS to Celebs Go Dating
Rather than retreat from the spotlight after Season 8, Morgan doubled down. In 2024, she joined Celebs Go Dating United Kingdom, a show where celebrities navigate romantic connections guided by professional dating coaches. "I went in thinking people would judge me," she admitted. "But I walked out with a whole new army of fans." Her candidness about her transition journey, her emotional honesty, and her unapologetic humor resonated. Viewers didn’t just watch her—they rooted for her. "I wasn’t there to be a symbol," Morgan said. "I was there to find someone who liked me for me. And if they liked me because I’m trans? Fine. But that’s not the whole story."Blaming the edits? She’s done with it
One of Morgan’s most pointed critiques came in response to fellow reality stars who routinely blame their worst moments on "bad editing." "People need to stop blaming the edits," she said firmly. "A lot of this season, they are just not taking any accountability, and blame the edits. You have gone on to a TV show, you clearly knew that you were going to set some backlash." She pointed to Season 10 of Married At First Sight UK United Kingdom, currently airing during her interview, as proof. "I watched three grooms cry on camera about how they were "misrepresented." But then I saw the raw footage. One of them screamed at his match for 20 minutes straight. No edit needed to make that look bad."
Who’s catching her eye now?
Despite her own turbulent experience, Morgan remains a devoted viewer of MAFS UK. She even named two current grooms she finds compelling: Stephen Nolson and Ash Dommett. "Like wise, Stephen," she said, referring to Nolson’s grounded demeanor. "Personality-wise, Ash— who is also very handsome." Her attraction isn’t just physical. "I’m drawn to men who don’t perform for the camera," she explained. "Men who laugh at their own mistakes. Who say ‘I don’t know’ instead of pretending they’ve got it all figured out."Representation without the pressure
Though Morgan didn’t offer direct quotes on transgender representation, her actions speak louder. By refusing to be reduced to a "first" or a "pioneer," she quietly redefined what visibility can mean. "I didn’t sign up to be a role model," she said. "I signed up to see if love could work when you’re not given a script." Her presence on screen, and her honesty off it, has opened space for others. Trans contestants are now being considered for future seasons—not as tokens, but as individuals with complex emotional lives. "That’s the real win," Morgan said. "Not that I was the first. But that I won’t be the last."
What’s next for Ella Morgan?
No new TV deals have been announced. No memoir is in the works. But Morgan says she’s exploring a podcast idea—"something raw, no producers, no scripts, just me talking to people who’ve been through the same thing." She’s also reconnecting with her family, who were initially skeptical of her reality TV leap. "They watch now," she smiled. "And they don’t flinch when I say ‘my wife’ or ‘my ex’ anymore. That’s enough."Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ella Morgan’s casting on MAFS UK historic?
Ella Morgan became the first transgender woman ever cast as a bride in any international version of Married At First Sight when she joined Season 8 in 2023. While other LGBTQ+ participants had appeared before, no trans woman had been selected as a bride in the franchise’s 10-year global history, making her inclusion a milestone for representation in mainstream reality television.
What did Ella Morgan say about reality TV editing?
Morgan strongly criticized contestants who blame their negative portrayals on "bad editing," arguing that many of the worst moments—like yelling, manipulation, or emotional outbursts—are genuine. She emphasized that viewers should hold participants accountable for their behavior, not producers, stating, "You knew you were going on TV. The drama isn’t the edit—it’s you."
How did JJ Slater’s post-MAFS relationship with Katie Price affect Ella?
Morgan said she wasn’t jealous but was surprised by how naturally Slater connected with Price off-camera. She noted that Slater’s energy with Price contrasted sharply with their own dynamic on the show, suggesting their chemistry was more authentic than what was portrayed. She acknowledged the public nature of their relationship but chose not to engage in gossip, focusing instead on her own journey.
Why does Ella Morgan still watch MAFS UK?
Morgan believes drama is essential to the genre. "Without the drama, I wouldn’t watch it. That would be boring," she said. She’s particularly drawn to Season 10’s grooms Stephen Nolson and Ash Dommett, admiring their authenticity and emotional honesty—qualities she values more than physical appearance or performative romance.
Is Ella Morgan planning any future TV appearances?
While no official projects have been confirmed, Morgan is developing a raw, unscripted podcast focused on real conversations about love, identity, and reality TV trauma. She’s also rebuilding relationships with her family, who now watch her shows without judgment—a personal victory she considers more meaningful than any TV deal.
What impact has Ella Morgan had on transgender representation in reality TV?
By refusing to be defined solely as a "first," Morgan helped shift the narrative from tokenism to authenticity. Her success on Celebs Go Dating and her candid interviews have shown producers that trans participants can carry a show with emotional depth, humor, and relatability—not just as symbols, but as complex human beings. Several casting directors have since confirmed they’re actively seeking trans contestants for future seasons.
