'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tim King entered Married at First Sight Australia 2025 as Awhina Rutene's backup match after three canceled casting opportunities spanning June through September. He discussed his casting journey with Yahoo Lifestyle on 25 March, 2025.
“I was one of the main participants. I got the phone call towards the end of June to say that I was going to be on the show and I was going to get married in three weeks' time, and it was very fast moving from there," he stated.
He traveled to Europe during subsequent casting attempts, including a potential match with Lauren Hall, whom he knew from a dating app.
Trending
The filmed meeting lasted one hour, with both participants wearing recording equipment while discussing relationship values under Married at First Sight Australia producers supervision.
Married at First Sight Australia backup groom Tim King details filmed meeting with Awhina
The interaction between Tim King and Awhina Rutene in Married at First Sight Australia happened under specific production conditions. Both participants wore recording equipment while camera crews captured their conversation. King approached the meeting with clear intentions stating his role as a conversation partner rather than a romantic prospect.
In the interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, Tim King stated,
“The first thing I said when I met her was, ‘Just so you know, I'm not here to be a home wrecker, I'm just curious as to why you wanted to meet with me today’. She went into saying that she's really struggling to know where to go with her relationship from here.”
Married at First Sight Australia star continued,
“She gave me all this information about being with someone who is controlling, that is emotionally unavailable at times, that doesn't empathise with her.”
King further asked Rutene about her core values and relationship expectations. The conversation shifted toward evaluating relationship decisions and examining personal boundaries. King's social connections provided additional context about the show after filming.
“I've got some mutual connections with Adrian actually and the way that he is on the show, they have said that he's like that in person. So yeah, watching Awhina I felt for her and I think that she definitely deserves better,” King expressed
Casting journey
King's MAFS experience started with a casting confirmation in late June 2024. He underwent preparation, including psychological assessments with relationship expert John Aiken.
The process involved selecting formal wear, preparing ceremony vows, and finalizing a wedding guest list. King completed all pre-filming requirements, including multiple production meetings and camera tests. However, his matched bride withdrew, and King proceeded with his planned work break by traveling to Europe for six weeks.
The production team contacted King about joining as a mid-season participant while he explored Europe. This opportunity disappeared when producers chose another contestant two days before filming commenced.
A third possibility emerged when King's original bride reconsidered participation. His continued European travel made this match impossible, leading producers to select a different groom.
Behind-the-scenes production details
Married at First Sight Australia star disclosed specific details about the challenge format. Producers announced the task during early morning hours with participants making decisions in separate rooms. The show's team arranged the meetings without revealing each partner's choice to participate.
After initial casting as a main participant, King learned about other potential matches through production channels. He confirmed Lauren Hall's early connection to the show through mutual Married at First Sight Australia contacts.
“We matched on a dating app going back maybe 18 months ago and we'd had quite a few conversations. We were planning on catching up and going on a date and it never eventuated, but we sort of stayed in contact every now and again and had a few messages here and there,” King shared.
Tim King and Lauren Hall discussed potentially entering the show together as a match. The arrangement shifted when producers selected different matches. Hall proceeded with her MAFS journey, while King waited for further opportunities.
Their communication ceased after Hall began filming with her show partner. King later accepted the backup match role, which led to his brief appearance during the final test week.
Married at First Sight Australia is airing on 9Now.
