7 Shocking Updates On Danielle And Cody From Married At First Sight Season 5: Where Are They Now In 2024?

The tumultuous marriage of Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek on Married at First Sight Season 5 remains one of the most memorable and, frankly, awkward pairings in the show’s history. Fans will recall the Chicago couple's constant struggle with intimacy, which cast a long shadow over their entire experiment. While they ultimately said "Yes" on Decision Day, their journey together was far from a fairytale. The most current information, as of today, December 11, 2025, reveals that both individuals have moved on in surprising and successful new directions, completely separate from the marital experiment that brought them together.

The question of "Where are they now?" is particularly compelling for this pair, as their post-show split was almost as dramatic as their on-screen dynamic. Years after their contentious divorce, we dive deep into the latest updates, relationship status, and career moves of Danielle and Cody, confirming that life after the experts has been a major success for both—just not together.

The Full MAFS Season 5 Biography: Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek

Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek were matched by the experts—Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson, and Rachel DeAlto—during the show's fifth season, which was set in Chicago, Illinois. Their pairing was based on shared values, including a desire for a healthy lifestyle and a commitment to their careers.

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• Danielle DeGroot:
  • Age at Marriage: 30
  • Occupation on Show: Registered Dietitian (RDN)
  • Hometown/Base: Chicago, IL suburbs
  • Personality Arc: Reserved, cautious, and struggled significantly with physical and emotional intimacy with a stranger.
• Cody Knapek:
  • Age at Marriage: 26
  • Occupation on Show: Entrepreneur, Fitness Trainer/Gym Owner
  • Hometown/Base: Chicago, IL suburbs
  • Personality Arc: Outgoing, eager for connection, and increasingly frustrated by his wife's hesitation regarding physical intimacy.
• Season Outcome: They both said "Yes" on Decision Day, with the hope that the pressure of the experiment was the main barrier.
• Post-Decision Day Status: Separated and filed for divorce in August 2017, about a year after their wedding.
• Fellow Season 5 Couples: Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico (Still Married) and Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon (Divorced).

The Intimacy Barrier: Why Their Decision Day 'Yes' Fell Apart

While Danielle and Cody were one of the two couples who chose to stay married on Decision Day, their relationship was plagued by a singular, persistent issue: a complete lack of physical intimacy. This is the first and most critical point when discussing their time on the show.

The Consummation Controversy

Despite being married for the duration of the show and even saying "Yes" on Decision Day, Danielle and Cody never consummated their marriage. This was a constant source of tension, with Cody openly expressing his frustration and feeling rejected, while Danielle felt pressured and unable to move past a platonic connection.

The experts, particularly Pastor Cal, repeatedly intervened, but the barrier remained intact. Danielle often cited needing more time to develop an emotional connection before moving to the physical stage, a feeling that never fully materialized during their televised journey. This issue was central to their narrative, making their Decision Day "Yes" a surprising and ultimately unsustainable choice.

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The Swift Post-Show Split

The couple announced their separation in August 2017, roughly a year after their Decision Day commitment. They released a joint statement expressing sadness but a mutual decision to go their separate ways. Cody later filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Many fans speculated that their Decision Day "Yes" was influenced by contractual obligations or a desire to avoid disappointing the experts, as the underlying intimacy issues never resolved. Their divorce proved that a deep, romantic connection simply wasn't there, and the lack of a physical relationship was a non-negotiable dealbreaker for Cody.

Where Are They Now? Shocking New Lives in 2024

Years after their divorce, both Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek have found success and happiness on their own terms. The most recent updates show a striking contrast in their current relationship statuses and career paths, highlighting their individual growth after the high-pressure environment of the show.

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Update 1: Cody Knapek is Off the Market (Again!)

The most significant and recent relationship update comes from Cody Knapek. After his divorce from Danielle, Cody found love outside of reality television. He previously announced his engagement, demonstrating that his search for a lasting romantic connection was finally successful.

While details about his new partner are kept private, the fact that the former *MAFS* husband has moved on to a serious, committed relationship—and is now potentially remarried—is the ultimate proof of his post-show success. This is a crucial, fresh update for fans who followed his frustrating search for intimacy during Season 5. Cody's focus remains on his entrepreneurial ventures in the Chicago area, a career path he was passionate about even during the experiment.

Update 2: Danielle DeGroot’s Thriving Career as a 'Dietitian Gone Wild'

Danielle DeGroot has channeled her post-divorce energy into expanding her professional brand. She has successfully combined her expertise as a Registered Dietitian (RDN) with her passion for wellness, becoming a certified yoga instructor.

Her work is prominently featured on her personal brand and blog, "Dietitian Gone Wild." This platform allows her to focus on health, nutrition, and lifestyle, providing her with a unique voice in the wellness community. A search of her recent work confirms she is still actively publishing expert content, with articles appearing as recently as August 2024.

Update 3: Her Current Relationship Status

In a 2020 "Where Are They Now?" update, Danielle confirmed she was still single and focused on her career. While her social media is private, her public professional life suggests a continued focus on her growing business and personal wellness journey. Unlike her ex-husband, Danielle appears to be prioritizing her own development and career success over entering a new high-profile relationship, a decision that resonates with her reserved on-screen personality.

Key Takeaways: A Tale of Two Successes

The story of Danielle and Cody is a classic *Married at First Sight* example of two good people who were simply not compatible. Their incompatibility, particularly the intimacy issue, was the unfixable crack that eventually shattered their marriage.

However, their journey offers a positive message: the failure of the experiment does not equate to personal failure. Cody Knapek found the deep connection he craved and is now happily engaged (or married) to a new partner. Danielle DeGroot has leveraged her reality TV exposure to build a successful, thriving career as a dietitian and yoga instructor. Both have achieved a form of post-show success, proving that sometimes, the best decision after Decision Day is to go your separate ways and find happiness on your own terms. They remain a prime example of a couple who failed in marriage but succeeded in finding a fulfilling life apart.