The Only MAFS Success Story: Where Are The Married At First Sight Season 5 Couples Now In Late 2024?

Married at First Sight Season 5, which premiered in April 2017, took the bold social experiment to the bustling metropolis of Chicago, Illinois. As of late 2024, the season is a stark reminder of the show's unpredictable nature, yielding one of the franchise's most enduring success stories, alongside two of its most explosive and dramatic divorces. The Chicago season proved that while the premise is risky, the commitment of the relationship experts—Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Calvin Roberson, and communication expert Rachel DeAlto—can occasionally lead to a true, lasting connection.

Seven years later, the public's curiosity about the Season 5 cast remains high. Fans often wonder if the couples who said "I do" to a stranger on Decision Day managed to sustain their marriages beyond the eight-week experiment. The answer is a compelling mix of marital bliss, professional pivots, and intense post-show drama.

MAFS Season 5 Chicago Cast: Full Biography and Profile List

Season 5 introduced three new couples to the unconventional process, each hoping the experts could find them a lifelong partner. Here is a detailed look at the six individuals and their original roles on the show:

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• Ashley Petta: Originally a 30-year-old Restaurant Manager. Ashley was looking for a partner with a strong family focus.
• Anthony D'Amico: Originally a 33-year-old Sales Director. Anthony was ready to settle down and become a husband and father.
• Danielle DeGroot: Originally a 30-year-old Special Education Teacher. Danielle was paired with Cody but struggled with physical intimacy and moving past the "friend zone."
• Cody Knapek: Originally a 26-year-old Entrepreneur and Gym Owner. Cody was eager for a wife but often felt rejected by his match, Danielle.
• Sheila Downs: Originally a 31-year-old School District Manager. Sheila was a devout Christian who sought a spiritual and committed partner.
• Nate Duhon: Originally a 26-year-old Branch Manager of a car rental company. Nate was matched with Sheila, resulting in one of the season's most volatile relationships.

The Enduring Success: Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico's Life in 2024

Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico are the undisputed success story of Married at First Sight Season 5. They are the only couple from the Chicago season who chose to stay married on Decision Day and remain together today, years after the cameras stopped rolling. Their journey wasn't without its challenges, including Anthony's initial struggle to express his feelings, but their commitment solidified soon after the show.

A Growing Family: Mila Rose and Vaeda Marie

The D'Amico family has expanded significantly since their time on the show, making them one of the most celebrated MAFS couples in the franchise's history. They have two beautiful daughters, who are frequently featured on their social media, providing fans with continuous, heartwarming updates.

• Mila Rose D'Amico: Born in January 2019, she is their first child.
• Vaeda Marie D'Amico: Born in February 2021, she is their second daughter.

The couple has appeared on the spin-off series Married at First Sight: Happily Ever After?, giving viewers a deeper look into their post-show life, including the challenges of balancing parenthood and marriage. While they previously had a joint clothing business, they have since focused on other ventures, with Anthony continuing his career in sales and Ashley focusing on family life and her social media presence.

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The Chicago Divorces: Drama, Accusations, and New Beginnings

While Ashley and Anthony found their forever match, the other two couples faced intense struggles that ultimately led to divorce, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the MAFS experiment.

Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon: The Cheating Scandal

Sheila and Nate's relationship was characterized by passionate highs and volatile lows, marked by frequent, intense arguments. They ultimately chose to stay married on Decision Day, but their union quickly crumbled in the months following the show.

The divorce was a public and messy affair, fueled by serious accusations. Sheila Downs publicly accused Nate Duhon of cheating on her, a claim that Nate vehemently denied. Nate filed for divorce in late 2017, citing the breakdown of the marriage. Sheila stated that Nate had "already begun living a single life" while they were still married, suggesting a lack of commitment to their marital covenant.

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Where Are They Now? Both have moved on. Sheila, a devout Christian, has focused heavily on her faith and often posts religious content on her social media, while Nate has largely stepped away from the reality TV spotlight, focusing on his professional career.

Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek: The Intimacy Barrier

Danielle and Cody's marriage was plagued by a fundamental lack of physical intimacy, which became the central conflict of their storyline. Despite Cody's repeated attempts to connect and a desire to consummate the marriage, Danielle remained hesitant and struggled to move past a platonic friendship with her husband.

They chose to stay married on Decision Day, believing they could overcome their intimacy issues. However, the barrier proved too great, and they announced their separation in August 2017, with Cody filing for divorce shortly after. They released a joint statement expressing their sadness, stating they decided they would be "happiest separating."

Where Are They Now? Danielle DeGroot has successfully transitioned her career, now working as a professional writer and content creator, specializing in communication and marketing, often sharing insights on health, wellness, and self-improvement. Cody Knapek continues to work as a personal trainer and entrepreneur in the fitness industry.

The Legacy of MAFS Season 5

The Chicago season of Married at First Sight ultimately delivered a 33% success rate, a figure that is actually quite respectable in the context of the show's overall history. The season provided a perfect microcosm of the MAFS experiment: the incredible potential for lifelong love (Ashley and Anthony), the painful reality of a match that simply won't ignite (Danielle and Cody), and the devastating consequence of external drama and infidelity allegations (Sheila and Nate). The enduring marriage of Ashley and Anthony D'Amico, now a family of four, continues to be a beacon of hope for all future participants.