MAFS season eight “success story” – and the villains of last year’s show – Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson have made some new friends.

Speaking with The Herald Sun on Sunday, Ruthven revealed the couple’s hearts went out to the franchise’s current villains, Olivia Frazer and Jackson Leonie.

“Olivia and Jackson, watching them felt like we were watching us, just with roles reversed with Olivia being more like myself,” Ruthven told the publication. “We have been in touch with them and spoken to them and honestly they seem like two great humans and are nice people.”

Ruthven echoed sentiments from others, including Leonie’s sister, that the off-screen backlash the pair had received was over the top.

“I think what they have copped – particularly Olivia – (the harassment) outside of the show is next level and it is unacceptable,” he said. “They are living together, you are not living together unless you have something good going on.”

Ruthven and Rawson, who were matched on last year’s season of MAFS, are now parents to six-month-old twins Tate and Levi, and are planning to marry for real in February.

It comes just weeks after Ruthven took to Instagram Stories to accuse MAFS producers of manufacturing ‘forced’ drama after the “nude photo scandal.”

Love Film & TV?

Get the latest Film & TV news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more

“I seem to recall going to a particular dinner party where I had everyone attacking myself over a forced producer act that led to some of the worst acting seen on TV,” he wrote.

“According to expert John [Aiken]… [it was] acceptable behaviour in 2021. Not acceptable in 2022. Go figure? All tonight’s show is missing is Dion’s edited voiceover again.”

Viewers have been comparing Ruthven’s “villain edit” with Frazer’s, who admitted to producers she didn’t think she regretted sharing images from co-star Domenica Calarco’s OnlyFans account.

“Never thought I’d dislike anyone more Bryce. But the producers have outdone themselves yet again by casting Olivia on this show. ” one fan tweeted.

“Olivia is this years Bryce,” posted another.

For her part, Frazer has claimed she “sleeps amazing at night” in spite of the backlash against her, which included a massive petition fighting to bring justice to her actions for “image-based abuse.”

She and Leonie have also signed with celebrity agent Max Markson, who also handles Ruthven and Rawson.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine