Married at First Sight: Honeymoon Island is about to debut and so far, fans of the original MAFS series have no idea what to expect.
The new series will take a group of singles, made up of former MAFS favorites, unmatched candidates from the past and even a few new people, and give them the chance to find love on an exotic island.
Though the concept is still similar, as those who do connect will have the opportunity to get married before leaving, on Honeymoon Island, there won’t be the initial surprise of getting married to a stranger right away. Instead, those participating in this series will get the opportunity to connect with their potential life partner while on the island and then have the option of getting married at the very end.
Married at First Sight: Honeymoon Island is produced by Kinetic Content and as such, viewers have high expectations. Will Honeymoon Island be as exciting as Married at First Sight? So far, the series has a lot of potential.
Monsters & Critics got a chance to speak with Jona Bienko, who joined the series looking for love. He has a lot to say about the experience and it sounds like he had a blast. But did Jona find love? Let’s see what he has to say.
Monsters & Critics: Being that this is a brand new show, no one really knows what to expect. Can you help us understand what it’s like to be filmed on an island while trying to find a partner?
Jona: Being filmed on an island while trying to find a partner reminds me a lot of learning how to play the drum-set for the first time. It’s mass chaos. You feel like your brain is getting pulled in a million directions.
You’re trying to put your best foot forward, be charming and present, be true to whom you really are, be honest about your desires, not embarrass your friends and family too much all while trying to ignore the fact that you are surrounded by cameras and wearing a mic. Oh and don’t forget to have a little fun. It takes a bit of finesse to say the least but was a blast once I found my rhythm.
M&C: Did you meet the partner of your dreams on Honeymoon Island? If you can’t tell who they are, tell us what makes you like them so much.
Jona: The journey was a wild one and I wouldn’t want to spoil any of it for the viewers so you’ll have to stay tuned to see how it all turns out. I will say that the cast members chosen were all exceptional individuals with an abundance of unique qualities to offer.
I was truly impressed with the well-rounded collection of individuals that I had the opportunity to get to know and form connections with while on Honeymoon Island.
M&C: Aside from making a possible love connection, what did you enjoy about spending time on Honeymoon Island the most?
Jona: Aside from focusing on finding a love connection while spending time on Honeymoon Island I truly enjoyed the personal growth I achieved. Being in such a concentrated and accelerated atmosphere with access to experts, I feel added layers and tools that I never would have possessed if not for this experience.
M&C: If you could do Honeymoon Island over again, would you go in with the same strategy as you used or what would you do differently?
Jona: My strategy going into Honeymoon Island was simple. I did my best to not overthink anything prior to arrival and to limit all preconceived notions of what to expect. My strategy was to be myself, give my all, and most importantly to be genuine. All of which are easier said than done, especially in that setting, but I’m confident that I would go in with the same strategy if I were to do it all over again.
M&C: Why do you think Honeymoon Island is the right place to find love?
Jona: Honeymoon Island creates an atmosphere unlike any other you would find throughout the stages of a conventional relationship setting. I firmly believe it is a place to find love. It allows you to strip away all of your normal day-to-day distractions and/or potential negative influences. The climate that the island creates forces you to stay focused and to dedicate your energies more inward.
This was so helpful in helping to digest and process your true feelings more clearly than would be possible in a natural setting. Additionally, on the island, we had access, support, and exercises given to us by experts that pushed and guided us in ways that life outside of the island never would.
M&C: Is there anything about living on a beautiful island and looking for love among like-minded people that wasn’t good or that you wish had been different?
Jona: Living on a beautiful island and looking for love among like-minded people was an absolute experience of a lifetime. I wish it didn’t have to come to an end. I am grateful and humbled beyond words to have had this rare and life-enhancing opportunity.
Married at First Sight: Honeymoon Island airs on Tuesdays at 10/9c on Lifetime.