Nasser Sultan was just “an average dude” before his eternal search for love was broadcast into homes around Australia on the polarising reality tv show Married At First Sight (MAFS).
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That was always going to change after his appearance on national tele, but after producers decided to cast him in the role of ‘villain’ in his pairing with Gabrielle Bartlett, his screen saga was inevitably going to be the topic of conversation around breakfast tables from Bowra to Broome.
“I’ve become famous overnight!” Nasser said.
“It’s crazy because I don’t really have any talent, I’m not the best looking and I’m definitely past my prime… but everywhere I go people keep coming up to say hello.
I didn’t expect the show to resonate with so many people across Australia. Even the people that thought I was an idiot on the show still come over and say hello and that they think I’m funny.
“After 50 years living life as an average dude and going under the radar, I’m definitely now grabbing every opportunity that comes my way.”
Nasser was back in his beloved Valla Beach over the weekend for some quality downtime with family, so Guardian News took the chance to ask him whether he believed his experience had ultimately helped or hindered his quest for a soul mate.
He said that while he has no regrets about his time on the show, the newfound attention he now receives has gotten in the way.
“If I had to do it again I wouldn’t change a thing – Nasser is Nasser. But I sadly have not found love yet! It’s hard to find someone that wants to settle down – most people just want a selfie to post on Instagram and say they met me. I want love, not a new follower,” he said.
The show has definitely not affected his dateability, but Nasser said finding a more permanent partner is still proving to be an elusive goal.
“There have been a couple of people I’ve dated but we’ve not been able to make it work,” he said.
“Distance was a big factor in one break up, another didn’t trust me because of all the attention I was getting and another only wanted me for money! She kept asking if I could send her money…she soon got a shock when she found out just because you’ve been on the tv you’re not filthy rich.”
Nasser has also found it quite difficult navigating around the onslaught of prejudice he has experienced post-show.
He said his public profile has opened up a direct line of sight into Australia’s casual racism, and made him more conscious of his own skin colour and Egyptian background.
“It’s weird because you think society is at a certain point when it comes to acceptance and tolerance, but all it takes is a few minutes on tv and people think you’re fair game to say whatever they want to,” he said.
And tabloid-fuelled rumours about Nasser’s sexual orientation have also plagued him since leaving the show. But Nasser was very forthcoming with us about his desire to find someone – man or woman – “willing to put up with” him.
A connection is a connection at the end of the day and it doesn’t matter who it’s with. I’ve only really been with women, but that isn’t to say I couldn’t date a man. In my opinion people just shouldn’t put themselves in boxes and say ‘I only want to date this gender or this type of person’ – it’s 2018, do what and who you want!
“I think anyone that has a problem with this type of thinking is very insecure.”
Nasser said that ultimately he’s looking for someone free from the trappings of modern vanity – all ‘filters and fillers’ – and believes love should be “effortless”.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love looking good but let’s just roll out of bed, go for a surf and laugh all day without worrying about makeup and all that stuff,” he said.
And his lived-in advice for any dyed in the wool romantics out there who have likewise been looking for love in all the wrong places is: “Stop swiping right on dating apps and get out there and meet people face to face.”
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Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
