Married At First Sight: Becca's Manipulative Tactics Towards Austin Revealed

Becca Haley's marriage with Austin Reed on Married at First Sight season 17 is deteriorating because Becca is purposefully trying to make Austin look bad and make him become a pushover. Season 17 started well for Becca and Austin, who had instant chemistry at the altar. That obvious connection carried over to the honeymoon, where they presented as the couple with the most chemistry and potential. However, Becca and Austin's dynamic changed for the worse as Becca's need to be intimate with Austin soured the relationship.

Becca wanted to have physical intimacy and sex with Austin at a pace that Austin wasn't comfortable with. While they did kiss, hold hands, and show affection a lot, it was not enough for Becca, who kept making them not having a sex a major problem. Austin putting the brakes on their sex life has since made Becca spiral, and it's caused a heap of other issues between the couple, including Austin's insistence that Becca is trying to make him look bad on TV.

Becca Called Austin "Combative" & "Dismissive"

Becca has demonstrated a commitment to expressing her truth on camera, even if it means portraying Austin in a negative light (via ET.) In a therapy session with Pastor Cal Roberson and Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Becca openly shared her dissatisfaction with Austin's responses to her concerns.

"I've noticed a pattern of dismissiveness and defensiveness," Becca expressed.

The disagreement between Becca and Austin spilled over into another conversation that was captured by their home cameras. Austin confronted Becca for making false statements about him that could negatively influence the Married at First Sight audience's perception of him, overshadowing his positive traits.

"I value your feelings, but it's unjust to label me as a horrible person. When I share my opinion, and it differs from yours, it shouldn't automatically be seen as confrontational," Austin explained.

Becca was clearly attempting to undermine Austin on camera during a discussion about his feelings of being silenced. She stood up claiming she was cold and wanted to use Austin's jacket for warmth. However, when Austin requested she wash her hands before using his jacket to avoid getting it dirty, Becca became upset and grabbed her own jacket. She then criticized Austin for being inconsiderate.

Austin expressed feeling that Becca was intentionally trying to make him look bad for not wanting his jacket to get dirty. He felt that Becca was playing the victim in an effort to manipulate the situation. Unfortunately, Becca's actions succeeded in creating further tension between them.

Becca Is Painting Austin As Selfish & Disingenuous

Becca has attempted to portray Austin as selfish and disingenuous, rather than simply combative and dismissive. When their relationship began to unravel, Austin expressed his displeasure with Becca's tactics of fabricating character flaws to tarnish his image. He defended himself against Becca's accusations, especially when she criticized their lack of sexual intimacy as shown on Lifetime. In response, Becca rejected Austin's claims of defamation and redirected the blame onto him.

According to Becca, "His main concern is himself." She expressed her belief that there was a fundamental lack of trust between them because Austin failed to recognize that she always had his best interests at heart. Becca emphasized that if Austin truly trusted her, he would understand that she had no intention of tarnishing his reputation.

Austin believes that Becca is attempting to portray him as a "pushover."

Becca and Austin from Married at First Sight season 17 montage and blue background - Austin Thinks Becca Is Trying To Make Him A "Pushover"

During their pottery-making session, Becca and Austin found themselves in a tense and uncomfortable conversation about their relationship. Austin took the opportunity to address how he felt silenced by Becca.

Becca took Austin's concern and turned it into a scenario where she could come out the victim again and make Austin a pushover in the situation.

Austin noted, "I think in the past you've told me that like ex-boyfriends are like kind of like pushovers and like after what you said it kinda makes me feel like you want me to just not think for myself all the time."

Becca responded to Austin's concern by stating, "No i think you think for yourself 100% of the time, I'm asking for you to think of us for a small percentage of that time. okay." She further expressed, "I'm not asking for you to be passive I don't know how to communicate that in like a way that makes sense to you." Becca's tone came across as passive-aggressive, indicating her attempt to make Austin compliant like her past partners.

Austin Moved Out (Will He Say No On Decision Day?)

Montage of Married At First Sight’s Austin and Becca - Austin Moved Out (Will He Say No On Decision Day?)

Custom Image by César García

After their heated pottery-making altercation and the argument that erupted in their shared residence, both Austin and Becca sought advice from their friends on how to proceed. Austin confided in his friend that he was willing to work on the relationship with Becca, but he questioned the extent to which he would need to compromise. On the other hand, Becca told her friend that she refused to pretend or exist in a relationship with Austin that lacked authenticity. Subsequent to their individual discussions, a scene featuring Becca announcing to the cameras that Austin had moved out was aired in the latest episode of Married at First Sight.

It seems that after careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of his marriage to Becca, Austin made the decision to leave one day before Decision Day. This indicates that Becca and Austin are set to have a crucial meeting in the presence of the experts, where they will openly express their emotions and address their issues before reaching a final verdict on whether they wish to remain married or pursue a divorce. While the beginning of Married at First Sight season 17 showed promise for the couple, it has now become apparent that they are facing significant challenges that may be difficult to overcome.

Married At First Sight airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.

Source: ET/YouTube, Lifetime/YouTube

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