Married At First Sight's Scott McCristal hits back at fame-chasing claims after wedding to Gia Fleur

Married At First Sight groom Scott McCristal has hit back at claims he only signed up to the experiment for fame.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail on Tuesday after his wedding to Gia Fleur, Scott said he could not care less about critics questioning his motives.

'People can think whatever they want,' Scott said. 

'They don't know me. Everyone who knows me knows I'm not here for clout.'

Scott, who has previously appeared on reality TV, said comparing his stint on Blind Date and Holey Moley to Married At First Sight was missing the point entirely.

'Those shows were years ago, like 2018. They were fun games,' he said. 

'This is completely different. This is your whole life. You're investing your relationship and your time into someone.'

He added that the decision to join the experiment was not taken lightly.

'I put my business on the line for a long time. That's a lot for me to do,' he said. 

'So obviously I'm serious about it. If people don't believe that, I don't really give a shit.'

Scott revealed he was approached to do the show and initially turned it down several times before eventually agreeing.

'I actually said no a few times,' he said. 

'But then I thought, if I don't do this, I'm never going to find someone. It forced me to compromise and make time for someone.'

Watching his wedding day back brought nothing but positive emotions.

'I'm still smiling,' Scott said. 'Honestly, nothing went wrong for me.'

He said meeting Gia at the altar was an instant spark.

'The moment I turned around, I had a big smile. Our eyes locked, she was happy, she was laughing and the energy was just there,' he said. 'The sparks were flying.'

Scott said the pair clicked immediately and barely stopped talking.

'We were just asking each other a thousand questions. We were vibing straight away,' he said.

While viewers saw chaos around Gia's wedding morning, including her anxiety over revealing she has a child, Scott said his own preparation was the complete opposite.

'For me, it was just me and my two brothers. We were chilling,' he said. 'Two completely different getting-ready experiences.'

Scott confirmed he had no idea Gia was a mother until she told him herself.

'It didn't bother me whatsoever,' Scott said. 'I never said whether I did or didn't want kids. It doesn't bother me.'

He went further, saying he felt ready for the responsibility that comes with Gia's life.

'I think it takes a man to look after someone else's child and that's what I'm prepared for,' he said.

Scott also dismissed suggestions the couple's strong chemistry was purely physical.

'I think we're definitely compatible,' he said. 'There's a soft side to Gia that you see when she's with me. We really gel well together.'

Addressing backlash that often comes with the show, Scott said he entered the experiment with his mental health in check and a clear focus.

'I went in with one intention only and that was to find my partner,' he said. 'I didn't want distractions.'

As for whether he fears being cast as the villain, Scott remains unfazed.

'I'm not worried at all,' he said. 'I was myself the whole way through. If it's bad, I deserve it. If it's good, I deserve that too.'

Scott said viewers should not be so quick to judge.

'People are going to assume things, but I think they'll be surprised,' he said.

And when it comes to accusations of chasing fame, Scott is firm.

'I know my true self,' he said. 'That's all that matters.'