Entertainment TV 'MAFS' : Nicole Opens Up to Chris About Her Past — but He Admits 'That's Not What I Want in My Life' In PEOPLE's exclusive sneak peek at the next episode of Married at First Sight, Nicole says it's important for Chris "to know everything" about her to better decide if she's "the right person" for him By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Instagram Twitter Website Dory Jackson is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE's digital TV team. While at the brand, she's had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She also recaps popular TV shows like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules.The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus in Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. She also previously co-hosted a podcast called "Idol Nation." People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 29, 2023 10:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Christopher "Chris" Thielk and Nicole Lilienthal are still struggling to see eye-to-eye. In PEOPLE's exclusive look at Wednesday's Married at First Sight episode, Nicole opens up about her previously troubling behavior as a teen. "I had a decently happy childhood. From the second I was born, I always needed attention. I was just born that way," she says. "I mean, I wish I had a reason why. I think it's a combination of my parents being who they are and just, I got a lot of attention. And then when I was like 13, 14, I was going to a new school because it was high school. I was really figuring out how to not be a kid anymore, basically." She continues, "My parents, because they were so trusting and loving, they didn't set any ground rules. But I almost wish they had really impressed that upon me because there was that period where I was like, lying a lot, cutting school, staying out late." Nicole says that when she would partake in confession at her Catholic school, she "would always start with [saying] 'I'm lying again.'" Lifetime MAFS: Nicole Wants Chris to Say 'I Love You' First — but He Doesn't Think 'It Feels Right' Yet "I'm lying all the time because I was so ashamed of what I was doing without realizing I was ashamed that I was just lying. I was just putting myself in bad situations with bad people and I let my grades fall because my friends would be like, 'Let's skip class and go hang out in someone's basement,'" she recalls. "And I'd be like, 'Okay, that sounds great,' even though I didn't want to, but I didn't want them to think that I wasn't cool or worthy of their friendship. I was just putting on an act basically because I wanted these people to like me, even though they weren't even worthy of my attention." For Nicole, it is important for Chris "to know everything" about her to better decide if she's "the right person" for him. "I don't want something to come out in six or eight months, or anytime after Decision Day and you're like, 'Ooh, this changes how I feel about her,'" she adds. "And then we can't come back from that." Nicole's revelations appear to strike a chord with Chris, ultimately leading him to question whether she is the one for him. Lifetime "I don't know if I'd be able to marry the woman that Nicole was when she was younger," he tells the cameras. "Because honestly, that reminds me of a lot of some of my exes when I dealt with and that's not what I want in my life." Chris and Nicole first appeared on MAFS during the show's season 16 premiere — and fans have seen the two struggle to find common ground ever since. In a recent episode, the pair discussed their differing opinions on how and when they should say "I love you" to each other. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Married at First Sight airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.