Love is Blind's Colleen Reed Breaks Her Silence: The Truth About Her Divorce

Summary

What's the Reality? – Love is Blind's Colleen Reed Breaks Her Silence: The Truth About Her Divorce

Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Giannina Gibelli & Blake Moynes (guest-hosting for Amber Desiree)
Guest: Colleen Reed (Love is Blind, Season 3)

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Episode Overview

In her first public interview since her split with Matt Bolton, Colleen Reed opens up about her journey before, during, and after her Love is Blind marriage. Hosts Giannina and Blake create a candid, supportive atmosphere as Colleen reveals the untold truths of her breakup, how she’s healing, lessons learned, and what comes next. The conversation is funny, vulnerable, and refreshingly honest—perfect for fans wanting to know the real story behind the headlines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life After Love is Blind: The End of Colleen & Matt

• Timeline of Separation
  • Colleen and Matt separated around November 2024 but kept it private until spring 2025 (03:14).
  • They lived together for several months post-breakup before making it public to avoid unnecessary stress and public scrutiny (03:46).

“We both kind of agreed upon, like, let's not say anything until we are not living together. And so the day that I moved out was the day that we announced.”
– Colleen Reed (04:04)

• Final Goodbye

  • The day she moved out and they announced their split was the most emotionally challenging: "Giving him that final hug and saying goodbye..." (05:49).

• Reality of Reality TV Relationships

  • Colleen emphasizes their relationship’s authenticity—countering claims it was staged or fake:

"I just want to, like, scream that to the mountaintops... Do you want to pay for my therapy bill? Like, it was really heartbreaking." (05:27)

2. Processing the Breakup & Lessons Learned

• Why the Marriage Ended
  • The relationship was always “a rollercoaster” with high highs and low lows, but never consistent. They both reached a point where they knew it couldn’t work anymore (06:59, 24:43).
  • There wasn’t a single dramatic cause (“not trust issues, not cheating, just not working”). Quality time and differing priorities created distance (17:11–18:54).

“It was never consistently high. It was always these high highs that—but never consistent.”
– Colleen (13:10)

• Lasting Sadness Despite the Right Choice
  • Letting go wasn’t a relief at first. The grief lingered for days after the final farewell, highlighting the depth of their bond (25:58).

“In that moment, it was just...so sad. I just kept thinking, like, I can't believe I'm not gonna hug him again.”
– Colleen (25:58)

• Advice for Others
  • Colleen isn’t sure if couples should "fight to the bitter end," but is glad they did everything possible. She wants fans to know their relationship was real, and they both tried “anything and everything possible to make it work” (28:31).

3. Life, Growth & Dating Post-Divorce

• Embracing Change
  • Colleen has moved into her own place (15:59), traveled (28:57), and is not dating seriously—just "window shopping" and taking things slow (29:28).

“I'm not dating seriously at all. I'm window shopping, you know, test tasting, doing some returns. You know, I'm doing that.” (29:28)

• What She’s Looking For

  • New priorities: Quality time, being "yearned for," motivation, being family-oriented, and spending time together in and out of the house (30:14).
  • playful preference for British or Scottish accents—“add that to the list!” (30:56).

• Divorce Still Ongoing

  • Legalities aren’t finished; she won’t date officially or use apps until the divorce is final (31:28).

• Staying Respectful

  • Protectiveness for Matt remains—she’s careful not to “throw him under the bus” and admits to still caring, though not wanting to rekindle (32:04).

4. Healing, Friendship & Support

• First Real Breakup
  • This marks Colleen’s first “real” heartbreak, distinct from high school or college flings (33:25).

“This is my first, like, love, deeply in love with this person breakup. So it's been interesting.” – Colleen (33:25)

• No Regrets

  • She wouldn’t change anything, appreciating her growth and the love she found—even if it ended (33:46, 34:01).

• On Public Pressure & Social Media

  • Finds humor when fans ship her with others (“Cole”), clarifying there was never a real connection there (34:26–35:41).

“I'm like, what are you guys ... we didn't work in the pods for a reason...I couldn't even tell you one thing that we talked about, honestly.” – Colleen (35:37)

• Self-Care During Heartbreak
  • Initial weeks were “rough, rough, rough...” but TikTok and messages from fans helped her feel less alone (36:07).
  • Support from her “village” of family and friends was vital (37:45).

5. What's Next? Career, Optimism & Shooting Her Shot

• Career Transition

  • After retiring from professional dance, Colleen is focusing on content creation and social media management at Lane Boots (cowboy boot company) (59:26–59:59).

• Travel & Personal Growth

  • Traveling (Italy, hopes for Croatia and France), prioritizing friendships, family, and self-discovery (59:59–60:09).

• Remaining Optimistic

  • Despite not being where she thought she’d be at 30, Colleen is excited for her next chapter (39:07–40:06).

“You should be so grateful that you're going through these kinds of things because you're going through life like you are alive. And—yes, you're feeling it. Like, feel that heartbreak. How, like, lucky are you?” (41:21)

• Dating DMs & “Shooting Her Shot”
  • Colleen is not on dating apps, but her DMs are open—no blue checkmarks, but fun (52:55–53:14).
  • On-air, the hosts prompt her to DM Freddie from Perfect Match, crafting a playful message:

"Hi. This is me officially shooting my shot... Should we share some fish and chips?" (57:13–58:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity & Heartbreak:

  • “Do you want to pay for my therapy bill? Like, it was...really heartbreaking. Like, giving him that final hug and saying goodbye.” – Colleen (05:27)

• On Relationship Highs and Lows:

  • “It was never consistently high. It was always these high highs that—but never consistent.” (13:10)

• On Prioritizing Quality Time:

  • “I did not realize how much I value quality time. It is now my, like, number one love language.” (18:07)

• On What She Wants Going Forward:

  • “Definitely someone that, like, yearns for me...But also, aside from that, definitely motivated, Godly, a family man...and show me off in the world.” (30:14)

• On Growth and Resilience:

  • “My divorce has taught me to be resilient, to be strong...Don’t just sit there and wallow.” (41:22)

• On The Power of Community:

  • “Support system that I had—my girlfriends, my family...constantly calling me, checking in on me, making sure that I was okay and would let me talk about the same thing over and over and over again.” (37:44)

• On Future Relationships:

  • “I hope I have, like, insane chemistry, but I also am like, let's use our brain, Colleen. Let's not just use our heart.” (50:51)

• On Friendship During Hard Times:

  • Her Love is Blind co-star Alexa supported her through the breakup, and now Colleen is supporting Alexa through hers (43:11–44:59).

• Playful Shooter’s Moment:

  • “Hi. This is me officially shooting my shot. Three eyes. Should we share some fish and chips?” (58:00)

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Key Timestamps

• [03:14] – Timeline of the breakup’s public announcement
• [05:27] – Colleen describes the pain of saying goodbye
• [13:10] – The relationship’s pattern of highs and lows
• [18:07] – The importance of quality time and connection
• [28:31] – “We really tried” – Emphasizing authenticity
• [29:28] – Colleen on not dating seriously and embracing new single life metaphors
• [30:14] – Her updated wish list for a partner
• [31:28] – Divorce process still ongoing; not dating until finalized
• [33:25] – On this being her first real heartbreak
• [35:37] – Clarifying the “Cole” rumors
• [36:07] – Grieving, healing, and seeking comfort on social media
• [41:21] – Embracing hardship as proof of living life
• [57:13] – On-air DM to Freddie (Perfect Match)—the playful "shoot your shot" segment
• [59:26] – Life after ballet, career, and travel plans

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Tone & Style

Candid, supportive, funny, unfiltered—true to the raw, open style of the podcast. Colleen is self-deprecating and warm, but also articulate and earnest about her struggles and resilience. The hosts provide comfort and laughter, creating space both for healing and humor.

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For Listeners: Takeaways

• Relationships—especially those born from reality TV—are complicated, real, and sometimes heartbreakingly public.
• Healing is nonlinear; seeking support is powerful, and it’s okay to take your time.
• Growth often means building new boundaries, understanding your values, and bravely facing new beginnings—whether that’s solo travel, new friendships, or DMing your next crush (on air!).
• Colleen’s resilience, self-awareness, and optimism shine—making her journey relatable and inspiring for anyone facing change, heartbreak, or public scrutiny.

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Find Colleen:

• Instagram: @jellybeancolleen
• TikTok: @colleenreed7

Next episode: Wednesdays, wherever you get your podcasts—stay tuned for more “reality” behind the reality!

Transcript

[Colleen Reed]

I believe that American Idol can change my life for the better.

[Blake]

Abc Monday. American Idol is back.

[Colleen Reed]

Why are you so emotional?

[Giannina]

I didn't think I'd ever get to be somewhere like this.

[Blake]

Where your vote turns dreamers. You ready for it? You're going to Hollywood league into idols.

[Colleen Reed]

There it is.

[Blake]

The golden ticket. You are inspiring.

[Giannina]

You're pretty incredible.

[Blake]

American Idol season premiere Monday, 8, 7 Central on ABC and stream on Hulu this Valentine's Day.

[Colleen Reed]

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[Giannina]

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[Colleen Reed]

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[Giannina]

What's the reality? What's the reality? Hi, everyone. It's me, Giannina.

[Blake]

And me, Blake, and we are your guest hosts while AD Is out on maternity leave. So we're so excited to be here for another episode of what's the reality.

[Giannina]

And today, someone very special from our love is flying family is here. Colleen Reed from season three is joining us today. I'm so excited to have you here.

[Colleen Reed]

Yay.

[Giannina]

And this is actually her first time talking about her divorce from Matt and how she is doing today. And if you're not watching, she is looking pretty good.

[Blake]

Looks great. Glowing. Colleen, you're glowing. Seriously, though.

[Giannina]

So we're so happy to have her here. So let's welcome Colleen to what's the reality? Yay.

[Colleen Reed]

Thank you so much for having me. I love you guys. You guys are like an inspiration, power couple, everything. I, like, adore you. I adore your family. So thank you so much for talking with me today.

[Blake]

No, thank you.

[Giannina]

Yeah. Well, thanks for coming. I that there's a lot going on and just want to say first and foremost, I don't know where you are on your journey just quite yet. We'll get into that in a second. But from a third party who has been always rooting for you and seeing you, you are just glowing different.

[Blake]

You really are.

[Giannina]

I just want to say I'm proud of you with whatever you're doing and we'll see where you are.

[Blake]

I'll say. Just recently, I remember you popped up on my Instagram and I sent it to Gina. I was like, colleen looks good. I was literally like Colleen. I literally. I was like, wow, like, that's Colleen.

[Colleen Reed]

Like, she looks amazing. Like. Yeah.

[Blake]

So.

[Colleen Reed]

Oh, my gosh. Stop. Not gonna be able to walk through a door. My head is gonna be so big.

[Blake]

But how. How are you doing? How are you feeling? Like she said, I know there's a lot going on.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah. So today I'm doing great. I am good. It's a rollercoaster of a journey. There's always, like, ups and downs. We'll get into it. But there was definitely a down, and then there was a high, and then you just. It's literally a roller coaster. So right now I'm doing good. I'm in, like, a healthy mindset. I'm feeling good in my life right now, so I'm okay.

[Blake]

It's good.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Because you announced that you were splitting from Matt in May. Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

I believe early May. End of April. So, like, springtime.

[Giannina]

Right.

[Colleen Reed]

So we announced, and then we actually have been not together since November of last year. So it's been about a year since we've been. I say separated, broken up, but. Yeah, but we didn't announce until springtime. So I was dealing through the process of, like, the breakup for several months before I brought it to the public.

[Giannina]

That's so smart.

[Blake]

Yeah, I think that's really healthy.

[Colleen Reed]

So glad that we did that. And I would say that, like, he would agree with that as well.

[Giannina]

Was it your idea? We both.

[Colleen Reed]

It was kind of, like, logistics in terms of, like, the house, because we lived together for those several months when we were separated, so we just didn't want to, like, deal with all of that while we were dealing with our own, like, chaos and sadness and heartbreak. I didn't. I didn't even want to have that, like, in my eyesight. So, yeah, we both kind of agreed upon, like, let's not say anything until we are not living together. And so the day that I left, the day I moved out was the day that we announced.

[Giannina]

How did that feel?

[Colleen Reed]

So that day was probably the hardest day of my life because it was so, so sad. I would say that he would agree with that as well, because we weren't going to see each other anymore. We weren't going to, like, even though we were separated for those several months, we still saw each other. And so it was like, kind of like that finality of it, that realization that we really are not together anymore. We're not going to be together anymore. I probably. So I was dealing with moving out, and I was also leaving for Italy the next day, and then we were announcing and then breaking up, so it was like A lot. So I was just kind of, like, running around with my head cut off, basically. And then when we said goodbye to each other, me personally sobbing, just, like, sobbing. I'm not going to get emotional. Thinking about was just really, really sad and really, really hard. And it was. It was real. Like, I just want to, like, scream that to the mountaintops, to these. To many people who say that it's not real. And I'm like, do you want to pay for my therapy bill? Like, it was. It was really heartbreaking. Like, giving him that final hug and saying goodbye.

[Blake]

I can't imagine.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, well, yeah, I drove away, and I knew that I was making the right decision, and I know that he was making the right decision. But, yeah, we did it. And I'm okay now. But for those few hours that we were saying goodbye to each other, oh, my God, it was, like, the hardest thing ever. And sometimes those breakups can be almost just as bad as, like, if cheating were to happen. Or, like, you know, there's a lot of tension between. It's so hard for two people to come together and be like, this is not working. We can't be together, and we need to separate. And, like, that is the hardest decision to make. And then the, like. It's so hard when you're actually doing it.

[Blake]

Yeah. I would almost. I completely agree. I think sometimes when there's not one single reason, it's just like, you just know. That's almost harder when it comes to a breakup.

[Giannina]

Yes.

[Blake]

Because. Yeah. It's just nothing you can, like, point.

[Colleen Reed]

To or blame almost. Right. And there have been so many times where we were almost there, we would be like, no, let's just. Let's keep working on it. And we would still keep working on it. And it's picking the point where it's like, no, we can't work on it anymore. We need to not be together. It's just the right decision.

[Blake]

And to your point, you guys. So you guys met on season three, Love is Blind. So you've been together now four years?

[Colleen Reed]

It was a little under four years, so I say four years. Yeah.

[Blake]

So, like, you said, like, it was real.

[Colleen Reed]

It was.

[Blake]

Yeah. Right. I mean, it's. Because a lot of people don't understand that. They think it is just a show and we're just characters.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

That's not the case.

[Colleen Reed]

No. I was 24 when I got married, and then I just turned 30. So half of my 20s.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

Was with him. So it's.

[Giannina]

But you guys mat you mature.

[Colleen Reed]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[Giannina]

So much relationship.

[Colleen Reed]

I was a baby.

[Blake]

Yeah, you were.

[Giannina]

What made you sign up for it?

[Colleen Reed]

You know, I would say I'm a lover girl. One, yeah, I'm the biggest lover girl, and I still am the biggest lover girl. I'm very hopeful for romance and love and everything. So I'm a big lover girl. And also being in Dallas, when you look around, everyone is married, everyone has children. That Southern values, that is. Yeah. And at the time, my friends weren't married, but they were. A lot were on their way to engagements. And so I would look around, I'd be like, I need to do that. I need to follow, I need to find my person. And I'm so optimistic about love, and I want love. And so when this opportunity came, I was like, what's different between going on a show that that is location based than me going on hinge? Like, what is.

[Giannina]

I see the same thing.

[Colleen Reed]

What's different?

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

I mean, yes, marriage is on, you.

[Giannina]

Know, but it's like a dating app 2.0.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes. It's location based, you know, and you're still talking about your different values and everything. And so I, I, I loved the idea of it, and I was optimistic about marriage. Did I actually think I was going to walk away married?

[Giannina]

No.

[Colleen Reed]

Right. So I remember when I got engaged and I was talking to my family about it, and they're like, do you think? And I was like, I, I, I'm 50. 50, but like, I'm more on the no side than the yes side. Um, and then as we progressed and progressed and through the process, and I was just like, both of us were like, let's just do it. Like, let's just, let's just say yes to each other in this moment. And we did. But I never in a million years thought I would actually get married.

[Blake]

Right.

[Giannina]

I.

[Colleen Reed]

But I love the idea of it. I was open to it. I just never didn't think it was in my cards to actually say someone in this situation.

[Giannina]

So you guys agreed before you guys were at the altar? Yes, we're saying yes.

[Colleen Reed]

No. Oh, yes. So we actually, we were at Applebee's or some Chili's Applebee's, whatever, the night prior with both of our families. And we were flipping a coin.

[Giannina]

Get out of here.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes, we were flipping a coin. We're saying, okay, heads we say yes, tails we say no.

[Giannina]

No. Fate.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes. We just, like, kept flipping a coin, flipping a coin. And I would say, like, two out of three times, you know, And I truly did not know what to do.

[Giannina]

Okay.

[Colleen Reed]

And he didn't know what to do. And I can't remember if we. I feel like that day was such a blur. I don't know if you felt that way too, but I can't remember if we spoke that morning on the phone, but he was just like, I'll see you at the altar. And I was like, I'll see you at the altar.

[Giannina]

What?

[Colleen Reed]

And it was. This is crazy. Yeah, no, it's in September. It's actually crazy. And they asked him, and he said yes. And I was like, okay. Like, sure, let's do it. Yeah.

[Giannina]

So would you say you had a positive experience on Love is Blind?

[Colleen Reed]

Gosh, yes. I had a blast on Love is Blind.

[Giannina]

You won.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, I got it.

[Giannina]

I won the prize. Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

But no, coming from. Also, like, a dance and theater experience, I enjoyed, you know, the whole production side of it. But I also. Aside from that, I love talking to people. I love getting to know different people. The friendships that I got from it. The girls. I'm still best friends with the girls. You know, I. I loved literally for two weeks, not doing anything but sitting and talking. Like, it was fun. It was so fun. And then post engagements, it was definitely more of a struggle because, I mean, from art, for our journey, it was. You guys all watched. It was up and down. But I. I had a blast, like, with my journey. And I don't regret one thing at all. Not one thing.

[Giannina]

That's amazing.

[Blake]

That's really. That's really good to hear, honestly. And when you look back at, like, your experience on Love is Blind, your journey, as you called it, kind of back to those early moments, those beginnings with Matt, was there anything that really stood out to you, you know, with that and your relationship with Matt, that really stood out to you, and you were like, this is. This is it.

[Colleen Reed]

So since day one, he was my number one, which is crazy because you don't see that.

[Giannina]

That's really special.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, I remember I went. I want. I want people to go back and, like, show the. I remember this specifically of after all the days, and someone asked me, like, who's your number one? And I go, matt. And I just remember that moment. We just always clicked, especially in the pods. We were pretty much on the same page for every single thing. And before that, I had never experienced that with somebody. We were always, like, on the same page. We had the same humor. We talked about everything and anything under the sun. And, yeah, it just clicked. It just felt right. And I could be. I mean, I know, if you remember, but the pod sessions Would be so long. Towards the end, we're talking several hours and sometimes I can get a little awkward and then I'm like, okay, the conversation is done. But with him it was so different. It just like kept flowing and we would always have different things to talk about and relate upon. And it did get deep and he brought that vulnerable side out of me. So it just like, it just clicked.

[Giannina]

Right?

[Colleen Reed]

It just felt right.

[Giannina]

Would you say that when things were rough in your marriage, you know, years afterward, do you think you clung to those moments? Did you go back to that? Is that what kept you hopeful? Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

I would say though we really didn't base everything off post Love is Blind. We really wouldn't talk much about that journey or that experience. We. Everything that post Love is Blind. What really made us like fall deeper in love with each other was post. Like the way that we, we have our own language. Like the way that we talk to each other is a completely different language. But, um, I would see him go through these like really hard times. I would see him get vulnerable to where he wouldn't necessarily get as vulnerable on the show. So I would see like almost a completely different side. And I felt in love with him even more post the show. But then when things would go up and down, I would say we were always up and down. And that's since day one. And that's the one thing that ultimately like, you know, led to our breakup is that it was all. It was never consistently high. It was always these high highs that. But never consistent. And so I would always cling back to like how we were with each other when we are good and not, you know, I wouldn't look at it big picture, if that makes sense.

[Giannina]

Well, I've experienced something similar where it's just like, we're gonna get on the same page like we're going to because we, we relate on so many different levels. Like there's no way, like maybe if, you know, we move in together, which you guys eventually did, maybe then we'll get on the same page. How. How is that? Cuz you guys didn't live.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, so we didn't live together until I think like a year and a half after we got married. Which is so strange. I know, I know.

[Giannina]

Well, not to cut you off, but I do think when you meet someone on a reality TV show and then you go into being engaged, like the bachelor of being married, like Love is wine, you're still dating, you're still learning that person. So I didn't think that it was No, I just.

[Colleen Reed]

I really. For some reason, marriage was like, yes. But moving in together, whoa. Like, chill out.

[Blake]

Too far, Too far.

[Colleen Reed]

So I needed. I had lived. When I went on the show, I lived with two other girls at the time, so I had not even lived with. By myself yet. So I just. I was. I thought. And he would say as well, what's the rush? Like, we are. We said yes to each other. Like, let's just. Let's just take a beat and let's both mature ourselves, and then we'll come together and live together. When we moved in together, it was a relatively smooth. It was honestly fine because we had. He was always at my place, I was always at his. We rarely did sleep apart. So it was just. We had. You know, we would sometimes go to our separate places and change and get our stuff and then come back to each other or after a long day of work, just stay separately. So it really. In terms of moving in, it wasn't a hard thing to do.

[Giannina]

Do you think you would do that again, or are you ready for, like, your next relationship being like, I need to live with you. I didn't know how to do.

[Colleen Reed]

I definitely want to live with you before I get married to you? I would say, let's do that. Let's do that.

[Giannina]

First the steps. Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

I just moved into my new place by myself, and this is my first time. I would say truly, truly living by myself. So I'm getting. I'm, like, getting used to this era of mine. And then, you know, hopefully down the line, you know, when I am in a relationship, take it slow, move in, and then, you know, then get married.

[Giannina]

And I'll be like, don't come into my space.

[Colleen Reed]

No, please do what?

[Blake]

You're gonna love living by yourself. I don't love living with you.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah. I will say the first, like, couple weeks, though, was hard, really, because I would just walk around in circles and, like, do the dishes and then, like, walk around in circles and then, you know, clean more and, like, organize more. I was like, who do I talk to? What do I do? Because usually, even when we live. When we were broken up but still live together, we were very cordial the entire time. So we would still talk, and there was always, like, someone home. Like, now it's. Or in the beginning, it was hard to get used to that silence.

[Giannina]

Right.

[Colleen Reed]

For sure.

[Blake]

Absolutely.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

We talked a little bit about your. Your ups and downs throughout the show, and I know it came up on the show as well. And, you know, Matt had some trust issues. Did that play any part in kind of how. Where you are?

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah. He never said. We never talked about that. If it was never trust issues, I. I would say he probably needed to deal with some of that stuff before getting into a serious relationship because it would be taken out on me. We never. He would say no. Like, he was fine. But I, like, it's so weird talking about him now, like, because I. I'm not protecting him. But. Yeah, it's hard.

[Giannina]

Part of you held his heart. Yes. You know, for so long and you still care for him. You know him to people to attack. You know how the Internet is and everything. But you know, from your truth, everyone's truth is different and your perspective. But for me, I couldn't go out with my girlfriends. My phone would just blow up and I'm like, I'm not doing anything.

[Colleen Reed]

So honestly, it was quite the opposite. He would be like, go out. Go out. I would want him to come out. I would say that is where a lot of our. We would have a lot of issues in terms of, like, just what we wanted in life or what we valued in life. And I very much value community and friendships and family and quality time. Is. I did not realize how much I value quality time. It is now my, like, number one love language. And so it wasn't necessarily trust issues. It was just like, I wanted him to hang out with me and we just wouldn't, like, we just wouldn't hang out.

[Giannina]

Hang out.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Go out. Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

I was like, come to the grocery store with me.

[Giannina]

Like, please. That is really important. Yeah, for sure. I mean, you are choosing someone to be your life partner. Do life with me.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes, exactly. And come out. Not saying, like, I want to go to the club or anything, but just like, come hang out on a picnic table with a few of our friends and let's be with like a community. I just always have valued community. And I would say that just wasn't probably like a priority of his at the time.

[Giannina]

Well, I was going to say probably because he. Sorry, I don't want to put words on anyone's mouth. But if he didn't want to, it's like, yeah, do it anyway.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes.

[Giannina]

Do it for me.

[Colleen Reed]

Do it for me.

[Giannina]

You know, I do it for you.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Your friend. So.

[Colleen Reed]

Exactly. I got it. Yeah.

[Giannina]

Yeah. So that. That is very.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Because when you're, you know, again, you want to spend time with your person, you want to convince them.

[Colleen Reed]

No.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

And I always. It's like initiation. Like, I would love for him to initiate initiate date night. You know, even if it's just like, hey, I saw a movie that I really want to watch. Like, let's watch it together. Like that. I don' want to initiate.

[Giannina]

I want to be courted.

[Colleen Reed]

Even. Even after marriage.

[Giannina]

Forever.

[Colleen Reed]

Forever. She just burned a hole in the side of my. I want to be corded. And as a lover girl, like, I love a year, like, you know, yearn for me. So. And I just. That was definitely, you know, lacking, especially towards the end of our relationship.

[Giannina]

No, I agree. I mean, especially when you're with someone for so long, you, I've heard you feel fall in love with someone, the same person, I think, five times.

[Colleen Reed]

Oh, my gosh. No way.

[Giannina]

Yeah, the first time, then the second time, I think is when you get into your first fight and then you realize they're not perfect. And then when you have a kid or then when you get married, then when you have a kid and then fifth when you're super old, so you have to consistently fall in love with somebody.

[Blake]

You change, right?

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

You change over the years. So you do fall in love with a different. Not a completely different person, obviously, but like a new person here and there.

[Giannina]

So you want to be courted and each phase.

[Colleen Reed]

And we both evolved so much. Like, I was a baby as well, and he had, you know, changed so much. And so we just weren't, like, growing together.

[Giannina]

Right.

[Colleen Reed]

We weren't working on it. On it. So, yeah, that's just. Yeah. Crumbled, basically.

[Giannina]

What was the breaking point?

[Colleen Reed]

I believe that American Idol can change my life for the better.

[Blake]

Abc Monday. American Idol is back.

[Colleen Reed]

Why are you so emotional? Think I'd ever get to be somewhere like this?

[Blake]

Where your vote turns dreamers. You ready for it? You're on the Holly movie into idols.

[Giannina]

There it is.

[Blake]

The golden ticket. You are inspiring.

[Colleen Reed]

You're pretty incredible.

[Blake]

American Idol season premiere Monday, 8, 7 Central on ABC and stream on Hulu.

[Giannina]

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[Blake]

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[Giannina]

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[Blake]

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[Giannina]

You guys, Blake and I just got some great pieces from Quince that we are obsessed with. Obsessed with. I'm loving my cotton cashmere cardigan And Mongolian cashmere crew neck sweater. It's literally my go to. I throw it on for layering, especially during these light winter months. They're soft, flattering, and perfect for every day. I literally just throw it on and feel soap together without trying too hard. These pieces honestly feel like one of those staples you just reach for every single day.

[Blake]

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[Giannina]

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[Blake]

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[Giannina]

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[Colleen Reed]

I would say it got, you know, so I said, you know, roller coaster, high highs. And we stayed at the lows for a long time. And we finally, we tried everything. We did everything. We really, anytime that we felt like we were almost at that moment of breaking, we would say, no, you know, I still love you. I still, like, let's still work on this. Like, I can't imagine a life without you. And we would say, okay. And then we work on it. And then low. And so it was low, low, low. And we finally just hit that point where it was, you know, we can't do this anymore. Like, we, we've tried it so many times and it hasn't been successful. And I'm was, you know, I've just turned 30 and we do have a clock ticking. And I really, really. I want four kids. Yeah, I want, I want, I want a big family. But I will not have kids with you until I know I am absolutely in love with you. I'll freeze my eggs. I'll be okay. But I am not going to have a kid with you until I truly love you. I want to, you know, I. Having a kid in the relationship already adds so much stress. We're not like, madly in love with each other. That's. No, we can't. And so I'm getting to this point where I want to have a family, but it's not working with him. And I would say the same. He would probably Thought the same as well. And we just looked at each other on November 16, and we were like, we literally can't do this anymore. Yeah. And. Yeah. So about a year ago.

[Blake]

Yeah, just kind of like a moment.

[Colleen Reed]

We both just knew kind of. Yeah. It was really, really low. And we. It was another, like, emotional conversation, similar to us, like, saying goodbye to each other, but we both were emotional and being like, we can't. Like, we can't move on.

[Giannina]

Can you talk a little bit? About what? The most difficult moment of that date where you were just saying goodbye.

[Colleen Reed]

It was us officially, you know, saying. Giving that. Giving each other a hug. Not kissing, but just giving each other a hug and embracing each other and knowing that as soon as we let go, we're letting go, and, oh, my God, I'm gonna, like, I'm not gonna get sad.

[Blake]

That's okay.

[Colleen Reed]

But, yeah, just like. Yeah, like, knowing that as soon as. Ew, gross. I hate being emotional, especially in glam. But, yeah, officially, like, as soon as you let go, I'm gonna turn around, I'm gonna get in my car, and I'm not gonna hug you again. So, yeah, that was for sure. Like, that knowing that, you're like a. Like, literally an example of letting go. A physical example of letting it go.

[Blake]

Physical act of letting go.

[Giannina]

Did you feel the weight come off?

[Colleen Reed]

No, not really. In that moment, it was just so sad. It was. So maybe eventually, as, you know, the day or the night went on. Yeah, for sure. But in that moment, no, it was just. I just kept thinking, like, I can't believe I'm not gonna hug him again. I can't believe I'm not gonna, like, you know, be his best friend or, like, you know, ever again. So, yeah, it was just. I. It wasn't a relief in that moment. It took, like, a few hours for me to be like, okay, we're okay. We're good. Let me go to bed, and I'll be. Even the next morning, I still felt sad. Well, obviously, but still felt that, like, weight of sadness. So it took a few days for sure to be like, I'm okay.

[Giannina]

Well, I think that says a lot about your relationship. Yeah. You know?

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah. Even with, like, all the highs and lows. Like, I still was deeply in love with this person. So. Yeah. And I also don't really. I hate change. I really don't like change. And so, yeah, just. I just kept thinking about that when we were saying goodbye to each other. It's like, I can't believe as soon as I get in the Car. It's going to be different from here on out.

[Giannina]

And knowing that this eventually will be public. Right. And navigating that. What's something that you wish people knew about your relationship? Is that something that you want them to walk away with? Like, fight until the bitter end? And if you don't mature and move on, like, what is something that you want people to walk away from?

[Colleen Reed]

I don't know, because I don't know if we. If you should fight until the bitter end. You know, I. It was. It's so emotionally draining. I just think having continuous conversations with your partner really, honestly, is like being on the same page and saying, like, can we do this? Can we keep going? I don't know what the answer is for us. You know, I don't regret anything, but I don't know if that's the right decision to keep fighting and, you know, until you literally can't do it anymore. But for us, like, I'm glad that we fought until we could, and I'm glad that we decided to end things when we did.

[Giannina]

Yeah. No, I think that's great. And also, your future kids are gonna really, really thank you for that.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes.

[Giannina]

You know, be really grateful for the healthy home. And then once that all comes together, you're like, yeah, yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

Like, I just want. I just want complete, utter happiness. And I just wasn't getting that with Matt.

[Blake]

And I think it says a lot about you that you. You did fight to the bitter. Like, you didn't give up. You know what I mean? You did as much as you could. You both did. Right.

[Colleen Reed]

I guess that's definitely what I would want the audience to know is that. Well, one, it wasn't fake. It was 110% real. But we really tried. Like, we really did anything and everything possible to make it work. And at the same. At the end of the day, sometimes, like, two people just aren't meant for each other, and we just weren't meant for each other.

[Giannina]

So where are you now? How's the divorce been? The process? What are you up to?

[Colleen Reed]

So as soon as. Okay, so as soon as I said goodbye to him, I got on a plane to Italy. And I want to move to Italy because that place cured me. I had so, so much fun in Italy and just really, you know, traveled and traveled a ton in the summertime. And then now I. I'm not dating seriously at all. I'm window shopping, you know, test tasting, doing some returns. You know, I'm doing that.

[Blake]

I love those metaphors all in one.

[Giannina]

Those.

[Colleen Reed]

But nothing Serious right now. I'm not on the apps. I'm just, like, kind of taking it slow because I'm still very much in the process of recovering from everything, and I don't want to jump into something too soon. So I'm just living my best life, focusing on myself, seeing what I want, what I don't want. Because now I know what I don't want and what I want. But, yeah, definitely having fun shopping.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

That's so cool.

[Giannina]

I can tell from the metaphors you want to go shopping together.

[Angie Hicks]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Give me the credit card, please.

[Colleen Reed]

Exactly.

[Giannina]

We're gonna do some healing. Exactly.

[Blake]

With your credit card. Yeah.

[Giannina]

What does the wish list look like?

[Colleen Reed]

So quality time. Like I just said, definitely someone that, like, yearns for me, you know, really wants me, wants to hang out with me. But also, aside from that, definitely motivated, Godly, a family man. Yeah. And wants to not only, like, you know, spend time inside with me, but, you know, kind of show me off in the world on the outside. And. Yeah, that's definitely, like, I would say, like, the main points of what I'm looking for.

[Giannina]

From Texas or Italy. What do we want? Everyone? Texas, but has Italian parents. As an Italian last name, I. I'm.

[Colleen Reed]

Like, no, actually, can we add something to the list with an accent? I would love, like, a British Scottish man. Like, that'd be fun. Like, I'm obsessed with outlander. So if we can just take. I don't know if you watch, but, Jamie, it's cute. It's not you, girl. But if we could just get him and, like, deliver it to him. That Santa. That's what I want for Christmas.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

Okay. All our listeners out there, you heard her.

[Colleen Reed]

You heard her. Come on over.

[Blake]

So is the divorce finalized? No, no, that's still in the process.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, the divorce is not finalized. It's still in the process. That's why I also want to be as respectful as possible. I don't want to jump into anything serious, and I'm not going to go on the dating apps until it's finalized. I don't know. I just. For some reason, that makes me feel weird that I'm still, like, technically married but dating.

[Giannina]

Don't let your husband get in the way of finding your future husband. Yeah, exactly.

[Blake]

No, it's not a lot about you. I think it says a lot about you, and it seems like you're in Matt's. Have a decent relationship still. You still. Obviously, you're not wanting to throw them under the bus. I can tell you're very careful with what you said, which is, again, it says a lot about you.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Well.

[Colleen Reed]

And, you know, even though we had our lows, you know, we'll. When we do communicate, I, like, it's crazy because I'll get so sad. I get so sad. And it's not that I want to get back with him or anything. I just, like, worry for him. I, like, wanna. As a Scorpio, I'm very loyal and very protective. I just want to, like, protect him as much as possible. And so I just get sad. Whenever we talk, he'll text me and then I'll, like, text my friends and I'll be like, well, now there goes my day. Like, it's just. I just get so sad, like, thinking. Or when we do communicate, but we still, like, we have a good, friendly relationship, we'll ask, like, how each other is doing. I asked him if he got Halloween decorations. You know, like, just kind of, like, I want to take care of him, but it's not my job anymore.

[Giannina]

No, I think it's really important to remember that.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes.

[Giannina]

But it's also part of the healing.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

You know, it's. It's hard to go cold turkey. It's.

[Colleen Reed]

That's what. It's. Going cold turkey, that's the hardest.

[Blake]

It's just the hardest in a breakup.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

Yeah. Because he was such a big part of your life, right, for so long.

[Colleen Reed]

20S.

[Blake]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Have you ever had a breakup or someone that you've been with for such a long time?

[Colleen Reed]

This is my first, like, real breakup.

[Blake]

Really?

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

So, like, of course, you know, you have your high school, college, breakups, whatever. But no, this is like, my first, like, love, deeply in love with this person breakup. So it's been interesting.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

It's been hard.

[Giannina]

And only a year later.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

So, I mean, looking back, is there anything that you would have done differently in your relationship?

[Colleen Reed]

Honestly, no, because I'm where. If I did anything different, I wouldn't be where I am today. And I'm. I'm happy with where I am today. I'm happy with myself. I'm happy with my life. I love my life. So, no, I wouldn't do honestly, one thing different.

[Giannina]

So we're saying we wouldn't. Wouldn't DM Cole and be like, hey, what's up? Because there are a lot of comments.

[Colleen Reed]

I'm just saying people are like, girl.

[Blake]

There are a lot of comments out there. Yeah, that's it. It's. It's so interesting because obviously we come from, like, these. These shows. Right. Where people are like, weirdly rooting sometimes for you to be with somebody else and stuff. And so how have you handled that? Like, how have you handled the public eye and people being like, hey, why don't you go?

[Colleen Reed]

I laugh at it. You know, I'm just like, no, because, you know what's so funny is that our. We didn't really have. Actually, we didn't have a relationship, period, Cole and I. And so, like, I'm like, what are you guys? Like, yes, we had, you know, the pool scene, whatever, but we didn't work in the pods for a reason. Like, I think we only spoke really, for three days. And, like, I don't know. I don't know. And so I don't even know who that person is. So when I see the you should be with Cole or you should DM with Cole, I'm like, how about.

[Giannina]

No, like, how about if I should have, I would have done it? Because that's like the most intimate environment to get to know somebody. Like, I just didn't like that, man. Period, period. Could be a cool fucking guy. Not my fucking guy.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I think, you know, because, you know, you're not going to see every single conversation, but I think that's what I tried to say in the pool was like, you're an attractive guy, but we didn't. We didn't work in the pods for a reason. But you don't set. You don't see me saying that. And so I. I think maybe if the audience did see that, maybe I wouldn't get bombarded with these comments. But it really doesn't bother me, like, at all. It's just, like, kind of humorous at this point where I'm like, it's only. You guys knew that they're was no relationship.

[Giannina]

Right?

[Colleen Reed]

Like, I couldn't even tell you one thing that we talked about, honestly.

[Giannina]

Exactly.

[Angie Hicks]

Yeah.

[Blake]

Now listeners know now.

[Giannina]

To rest. Yeah. So, I mean, you've been taking care of yourself. I see. You are just literally glowing. What. What's something that you can maybe share and say? This is something that's really helped me in this huge life transition. Maybe it's being alone, even though it's hard, but I liked that part.

[Colleen Reed]

I'm trying to. So I remember the first few weeks, rough, rough, rough, rough. And I always would go on, like, TikTok or Instagram, and I would, like, I was on breakup, you know, FYPs, and they would just be like, you're not alone. And that's the one thing that I just, like, had to tell myself that, because I would drive around and I would be like, I wonder what it's like to not feel like your world is, like, crashing and burning and every. And, like, what's it like to just be able to have dinner and not. You know, I had to, like, force food in me because I was so sad. And so I just had to, like, keep telling myself that I'm not the only person in the world going through something or, like, going through a heartbreak. And I. I think I made, like, a video recently or something where I was like, am I alone? And all the comments, bombarded with comments, being like, you are not alone in feeling this way. So just, like, really sitting with yourself and being like, you. Like, it will be okay. There is a light at the end. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Because I would. I'd be like, when am I gonna feel okay again? And it's just. It just takes time. It takes. I mean, it's almost a year now, and I still am, like, kind of sad, and it just takes a lot of time and spending time alone and sitting. But also, I loved. I'm so, so grateful for the support system that I had. My girlfriends, my family, constantly calling me, checking in on me, making sure that I was okay and would let me talk about the same thing over and over and over again. So sitting with yourself and being alone, but really also, like, you know, surround yourself with your people as much as you can.

[Giannina]

Your village.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, your village.

[Giannina]

The ones that get you and want to see you.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

Be you.

[Colleen Reed]

Because sometimes you can take your mind off of things for just two seconds, and then you'll be. You'll be okay.

[Blake]

It's really brave of you to. To be going through this publicly and not afraid to open up about it.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

Because I think, like you said, I always say, like, when you're at your lowest, like, more people can relate to that than when you're super happy.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

You know what I mean? So I know on TikTok recently, you opened up about, you know, not being where you. You thought you'd be at 30, and it seems like a lot of people, you know, how are you feeling about that now? Like, do you. Do you.

[Giannina]

I mean, I don't.

[Colleen Reed]

I don't love it still. Like, I wish I was still in my 20s. But no, I. I look around now, and half, if not most of my friends are either pregnant, have their first kid, or on their second kid. And so I'm going through. Not only am I going through a breakup, so I feel like I have to start at ground zero and then I have to, you know, get there. And I don't really know about my career. It's always like kind of all over the place, and I just, I don't feel solid in life right now. Like, I love my life, but I don't feel solid. And I felt, I always thought that by the time I was 30, it would look so solid and clear. And right now I'm just kind of like a chaotic mess. And so it's just, it's an adjustment for a second to be like, no, this is what my life is right now. And that's okay. And everyone's life and paths are different from the other. It's not the same thing.

[Blake]

Amen.

[Giannina]

And I'm just, I'm so proud of you, firstly for just taking such a big step. But also you kind of see me, like, kind of nodding and like, you know, smiling a little bit. Because any chance, anytime someone either loses their job or goes through such a life altering thing, I genuinely get so excited for that person because I just know the universe is just taking away all of what's not serving you. And anytime, like, you're about to level up in life or, like, meet the love of your life, like, it tests you, it takes you down to ground zero. And then all of a sudden you're just like, I really did what was best for me. And I just see you going through such a transformative period, and I am genuinely so excited to see you fall into where you want to be and where you're, you're doing the work, you know, you're not just sitting there being like, oh, I wish I was different. But no, you're doing the work. So the best is yet to come.

[Colleen Reed]

I know. That's what I'm telling myself. I'm like, don't worry, girl, you'll be fine. Yeah, no, it's good.

[Blake]

You don't seem like, you're like, you don't feel sorry for yourself. Like, it feels like you're like, okay, I can do this, which is awesome. And I think a lot of people can learn from that.

[Giannina]

Yeah. Is that what your divorce has taught you about yourself?

[Colleen Reed]

Yes, for sure. Like, not, not feeling sorry for myself. I don't want to. I don't want to be sad. I want to be happy. I want to be, like, confident in life and everything. So it's really, it's been a struggle, but I'm, I'm. What is it where it's like, you should be so grateful that you're going through these kinds of things because you're going through life like you are alive. And. Yes, you're feeling it. Like, feel that heartbreak. How, like, lucky are you? Some people. You know, some people can't feel that. And so I'm. It's definitely. My divorce has taught me to be resilient, to be strong. Don't just sit there and wallow, because sometimes I can be really low, and I see that affecting my work. I see that affecting my mood, and I hate that. I don't want that. So I have to, like, push myself to another level that I didn't think that I could before. So really being, like, resilient and tough and. And not sitting and, like, crying and all that stuff, because I don't want to be a sad sack. I want to be a happy sack.

[Giannina]

Yeah. Yeah. That's how we met you.

[Colleen Reed]

I know.

[Giannina]

You know, so full of life and optimistic. Yes. And so I think that, you know, you're staying true to yourself and through the core of it all and publicly, which is hard to do, but.

[Colleen Reed]

It's hard to do. But honestly, for us, I really don't think it's been that bad. And I. And that's why I'm so glad that we waited to announce, because then once the public started to talk about it, I. Whatever. You know, you guys are nobodies. Like, you guys aren't. If they. If it was negative, I. I appreciated the nice comments, but anything negative or people talking about it, I was like, whatever. Like, you guys, you're not in my life. You have no value to my life.

[Giannina]

So.

[Colleen Reed]

And I'm glad that we were able to kind of go through this heartbreak and then bring it to the public.

[Giannina]

Right. Because you did mention your friends with a lot of the cast from your season. Were they involved in this process at all? Did you let them know? Because I see you guys, like, go out girls nights, or did they learn with the rest of the world?

[Colleen Reed]

So mainly Alexa is who I'm close friends with, and so she knew pretty much everything. And so she was just, like, the most amazing person that, you know, if I was ever going through something, she'd be like, okay, let's go to lunch. So she was just. Whether it was just me sitting there and crying, like, she would sit there and be there for me. I hope I can do the same for her in this moment. But, yeah, they def. She definitely in her. I become so close with her people as well. And so we would just sit there, and she. They would hear you Know me going through this heartbreak and just rally behind me.

[Giannina]

And speaking of Alexa, we were so sad to hear that her and Brennan have decided to end their marriage. Have you spoken to her? Do you know how she's doing?

[Angie Hicks]

Hi, I'm Angie Hicks, co founder of Angie. One thing I've learned is that you buy a house, but you make it a home. And for decades, Angie's helped millions of homeowners hire skilled people, pros for the projects that matter. Get all your jobs done [e-mail].

[Giannina]

Ah, DSW Earth. Place of the humble brag here. The shoes are so good, no one would ever know how little you paid if you didn't go telling everyone that is. And with never ending options for every style, mood, and occasion, all at really great prices, we'll definitely give you something to brag about. So go ahead, stock up on fresh sneakers from your favorite brands or try those boots you always secretly knew you could pull off. Off. Find the shoes that get you at prices that get your budget at DSW stores [e-mail]. let us surprise you.

[Colleen Reed]

So she is now where I was at a year ago, and if not worse, because, you know, you have a kid and I, I can't. She is the strongest woman that I know, 100%. And so she is exactly where I was basically a year ago. And so all I can do is be there for her. And I saw her the other day and, you know, just, even if she just wants to sit there and be on her phone and like, you know, go through everything, and I will just sit there and hold her hand. And I mean, she, I wish people knew, like, how amazing of a woman she is. And because she, she really is just like a great woman. She's so strong. She's so funny.

[Giannina]

I love her.

[Colleen Reed]

She's so funny. Even when she's going this, she's making me laugh. So I'm like, you're a queen.

[Giannina]

Yeah, she's.

[Colleen Reed]

And she's an amazing mother.

[Giannina]

Oh, yeah.

[Blake]

Like, saw it firsthand.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

An amazing mother. And her and Vienna, like, are just two, like, you know, best girlfriends. Like, I love it. Yeah.

[Giannina]

No, we wish her all the best.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes. We wish her all the best.

[Giannina]

Love her. I love Vienna.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes.

[Giannina]

And that's like, so special that you guys have each other and have been through Love is Blind together and just, it's a very, very special connection you two have.

[Colleen Reed]

So I don't love that, like, we're going through divorces, but, like.

[Blake]

Right, right.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

But at least we have each other.

[Giannina]

Exactly.

[Blake]

When you look back at your story and I like to say I think your story is just beginning because I think there's still a lot to be written which I can't. Like we said, I can't wait to watch. What would you want people to take away from your story and what kind.

[Colleen Reed]

Of advice would you have how, how strong I am? I wish. You know, I feel like people can sometimes look at me as like weak almost or pick me or shallow. I remember that was like a whole word that people would throw around. And I think there's so much more to, to me and my character than, than just like hehehaha. Because recently it's not been the case and how much I've gone through and the struggles that I've gone through and pushed through and I just think I would really want people to know how strong. And I'm an extremely loyal person and I will, you know, I will do anything to protect you. If you're in my group, I will do absolutely anything no matter what. And so I think just you know, seeing me as more of a strong girl than just like this weak like hehe, bubbly kind of dumb girl, I really want them to know like how strong and smart I am.

[Giannina]

Oh, they're listening. Yeah, Yeah. I was called toxic.

[Colleen Reed]

Okay.

[Giannina]

And so I get it. But also you were 24.

[Colleen Reed]

I was 24. Guys.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Blake]

How old was Matt?

[Colleen Reed]

He is 32.

[Blake]

Okay, so a little bit older than you.

[Colleen Reed]

A little. Just a little bit, yeah.

[Blake]

24.

[Colleen Reed]

24.

[Blake]

I can't imagine. Because you were young too.

[Giannina]

I was 25.

[Blake]

I was 29. So I can't imagine going on TV at your guys's age. I would have made a complete fool of myself.

[Colleen Reed]

I would have.

[Blake]

Oh my God. Yeah, it's crazy to think. It's really crazy to think.

[Colleen Reed]

And I just didn't, I feel like I was very, I didn't really know what I was looking for. I didn't really know what love meant at the time. I don't. You know, I would say I love you in the pods but I'm like did I like I always kind of go back and question now. I was deeply in love with him but I'm like what does that really feel? And I, I feel like I was a little naive and just being like, oh, we're on the same page with everything. Like it's gonna work out like I love him. And so yeah, I was definitely naive and you know, not dumb but just like woo. Like I was 24.

[Giannina]

Just like yeah, rose colored Glasses, Rose colored glasses. Like this is gonna work. Why wouldn't it work?

[Colleen Reed]

Why wouldn't it?

[Giannina]

Why? What could possibly go wrong? But I think, I mean, just as you said, you move forward through, you know, your divorce and your process still with that core belief.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Giannina]

And so props to you.

[Colleen Reed]

Thank you.

[Giannina]

Because it's very easy to get bogged down for sure.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes.

[Blake]

So is there anything, when you look back at your marriage, is there anything you miss about married life?

[Colleen Reed]

I miss having that, that language with someone. I miss, you know, we, out in public, we would talk normally and then you come back and not baby talk, but like, just the way that we would, say, communicate and speak with one another. I miss having a best friend right next to me 247 all the time. I miss having. I miss having my friend. I miss having him or anyone just, like, being there. And now I'm by myself and I'm just, like, talking to myself all the time. And I just. I definitely miss having a best friend. Even when I'm going through or especially when I'm going through a hard day, like calling him and being like, oh, worry of a good day, good news when the Eagles are losing, like, you know, calling him be like, oh, I can't believe Jalen got sacked again. You know, like, I miss just always having my best friend near me, ready to answer my phone calls and just, like, talk to him.

[Giannina]

Do you think you're the type of girly that can have a. What is it, a relationship that has no, like, romantic feelings with an ex? Do you think he's you? Do you see him being a part of your life, like, forever or just kind of marking a stamp and saying.

[Colleen Reed]

I don't think he'll be in my life forever? No, unfortunately, I don't think I could. Like I said, I just, I don't. I get sad when he texts me and so I. Unfortunately, I think we'll always be good, but I don't see him, like, being a friend, like, being in my life. Like, maybe we'll communicate here and there, but if anything, it would be very much football and that's it. Yeah. But unfortunately, no, I don't think he'll be in my life.

[Giannina]

So moving forward in a relationship that you're looking for or looking to, how. How do you know when they're going to be the one again? What do you think?

[Colleen Reed]

I don't know. I really hope that clicks again. Like, I really hope that I have things that I'm looking out for now and I'm smarter and I know of what I want and I know of what I don't want and I know of what questions to ask and when you're talking to me, I know of, like, what things to kind of pick up on and is this right for me? So I hope I have like insane chemistry, but I also am like, let's use our brain calling. Let's not just use our heart. Yeah. Let's little bit of our brain next time.

[Giannina]

So would. Because what you just described sounds vaguely familiar to Love is Blind in the pods. Would you do anything like that again?

[Colleen Reed]

I would never say no to anything. I would always be open because, you know, everything happens for a reason. And I'm. I'm always, like, very optimistic. You're never going to take away optimism from me. And so who knows what, like, who I'm. I don't regret going on. Love is blind. I don't regret marrying Matt. I've learned so many lessons. I'm so grateful that he's been in my. And that I've been able to be in his and make our, you know, presence. So who knows? I would always be open to something because you never know what lessons you'll learn or the people that you'll meet, the connections that you'll form. You never know.

[Giannina]

It's very calling coded.

[Colleen Reed]

Thank you.

[Giannina]

So since being single, has anyone caught your eye? Do we have any fun romance? I need tea to be spilled.

[Colleen Reed]

Honestly.

[Blake]

There is thinking, you guys.

[Giannina]

What if there is? I'm like, do I want to share?

[Colleen Reed]

No, I'm. I'm going back to the. From the past a little bit.

[Giannina]

Diving back in.

[Colleen Reed]

I'm diving back in because, you know, I'm not on the dating apps or anything, so I'm just looking around at like, you know, some past connections, but nothing serious, honestly. Like I said, very like, just fun. I just want to have, like, fun right now. So. Yeah.

[Giannina]

Anyone in the dance world? Anything?

[Colleen Reed]

No, girl, I do not like.

[Blake]

That was a card note.

[Colleen Reed]

No, I just. I've never been in, like, the dancers. I'm much more like frat boy coded, you know? Yeah, that's more of like. Or finance bros. Not frat boys.

[Blake]

Finance bros.

[Colleen Reed]

I love a finance bro.

[Giannina]

There's a lot of in Dallas.

[Colleen Reed]

There's a lot in Dallas. There's gonna be more. So.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Blake]

So you're not on the apps, but the DMs are always open. Have you had some. Some DM slides? You got some. Some, you know, blue check marks in the dm?

[Colleen Reed]

No blue check marks, unfortunately.

[Giannina]

Hello.

[Colleen Reed]

No blue check marks. But definitely, my DMs are fun. They are good. They're, like, a good laugh to go through and, like, you know, interact. That's fun. But, yeah, the DMs are. DMs are flowing. Just no blue check marks.

[Giannina]

So, guys, come on, go and buy one. No, I'm kidding. Yeah, it's always nice to get one of these princes to come into your DMs and tell you just how beautiful you're stunning. And also, what's your Social Security number?

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, that's why I like the Italians, because they were in love with me over there. They were like, oh, let me take you out on a date. And I'm like, okay, yeah, twist my arm, why don't you? Like, literally, I would say at least four waiters asked me to go on a date with them. And I was like, sure, yeah. I love Italy.

[Giannina]

Did you do it?

[Colleen Reed]

Not. No, not actually. But I would, like, always, like, you know, flirt back and.

[Blake]

Oh, yeah, it's a good feeling.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was with my friends who were. They were on their own honeymoon. We're like, let's go out. And so I went out and we were, like, in. It was, like a dive bar, but make it Italian. Like, very, very fun. There was bottle service, and there was an actor.

[Blake]

Oh, yes. Here we go. This is the good stuff.

[Giannina]

A blue check mark.

[Colleen Reed]

Definitely a blue check mark. And we were just, you know, we were kind of locking eyes, but I was like, oh, whatever. But I. Yeah, so we were locking eyes, and then we. Me and my girlfriend, we, like, navigated our way into, like, the bottle service area. And my. So now her husband, like, went over, and he's like, she's single. Beelined over to me. We had a nice little night on a little yacht.

[Giannina]

So how little was the yacht? Or how big was the yacht?

[Colleen Reed]

It was a big yacht, girl.

[Blake]

Oh, so you recognized that. You knew who he was?

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, I knew he was. Yeah.

[Giannina]

Did he know who you were?

[Colleen Reed]

You know, I don't think so, but that's even better.

[Blake]

Yeah, honestly, that's better. I'm just gonna say.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah.

[Blake]

Isn't he just for you. That we're gonna have to get off, Mike. We're gonna have touch.

[Colleen Reed]

I know, but that's okay.

[Giannina]

Yeah.

[Colleen Reed]

It's just like a fun moment. Yeah. Yeah.

[Giannina]

Oh, my God.

[Blake]

Gorge where you are. It's like a romance.

[Colleen Reed]

Literally. This is amazing. See, like, then I was. I'm fine about my divorce. Don't worry.

[Giannina]

Best rebound ever.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, literally.

[Blake]

That's awesome.

[Giannina]

Okay, we're going to talk about this later.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Giannina]

Well, so while in the spirit of shooting your shot is what this man did, and clearly it worked. Have you seen, you know, when Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift and how they met is. Because he literally said that he wanted to date her on his podcast. So with that in mind, we have put together a little bit of a segment called Shoot yout Shot Colleen. So if there is anybody that you think you could send a DM to or, I don't know, ask. Hey, what's up?

[Blake]

And it could be Reality World.

[Colleen Reed]

I know.

[Blake]

I'm like, athlete.

[Giannina]

It could be whatever. This is literally your time to shoot your shot.

[Colleen Reed]

Okay. I'm trying to think. What's his face? Freddie, Perfect Match. Oh, like, hello.

[Blake]

Okay, Freddie.

[Colleen Reed]

Okay, Freddie. Fantastic accent.

[Giannina]

So cute.

[Colleen Reed]

So sweet.

[Giannina]

All the boxes.

[Colleen Reed]

Okay.

[Blake]

Oh, my God. This is a moment. This is a moment right now.

[Giannina]

Okay. Do we late let this possibly play out on Perfect Match? I don't know if you're on there or anything, or do we whip out our phone and send a dm?

[Colleen Reed]

Oh, do you want me to.

[Blake]

Yes, sure.

[Giannina]

I knew it.

[Blake]

Yes.

[Giannina]

Somebody give me my phone.

[Blake]

Yes. Oh, man.

[Giannina]

You are fantastic.

[Colleen Reed]

But someone needs to, like, tell me exactly what to say.

[Blake]

We'll help. We'll try and help you.

[Giannina]

What would a guy want from a dm? From this beautiful.

[Colleen Reed]

No, hold on.

[Blake]

Do you have watch?

[Colleen Reed]

He doesn't respond. How embarrassing.

[Giannina]

No, no, no. He'll respond. He'll respond.

[Blake]

Colleen is pulling up the dm. Colleen's pulling up Freddie right now. Hi. How are you doing?

[Colleen Reed]

Two eyes or three eyes?

[Blake]

Five. Five eyes. No. Okay, what do we think here?

[Giannina]

What would a guy. What would have been in your DMs that you've responded? Responded to? Free me? Yes.

[Colleen Reed]

Oh, that will start later.

[Blake]

No, I. I always would respond to. To something funny. Like, I. That's how I am anyway. Like, if somebody was giving me something funny or, like, out of the blue, like, something crazy.

[Colleen Reed]

This is me shooting my shot.

[Blake]

This is me shooting my shot.

[Giannina]

And then we can ask a question, period.

[Colleen Reed]

And then shooting my shot.

[Giannina]

Do you want to share fish and chips?

[Blake]

There it is. The food.

[Giannina]

Would love to share food.

[Colleen Reed]

Okay. Sent. Hi. This is me officially shooting my shot. Three eyes. Should we share some fish and chips?

[Blake]

Oh, my God. That's great.

[Giannina]

I'm literally obsessed with you.

[Blake]

This is great.

[Giannina]

Yes.

[Colleen Reed]

Two question marks.

[Giannina]

No emojis.

[Colleen Reed]

No emojis.

[Giannina]

No. Just keep it.

[Colleen Reed]

Okay.

[Blake]

Oh, my gosh. That was a moment.

[Giannina]

Gorgeous.

[Blake]

We're gonna have to remember this.

[Angie Hicks]

Should I follow Him.

[Colleen Reed]

Now should I follow him?

[Blake]

Him?

[Colleen Reed]

Yes. Okay.

[Giannina]

Follow.

[Colleen Reed]

Oh, he's so hot.

[Giannina]

Yes, ma'.

[Blake]

Am.

[Giannina]

Okay.

[Blake]

Colleen.

[Giannina]

That was great.

[Blake]

That was amazing.

[Giannina]

Well, when he does respond.

[Colleen Reed]

Yeah, when he answers, we'll see.

[Blake]

Let us know when you have to come back on here as a couple.

[Giannina]

Yes.

[Colleen Reed]

We love manifesting.

[Giannina]

There you go.

[Colleen Reed]

Manifesting.

[Giannina]

That hot British tea baby's gonna be spilled all over here.

[Colleen Reed]

Yes, please.

[Blake]

Oh, my gosh.

[Colleen Reed]

Wow.

[Blake]

Why am I smiling so much?

[Giannina]

I know. Oh, my God, I'm so proud of you. I'm so happy. Okay. Cute. If not, she'll have another nice yacht night. Anyway, what is next for you, Colleen? What are we working on? Are we still ballerina?

[Colleen Reed]

We are not a ballerina anymore. I don't do that, but I still do it to keep in shape. I stand by. It's the best workout. I'm not gonna get my dancer legs from just going to the gym. Like, I will still dance, but I'm not doing it professionally. It was just a lot. A lot of work for my. I'm, you know, I am getting a little bit older and I was just getting sore and I wasn't able to do, like, what I want to do now with, like, content creation, influencing. So I'm really proud of my career, but not anymore.

[Giannina]

And what are we doing now?

[Colleen Reed]

You know, just trying to live my best life still, you know, in the content creation world. Social media. I did start working for. It's called Lane Boots. Everyone wants to check it out. It's a cowboy boot company that I am doing, like, their social media work for. So really diving into, like, my career for sure. I really want to travel still. I want to go to, like, Croatia this year. South of France, London, you know, to meet Freddie.

[Blake]

I love it to meet family.

[Colleen Reed]

But, yeah, definitely just travel. Spend a lot of time with my family, my friends, really, like, discover myself, I guess, again. So.

[Blake]

Yeah, good. Well, I gotta say, Kai, I know you might. You might have been a little nervous coming to this podcast, but you handle yourself incredibly well. Like, you articulated yourself, you. You didn't take the low road. You didn't. You know, I think you. It was incredible. Honestly, it was a great podcast. Thank you so much.

[Colleen Reed]

Thank you guys so much for having me and talking with me. I had so much fun.

[Giannina]

Oh, good. I'm so happy.

[Colleen Reed]

I was nervous, but, like, we're good.

[Blake]

No.

[Giannina]

And now we have a potential, you know, something that came out of this. We actually walked away with a little bit of a connection. But I just love how we were just able to really hear you and get to know this side of you and what you wish for. I hope so too. And I really did feel like we connected and I am so happy for you. Thank you for coming here, Colleen.

[Blake]

Yeah. And then for our listeners, if they want to follow your next the story that's still to be written, where can they find you?

[Colleen Reed]

Instagram Jelly Bean Colleen. You can always find me. Jelly Bean Colleen. Tik tok Colleen. Read 7 It's a fun time over on TikTok. I have a great time over there. Yeah.

[Angie Hicks]

Good.

[Blake]

Awesome. Well, thank you guys for listening. Be sure to comment like and subscribe. And we'll see you next Wednesday on what's THE reality.

[Giannina]

What's the reality?

[Angie Hicks]

Hi, I'm Angie Hicks, co founder of angie, and one thing I've learned is that you buy a house, but you make it a home. Because with every fix, update and renovation, it becomes a little more your own. So you need all your jobs done well. For nearly 30 years, Angie has helped millions of homeowners hire skilled pros for the projects that matter, from plumbing to electrical roof repair to deck upgrades. So leave it to the pros who will get your jobs done well. Hire high quality [e-mail].