Married at First Sight's Shocking Cheating Scandal & Unexpected Second Chances with Michelle, Allen & Emem and Brandon

Summary

Podcast Summary: "What's the Reality?" Episode on Married at First Sight's Cheating Scandal

Introduction

In this compelling episode of What's the Reality?, hosted by And Love Media, the focus shifts to one of the most controversial moments in reality TV history: the first-ever cheating scandal on Married at First Sight during its 18th season. The episode features former participants Michelle, Allen, Emem, and Brandon, who delve deep into their personal experiences, unraveling the complexities of love, trust, and betrayal in the high-stakes world of reality television.

Michelle and Allen’s Journey Post-Show

Return to Normalcy

Michelle and Allen open the discussion by reflecting on their lives after the show. Michelle shares, “[00:46] ...I kind of just went back to my normal life,” emphasizing her return to singlehood and the comfort that came with resuming her pre-show existence. Allen contrasts this by highlighting his newfound relationship, stating, “[01:06] ...I ended up meeting my future wifey. So, you know, life has become the dream that I never thought would happen.”

The Cheating Scandal Unveiled

The crux of the conversation revolves around the unsettling cheating scandal where their spouses were unfaithful with each other. Michelle recounts her initial reactions, “[03:17] ...it was insane. It was actually very insane,” expressing her disbelief and the emotional turmoil that followed. She further elaborates on the challenges of interpreting the edited reality TV version versus the raw, unfiltered truth, admitting, “[04:15] ...I probably already look like a psycho in my edit because I'm wrong, or I'm gonna be right.”

Trust and Philosophy

Allen shares his philosophy on trust, which played a pivotal role in how he navigated the betrayal. “[04:42] ...I trust until you fuck it over,” he explains, highlighting his intrinsic trust in others until proven otherwise. This mindset, he believes, made it easier for him to move forward after the scandal, as he didn’t hold onto bitterness or resentment.

Public Perception and Social Media Backlash

Both Michelle and Allen address the harsh criticism and negative comments they received online. Michelle admits, “[06:03] ...I am in therapy, everybody,” in response to hurtful remarks suggesting she needed therapy rather than a husband. She reflects on her behavior during the show, acknowledging her heightened emotions and the portrayal of her as more confrontational than she perceives herself, “[22:17] ...I was portrayed to be exceptionally more mean than I am in real life.”

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The couple emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal growth post-show. Michelle mentions, “[09:07] ...we shared meals off camera. We did do things together,” countering criticisms about her lack of effort during the show. Both Michelle and Allen advocate for rooting for genuine love stories, regardless of their unconventional beginnings, concluding, “[69:02] ...let’s all be rooting for love.”

Listener Engagement: Tess’s Questions

Towards the middle of the episode, Tess, a dedicated listener and fan of Married at First Sight, joins via Zoom to pose burning questions to Michelle and Allen. She inquires about their raw reactions when watching the show with their families and queries the authenticity of their experiences compared to the televised version. Michelle shares her guarded approach to watching the show alone to preserve her raw emotions, “[30:47] ...it felt so much easier that, like, I was like, oh, man, I should have caught on sooner.”

Brandon’s Insightful Segment

Current Life and Relationship Growth

Brandon joins the conversation later, providing updates on his life and relationship with Emem. He reveals, “[36:18] ...we started merging our lives. We're looking for a house to live in long term.” Brandon discusses the challenges of balancing personal growth post-show, particularly emphasizing the importance of authentic partnership.

Facing Criticism and Public Scrutiny

Brandon candidly addresses the negative chatter surrounding his relationship, particularly focusing on his portrayal as aggressive by co-participant EKG. “[40:40] ...it was hard being called aggressive on the national platform,” he laments, clarifying that his directness is often misconstrued. He stresses the significance of staying true to oneself despite public misconceptions, “[67:04] ...stay true to who I am.”

Personal Challenges and Resilience

Brandon bravely shares his personal struggles, including a miscarriage, and how it strengthened his bond with Emem. “[50:36] ...it was a tough, tough, tough journey,” he reflects, emphasizing resilience and the unwavering support of his partner during traumatic times.

Future Aspirations and Lessons Learned

Looking ahead, Brandon expresses optimism about building a future with Emem, focusing on mutual support and understanding. He imparts wisdom on navigating relationships under public scrutiny, “[69:00] ...people watching these shows should be rooting for love.”

Conclusion

This episode of What's the Reality? masterfully intertwines personal narratives with broader themes of love, trust, and societal perceptions influenced by reality TV. Michelle, Allen, Emem, and Brandon offer raw, unfiltered insights into their experiences, advocating for authenticity and resilience in the face of betrayal and public judgment. The episode serves as a poignant reminder that behind every reality TV drama lies real emotions and real stories worth understanding and supporting.

Notable Quotes:

• Michelle: “[03:17] ...it was insane. It was actually very insane.”

• Alan (Allen): “[04:15] ...I probably already look like a psycho in my edit because I'm wrong, or I'm gonna be right.”

• Brandon: “[40:40] ...it was hard being called aggressive on the national platform.”

• Michelle: “[22:17] ...I was portrayed to be exceptionally more mean than I am in real life.”

• Brandon: “[67:04] ...stay true to who I am.”

This structured and detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened while maintaining the integrity and depth of the original discussions.

Transcript

[Host]

What's the reality?

[Brandon]

What's the reality?

[Michelle]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to what's the Reality? Where we talk all things love, relationships, pop culture, and reality tv. Speaking of reality tv, I have some of your favorites from Married at first sight, season 18. Michelle and Alan are here. Welcome, you guys.

[Michelle]

Thank you so much for having us.

[Podcast Host]

I can't wait to hear about your journey. And later, we will be with MM and Brandon, so stick around for that. But for now, hello and welcome.

[Alan]

Thank you so much.

[Podcast Host]

It's great to be here. Yeah. Catch me up. The last time I saw y'all was what? Reunion. And where are they now? So where are you now?

[Michelle]

Yeah, I feel like I kind of just went back to my normal life.

[Podcast Host]

Normal life?

[Michelle]

Yeah, I mean, I'm single, not married.

[Podcast Host]

She said, I'm making that clear right away.

[Michelle]

Everything kind of just went back to status quo, which is kind of a nice.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that's actually a good thing to go back to. Yeah. What about you?

[Alan]

Yeah, I mean, reunion, there was an introduction of somebody that, you know, didn't end up working out. You know, not officially dating or anything, but trying to figure that path out. And, you know, luckily, the way everything transpired in the months preceding or following, you know, I ended up meeting, you know, my future wifey.

[Podcast Host]

Uh. Oh, future wifey.

[Alan]

So, you know, life has become the dream that I never thought would happen.

[Podcast Host]

Is she here?

[Alan]

Yeah, yeah, no, she. She's. She's with me all the time. She's my little girl.

[Brandon]

She's here.

[Podcast Host]

Here.

[Alan]

We just look right over here.

[Brandon]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Hey, baby. She's beautiful, y'all. You can't see her, but she's stunning. So you're in love?

[Alan]

Very much.

[Podcast Host]

Apparently. Attached at the hip.

[Alan]

Yeah, no, but in, like, a healthy way. Like, we. I saw for the first time where, like, we're together, we're out, and, like, I. I've been given trust, and I've been given something that I haven't experienced prior, where I don't have to defend, I don't have to validate, I don't have to. It's just she loves me. And I could tell, like, it's that feeling, like, innately ingrained where you're like, I don't need to worry.

[Podcast Host]

Okay?

[Alan]

We've got our little. Our little bracelet with, like, the little magnet. When we hold hands, it, like, attaches.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, man. You know, I get weak around love stories. I love little cute things like that.

[Alan]

It's the cutesy stuff.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, I know, I know. All right, let's get into it. I love that. But no, I'm kidding. So you guys were a part of Married at First Sight's first ever cheating scandal? Not you two, but the people that you were married to cheated on you two with each other. Ugh. It's such a mouthful. And it's kind of confusing because what the hell is going on? But how do we feel about that situation now?

[Michelle]

You know, it's been so long, it doesn't feel as crazy. But when you watch it back, like, sometimes I'm like, gosh, I don't think I was dramatic or angry enough, even though a lot of people thought I was too. Too much of that. But, yeah, it's really crazy to think back that how it went down. I also think that, like, putting it together wasn't as easy in real life as it looked like when you watched the, like, edited version of it. Yeah, it was. It was insane. It was actually very insane. And, like, thinking, I've always thought I was insane. Like, oh, my God, I'm going to look so sick stupid, because no way that they're doing this. And then the more I, like, sat with me, I was like, I think I might be right. But then you still, like, the back of your head was like, okay, either I'm gonna look like an absolute psycho in my edit because I'm wrong, or I'm gonna be right. Yeah. So I kind of was like, I probably already look like a. So I might as well just go for it.

[Podcast Host]

I feel that. How do you feel about it now?

[Alan]

Yeah, you know, I mean, it kind of goes along with my. So I've always had this philosophy because, you know, it's come out on the. On the show that, you know, I've been through, you know, certain pain. I've been through a lot. Where I've made a conscious choice in my philosophy in life is you have my unfettered or unfettered trust until you fuck it over.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

And if I lived any differently, I would be a bitter person. You know, I wouldn't have, you know, my. My fun little nature that I have. Or. And, you know, I've been told you don't need to put your trust into everybody. Not everybody deserves it.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Alan]

But for me, it's hard to distinguish until you tell me. And if I'm clearly communicating with you, just tell me. Just tell me this. Tell me that it is what it is. Like, you have my trust until you don't. And it just proves my point that, you know, it's. I don't know, I Think that's why it was so easy to kind of get over.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Was that philosophy. I already knew coming into this. The success rate.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Alan]

Is there?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

You know, I think Jamie and Doug were, like, a big inspiration from the earlier seasons where it could turn into something, but, you know, at the end of the day, you could tell the vibe, and I don't need to fight for something or I don't need to fight for it. It just should naturally happen.

[Podcast Host]

Agreed.

[Alan]

And I'm more than thankful how everything turned out.

[Podcast Host]

Honestly, I feel that. So Michelle fans did not like the way you were treating David, like, at all? Not even a little bit. And I don't want to do this, but here's some comments that the people are saying. Oh, God. One of our not so nice people said, michelle needs therapy, not a husband. Why can't Michelle have therapy and a husband?

[Michelle]

Right. I am in therapy, everybody. So, yes, I am in therapy. I have heard everyone loud and clear.

[Podcast Host]

I am crying. How do you feel about that?

[Michelle]

I can admit that I was definitely not nice in the beginning, and I had a lot of anger towards the match that I took out on him that should not have been directed towards him. I was. I was really excited about, like, having this opportunity. I'm 40. I was ready to get married. And so when I was matched with him, I had a hard time understanding why we were put together. And then the more. He kind of dumped a lot of stuff on me really quickly, and then.

[Podcast Host]

I was like, like, the housing. Yeah.

[Michelle]

Like, I think. I mean, we had been married for 35 seconds, and he. He was like, I live at home with my parents. I smoke cigarettes. I have a tattoo of my ex, like, on my chest. And I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Podcast Host]

You're like, here's my dream.

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And so that's what I wrote down.

[Michelle]

And then, like, I am someone who I have a hard time getting over things. And so once I heard those, like, I could not get it out of my head.

[Podcast Host]

Imagine. Yeah.

[Michelle]

And I kept being like, he's like, nice. Like, quit it. But there was, like, the more I got to know him, the more just, like, something was always off, and I never could place what it was. But, yeah, I. I took out tons of anger towards the experts and who they paired me with, which he. That was not his fault. But, yeah, I took it out on him because he was the person sitting right in front of me.

[Podcast Host]

So do you feel like in those 35 seconds when you learned all that information, you checked out, or were you still Committed to the process.

[Michelle]

I was still committed to the process. Like, I told myself whether I liked the person or not, like, I was gonna complete the eight weeks. Like, I was.

[Podcast Host]

Every day.

[Michelle]

I was like, I can do hard things. I can do hard things. So I was always committed to doing the eight weeks.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Regardless.

[Michelle]

Regardless.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Michelle]

I mean, I threatened to quit. Probably every day, I think the honeymoon. Every day, I was like, I'm out of here.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Alan]

Just to reinforce, though. I mean, there were a couple times. I don't wanna diminish that experience because I've seen some of the comments, and just completing the eight weeks seems like a task. Like, here. There we go. But I think you did put in, you know, more effort than just, I'm gonna last the timeline.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan]

You know, it's. You did progress. You did show each day that there was. I'm gonna make this effort, even if it's one thing.

[Podcast Host]

So it's less about finishing the eight weeks and more about finishing it with your person or just because you wanted eight weeks.

[Michelle]

Well, I. I knew pretty quickly that I didn't think he was my person, but it was more just, like, putting myself out there and trying something new and committing to, like, even learning more about myself through the process. I also want to add, because I think all these mean tweets, People don't think I lived in the apartment. I 100%, like, lived in the apartment. Like, I keep seeing all these comments being like, she didn't do anything with them. Like, we did. We spend a lot of time off camera. No, but, like, we did sometimes, you know, like, we would text about getting groceries together. We shared meals off camera. Like, we did do things together. I think people think that I was like, all right, clocking in just to film. But, like, I lived in that apartment. Like, I. I did try. I tried. Noted.

[Podcast Host]

Noted. Noted. Thanks for clearing that up. I have one more. This one. This person. They were typing fast with their thumbs because there's a lot of words on here. They said, she didn't deserve what he did to her. But let's be real. She did not hold herself accountable.

[Michelle]

I do feel like I took accountability. Like, every time I sat down with the experts, I was the first one to be like, I'm being a brat. I'm being a pill. I know I'm doing these things. He's a nice guy. I shouldn't be doing these things. But it was hard for me. I would say those things. But then I didn't change my behavior because it was just I was so stuck on those things. Also, it wasn't like anytime we sat down, like you live in your parents basement, that was a huge topic. So of course, like that's going to continually be brought up with people. Like, why don't you like him? I would list the things that I didn't find attractive for someone my age.

[Podcast Host]

But now that I guess you found out about him and Madison, did it all kind of make your inner feelings feel more validated?

[Michelle]

I never thought that he. I didn't until the text came. I never thought he was cheating or stepping out. Like that didn't cross my mind. Now I did think there was something inauthentic about him. Like he. I don't want to call him like he lied, but he would say things that I would always be like, huh. You know, like he. It was, I live at home with my parents. It's a completely separate unit though. I'm like, okay. And then it was, it's a two bedroom, it's a one bedroom, it's a studio. And then like you and son. He's like, what do you think about it? Just change your mind. And I'm like, did we just do the same tour? Like we just like were never in scene. Because I'm like, it looks like you live in your parents space.

[Podcast Host]

No, I'm sorry, but I cried when he goes, and here's my laundry room. And I'm like, yeah.

[Michelle]

And like he very much portrayed it as this is a separate unit.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

Like it was his parents laundry was down there. So I just don't think you like to me, that wasn't separate. Like your parents come down here and do their laundry. Like it was just like little things that he would exaggerate or like twisted a little bit that always like I was like, huh.

[Podcast Host]

Just never fully got the truth.

[Michelle]

Yeah. Or like is reading on stuff. He would. It always just seemed like he was bullshitting. You know what I mean? So like, like, and I'm someone who, like, I like to collect the data points and then once I have a full story, I'm like, all right, I've got it together now. So. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And he gave you a lot of data to collect a lot of data. I mean one reality TV is tough and then reality TV and dating is tough and so. And on top of that, you heal for a whole year, then they air it and then the world is attacking you. So not only are you battling your own growth and development, now you have to relive it, rewatch it, and then battle the World.

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So it's not. For those of you guys who think this is all rainbows and unicorns, like, this shit is tough. It's really, really tough. So I do commend you guys for coming out on this side of all the things. It's not. It's not easy. Why do you think it was so hard for David to answer the questions about him and Madison's relationship timeline at the reunion? Yeah, you can answer this, too. You look like you're ready.

[Michelle]

I think because they lied so much.

[Podcast Host]

That then they don't even understand.

[Michelle]

Well, I think he lied in the beginning to protect her, because I think he would have admitted pretty early on that this my girl, you and I don't even like each other. But so I think he was protecting her for a really long time. And then I think once they came up with their story, they had to stick to it, even though I don't think it makes sense because.

[Podcast Host]

Because it keeps changing.

[Michelle]

Right. But yeah. So I just think they wanted to stick to one story and. But do I think it's true? No.

[Podcast Host]

No. What is your gut telling you? When do you actually, like, if you could pin a point where you thought shit got weird?

[Michelle]

I mean, I think they formed a connection at the honeymoon is what my theory is. Like, early. Super early on. So that's like when people always bash me for not trying. I'm like, he was with someone else. Basically, same time I checked out was the same time he checked in with somebody else.

[Podcast Host]

Interesting.

[Michelle]

But, yeah, I don't.

[Podcast Host]

Wait, do you feel that the honeymoon.

[Alan]

Yeah, I mean, as well.

[Michelle]

And David's admitted that that's when they started, like an emotional connection.

[Alan]

It's been admitted that the connection started being established during honeymoon. Like, I remember one of the scenes was, ooh, I saw that girl's biceps, or something like that. And that was during the honeymoon. That was like day two or three of the honeymoon.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

Really early.

[Alan]

And okay, fine, whatever. You know, you're attracted, Whatever. But now how does that establish. Furthermore. And I do remember. Cause homegirl would get up at like 6 in the morning.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

And then I'm like, I'm sleeping my ass in. Like, I work from home, I get up at 8 o'clock, I log in, I do my thing, and I'm like, I'm sleeping. I'm not waking in two hours. And never once was I invited to the gym or anything like that. But I had no idea that.

[Podcast Host]

Cause why would you ever think that.

[Alan]

David's down there too. And I think a few Days into. After two or three days of seeing each other in the gym, they're on the treadmill, which, you know, whatever. Or they're doing whatever they're doing, and they.

[Michelle]

What do you mean by that?

[Podcast Host]

Cardio.

[Alan]

I mean. Yeah, they're doing their cardio. And they. You know, that's when I think it actually started to. Okay, hey, let's coordinate meeting up. Let's coordinate talking. You know, what are we working on today? You know, kind of thing. I think that.

[Podcast Host]

What are we working on today? Leg day.

[Alan]

Yeah. I mean, so, you know, I think days into moving into the shared apartment is when the. Seeing each other and conversing outside of.

[Michelle]

The group setting, because I think we only lived a few floors from each other.

[Alan]

Yeah, you guys were like, right upstairs, right? Yeah. I used to, like, David would. And your guys's schedule was way off. So, I mean, when David and I would have a beer, he's like, I'll pop up. You know, I got a couple in the fridge and we would shoot the shit and, like, kind of vent to each other. Yeah. I popped up there. He was like, literally the floor above us. And so it makes. Yeah, it was very easy for them to coordinate.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Let's just say.

[Podcast Host]

I have so many questions for you. Cause I just can't even imagine the level of betrayal, like you're having a beer with someone that. Anyway, doing cardio with your wife. Okay, Allen, let's get into it.

[Alan]

Let's do it.

[Podcast Host]

You kind of chimed in a little bit about how you were feeling about being a part of Married at First Sight's very first cheating scandal. But I would love to hear how you're feeling about now. After seeing everything and watching the world react to it. How are you feeling?

[Alan]

You know, I think everything happens for a reason. It didn't end the way when I signed up for Merit at first sight, it didn't end up what I thought. You know, the statistics were. I thought I was going to be that one because I was confident in who I am and how I conduct myself, my values. And, you know, I put a lot of effort into the interviews, pre qualifying and all this. And I'm like, these people have gotten to know me to the point where I trust them. But everything happens for a reason. And, you know, I would not, you know, the woman I'm with now things. If I met her six months or a year earlier, we would not have been ready for each other. It didn't turn out as intended. However, it turned out how it should have happened.

[Podcast Host]

Why do you think? Because Madison did express a lot, that she was, like, scared to open up and be honest about how she felt about where you guys were in the relationship. Why do you think she was so afraid?

[Alan]

No idea.

[Michelle]

I've done.

[Alan]

I've. I've. I'm. I'm that guy that, like, I'm not talking romantically, but, like, you know, friends and people that I meet, like, you could tell certain people gravitate towards you because I, I don't have anything to hide. I, I know I'm a little weirdo. You know, I'm. I know. I'm.

[Podcast Host]

We all are.

[Brandon]

I.

[Alan]

You either like me or you love me or you hate me.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Pick a side. And off. You know, it's. It's one of those situations. I don't need everybody in my life, right? I, I don't know. Like, I, I, I figured the only way to a successful relationship is if you're authentically you. You don't like my authentic self, push on, you know? And I, I have no idea. Like, I, I, I, I remember day one of the honeymoon. I, I asked her, like, off camera, because, I mean, this was the night where everybody's like, oh, Alan's staring at you or something. Because, like, when we were all on the dance floor or something.

[Michelle]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Alan]

And then some. Carla was like, why is he creepily staring at you? And I'm like, we've been on the dance floor for two and a half hours. I'm old.

[Podcast Host]

I'm tired, just sleeping, standing outside. Chill the hell out.

[Alan]

I was not staring. I didn't give a shit what was going on. But, you know, I still have that nature in me to make sure that everything's okay, right? So get back to the room. And I'm like, what did I do wrong? Like, I can tell, like, something. I don't, I don't ever want to make somebody, you know, whether you're my partner, whether you're a friend, whether I'm not Ubering, but, like, if I'm your Uber driver, right? I don't want to make other people uncomfortable, which I know I can sometimes with my directness or something, but I'm like, did I do something wrong? Is everything okay? And then I was told, day one of the honeymoon, you know, I just expected something different. You know, I wanted a man with, you know, beautiful teeth. That was important to me. I'm like, okay, I can handle that. That's superficial. I wanted somebody that I forget. A couple, a lot of it popped out. One of the most offensive Things was. I'm a sound effect guy.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I can tell.

[Alan]

I wanted somebody that takes care of their body and I'm like, I am. Okay. Like, in what way do I come across as. Yeah, no, I don't go to the gym. I'm not lifting all the time. No. I mountain bike. Like, I do active things.

[Michelle]

Right?

[Podcast Host]

You're active.

[Alan]

Do I look like a schlub?

[Podcast Host]

Do you regret not going to the gym at 6:30am do you think that would have changed anything?

[Alan]

No. No. You know, maybe it would have changed something.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

But I don't want. That's not me, y'all.

[Podcast Host]

I have a question for the both of you. Do you feel like the show wronged you in any way or do you feel like you weren't portrayed accurately at all?

[Michelle]

I don't think I questioned the pairing I got just because, again, I don't see what we have. I never saw what we had in common.

[Podcast Host]

Do you feel like you were set up for success?

[Michelle]

No. Yeah, I think. I think I was set up for drama. I think we delivered on that. But, yeah, I don't think. I just don't see any world where him and I would have made it in the real world. Like, I don't think we would have ever met. I don't think we would have ever hit it off. I just have a really hard time seeing that. Seeing that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michelle]

I was portrayed to be exceptionally more mean than I am in real life.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Michelle]

You know, like, I mean, we only. You only really saw when him and I were fighting, like, there were moments where we had.

[Podcast Host]

You were nice.

[Michelle]

Yeah. Where we just, like, had normal days, like, normal conversations, and none of that was portrayed. But I don't necessarily know if I feel wronged. I just. By that.

[Podcast Host]

A lot of people that get bad edits blame, like, their kind of reaction from the public on production.

[Michelle]

No, I mean, I said and did all of those things. I just also did nice things that weren't shown.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Michelle]

Yeah. Yeah. So it wasn't like I. Those. Those. I did those things. Yeah. Fully admit I did those things. Because even I watch, I was like, oh, my God, why'd you say that? But then it would. You just don't see, like, the leading up to, like, the nice things that happened.

[Podcast Host]

Right. Do you feel that you are accurately portrayed?

[Alan]

I think there's only one way to portray is my actions, and I own all my actions. I think I conducted myself how I would in any situation. You know, people may say, oh, it's not the way I was portrayed. It's people's perceptions. When you see the comments like, oh, why'd you punch a cabinet? Come on. Like, okay, number one, I can afford to replace the cabinet. Okay, number two, there's insurance on the Airbnb.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, good.

[Alan]

So I am very analytical in even my aggressive, if we want to call it that. But no, I mean, is that like.

[Podcast Host]

Your normal rage behavior or was that abnormal?

[Alan]

I'm not an angry person.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

When I'm hurt, I'm hurt. And I'm hurt hard because I allowed you to hurt me and I gave you that trust and you betrayed it. And naturally it hurts anybody in my life. Like I'm a little bunny. Like I'm a little fluffy.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I was gonna ask, is there anything both of you that like, you want the people to know about you that the audience still doesn't know? And you're about to go into that. You're a little bunny.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I mean, with a little rage, I'm.

[Alan]

A little bunny, but I'll. Yeah, I don't know, I'm. I care about people.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Alan]

And I don't ever want to instill pain or hurt on anybody. Yeah, it's not in my nature. But, you know, I mean, everybody gets a little angry once in a while and there's frustration. It's not anger at that individual. It's, you know, largely like, okay, I've been.

[Podcast Host]

I've been fucked over and that's how it came out, you know, and.

[Alan]

But I, I'm conscious. Like I, I left that fire pit because I, I know how things can end up. And I don't want to be the man that will ever put hands on anybody.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Alan]

I never want to be the one that creates a situation that could lead to violence.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Alan]

You know, however you touch me, I'll you up.

[Podcast Host]

Uh, oh.

[Michelle]

I mean, like, doesn't sound like a bunny.

[Podcast Host]

That's not a bunny that I know.

[Alan]

I mean, I. You grow up a certain way and you have to.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I mean, I feel you.

[Alan]

So it's not like. But I know I don't want to be that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So what about you, Michelle? Is there anything that people don't know about?

[Michelle]

I don't think they don't know, but it's. You just have to remember that you're seeing a small snippet of even like the whole thing was what, eight weeks? So you're only seeing a little bit of that. Like we would film for hours and you're seeing like a two minute clip. So it's like, I think, like that's something that you have to remember that what you see isn't the full picture. Which I think is hard. Because even I, like, before this, I would be like, oh, my gosh, it's not that hard. Just like, get over, you know, Then you get on. You're like, oh, it's really hard.

[Podcast Host]

So you kind of mentioned that we don't see the full picture. Which being on reality. Reality TV, I can 100% attest to our. Are there any secrets that you both can share from your season that we don't know?

[Alan]

I think if I saw a lot of the episodes prior to filming Reunion, definitely I still would have made peace. I mean. Cause there's no hatred in my heart. But I certainly would not have been as nice. I wouldn't have been given, like, I felt like a bitch at some point.

[Podcast Host]

Cause I kind of kept seeing that during the reunion. Like, you guys would sit on the couch and then you'd be like, oh, I forgive you. I want you guys to be happy. And then go behind stage and what do you say? I wanted to her up.

[Alan]

Oh, did you?

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I was like, why you stay down on the couch?

[Michelle]

Well, because I'm in therapy, everybody. I was told that I need to take deep breaths. Yeah. And so I remember the time that I got home. I was like, yeah, yeah, but it's hard. But also, like Alan said, like, we hadn't seen a lot of what was out yet. So we were just. You know, we filmed a reunion a year later, but we're like, those are just like all from memories. It wasn't like fresh that we'd seen it on TV yet. And so I also, because I like watching too. I'm like, oh, I should have been way more mean even. I was like. Because I remember you and I had a conversation. I was like, don't. Do not give it to them, Alan. You're like, I won't. Because I wouldn't be only one people. I think I'm bitter and stuff. So I don't want to be the only one being, like, standing up, like, fighting against it. Because I feel like that's kind of what I did. I'll say.

[Podcast Host]

Is there anything you wish you could have said then that you want to say now, either of you?

[Michelle]

I would be curious why Madison was so angry with me. I think I didn't realize that she was so angry with me until I watched it back. Because then I'm like, wait a minute. What did I do to like her specifically? Like, she just felt like she had A lot of rage. I mean, I think it's because I exposed her. And I think, you know, they wanted to ride off into Sunset and after we wrapped filming, be like, we like each other now.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

I kind of threw a wrench in their plan, so I feel like that's where it comes from. But it just seemed like a lot of. She was really angry with me and I. And I remember, I think at one point I was like, are you mad at me for confronting you about you?

[Podcast Host]

The keep my name out of your mouth was insane.

[Michelle]

Or even when she was like. Like, put me in the boxing ring with Michelle. Like, I'm like, I'm not as weak as you think I am. But, yeah, like, even that, I was like, what is happening? Like, that always confused me. So it, you know, like, I just didn't ever understood that because I feel like I wasn't even that angry towards her.

[Podcast Host]

Right. The anger was definitely Ms. Guiding.

[Alan]

A lot of it's kid shit. Like, I think. I think some of it is. I mean, she's younger. I mean, she's almost 10 years younger than me. And it's just kid shit, you know, you don't know how to handle. It is a fresh situation you're put into. None of us have experienced the pressure of being on tv.

[Podcast Host]

Right. Do you guys talk to them at all in any capacity? No, no.

[Michelle]

I mean, there's been, like, group events, like people's birthdays and stuff where we're all at the same location. But, I mean, did you say hi or. No, I mean, I did it. They didn't to me either.

[Podcast Host]

There's no mean.

[Michelle]

Yeah, no.

[Alan]

I mean, we're not in each other's lives.

[Host]

You.

[Alan]

Do you, you know, have fun? I know I've gotten a couple messages.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. From David?

[Alan]

From both.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, Saying what?

[Alan]

Honestly, I don't remember. Just general, like, you know, like, I'll do a story and then there's a.

[Podcast Host]

Little bit more reactions and stuff like.

[Alan]

Hey, you know, hope you're. After these past couple episodes, I honestly don't remember. It's not something. They're not in my life.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, y'all, so before we end this, I could not shut this show down without the biggest. I'm not gonna. I can't even lie. The biggest married at first sight fan that I've ever met just so happens to be my best friend and sister. She would hate me if she didn't have this opportunity to come on here and ask y'all some questions. So, everyone, welcome. Tess.

[Alan]

Pleasure to meet you too.

[Podcast Host]

She's joining us via Zoom to ask Michelle and Alan some of her burning questions. And y'all, she had a list. She sent it to me the other day. Like, she's a college student, so she sent me the questions in like, PDF form stars and with, you know, she cited her sources and everything. So I'm gonna leave it to you, Tash. Ask your questions. Be nice. Or not. But yeah, go ahead, girl. Hey.

[Tess]

Hi, y'all.

[Brandon]

Hello.

[Tess]

Okay, so my first question is, what was your raw reactions with, like, watching it back with your family? How did you guys feel watching it back in real life and then with your family, like, how did they feel about this whole swapping situation?

[Michelle]

I like to watch the show by myself because I don't want anyone to see my raw reaction. But I think watching it back, it felt so much easier that, like, I was like, oh, man, I should have caught on sooner is what kind of my reaction was to it. And I think the same. Like, obviously my family knew, like, immediately what had happened. So I think watching it back, everyone was like, man, we should have picked up on it a little bit sooner.

[Alan]

Yeah. I don't know. Like, I honestly, I kind of stopped watching the show. So I catch, like, glimpses and I watch more of, like, the clips on social media. But when I was watching it, it was, you know, it's fascinating to see yourself. But I think what I picked up on was like, the just the two faced kind of side of it and the stuff that, you know, Madison. Or that things that would be said in those, like, little. I used to call them PTSD interviews. After a scene you do, like the one on one. That commentary was enlightening and it really kind of showed how. How much of a disconnect there truly was.

[Michelle]

Yeah. Or you pick on, like, pick up on little lies that, like, you didn't know. Like, at the time, you're like, oh, man, like, I should have added that to my list of things.

[Alan]

Now the interview shows a third story. It's like, okay, something's not lining up.

[Tess]

It wasn't.

[Alan]

Yeah, exactly.

[Brandon]

It wasn't.

[Tess]

The whole time, something's not matching up.

[Brandon]

Okay.

[Tess]

I think. Okay, so my next question is, we watched the reunion and we see them wearing rings. What the fuck is going on?

[Brandon]

Oh, my God, why?

[Tess]

And then, like, how did you guys feel when it was brought up? Like, how did that make you feel when you saw that they're wearing rings?

[Michelle]

Yeah, Juan had told me we were. I don't know if you were, but we were all in town filming One of the after parties when they went and got those rings. And so Juan and I had maybe like dinner or lunch after that. And he came up to me right away and was like, I don't want to make you upset, but they got promise rings. And of course I was playing like, we're from the mall.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Alan]

I didn't even notice.

[Michelle]

Yeah. So I had a heads up. So the reunion wasn't the first time that I was aware of the rings.

[Alan]

Yeah, I didn't. Juan was the one that, like, I think during the reunion, Juan told me the story. Oh, we went to the mall to get rings. And I'm like. Because he was like bombarded by it. And he was like, oh, I didn't know we were doing this. And all of a sudden they're at like. I don't know. I don't. I hate to sound petty, but like, Payless or something. And you're getting like a dollar store. Yeah. Claire's. Yeah, that's probably more.

[Podcast Host]

I'm like, dude, getting matching light up shoes.

[Alan]

Yeah. Right. So I'm like, hey, good for you. Do you.

[Michelle]

You know, I mean, again, it feels young. Like, promise rings are young to me. So that's why I'm like, it's cute.

[Alan]

I will disagree. That promise the concept.

[Michelle]

Are you getting a promise ring?

[Alan]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

From Claire. From Telus.

[Michelle]

From Telus.

[Alan]

Are you kidding me, girl? Come on. No, There can be the intention of. We've made promises to ourselves about who we want to be as partners. So I respect the concept, you know.

[Podcast Host]

Hey, at this big age, though, promise me verbally and then physically put a real ring.

[Michelle]

I don't want you to save money.

[Podcast Host]

For give me a verbal promise and then a physical at this big age.

[Tess]

I just want to add, if I may.

[Podcast Host]

You may.

[Tess]

That like, they lied about everything else. Who's to say they're not already married, you know, if they weren't secretly married already?

[Brandon]

They're very sneaky.

[Tess]

And it's.

[Michelle]

I'm still married to David, so that would be illegal. Legally, I don't think they can gladly lie. Get divorced anytime.

[Alan]

Yeah, legally. Legally, I don't think.

[Michelle]

Yeah, we're still married to them currently.

[Tess]

Oh, that's so sad.

[Brandon]

I'm sorry.

[Podcast Host]

Tash, do you. What is. Do you feel like you got your answers or do you have more, you know?

[Tess]

Yeah, I feel that he was clocked there, you know, I like that. I respect it. You guys gave a lot of grace. You guys gave them a lot of grace. And like, I clap my hands because I was Screaming at my TV for both of you, like, yelling for both of you, like advocating and no one can hear me.

[Podcast Host]

But you guys did well.

[Michelle]

I appreciate that.

[Alan]

I hope you had your popcorn.

[Tess]

I'm sipping extra wine, but yeah, no, I'm proud of you both and the outcome is what it was supposed to be.

[Podcast Host]

Y'all have my sister stressed. But I do want to thank you sister for coming on and thank you. It was so nice to you.

[Alan]

It's a pleasure to meet you.

[Podcast Host]

You. Yeah, we got our girl. Mm.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Hello. Hello and welcome.

[Brandon]

Thank you. Thank you. I'm so happy to be here.

[Michelle]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And you're a boo. Brandon will be joining us later as well.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. But first, before we get into all that, how are you?

[Brandon]

I am excellent.

[Podcast Host]

And you look excellent.

[Brandon]

I am excellent. I'm doing well.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Brandon]

Life is treating me very well.

[Podcast Host]

Tell me about life. Catch me up. That's new.

[Brandon]

I've moved into a home with. With Brandon. We've been expanding our family. Just trying to grow and grow and take this time to really pour into one another.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So what has the last year been like? Tell me about it.

[Brandon]

The last year. After we wrapped up Mavs, things moved very quickly with Brandon and I. You know, we started merging our lives. You know, we have even started looking for a house to live in, long term, things like that. Just focusing on getting our future together.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. So tell me about your relationship with Brandon. What's it like with T?

[Brandon]

T is Brandon is the best girl.

[Podcast Host]

You love that man?

[Brandon]

I love him. I absolutely love him.

[Michelle]

Yes.

[Brandon]

Yes. He showers me with love every day. Every day. Running my bath water. Things just as simple as that.

[Podcast Host]

Running bath water.

[Brandon]

It don't take much. It doesn't take much to make me happy. But you know what? He always goes above and beyond to make me happy.

[Podcast Host]

So you're also a very accomplished business owner.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

How's your med spa?

[Brandon]

So the med spa is under construction. Okay. We are taking a break. We needed a break after the filming and things wrapped up. Things got hectic with my schedule and just trying to manage and balance it all has been tough. Yeah, it's been real tough.

[Podcast Host]

So what's happening now? Business wise, work wise.

[Brandon]

Business wise, work wise. I'm taking a pause and focusing on family.

[Podcast Host]

Come on.

[Host]

Family.

[Brandon]

Yeah. I didn't think that family would be at the forefront so soon, which is why I had to slow down on the business aspect. But I understand now, as a 36 year old woman, that some things are just more important.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

And I've really Put a lot into my business. I put a lot into my career. And I was also single then. Right.

[Podcast Host]

So things changed.

[Brandon]

I was single. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

Now that I'm not single, you gotta.

[Podcast Host]

Move a little different.

[Brandon]

I have to make different choices for what I want my life to look like at the end.

[Podcast Host]

I love that for you. Okay, so let's get into your season. You were married to ekg, sadly, and things did not work out. In your words, what do you think went wrong?

[Brandon]

I think that we were just two different people.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Brandon]

I believe we were two different people. I think that a lot of my energy was not received well, and that's fine. You know, not everybody's for everybody. So it just seemed like we had a disconnect. And rather than, you know, stay a high, respectful road, things got a little murky. Things got a little murky.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

But I focused on the positive and pushed through and wanted to finish my process.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, let's talk about the murky stuff, because I feel like things got murky real quick, fast. In a hurry, honey. Not like a slow burn, like, almost immediately. And from my pov. Correct me if I'm wrong if it started earlier. Okay. But the kind of. The home tours, I feel like things kind of shifted.

[Brandon]

I think that was the beginning of the signs that it wasn't gonna work out. Yeah. That's all it was. It was the beginning. It was the first signs of this is not gonna work out.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. It gave. Okay. Big money.

[Brandon]

It gave big money. It gave big money. I wasn't prepared for that.

[Podcast Host]

It gave big money.

[Brandon]

I didn't think on this platform I was gonna get hit with a hey, big money.

[Podcast Host]

Hey, big money.

[Brandon]

Yeah. Yeah. Especially over TVs and karaoke machines. I feel like these are things that most people, you know, most fun people have.

[Michelle]

Yeah, Right.

[Brandon]

I didn't think anything was extraordinary about the things that I had.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I agree.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And the fact that it was kind of like, I don't know from again, my POV and a few of our POVs. Because I've been seeing the comments. It was almost an attempt to humble you.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And, like, take you down a notch and kind of compare his lifestyle to yours and make it seem like because what he had wasn't as great as yours. He didn't want you to feel happy and accomplished in what you had going on.

[Brandon]

That's what it felt like after watching it. I didn't feel it in the moment. In the moment. I was just trying to stay excited, stay happy, naturally. Yeah. But that's what it felt like watching it back. I wasn't prepared to see. See that. I wasn't prepared to see that. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I'm sure that must have been tough to watch. Back on the reunion, you said it was hard hearing EKG call you aggressive, especially as black women who are business owners, very successful. Tell me about how that felt and where you are with that now.

[Brandon]

It was hard being called aggressive on the national platform, especially when I don't hold myself that way. I'm not an aggressive person. I am very firm. I am very direct, but aggressive is not really the proper word for me. And it. It was. It was humbling. It was humbling. The point. The point was to humble me. And the point was made.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

It. Because now I have this umbrella of aggression that people see me as. Just because of the words that he used during that time.

[Podcast Host]

Do you believe him when he said at the reunion that he wish. He said, oh, she's just a go getter. She's just like. Like, working for her business or whatever, instead of aggressive, that do you believe?

[Brandon]

I believe that the intention behind the word was to humble and to hurt.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

So I don't think that there was any other explanation for why that was said.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So we don't believe his cover up on the.

[Brandon]

No, we don't believe that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. At the reunion, EKG revealed that he was giving you mixed signals because he wasn't attracted to you anymore. 1. How'd that make you feel? And is there anything the audience doesn't know about your relationship with him?

[Brandon]

There's nothing that makes me feel any kind of way about him saying he's not attracted to me.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Like, did you feel that he wasn't attracted to you?

[Brandon]

You know what? In the moments I didn't know what to feel, I was so focused on the process itself and saying that I committed to this, and that's where I led with. I led with.

[Podcast Host]

So do you kind of feel like when you were walking down that aisle, no matter what he looked like, how whatever he presented, you were gonna just commit to the process?

[Brandon]

I was committed to the process. I am one of those people who, if I set a goal, my goal was to make it through this process. I mean, now the actions that happened during the process, I couldn't control. I couldn't control the things that he said or did. So I only was taking care of myself and controlling things I could. Which was on wedding day.

[Podcast Host]

Did you feel that he wasn't attracted.

[Brandon]

To you on wedding day? I did not. Yeah, he wasn't attracted to me.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. When did that start creeping in?

[Brandon]

The minute he called me an asshole.

[Podcast Host]

Yep. That'll do it.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

That'll do it.

[Brandon]

He called me an asshole. I kind of figured that out. Yeah, that'll do it. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Enough of that, man.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Enough of that, man.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Let's move on.

[Brandon]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Let's move on.

[Brandon]

I was waiting for you to get through that. I know. We had to talk about it, so I was gonna let it ride. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Podcast Host]

But let's move and talk about Brandon. Yes.

[Brandon]

He was going through a divorce, and I was going through a divorce, and we grew up in the same exact city. We were in the same sixth grade class. He was upstairs, I was downstairs. We had never met, apparently. One of my best friends said I had the biggest crush on him back then. I never met him. Whoa. Never met him.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, my God. It's giving red string, you know, red string theory.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Yes. What?

[Brandon]

Okay, so he knows my cousins, he knows my brothers, all because they went to public school. I ended up going to private school in seventh grade, so I never got a chance to interact with him. We have so many mutual friends.

[Podcast Host]

That is pretty epic, actually.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

So what about him makes him different than your previous relationships?

[Brandon]

Brandon has been so attentive to me. He's attentive. He listens to the things that I need without me even having to say them half the time.

[Podcast Host]

We love. We love a man that can read between the lines. We love that.

[Brandon]

And I try to be as direct as possible, but still, even when I'm not, he knows where to pick up where I'm lacking. Like around the house. He is the most helpful person. When I tell you he cooks. He does all the cooking because he loves to cook. He's a fire lieutenant, so it just came. Became part of him.

[Podcast Host]

So wait, so are you saying that you never really received those kinds of things in previous relationships?

[Brandon]

In previous relationships, I never really received those kinds of things. It was difficult because a lot of the men that I dated really were out for self. Like, they didn't see partnership. Brandon understands partnership already. So I don't have to explain to him that we are together, we're doing things together, he automatically he picks up as a teammate, not someone who is moving along life by himself.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, so how do you feel that.

[Brandon]

You show up for him in the emotional space? I give him that space to lay down his feelings, lay down his burdens, and we are able to do that together.

[Podcast Host]

I'm gonna be honest with you real quick.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

There's a lot of chatter online about your relationship. Oh, yeah. People are saying that you're moving too fast. Maybe your ex husband was right about you. I'm gonna read a few comments from social media, and we're just gonna vibe and see.

[Brandon]

Let's flow.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Any guy I dated who proposed on the first or second date was the biggest red flag. The fact that she agreed is two red flags, one for each of them.

[Brandon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I can see how people have their own interpretations of Brandon and I, especially because they don't know the history.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Brandon]

Even though we did not know each other, there's this commonality. There is this. What is the word I'm looking for? There is this familiarity between the both of us, and it kind of helped things work. He's already friends with the people who would hold him accountable should something go wrong.

[Podcast Host]

Right. He's been vetted.

[Brandon]

He's been well vetted.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Next comment. Mm. Lost so many this episode. Laud Wheat Lauderdale with this one has. Yeah. Like, with the sad face. We was rooting for you, but, ma'am, you just went on one day, got engaged all in one episode and leave EKG alone. We all know he don't want to talk to anyone.

[Brandon]

Yeah. Yeah. So that has a lot to do with my apologies because I like to end things on a good note. The apology was mainly for me because I don't like speaking to people the way that I had to speak to him because that's where he took it. That's where we took it. I don't like to speak to people like that. And I had to apologize for my own good conscience because I don't want anybody to feel. Be made to feel small based off of something that I said.

[Podcast Host]

So are you sorry for what you said or sorry for how you said it?

[Brandon]

I'm sorry for how I said it. I could have used better words that weren't as harsh. But, you know, when you're hurt, you know, you say some things.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

And that's what came out.

[Podcast Host]

I wish you, though.

[Brandon]

Nothing but the worst.

[Podcast Host]

Nothing but the worst.

[Brandon]

Nothing but the worst. Yeah. Don't get on my bad side.

[Podcast Host]

Nothing but the worst.

[Brandon]

Don't get on my bad side.

[Podcast Host]

Girl, you read that with your chest.

[Brandon]

Yes. I felt it. I felt it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

You know, and it was more so about the way that I felt I was being treated.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

It wasn't even about, does he want me? It was still, treat me like a human being. That's all. Treat me with respect because I haven't disrespected him. Still, to this day, you can't find tape of me disrespecting. Because it never happened.

[Podcast Host]

Right. Besides EKG's personality mishaps, was he what you were expecting, like, physically, emotionally, mentally?

[Brandon]

Do you know what? I did not expect anything going into this. Knowing I was marrying a stranger. I figured the best way to go was to not expect anything.

[Podcast Host]

I love that.

[Brandon]

It's just easier because then the letdown that may happen in the future won't happen because you expected nothing.

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You didn't set yourself up for failure.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Brandon]

Yeah. So I did not expect anything physically, emotionally. I just was like, let me give this person a chance. Be the best person I can be, and maybe it'll work out.

[Podcast Host]

And, yeah.

[Brandon]

It didn't exactly look, but it worked out in the end, which is one thing I'm staying positive and true about, is it did work out.

[Podcast Host]

Beauty did come from versus, for sure. Yeah.

[Brandon]

There are little secret angels looking out for me. You know, the little angels.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, real quick. So are y'all in contact at all?

[Brandon]

No contact. Yeah, only divorce things.

[Podcast Host]

When is the divorce?

[Brandon]

The divorce is happening immediately. Immediately. Just, you know, with production, there's certain rules we have to follow about timing of the divorce, but the divorce could have happened after he called me an asshole.

[Podcast Host]

So you can't file for divorce. Cause production. What about production?

[Brandon]

So in order for us to have a successful show and keep people watching, we cannot file for divorce because it's public record. Yes. So let's say it didn't work out immediately, and the show, they're still filming. I can't go and file for divorce because people.

[Podcast Host]

Immediately.

[Brandon]

People, you know, people online, they know.

[Podcast Host]

Detectives, they know your mama's middle name.

[Brandon]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

Before you're even a part of. Before the show airs. They know your whole background.

[Brandon]

They have found out so much stuff that I'm like, where are they getting this information? But, yeah, they will find out, and then it will ruin the season. So we cannot divorce until.

[Podcast Host]

Wow.

[Brandon]

Until it's all wrapped up.

[Podcast Host]

Interesting.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Good to know. Okay, so you very bravely shared at the reunion that you experienced a miscarriage. I did. Very sorry to hear that. Thank you. What was that journey like for you?

[Brandon]

That journey was a tough, tough, tough journey. There was a lot of sadness. There was a lot of, you know, what could I have done differently to prevent this? There was a lot of time spent in hospitals during that time. And it was a period of reflection for me more than anything. You know, just reflecting on the Way I behaved, the way I've carried myself throughout life, and just realizing that it's okay. It's okay to be human. It's okay that, you know, things happen to me and things will happen, but it's about how I bounce back from it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Do you feel that the loss has brought you and Brandon closer?

[Brandon]

The loss has definitely brought Brandon and I closer, experiencing that he was right by my side during the entire thing. Like, I was in the hospital for a couple days, ended up needing a transfusion. It was. It was pretty. It was a traumatic event, to be honest. But having him by my side made it that much easier. It made it that much easier.

[Podcast Host]

Has it changed kind of your view of how you're wanting to move forward in making a family? Are you still, like, very excited about.

[Brandon]

I'm very excited about still, you know, creating a family. It's just timing. I want it to happen on God's time still.

[Podcast Host]

Come on.

[Michelle]

Still.

[Podcast Host]

And it will. It will.

[Brandon]

Whenever he says I'm ready, I'm ready.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. You're so. I'm so happy that we're having this moment because you're just very inspirational right now. Yeah. All right, you guys, Brandon is joining us. How are you?

[Host]

I'm fine.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome to what's the Reality?

[Host]

Thank you. Thanks for having us.

[Podcast Host]

Of course.

[Michelle]

Of course.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, Brandon, so the last time we saw you was at you guys commitment ceremony. What have you been up to since? And is there a wedding on the horizon?

[Host]

We got things in work. We haven't talked about an actual wedding because the commitment ceremony, to me, I feel like, was great. Yeah, it was amazing. Right now I have a lot of things going on in my life with my parents and everything, and so I've been focusing on my mother and everything, but I'm officially retired now.

[Podcast Host]

Congratulations.

[Host]

And just trying to enjoy.

[Podcast Host]

Our girl is beaming, like, the way she is.

[Brandon]

Insane.

[Host]

Yeah, things are a lot better. I retired early due to ptsd. A lot of people don't understand when I talked about the light with him, the darkness wasn't anything relationship wise. It was literally me with my job, and there's so much stuff I can't talk about. So I had to describe it as darkness. And M made me believe that there is. Like, when we had that talk the next morning, M really. And sometimes it's not a bad thing to have a strong woman. You know, people say they want a Michelle, but in order to get a Michelle, you have to be able to receive, like, a Barack. Ten years of them wasn't like, perfect.

[Podcast Host]

Right?

[Michelle]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

And she talks about that a lot, how it was not easy.

[Brandon]

Yeah. Michelle made it clear, very clear, that this was not just some coast, some smooth coast. And, yeah, everybody has their ups and downs.

[Host]

We're going to Thailand for our birthday this year. My best friend is out there. He owns his own compound, so I'm gonna go support him, stay with him.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, that's amazing out there.

[Host]

Meet the family and stuff.

[Brandon]

Yeah, we got plans. We got some things in the works.

[Podcast Host]

That's amazing.

[Brandon]

More pouring into each other. Clearly more pouring into each other.

[Podcast Host]

The way you guys look at each other is quite intense.

[Brandon]

That's my baby.

[Host]

I smell. I was like, man, stop smelling. I can't even be mad at her. She starts smelling, baby.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, so, Brandon, let's. Let's chat. Yes. The people want to know, what was it about. Mm. That made you move so fast? What happened here?

[Host]

Her ability to be an empath. Her ability to recognize my weakness as a strength. And when I felt that, it was. I can't let that go. She didn't judge me for my weakness, My past of me. Basically, I was going through, like, two divorces, one with my job. Something you do your whole life you live for, and you can't take it no more. And. And everybody else looking around me, you this big, strong guy. You tougher than that, in a sense. Not. We all cry the same. It's not.

[Podcast Host]

It sounds like you two found each other at the most perfect time and were perfect for each other at that time when your paths crossed.

[Host]

Funny you say that. Cause when we first met, we always talked about our fathers. And her father passed, and my father passed. And I'm like, it had to be my daddy up there talking like, I got a son.

[Brandon]

I got this daughter.

[Host]

That's the jokes we talk about.

[Brandon]

Yeah, we definitely crack that joke regularly.

[Podcast Host]

I love that. She was telling me earlier that you guys are from the same place.

[Host]

Yes. We grew up 11 blocks from each other.

[Brandon]

Yes. And never met.

[Host]

Never met.

[Podcast Host]

Did you have any idea who she was?

[Host]

Never. I known her brothers for seventh grade, was 97 years. Never knew they had a sister.

[Podcast Host]

What?

[Host]

I don't know if they didn't want her around me, but never knew. I mean, I know them. They know everything about me. They know about me financially. So a lot of people saying, rap. You didn't really give him smoke because he knew me.

[Podcast Host]

Rap.

[Brandon]

You knew him well.

[Host]

Yeah. So it's not a. I called him. Cause I didn't know he was related. I called him, like, oh, and he like, yeah. I'm like, what?

[Brandon]

Mm. There's more to this story that did.

[Host]

Just air once I. At the Rojo Cassano at our first date. Our first date. She gave me her number. You know, production tell us to leave, and everybody leave. So I called her. She didn't call. I mean, she didn't ask her right away. Maybe she was getting in the car. So she returned my call, and I seen Obot. My last name coming from where we come from.

[Brandon]

There's only one.

[Host]

Immediately, I'm like, ain't no way. I run up to the car. There's no way possible that you're related to Ryan Femi.

[Brandon]

Yeah. And it just.

[Host]

We got the same Godfather.

[Brandon]

Yep.

[Host]

That'd make it even crazier.

[Podcast Host]

My mind is being blown off and.

[Host]

Never met each other.

[Brandon]

One of my very close friends, actually, her father. I called him immediately after I left the date with Brandon. I'm like, is he a good guy? He's like, yes, he is a great guy. I said, okay. That's all I needed to hear.

[Podcast Host]

There's levels and layers to this that we did not get to see. There's so much that connected you guys, like, emotionally, physically, spiritually. Like, there's a lot of, like, pieces on this chessboard that just align for y'all.

[Host]

And it was all heaven sent.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Host]

I didn't expect nothing.

[Brandon]

I didn't expect anything going into this date. I almost didn't go, to be honest. Production, the producers had to talk me into going after. I had such a terrible time in the beginning. I was like, I'm done filming. I don't wanna do this anymore. But I'm happy I went on that date.

[Host]

I get there, I'm sitting there. I'm nervous.

[Alan]

Aw.

[Host]

And walk through the door, I seen a height. I never dated really tall women.

[Podcast Host]

How tall are you?

[Brandon]

5'Ten 5'ten yes.

[Host]

She's not tall enough.

[Brandon]

I'm the perfect height.

[Host]

That's my baby.

[Podcast Host]

But, Brandon. Yes. Let me get your thoughts on something really quick. So EKG said, Em just wanted a plug and play husband. What's your thoughts on that?

[Host]

He was the first plug and play. Cause it's called Married at first sight. So his wife, he had no idea who he was gonna see on our other end. I'm not plug and play. I got to chose to make her my wife.

[Brandon]

Yeah. We chose each other. Which is the difference. That familiarity. It was too strong for me to ignore.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Host]

And pug and play. If it's like a unique key, most people, you can't plug anybody into this lot.

[Podcast Host]

Come on.

[Host]

So I'm her perfect fit. So plug me and I'm plugged.

[Brandon]

So that's what he said.

[Michelle]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. So what do you have to say, Brandon, to people who say that you're a little over the top or are you just doing too much?

[Host]

They talking about me. I don't care.

[Podcast Host]

So you want the people talking about you?

[Host]

Honestly, I didn't do none of that for the people. I was just being me. And, you know, drinks and. That's me. I live unapologetically. Yeah, I know life is short, dealing with my ptsd. You should laugh more and be less serious because you don't get that time back and the time you waste. Just think so that way you can say what you do yesterday. I ain't do nothing. No, I did do something. I was thinking yesterday. I was laughing yesterday.

[Podcast Host]

So you're gonna tell the people that you are this person on and off camera.

[Brandon]

That's a fact. That's me. That's a. That's.

[Host]

I will propose right now.

[Brandon]

That's who he is. I'm trying to tell you. He's this big energy, and anyone who knows him knows that that is exactly who he is. If you go around our old neighborhood, they will say, this is exactly who he's been since the beginning. Even in the sixth grade, this was him.

[Host]

I was class clown and teacher Pat.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, well, now it's all making sense.

[Brandon]

Come on.

[Podcast Host]

Now it's all making sense.

[Host]

I got voted as the baddest kid, and I also got voted. That's the nice teacher's favorite.

[Podcast Host]

That's actually crazy, right?

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So, Brandon, you have kids. How have they embraced your relationship with. Mm.

[Host]

They love em. Like, when I say love, love. They have m. Dates. Like, they don't call me.

[Brandon]

Yeah, they call me occasionally.

[Host]

They bring me doggy bags. Maybe out eating, kicking it.

[Brandon]

I come back out. Children, they're not. These children are exceptional. When I tell you, top of the. Top of cheer, top of basketball. Academically, like straight A students. Great, great kids.

[Michelle]

I love that.

[Brandon]

I'm happy.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

I couldn't have picked better stepchildren. To be honest, I couldn't have picked better.

[Podcast Host]

Can you see what your future children are gonna.

[Brandon]

Oh, my goodness. Yes. I'm already envisioning. Yeah, I'm already envisioning a lot of energy. Yes, it's gonna be a lot of energy. Gonna be a lot of energy. For sure.

[Podcast Host]

So, Brandon, what's something that people often get wrong about you?

[Brandon]

Can I say?

[Host]

I don't really?

[Brandon]

He's not homeless.

[Host]

Oh, yeah, let me go on that.

[Brandon]

Brandon. He's never been homeless in my life. In his life.

[Host]

So I was open and honest. On our first date, she asked me, so, what's going on? I said, currently, I'm living in on my sister couch. But it was 72 hours after I filed divorce. It wasn't like I had a house. I didn't want to sell it. I had a house that was in the process of selling, and that's why I was there.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So what does the future hold for you two as a couple.

[Brandon]

Babies?

[Podcast Host]

Come on.

[Brandon]

No more hand clappings. You had to.

[Host]

Hey. So that whole hand clap was a whole thing. You just only saw one part of it?

[Brandon]

Brittany started that hand clap. Look, the producer started that hand clap.

[Host]

Day one and only gonna use it at the end. Oh, my God.

[Brandon]

The running theme. Yes. So anytime we talk about anything, the hand clap comes out.

[Host]

Cause the first time they were like, did y'all ever, you know, sleep together and everything? And I'm like, I'm not spreading her business. Then Brittany was like, good job. So I told the camera, I'm like, yes, we then. Ever since then.

[Podcast Host]

Feels so graphic and inappropriate.

[Brandon]

Doesn't it feel so real?

[Podcast Host]

Oh, my God.

[Host]

I didn't make it up.

[Brandon]

No.

[Host]

Right now we just got into a new place. We might stay there a year to wait for the market to change, start.

[Brandon]

House shopping, and decide where we want to live. Because, you know, Chicago's such a big city, so determining whether we want to be in the suburbs, whether we want to stay in the city. There's just so many moving pieces as far as where we want to land, as far as home.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Beautiful. Okay, let's play a game.

[Brandon]

Okay. I like games.

[Podcast Host]

I like a game. You like a good game?

[Host]

Only if I win.

[Brandon]

Well, he's very competitive, so.

[Podcast Host]

Well, this is more like something fun. We'll play it. I don't know. You can win if you want to deem yourself a winner. I don't care. This is called Date or Ditch.

[Brandon]

Okay?

[Podcast Host]

And I'm basically gonna give you a hypothetical dating scenario, and then you just decide whether you would still date the person or ditch them.

[Brandon]

Okay?

[Podcast Host]

Okay, so scenario number one. You've been on a few dates with a new person, and you really like them, but when they finally have you over to their place, you find out they're still living with their ex. Date or ditch.

[Brandon]

I would have to ditch on that one just because. Where's this conversation that happens that you tell me before I get to your house that you live with your ex, Leah. I know I'd have to ditch.

[Host]

That's definitely a ditch for me. Cause now you gonna be living with me.

[Podcast Host]

Nope, it's a ditch for me too. Cause imagine you walk in and you just see a woman come out in a towel and her hair tied up.

[Brandon]

It's like, what is happening here?

[Podcast Host]

That's my ex.

[Brandon]

We're just like, oh, okay, Yeah, I gotta go. My Uber's outside.

[Podcast Host]

I gotta blast.

[Brandon]

My Uber's outside.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, next scenario. You're on a first date, and they are shockingly knowledgeable about serial killers in more than just a. I listen to true crime podcast Way Ditch or Date.

[Brandon]

You know, I like a good first 48. So, you know, somebody might, you know, I'm not gonna judge. I don't know. I don't know. You said shockingly, which makes me nervous.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

Okay, so I'm gonna have to ditch. I'm have to ditch. If you watch a couple episodes of svu, you cool with you?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brandon]

But if you.

[Podcast Host]

You know the ins and outs.

[Brandon]

You know the ins and outs. You know how not to get caught. Yeah, I'm gonna have to ditch.

[Podcast Host]

You heading out.

[Host]

Okay, Brandon, ditch for me too.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, agreed. Next scenario. You go on a date to the movie and they cry the entire time, but the movie is a comedy. Date or ditch.

[Brandon]

Oh, I'm ditching. I'm ditching. You can't cry. What if I'm crying loud? You gonna cry the entire movie? What if it's really funny the entire movie? I haven't seen a movie that funny. I have not seen a movie that funny that you cry from beginning. No. Mm. Mm. Ditch. Ditch, please.

[Host]

I don't know. I might. That's okay with me. She and cry. Oh, yeah.

[Brandon]

Laugh it out, Laugh it out.

[Podcast Host]

That's so cute. I can feel the love here on this couch. Like, amazing, beautiful. You guys have not stopped smiling. And you guys keep inching closer and closer, closer. The mic, the mic, the mics. She's not going anywhere.

[Host]

I'm trying to be kind. Cause, you know, I want them to say, he's here for this and that.

[Podcast Host]

Is that what they're saying? Oh, yeah, tell me about it.

[Brandon]

They're definitely saying, he's here for tv. He's here. I hired him. He's a paid actor. I'm like, I don't pay that well.

[Michelle]

Uh.

[Host]

Oh, my price too high.

[Podcast Host]

What would you say? Your biggest takeaway or the biggest thing you learned from your experience on Married.

[Brandon]

At First sight, the biggest thing that I would say that I learned is to stay true to who I am. I feel like there are times where, you know, I was worried about the way I'd be perceived, the way I'd be looked at. But if I just stay true to who I am, I won't have to worry about any of those things just because I'm being myself. So just staying true to who I am, for sure.

[Podcast Host]

I can relate to that. Yeah. Yeah. Because you don't have to put up a facade. You don't have to fake it. You can look at the person and the woman that you were on that show and be proud of her and not be confused. Like, who was that? What was I thinking? I can appreciate that. What about your biggest takeaway?

[Host]

My biggest takeaway from the show is a better understanding for love. At first, I came in judging love off of feeling. Later on in the season, you see, Pastor Cal kind of teach me what love is. Love is not the feeling because feelings come and go. Love is the commitment.

[Podcast Host]

Come on.

[Host]

When you make that commitment to that person, you're committed to them, whether you feel this way or not. The commitment is the love. So people out here that's judging love on feelings, good luck.

[Brandon]

Yeah. It's not gonna work.

[Host]

I'm not saying it's not gonna work. I. Love is love, but you gotta. You gotta be committed to that feeling then.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Host]

Even when it's there. So love is a commitment. So my biggest takeaway from it is my whole outlook at love.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah. So what have y'all learned now that you wish you knew when you first started the experiment of being on Married at first sight?

[Alan]

Hmm.

[Brandon]

What have I learned now?

[Host]

I learned that the fans are mean. Oh, boy. They like, why is he here? You right. I shouldn't have been. They mean. I could have been.

[Podcast Host]

Yes.

[Brandon]

They have absolutely no filter. Some people have. That's one thing that I learned. And just to be prepared for anything to come out.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Host]

And I won't say all fans, because you have some great fans out there, but the ones that they making bad press on the show. The show is not about what they're talking about.

[Brandon]

It's about love.

[Host]

People come here committed for love. The show will work out.

[Podcast Host]

And at the end of the day, we should all be rooting for love. No matter what it looks like, it doesn't look where it came for everybody. My love story's not gonna look like y'alls, and vice versa. And I think people watching these shows should be rooting for love.

[Brandon]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Point blank, period.

[Brandon]

As long as love is love.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Brandon]

Like, let's. That is the goal of the show. That's the goal. The whole plot was let's find love. So if I didn't find love in the conventional way, the way they expected me to on the show, they should still be rooting.

[Podcast Host]

I do wanna put in parentheses, because the show was a little messy.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

We find love. As long as it's not hurting anybody else.

[Brandon]

Exactly.

[Podcast Host]

I want to add that in there.

[Brandon]

Exactly.

[Podcast Host]

If you start hurting other people, betraying and lying to other people.

[Brandon]

Sneaking.

[Podcast Host]

Sneaking around.

[Brandon]

Yeah, yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Maybe we're not rooting for that off the bat.

[Brandon]

Yeah. But we don't condone.

[Podcast Host]

We don't condone.

[Brandon]

We don't condone harming other people in the process.

[Podcast Host]

In the process.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

But with that being said, I'm so grateful that you guys are able to join me here on what's the Reality? This has been a pleasure. You look like you got something to say, Brandon.

[Host]

I want to meet Ali.

[Podcast Host]

I'm gonna marry you right now.

[Host]

I wanna meet Ali. I wanna meet. I'm so excited for y'all. I seen her engagement. Congratulations.

[Brandon]

That video was off the chain, girl. I'm like, babe, did you see what I did, baby? Did you see?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. He did so good. I'm sure he would love to meet you. Maybe we could set something up and.

[Host]

Do a little Chicago date night. A London Date night, L.A. date night.

[Podcast Host]

London date night.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I'm sure he would love that. I would love that. We'll set something up. For sure.

[Brandon]

For sure.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Put that on the books, y'all.

[Brandon]

Say less.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, say less.

[Brandon]

I got your calendar ready.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Thank you guys for being here. You guys have been a pleasure. I'm literally enjoying watching this love. You can't stop looking at her. She can't stop looking at you. I wish you guys nothing but the best.

[Brandon]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Nothing but the best.

[Brandon]

Nothing but the best.

[Podcast Host]

Okay? And I just want to thank you guys for tuning into another episode of what's the Reality. Be sure to follow me on all social platforms at what's the Reality? Pod and I will see you next week.