← What's the Reality?
What's the Reality?
The Best of Love Is Blind: Top Podcast Moments
00:47:54
To get you ready for Season 9 of Love Is Blind, AD is sharing her favorite moments from the podcast on this week's episode! With so many unforgettable guests from the franchise, narrowing it down wasn’t easy but these picks are packed with laughs, tea, and a few tears. Plus, AD gives listeners a personal update you won’t want to miss.
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- [00:01]
A
Change is always happening. But no matter what changes in five years, there's one thing that will stay the same. The price of your Internet. With the Xfinity five year price guarantee, you get five years of the most reliable WI fi with our best equipment included for a price that stays exactly the same. Restrictions apply. New residential customers only. Taxes and fees extra and subject to change. Most reliable WI Fi based on Open Signal Awards USA Fixed Broadband Experience Report.
- [00:28]
B
August 2024 Dancing with the Stars is back. Tuesdays, the celebrity dance competition and social media phenomenon returns with an electrifying new cast, including wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, social media personality Alex Earle, stars of the secret lives of Mormon wives Jen Affleck and Whitney Levitt and more. Join hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough for a season premiere guaranteed to pump up the jam. Who will win the coveted Len Goodman mirrorball trophy? Watch new episodes of Dancing with the Stars live Tuesdays at 8, 7 Central on ABC and Disney next day on Hulu.
- [01:02]
A
What's the reality? What's the reality? Hey, you guys, it's me, your girl. Ad and welcome to another episode of what's the Reality before we lose it. No, I'm not on set. I know that's something, everybody. Where's she at? Where she at? And no, I did not have my baby yet. That's she's still in here cooking, I promise you. So I know those are the questions everyone's going to ask. Oh, and probably about my ring. It's in the bathroom. Now that we got that, I just want to take a second to thank you guys for all of the love and support that you've been giving me over these past few months. It really, really, really, truly means the world to me. Before we get into today's episode, I did want to give you guys, like, just a quick update. I feel like I don't really update you guys much on my podcast. Like, I do a lot on, not even a lot on socials. Honestly, I don't really update. So I figure, like, while I'm here, just take a few seconds to tell you what's been going on with me. All good things, as you guys know, or most of you know. I am heavily in my third trimester, which is crazy to say out loud. Like, this has been the longest. You know how people are like, oh, your pregnancy is gonna fly. Like, enjoy every minute. I've felt every minute, every second, every hour, every week, month of this pregnancy. But now being at like, like now that it's my third trimester, I'm like, whoa, this is really happening. I am nesting like crazy. Still buying stuff, still buying clothes, even though I know she's got too many clothes to function, which is okay because she's my first child and my first girl and I'm gonna spoil her. Yeah, heavy in the nesting. Her nursery is so cute. I cannot wait to do a reveal. I'll probably do a reveal on my socials. Settling into la. We're all just, like taking it day by day. Yeah. All good things, you guys. I can't complain one bit, but today's episode is going to be a little bit different. As you guys know, season nine. I can't believe nine already. I was on season six. So season saying season nine is crazy. But season nine of Love is Blind is dropping next week, October 1st, which is crazy. I'm so excited. And I thought it would be fun to put together a little reel of all of my favorite moments from Love is Blind participants that I've had on my podcast, which, duh, I just. I feel like I've had a lot of people and a lot of crazy moments. So we pieced it together and I think that with all of the tea that was spilled and the gossip and the laughing and the crying, it'll be something worth watching. So I just want to thank you guys again for, for all of your support. It was really, really hard to pick, you know, some of these bits and pieces, but I think I did a good job. So just stay tuned, enjoy the episode, and I can't wait to get into season nine with you guys. I am so very fortunate to be joined by the OG herself, Janina. Hello. She is also here with her fiance, Blake. You might remember him from Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise. Correct. If you think back to the girl that walked into those pods all, what did you say? Seven years ago? How is that girl different from the woman sitting in front of me today? Oh, wow, she's brunette. So when I do think about her. Gigi. Why am I gonna cry?
- [04:45]
B
I was just gonna say you're gonna get emotional talking about this.
- [04:47]
A
I knew it.
- [04:48]
B
I think she's gonna cry during this.
- [04:50]
A
No, I had a flash of you on the show. No, I love her. I'm really proud of her. We're not gonna make it. No, I'm really proud of her. I think she was so hopeful and naive. I'm. I'm like a rose colored glasses, you know, like blind optimist. And I've always been like that. But back then I. I just didn't. I trust. I trusted everyone. And everything. And I still do. But now I'm just wiser. Yeah. But I would. I would like to protect her a little bit more. Why am I crying?
- [05:41]
B
This is therapy right here, hon.
- [05:43]
A
Don't you worry. Oh, Jesus. I want to get you a tissue. No, but she was. She's amazing. And honestly, I. I'm jealous of her. I'm jealous of how open. Yeah. And like, almost naive. Yeah. And now I'm. I'm. And I made it a point. I always made it a point to always stay true to me. Like, always. Even if you think I'm too optimistic and like two in the clouds sometimes. And all that stuff, like, that's what makes me someone that can handle, like, whatever life is thrown at her. And that. That didn't get taken away from me and I didn't become bitter. I just think that now I've just evolved so much into the person that I always wanted to be always. And. And that's a huge blessing. But it didn't come without, like, scars and child tribulation and just like me, like, literally in the fetal position just being like, why? Like why, why, why, why? And so I just think that that girl that walked into the pods did everything that she ever wanted to. Oh my God. I really appreciate you being so vulnerable. I really do. Cuz I can relate in so many ways. And like, I'm not as far out, but I just remember walking in and like, everyone's like, so do you think you're going to get married? I'm like, yeah. So optimistic. No, without a doubt. I was like, I've seen it work. People are married. People are still married. And I'm like, why not me? Like, I was so. I'm like, yeah, 100%. There was no doubt in my head that I wasn't getting married until I wasn't getting married. I just. And like, that part of me is still there, but I'm wiser. I'm still optimistic and I'm still very hopeful. But I'm not as innocent. Like, I feel like it takes a part of your, like, innocence away in a sense where you're like, I'm gonna go into things a little bit more guarded, a little more sheltered, a little more careful. So I can relate to you. But I am proud of that girl. I'm so proud of her. Yeah. Imagine if they would have met. Wow. You guys would have been just like.
- [08:10]
B
Heading the clouds, like, optimistic everywhere.
- [08:14]
A
Literally. We're getting like, jumping on the couch. Ye. Today I have Micah from Love is Blind Season four And we got my home girl, Lara, from my season, season six. Did you guys have someone, like, in your, like, season that was like, oh, like the bad boy over there. Like, we had someone who was like, very strongly, like, yeah, I got engaged to it. Yours was the bad boy.
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C
Yeah.
- [08:39]
A
Or Trevor. Or Trevor was like, actually, all of ours were the bad boy talking. The woman might have been the bad boy, though. The woman's like, lounge was like, oh, like, he's like a bad boy. Our shopping, that guy that made a joke out of it and thought it was for blind people. Austin. What? Remember, he was there for like a day. Was he the one that said he's going to sell all of our phone numbers and social media? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. He's actually sell all of our phone number. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dead ass. Your phone number.
- [09:06]
C
But I don't know.
- [09:07]
A
They. All of ours were all bad guys. You guys had better. Like, we had good guys, but our. We definitely had good guys. But I remember, like, it was. It's so funny, cuz, like, you like, look back on it. You're like, that's so odd. But like, everyone thought like, the, like, Emma was Zach, which is like, so random. Zach. Are you kidding me? No, I swear to God. He was like, people be like, oh, he's sad. He's smooth. No, like, because, I mean, are we talking about. Yeah, his pods were getting like, hot, like, spicy talk. Like, dude, it was crazy. It was like the image that I had in my head of Zach was so, like, leather jacket. Like, he is smooth. I met him in person and I was like, he's a smooth talker. He is a smooth talker. Like, that's so crazy. Make up your own. Yeah. Like, you have like, all your brain. Yeah, yeah. Also another thing I was. When I was watching the new season, it was like the guy that was like talking about his height and stuff and how he was 5 8, how he's a short kid. Yeah. I love him. And I was like, everyone knew everything in our pods. Like, respectfully, we all knew everyone's exact height. Like, we all knew everything. Like, did you guys not. I didn't. I remember going into my date after you with Clay and he's like, yeah, I just talked to Lara. She told me she had a fat ass. You. I do too. You know what I did? I didn't say anything. I did at the time. At the time. I did. I was proud of it. Struck a little bit now, but yeah. Yeah, I was. That's not information. I want to know Good morning. And then, remember, you had me convinced that he looked like when I drew that picture of him. The fact that none of those my. I wasn't. I still have it. I was like, what is he? Because I didn't. We didn't talk. Clay and I did not talk low. And they did. He described himself to his damn toenails. I mean, I knew. I knew the color of his toenail. I mean, it was literally, like, to the detail. So I was like. And he's like, got biceps, 12 pack, curly hair. And I'm just like, is this Taj Maury Kotn, Tamara's brother? And she was like, yeah, he looks like Taj Mawri. And I'm like. And I, like, stuck it up next to, like, the wall. And I was like, you know what? And then I carried that picture around. I don't know. He drew a picture of me. Or maybe it was. I still have him. No, Trevor drew a picture of me.
- [11:15]
C
And I looked like this, like, old.
- [11:16]
A
Colonial woman that was, like, with a toupee. Like a handmaid. Yeah, like a handmade colonial woman. I was like. He put me in, like, this cloak or something, and people were like, what? That was a time. No, literally, I still have that drawing. That was my best work.
- [11:31]
C
It deserves to be framed.
- [11:32]
A
You know, I might post it. No, you need to. Today we have Brittany and Leo joining us from season seven of Love is Blind. Welcome. So you guys just chat on a daily. I'm guessing you're still. We're still best friends, are we? Yeah.
- [11:49]
B
Oh, yeah. Yeah, for sure.
- [11:50]
A
What an unlikely but beautiful friendship here. I love this for you guys. So what is, like, day to day with you two? Just as friends. As friends. I feel like we don't talk every day. Yeah.
- [12:02]
B
During the show we talked more now. Maybe like once a week, something like that.
- [12:05]
A
Definitely a once a week, like a.
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B
Wall folding, laundry type situation.
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A
Yeah.
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B
You know what I mean?
- [12:09]
A
I love that. I love that. I don't feel like I'm close with any of the guys from my season, like, at all. Like, none of them. Well, maybe like, Ken a little bit. Like, he can. Is probably the only one that can text me randomly, but I love that you guys developed a friendship and that you're, like, able to maintain that. How special is that to you guys? I honestly couldn't imagine that not being the case. Yeah, I feel like. I feel bad for anyone who doesn't really have, you know, their. Their matches back and vice versa, because, I don't know, it just feels more I don't know, it just feels good. Yeah.
- [12:41]
B
Yeah, for sure.
- [12:42]
A
Better to be together than. I know. Because then you're like, against each other and especially when you did it all together and then like you find yourself in like isolation nation. Yeah. We also, I feel like it was easier for us too because we didn't go to Mexico. We didn't.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Film more where, you know, maybe we wouldn't have liked each other if we kept filming.
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B
Right. There was like, there was like less chance for there to be some like super dramatic. And I also feel like we're lucky we don't have like, I don't know, I feel like neither of us have like drama with anybody else. Like, we're all pretty friendly with the rest of the.
- [13:14]
A
I love that. Speaking of Mexico, because I. This is what I want to ask you guys. Like, what was it like when you found out one, you weren't going and then two, hearing like that you guys are like the weakest couple and then you guys have like the strongest friendship right now, like, break all that down for me. Like, what was revealed day? Like, I need to hear all of that. I mean, just nothing could prepare you for that. It's just so awkward. Even if it was like my husband, it would still be so awkward. And I mean, I knew how I was the only person in the pods not saying I love you to anyone. All the other girls are like head over crying, like, I love him so much. And I was like, oh, I, I knew I was not going to Mexico. I mean, for sure. I really, honestly, that was never down my mind. But I feel like he disagrees with that.
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B
Yeah, well, well, Britney knew. I feel like you knew more than I knew. Yeah, I mean, I was saying it and she wasn't saying it back. So in hindsight it's pretty, it's pretty obvious that, that we wouldn't go.
- [14:07]
A
Yeah.
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B
And I mean, they weren't wrong. They said we were the weakest couple and it's, you know, we're not together. We are, we're a strong friendship couple, but that's not what the show's about.
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A
Right. Yeah. Right.
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B
But yeah, I was like crushed. Like, I was super. I mean, who wouldn't want to continue with the experience? So I was super, super crushed when it happened.
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A
Do you guys think if they came and was like, you know, we're going to try to make it work, that you would have been like, you know what? Yes. Or would you have been like, you know, I already know it's not going to. Oh, like there's no point in going. No, I definitely would have went for sure. Because, I mean, you're there. You only have a certain amount of time at the reveal, so. And that's not really enough time to, you know. And it's. So now there's 9,000 cameras. You're sweating, you're nervous. Yeah. Would you have gone?
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B
Yeah, I think I would have gone.
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A
Yeah.
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B
Yeah. I feel like where we had ended was like we felt like we wanted to continue seeing where it went, but it wasn't like we were like, oh, my God, we're, were like so amazing engaged, like, ready to be married, like, tomorrow. So I feel like we would have wanted that. Which is actually why we, like, went to Miami. Like, we wanted to do our own off camera version of what would be the love that.
- [15:16]
A
So tell me what was off camera, what, what was missed, what was said, like, get into Miami. I'm very intrigued about that. I feel like this is where we really drop the ball and disappoint people.
- [15:27]
B
I know this is where everybody wants. I wish that we had some, like, amazing tea, like, like some super spicy situation, but honestly, no. What I mean, how I felt was like, it became very, like, clear that there was a big difference between our proposal, which probably was a weak proposal as the producers picked up on, and then like, actually getting married.
- [15:51]
A
Yeah.
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B
And I feel like we realized that we were just clearly better as friends. I mean, that's like what that part of the, like, experiment is about. Like, we were like, hanging out together and it just was. I don't know, it became clear pretty quickly and then we kind of ended it like, okay, I think we're going to be in each other's lives, but we're not. We're not tying the knot.
- [16:09]
A
Yeah. Yeah. More of a boyfriend vibe.
- [16:12]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Exactly.
- [16:15]
A
Oh.
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B
But like, when you're in the pods and you're like getting like you. It gets so deep so fast. It's. I feel like it like there are couples that talk about, should we just take like a step back and not get. It never works out. Because that's not what it's like, designed to do.
- [16:28]
A
It's supposed to be intense. Yeah. Supposed to learn and grow with that person and have that shared experience. And I feel like there was a lot of people on my season as well. That's like, we're just gonna step back and just like, date. And I was just kind of like, let's just go full throttle. Either all or nothing. And I think that's what the experiment is. About. And I love that you guys are kind of like nothing. I love that. I also love the intensity. I love. I love that. Yeah. Relationships. I feel like I'm usually. I want everything right away. I know. I'm kind of like that too. I feel like before, like, I feel like post. Love is blind. Now I'm. Love is blind coded. Like, everything in me is, like, immediate, quick, fast. Like, I'm asking the hardest questions immediately. Like, I want to know, are you ready to get married? Do you want kids? Whereas in the real, like, prior, I would never ask that stuff on, like, first and second dates. Now I can't. Are you doing well? We'll talk about you. How's your dating going?
- [17:20]
B
I haven't been dating that much. I gotta be honest. I'm boring.
- [17:23]
A
Oh, no.
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B
Since. Since the. Okay, so first of all, like, that's a lie.
- [17:27]
A
I know. No, it's not. I've been following. I know. You know, I see what goes on. So don't get on here talking about, I'm not dating.
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B
She's a friend.
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A
Oh, okay. She's a friend.
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B
She's a friend. She truly is.
- [17:41]
A
Okay.
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B
Yeah. A really good friend, but a friend.
- [17:43]
A
Okay, well, before we get into that.
- [17:45]
B
No, first of all, when the show is coming out, like, you know, we weren't supposed to date during the, like, release or, like, as it got up pre release.
- [17:55]
A
Yeah.
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B
Then during the actual release of the show, and I looked like, like, I'm not gonna go on a date when everyone hates me.
- [18:00]
A
Yeah.
- [18:00]
B
Like, I don't want to do that. And so I'm just starting to get out there and I've gone on a couple dates, but I think one of the most, like, different things about going through the pods is everyone talks like, oh, you don't see the person. That's obviously a big thing. But I think even more impactful is how intentional it is. Like, you have this endpoint. It's like, you got to get engaged in, like, 10 days. And that's where I feel like I've become way more upfront. And maybe it freaks some people out. Like, because even if you don't want something serious and you're like, are you looking for something serious because I'm not or something. They're still like, why are you, like, chill?
- [18:34]
A
Right?
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B
Like, no.
- [18:35]
A
Yeah, yeah. You don't want to waste any time. Right?
- [18:38]
B
Exactly.
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A
Knowing what you can do in 10 days.
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B
Yes.
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A
Changes the game. Low key. Like, because you're like, I don't have to sit around for four months for you to Decide if you want me because I got engaged in 10 days. I know. I manage material. Would you say that's one of your biggest takeaways, or do you guys have any big takeaways from Love is Blind? I feel like I learned a lot of communication because I am very quiet. Yeah. And I'm just go about life, whatever. And it forces you. Yeah, it just forces you to. To talk more about things to the person you're with. For sure, they should come out with a game. Like a little. I don't know, like a little questionnaire for dating. Love is blind game. I want 10 commission.
- [19:22]
B
Oh, yeah, like, like to like. Like, Like a flashcard thing? Yes.
- [19:25]
A
Like on a date.
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B
That's actually a great idea.
- [19:26]
A
You know, I guess one secret that people don't really know is, like, how they give us those journals with the prompts in it.
- [19:32]
B
Dancing with the Stars is back. Tuesdays, the celebrity dance competition and social media phenomenon returns with an electrifying new cast, including one conservationist, Robert Irwin. Social media personality Alex Earle, stars of the secret lives of Mormon wives, Jen Affleck and Whitney Levitt and more. Join hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough for a season premiere guaranteed to pump up the jam. Who will win the coveted Len Goodman mirror ball trophy? Watch new episodes of Dancing with the Stars live Tuesdays at 8, 7 Central on ABC and Disney. Next day on Hulu.
- [20:03]
C
I'm gonna put you on, nephew.
- [20:05]
A
All right, unk. Welcome to McDonald's. Can I take your order, miss? I've been hitting up McDonald's for years now.
- [20:10]
B
It's back. We need snack wraps.
- [20:12]
A
What's a snack wrap?
- [20:13]
B
It's the return of something great. Snack wrap is back.
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A
And so we have prompts daily and they kind of like, they don't tell you what to say. They kind of guide us and they give us, like, questions per day. Right. Did you guys. I feel like. I feel like on day like two of mine, it was like, talk about sex. And I was like, I don't quite remember your name, but do you want to talk about this or. No. We would all be like, maybe. Yeah, maybe not. Did you guys have any awkward promise? No, actually. Well, that I was very uncomfortable that day. Yeah. You're like, I don't know. It's just like, maybe a little too soon. Maybe that could have been like day seven or something. And I kind of. I low key judged the guys that were. Yeah, yeah. And he was the least. And I like that he made me feel very, very comfortable in that situation. So, yeah. Yeah, y', all. I am so excited. I got my two girls here, Marissa and Alex from season seven of Love Is Blind. Hello. Hi. And welcome. Let's talk about black women in reality tv. I mean, this is a great platform to talk about. Just like the DC cast in general. Like, what we went through as a primarily black cast and how we've noticed a difference in how the public embraced us versus other cast. And how a lot of the vitriol and a lot of the negativity was coming from people within our own house and how that was extreme. It all came from the inside. It really did. Yeah. And, you know, us girls, we've talked about it, and, you know, a lot of the sweet messages we get are not from people who are looking like us three. And the mean messages we're getting are from people who look like us. And it was really disheartening because I felt that this season was gonna be phenomenal because it was so black. It was so diverse. So diverse. And this show had the opportunity to really show the different types of black love that we all have. Cause that we all come from different experiences and life challenges. And I felt that it got lost in all the drama, unfortunately. And ironically, I think that a lot of the people who are in our DMs and comments and the black woman and the black men who are so harsh, so vocal and so demeaning and harsh on us, maybe, you know, in a way, I hope they saw themselves in us. And I think that's what it was. That's what it kind of was. And maybe they don't feel the ability to express themselves that way. And so my feelings behind, you know, everything that happened with the show and the public opinion with it and how our cast was embraced, I just think that hopefully all those people out there who had all those things to say were able to, like, look back at our season and say, like, you know, they express themselves in the way that was appropriate for them. Like, she didn't need to bawl and cry during, you know, her breakup with Tim. She handled it in such a beautiful way, in a way that I handled my breakup differently. And the way that Monica handed her handled her breakup differently. And I think it shows strength in all of us. And I think that kind of got lost. I think it's also, like, a cultural difference with, like, women in dc. Yeah. And I feel like we're too strong kind of, and we're so into it. I feel like that is just a black woman's story in general. Correct. But see, in that bubble over there. It's. We're very independent. We're very career driven. We're very like, I can do everything on my own, but also with a man. And it's like, the man gets the best of both worlds. Like, he gets a woman who doesn't really need for him at all, but then also like, he's. He's still being able to provide as well. He can eat it, too. Exactly. And I feel like a lot of the people that were coming for us come from a different type of cultural background where they're used to, you know, women in the kitchen and not before spring. Yeah, exactly. And so I feel like a lot of the comments were like, oh, you know, you didn't. You didn't do the dishes or something. Like, they were, like, agreeing with him. And I'm just like, we have to be like, we. This. This can't really actually be the real thing that we're focusing on. It's a vulnerability to go on this show and to do what we did. And at least my sentiment that I always got was, you know, why are you crying over a guy like that? Why are you showing such. We're not giving much grace. We're not giving grace to just, you know what? It's like, I was. I'm not gonna lie, I was a little bit envious of you guys season because there was so much black love displayed. Whereas on mine, it was up to me and him to show the world what black love looks like. And it's just like, I feel kind of like what you guys are saying. Like, the call came from the inside. The way I was tore apart by women that look like us, that have gone through similar things. And it didn't. It's not like the hate was dispersed. It was poured onto me and my relationship. The way I looked, the way I cried, the way I spoke, the way my hair was, the way my lashes were dangling. Like, it all came from.
- [25:31]
C
It's like, damned you do.
- [25:32]
A
Damned you don't. Damned if you don't. They would literally say. Some people have said to me, like, you were the most authentic. Yeah. But then also some people were like, you were too authentic. And it's like, which one do you want? Do you want me to show you exactly who I am unfiltered? Like, when I went to that on that show, I really didn't, like, prep for, like, who I was going to be. I'm like, I'm going to go on the show authentically. Yeah. It is what it is. But some People were like, it was too authentic. You were too. I don't understand. But we see what happens when the community supports, you know, their person. We see Taylor's Asian community really backed her during this season. And that was seen all over social media. And that was like, just from my season. Yes. Like. Like didn't even make it out. The pause. No. In the amount of love and support. And I'm not saying, like, she doesn't get hate. We all get, you know, of course. But it's just like, the difference is astronomical.
- [26:29]
C
The amount of hate that I got.
- [26:30]
A
Was strictly from black women. Yeah. And same here. It was so unfortunate. Like, dragging. Yeah. And I was like, if you just supported us the way that we're seeing other castmates and their community support them, like, we would all be winning here. Like, Taylor can win, Alex can win. I can win with the Hispanic. You know, all of us could win. And it really. But I again, I hope people take away that we were able to show them it's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to express yourself however you deem fit. And that having big emotions or quiet emotions is not a bad thing. It's just. And I think that's another thing is, like, people have their own version of what looks like to be vulnerable. And I think even with my breakup, because I was just so. Okay. It wasn't that I wasn't. You were so poised. And I remember being like, wow, I wish I could be a little bit more poised like that. But in the same. At the same breath, I wanted to.
- [27:27]
C
Be cared for or just the way.
- [27:32]
A
That Rams has handled you. Yeah. I would have wanted that I was handled with such. You deserve that. I was handled with such like, I'm good. Whereas. Which is why I gave the. You're not getting an ounce of tear.
- [27:47]
C
From me at all.
- [27:48]
A
But you. At least you were able to cry in his arms and he was able to comfort you. Even. No breakup is going to be good. But he still handled you. He gave me the space to really express myself in a way. Like, if I were in your shoes with Tim, I crash out hard. Crash out. Like, I don't think I'd be. I crash out enough at that point. Yeah. But like, you handled yourself so well and it was beautifully. And I wish that he did handle you in a different way so that you could have expressed yourself fully. I was actually exhausted by that point. Girl. When were you not. When was my girl not sleepy? Tired as. Honestly, I didn't know you slept. You never slept a lot. Did You. I did. Oh, did you? I did. Okay. They just didn't show it. I was up 24 7. But you know what I've noticed, though? I think because I am a little bit out from my show, the hate has dwindled. And it's like the people that really love and resonated and kind of could empathize with my situation are still here. There are some true core writers that are like, no, ad. We got your back. We love you. We support you. And I feel like maybe you guys are not there yet because it's still a little bit fresh. But I promise you, like, all of that negativity, not all of it. Cause there's always one. Always. Or two, but it will start to dwindle. And the women that. That resonate with our stories, they stick around and they root for us and they cheer for us, and they love us, so. And I'm sorry. I never even recognized that, like, you were carrying the whole race. Yeah, you were like, you are the whole race. The black couple. And I guess I never even thought about that, because to me, I don't look at you and that person and go, the one black girl, whatever she does, that's us. You know, that's, like, my space. I feel like that's kind of how I've grown up in general. Like, the one black girl in that I've done. It's just the spaces that I occupy, the things that I end up doing. And for it to show up on the show, like, that was actually bizarre, too, because there were so many black women, so many black men. It's Charlotte. It's Charlotte. And it just. Yeah, it's still Charlotte. So I could see why a lot of the girls in my pods were like, no, no. Can we just talk about the black men in general on reality tv? TV shows in general. Dating. It's soft. The audible side. Well. Cause, you know, I really had a lot of hope. I was being delulu, too. I was hopeful. I was very hopeful that, no, they're gonna find, like, a really good bunch. No, they didn't. And not saying that it was their fault. I think just the men that went for the show. I want to sit in on a casting call. Like, I just want to be in the back, and I want to hear what these men are saying that's allowing them to sneak through that crack. Because that wasn't even, like, a good example of, like, the DMV men. Limu Emu and Doug Limu.
- [30:45]
C
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B
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C
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- [30:50]
A
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- [31:02]
C
That may have been too much feeling.
- [31:04]
B
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty, Liberty.
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A
Liberty.
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B
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- [31:12]
C
I'mma put you on, nephew.
- [31:13]
A
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- [31:16]
C
I've been hitting up McDonald's for years now.
- [31:19]
B
It's back. We need snack wraps.
- [31:20]
A
What's a snack wrap?
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B
It's the return of something great. Snack wrap is back.
- [31:28]
A
Really? I wouldn't feel it. Now you look at the black men in our community, being vulnerable is not necessarily. Like, that's still such a stigma and such a thing. So it's like the people, the black men that are applying to these shows are going to kind of be towards a specific archetype, in a sense, versus, like, women. I think we're a bit more diverse in our personalities and careers and things, but, like, black men are still overcoming this. This stigma of always having to be vulnerable and be strong and all these. Or, sorry. Always having to be strong and not being vulnerable. So maybe that's why we don't see. Yeah, like, you know, everybody also has a security clearance in D.C. so they also probably didn't want to lose their job. I'm crying. There are a lot of people without security. I don't know. I mean, it's a hard thing to go on shows, but I think it's too much of a vulnerable thing. Well, there's this, like, I don't know, this kind of, like, rhetoric all over line. It's like whenever a new season comes out, it's like, black women, stop going on Love is blind. Stop going on love is blind. And then there was a whole montage. We were all in it. We were all featured. This one girl. You saw it? I saw it. Just like black girl after black girl after black girl being embarrassed. Embarrassed. I'm just like, why you gotta put me in it? Were we. How'd I get in it? I'm at home. Were we embarrassed? Like, we just went through. You went through real life shit. Just on tv? Exactly. I wasn't embarrassed. Like, I went through a brain. Well, I was embarrassed. I'm not gonna hold you. Oh, okay. Yeah, I was embarrassed. Embarrassed, yes. Am I the only one not embarrassed? You don't have to be. I mean, I wasn't embarrassed because I just felt like I was just like, it's not my fault. The man broke out with me. Like, it's not my fault. I had such big emotions about it. I never felt like I never looked at either anyone on the show and said they should be embarrassed of themselves. Yeah, it's more or less, I think coming from these men are embarrassing black women. That's it. And they're not protecting. And they're not protecting us. And they're not. But we're going to bending over backwards protecting, protecting them. I think that was like the storyline where I'm just like, you know what, sis? You right. Because hashtag, stop protecting. That was my mainstream, that trending. Stop protecting black men. No, no, no. Over it. The protecting. You're over the protecting? Yes. I don't know if I protect black men, do I? I'm not saying I'm done protecting, but I'm done protecting where I. It's sacrificing me because I got to the point where I was self sacrificing to make sure. To make sure he was looking good and his ego was stroked and he just got everything that he wanted. But for me, I'm like, oh, I can handle it. But in the end, it backfired tremendously. Yeah, well, I don't protect any black man. I don't think so. Probably why single? I don't think I do. And that's okay. I don't strike egos. I don't protect them. All right, noted. Hey, y'. All. Hey. Hi. We are here. We are here with the last standing couple. We did it of Love is Blind season eight. We are with Taylor and Daniel. Hello. So you guys hit it off like almost immediately. Day one. Yeah, Day one. Did you guys have. Yeah. Minute one. Seriously? Didn't you propose? Yeah. And they didn't show it. But before I went into that date, I said to Meg next to me in the hallway, I have a weird feeling about this next date. Shut up. And it was Daniel. And then he proposed within like a minute. And here we are, you know. Yeah, we need your secret prayer. Yeah. You had him, honestly. Right. Couldn't tell you. Did you guys have connections with anyone else? We did. We were each other's number one since day one, though, which was like obviously very apparent to us both. But we talked about it, that we wanted to also honor the system and experiment and really take wholeheartedly, like what Chris was telling us every morning. Keep your options open. Just because they're number ones now doesn't mean they'll be number ones for forever. So we did keep other doors open and entertain those conversations, but it was always clear to us that we were each other's person. Yeah.
- [35:34]
B
I think it was important just to go through the whole experiment and do it, you know, with, like, keeping the integrity of what it is and trying to date other people and see if, you know, there's something there. So that at the end of the day, you know, I pick you, and, you know, you pick me, and you know that I tried it with other girls, and it just wasn't there.
- [35:52]
A
I know. That's right. Yeah, I tried it. Wait, so tell me about your reveal. How was it seeing each other for the first time? Were we nervous? Oh, so nervous.
- [36:06]
B
Yeah, I was pretty nervous. I think I was standing, like, in front of the doors, waiting for him to open. Was just like, what the heck am I doing? Like, this is.
- [36:12]
A
No, but does it not feel like those doors are closed for 99 hours and you're standing there, like, how much lip gloss can you put on? I remember just pacing, being like, can I get lip gloss? My breath is gonna stink by the time I get to this man. Like, I was so. Like, that was. You can, like, see a really tiny sliver through that door, and I was looking through it, and the lights, like, shine from behind you.
- [36:35]
B
And so I was like, yeah, I was.
- [36:37]
A
In my head. I'm like, oh, my gosh. He's 16. He's like, 6 5. And then I look up, and I'm like, I'm 6 5. Like, wait a second.
- [36:44]
B
So. Yeah, and I'm not 6 5. So I looked through the door, and I could see your shadow, and I'm like, oh, no. Like, here we go. Like, this is what it's all about, is love. Is it blind?
- [36:55]
A
I would have picked him up.
- [36:58]
B
Your shoulders. All right.
- [36:59]
A
So did you know heights and stuff before? We didn't. We didn't talk anything.
- [37:03]
B
Yeah, we didn't talk about anything. Yeah, we really tried. Did not. The only thing. I thought. I thought you had really blonde hair.
- [37:10]
A
Okay. Okay. I don't. Is that a blonde joke? Like, why?
- [37:16]
B
Yeah, no, no, we didn't. We didn't talk anything.
- [37:20]
A
Even if conversations, like, started to go that way that could lead to a physical descriptor of some sort, we were like, nope, don't answer that question. Like, we don't want to know. Do you guys have, like, types? And if so, are you each other's type?
- [37:31]
B
I don't know if I've had a specific type. It's just if I'm attracted to Them like, you're beautiful. So it's like, yeah, you're for sure my type. Like, I. When the doors open, I couldn't. I. I probably would look like an.
- [37:45]
A
Idiot because I'm just like, you were cheesing so cute. So we did mention that, like, you didn't really have a type, but do you feel like your preference would have blocked you from. Absolutely, yeah. Yeah. I feel like the entire dating world now is superficial. It is. Like, that's just the way it is. And, you know, people have talked about Daniel talking about his height so much, but that is a very big issue in the dating world today. A lot of women are saying that they don't want someone that's a short five, eight. Yeah. They don't want a shortcut. So that is a very real concern of any single guy, I would think, right now. Yeah.
- [38:24]
B
I mean, every dating app has the age range and the height range, which is like. I mean, I get it.
- [38:30]
A
Yeah.
- [38:31]
B
And I talked about, like, you know, if. If there's a girl out there who needs someone or prefers someone who's six feet, then that's not my person anyways. So.
- [38:40]
A
Yeah.
- [38:41]
B
But, yeah, it's a very real thing. And, you know, preferences for me, whether it's age or whatever, with the superficial part of the dating these days, it's so easy just to say, like, okay, well, if you're over 30, I'm. Yeah, you know, I'll just focus on this because there are a lot of girls on the dating apps that are what my preference would be in that area. And so, yeah, it. It would have for sure kept me from meeting Taylor for, you know, which is crazy.
- [39:06]
A
You can miss out on the most incredible humans just because of these superficial little preferences that don't matter. Hair color do not matter. Give the short king a chance. I don't know who needs to hear that, but give them a chance. Give them a chance, ladies. Might be worth it. Do you think that he's someone that you would have walked up to or, like, entertained at, like, a bar or club or something? I've always dated taller than me, so I'm also guilty of thinking that height was important. It's not. I married him, and it's incredible. So, honestly, in past Taylor. Yeah. But I'm a completely different human than I was even at the beginning of the experiment a year ago. Yeah. Yeah.
- [39:47]
B
If I saw. If I saw you out, I would have been like, wow, she's beautiful. But then I would have been like, she probably isn't into me because Girls care about height, so I don't know if I would have gone up to you.
- [39:58]
A
Have you seen those memes? That's like, I don't know why no one approaches me at a bar, and then it's like, me at a bar, and you're, like, swinging your purse around your neck. That is me. So I don't think you would have come up to me. I don't get it. What's interesting, though, is we talked about I never dated someone younger than me, and Daniel never dated someone older than him, and I am, in fact, older than him. So on dating apps, I don't know if we ever, like, really would have mesh because we had our, like, ranges set at different time or different ages, and we just never would have. That's actually. I don't think. Yeah. How old are y'? All? I'm 32.
- [40:42]
B
I'm 30.
- [40:43]
A
Okay. Not that it's not. I'll be 33 in a couple weeks. Okay. Yeah. It's two years. Regardless, though, anyone younger than me, anytime I did try and date someone younger, I was like, this is why I don't do it, because I was just proved right every time.
- [40:58]
B
So it's crazy, though, because that is something where even if I just was on a dating app and saw, you know, a girl and it was like, oh, she's older than me. It was just like an immediate, like, ah, I'll just, you know, look for someone my age.
- [41:09]
A
Yeah.
- [41:09]
B
And like.
- [41:10]
A
Yeah.
- [41:11]
B
You just wouldn't even give it a chance.
- [41:12]
A
Yeah.
- [41:13]
B
So how cool is, you know, this type of experiment where it's like, that is not the most important thing.
- [41:21]
A
We are here with Virginia from season eight of Love Is Blind, the stunning, beautiful, graceful queen herself.
- [41:28]
C
Thank you so much.
- [41:29]
A
Welcome. There's also chatter about his response to Brit's news about that she had been with women. Yeah, one, I guess. Did you know that he responded that way prior, or you're watching this in real time, too?
- [41:41]
C
No, I'm watching this back with you guys. I knew that that was a topic for them, but I didn't know his response to that. I thought it was interesting watching it back.
- [41:50]
A
Had you known that response, would that have changed anything for you?
- [41:55]
C
Yeah, I think that I. Once we got engaged, I learned a lot more about his beliefs in general that we didn't talk about in depth in the past.
- [42:04]
A
Girl. I learned about his beliefs, and he didn't even have to say shit. And I was like, I already know where you're going.
- [42:10]
C
So I learned a lot more. This is A two part process for a reason. And I think that we just like, opened up a lot more once we got back to Minnesota. So. Yeah, the whole thing, watching it back paints a whole different picture.
- [42:25]
A
Okay, let me put these cards down because. So you're saying that he opened up a lot about, like, his beliefs, and we didn't see any of that opening up about any beliefs.
- [42:35]
C
No, he refused to talk about it on camera.
- [42:37]
A
Yeah. What are his beliefs on? Like, literally on anything. Because I don't know anything besides basketball. I don't know what he believes in. I don't know what he stands for. Yeah.
- [42:48]
C
I still feel so awkward, like, saying exactly what he believes. And a lot of times I would ask him and he wouldn't even. The politics stuff, we kind of, like transitioned to politics because religious stuff was so weird, you know, so we kind of. He wouldn't really go in depth. Depth with these things, but he just likes to say he has conservative Christian views.
- [43:12]
A
And what does that mean?
- [43:13]
C
They aren't very inclusive.
- [43:14]
A
And what does that mean? Okay, listen, I've been prepped. No. Because I learned something today.
- [43:21]
C
Yeah.
- [43:22]
A
Called Minnesota. Nice. Yes. I'm not from Minnesota.
- [43:25]
C
I know.
- [43:26]
A
So we don't have shit to be nice about. And it's not, like, being mean, but it's just like there's so much that we did not see. And I feel like you were trying to pull these conversations out of him that, like, we're all like, yeah, what? What is it? So he's cons. He's what?
- [43:40]
C
So Christian conservative, Very specific feelings about the LGBTQ community and people of other religions. And I just, to be honest with you, I think Devin was taught these things growing up, and unfortunately, he hasn't questioned any of these things. Right. Because in the conversation, I'm like, oh. You know, he's like, if. If you don't take Jesus to be your Lord and savior, you're going to hell.
- [44:04]
A
You know what I mean?
- [44:05]
C
And I'm like, well, Jesus was a Jew, so how do you explain that?
- [44:09]
A
Yeah.
- [44:09]
C
And he's like, jesus is a Jew. You know what I mean? Like, there's just not the. You know, there just was not the depth there. He didn't. He hasn't thought about these things or. Or questioned them in that way.
- [44:21]
A
So do you think because Brit was so open about her past that that is what ultimately led to you and breaking out?
- [44:31]
C
Me.
- [44:32]
A
Right.
- [44:32]
C
Or them breaking out. Oh, yeah, that's. Oh, definitely. Yeah, definitely. But at the time, he was like, yeah, I'll think it sounded like, he was like, yeah, well, that's something for me to think about, but. No, you weren't gonna think about. There was nothing to think about.
- [44:43]
A
Yeah. Did he think that you were conservative or. I think.
- [44:47]
C
I think so, because we connected around faith a lot. But my faith looks very different.
- [44:54]
A
Yeah, very different from your faith. Okay. So my brain is like, I know, Going a million miles an hour. But when you guys are, like, in bed and you're like, is there something that, like, is there anything you want to ask me? Is there something you want to talk about? What were you trying to get out of him?
- [45:08]
C
We were just trying to get to more depths of our relationship. I knew at that point that he didn't want to talk about the religious views or values.
- [45:17]
A
Why? I don't know.
- [45:18]
C
Isn't that weird?
- [45:18]
A
Right? If that's what you believe, stand on it, speak on it.
- [45:22]
C
Right. And that was half of the thing, too. It was like, if you're a Republican. Republican, and you're like, this is why. And I want my taxes, I'm not gonna like it.
- [45:30]
A
Yeah.
- [45:30]
C
Give me a good reason.
- [45:32]
A
Yeah, stand on it. Like, say with your chest. Like, don't, like, quiver in the corner.
- [45:37]
C
So that was another part for me that I was like. Yeah, it's weird, too, because I feel like we were. We had this emotional connection, and then I found that out, which was weird. Right. Because if I was at a bar talking to somebody, I'd be like, let me go over here. Let me walk away.
- [45:52]
A
Yeah.
- [45:53]
C
But we were kind of deep into, like, meeting each other's families, and, like, so far into it, I was like, wow.
- [46:00]
A
So when you met his family, did they give conservative as well, or was.
- [46:05]
C
It just a little? We didn't talk about that. His mom did send me, like, little Christian little things via text message from time to time, but we didn't talk. We didn't have those conversations with his family. He did. He did say, I think when we were laying in bed, that conversation about politics, that they vote conservatively or whatever. But that's story that I got.
- [46:29]
A
So in the pods, did you guys actually talk about his beliefs in religion and.
- [46:35]
C
Yeah, we talked about faith.
- [46:37]
A
Yeah.
- [46:37]
C
In kind of a general term, I guess understanding later on that he didn't want to talk about it on camera is probably why he didn't talk about it more in the pods. But, yeah, we just kind of generally talked about faith, and we didn't get into the specific beliefs I think we.
- [46:58]
A
Should have gone through. Do you think that if he had disclosed his Actual beliefs that he was probably afraid that that would scare you away?
- [47:05]
C
I think so.
- [47:05]
A
Yeah.
- [47:06]
C
I think so. I think he didn't want to take responsibility for it.
- [47:09]
A
Yeah.
- [47:09]
C
I don't know if it was. He was hiding from me. I think it was like he didn't want to take responsibility for his own beliefs.
- [47:15]
A
Yeah. That's a red flag. Yes. A scary red flag. Yep. My goodness. Like, imagine believing something your whole life and then not being able to stand on it, and then now you have to protect him.
- [47:30]
C
Yeah. It seems like he was kind of raised that way. Right. Like, my mom, I feel like, has always taught me to speak about my beliefs in a confident way, but it seems like he was kind of raised to not talk about him, which is interesting.
- [47:45]
A
Do you think that, like, not only was he maybe fearful of possibly losing you with his beliefs, but, like, also what America would think? Yeah. About him?
- [47:56]
C
Yeah, I think maybe both. Yeah, maybe both. I don't. It's hard to even think that he had a fear of losing me through these beliefs. I think it was more so protecting himself. It was protecting himself from America.
- [48:12]
A
Yeah. And that means. Yeah.
- [48:16]
C
Because he wasn't afraid of losing me. It doesn't seem like he was afraid of losing me because he ghosted me afterwards. So I would definitely say it was to preserve his own reputation.
- [48:26]
A
Yeah.
- [48:27]
C
And I hate watching it back. I know I was in a. In a mode of protecting him, but I hate being associated with it at all.
- [48:33]
A
Yeah. You know, why do you feel like you had to protect him?
- [48:36]
C
I think naturally, as a black woman, we protect black men. I loved him. That was another thing. But ultimately, I wouldn't get on a TV show and drag a black man. That would be so far from who I am. Even at the reunion, it was hard for me to say. I want to stand up here and say what I believe, but I don't want to say these specific topics because then everybody will know that you're on the other side of that. He's been really mean to me over the last year, and I still am struggling to bring up these topics because they all feel so filthy. But it will paint a better picture.
- [49:14]
A
But my thing is, if that's him.
- [49:16]
C
I know these are choices that he's.
- [49:18]
A
Made at his big ass age. I know you shouldn't have to protect him from himself.
- [49:22]
C
I know. And I'm figuring that out.
- [49:24]
A
Yeah.
- [49:24]
C
I'm figuring that out.
- [49:25]
A
And I get it. Like, I'm still protecting.
- [49:27]
C
Yeah.
- [49:28]
A
Still. So I get it.
- [49:29]
C
Yeah.
- [49:30]
A
Um, but that's. That's what we do.
- [49:34]
C
Yeah. And you feel like you did that on your season.
- [49:36]
A
Yeah, girl, I'm doing it right now.
- [49:38]
C
Yeah.
- [49:38]
A
There's so much. Yeah.
- [49:39]
C
So your season came out when we went in, so I was like trying to watch it, but I finally. And I was still afterwards, I was processing what happened with mine. So I just watched your season recently. So I feel like even when I came up to you yesterday, I was like, body, like, whatever. But I'm like, that's not who AD Is now. Like, AD is like a beautiful, smart, intelligent woman. And I was like, that was just so icky of me because she's not just body. Body is still tea and will be okay.
- [50:07]
A
Body is still tea. Thank you.
- [50:09]
C
But you're so much more than that.
- [50:11]
A
Thank you.
- [50:11]
C
And I feel like you're in a relationship now that like, yes, girl.
- [50:15]
A
Yes.
- [50:17]
C
And you get to stand in that light.
- [50:18]
A
Yeah.
- [50:18]
C
Yeah.
- [50:19]
A
Yeah. What's the reality? What's the reality?
- [50:27]
C
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