Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer “Happy Endings” (w/ Pit Crew Bruno) Release Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode sees Nicole Byer in conversation with Bruno Alcantara—model, RuPaul's Drag Race pit crew member, and host of the new WOW Presents Plus series “Happy Endings with Bruno.” The two share a playful, candid chat about cultural differences in dating, self-love journeys, intimacy, and Bruno’s move from Brazil to America. They discuss vulnerability, relationship expectations, and the real meaning of connection, all filtered through Nicole’s honest humor and Bruno’s warm perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bruno’s Background & Journey to the US

• Bruno grew up in Bahia, Brazil, home to one of the largest Black communities outside of Africa. Moved to the US at 25, initially to improve his English, but stayed far longer (02:25–03:15).
• “I moved here when I was 25… I wanted to actually learn English.” — Bruno (02:53)
• “Every plan you have for ‘just a little while’ ends up becoming your life!” — Nicole (04:59)

Finding Identity and Self-Acceptance

• Bruno reflects on feeling less attractive growing up because of racial biases in Brazil, then building his confidence through fitness and inner work (06:03–07:47).
• “You really need to… feel good with you inside out. It’s about energy, right?” — Bruno (06:57)
• Nicole shares a daily self-appreciation exercise: “I made the conscious choice to look at myself in the mirror every day and be like, I like what I see… Until I really did.” (08:09)

Cultural Differences in Love & Dating

• Warmth and physical affection are more common in Brazil, while Americans are more reserved about personal space (12:09–13:33).
• “One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was to respect people's personal space…” — Bruno (12:23)
• Differences in flirting: “Americans don’t flirt… I never know when someone’s flirting with me!” — Nicole (14:04)
• LA’s “casual yes” vs. New York’s “directness”: LA is friendly but non-committal, while NY is blunt but more genuine in follow-through (15:20–16:12).

Dating as a Public Figure: Apps, DMs, & Intimacy

• Bruno is “very single,” open to romance but happy either way (18:14–18:24).
• Misses meaningful intimacy—“We don’t always get to have that when you’re just fucking around.” — Bruno (18:59)
• Difficulty of dating apps: “It’s so frustrating to sit in front of someone who doesn’t know anything about you and start from zero…” (20:45)
• Nicole reflects: “Maybe you’ll bite somebody in the club and have a magical night!” (21:42)

From Massage Therapist to TV Host: ‘Happy Endings with Bruno’

• Bruno is a certified massage therapist and life coach, and his new show combines his love for deep conversations, healing, and touch (24:46).
• The show deals with vulnerability, healing, and the universal feeling of not being ‘enough’ (24:56).
• “It may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility to take actions to change that.” — Bruno (25:49)

On Self-Development and Relationships

• Advice on self-worth: Help others to feel value, and learn to be happy as a single person before seeking a relationship (26:06, 45:11).
• “The wrong relationship can cost you a lot.” — Bruno (45:11)
• “Pay attention if that person is in alignment with what you want for your life, and is choosing you. We all deserve to be chosen.” — Bruno (46:11)
• Nicole: “We’re never thinking about— is the want mutual?”

Family, Marriage Dreams, and Emotional Moments

• Bruno’s mom dreams of him marrying; he wants a small, beach wedding (28:04–28:40).
• Nicole discusses how officiating a friend’s wedding rekindled her desire to marry:
  • “Everyone came from out of town to hear them declare their love… It was so beautiful. I want that!” (28:58–31:31)
• On moving at your own pace in relationships: Nicole jokes about “marinating the relationship for a couple years — it's tasty!” (32:16–33:20)

First Dates & Worst Dates

• Ideal first date: Low-key, quiet, conversation-focused. “I care about the conversation first… That’s how I know if we have potential.” — Bruno (33:23–34:29)
• Nicole recommends Lingua Franca as a cute, quiet first date spot (34:29–34:58).
• Worst dates: Hiking date with someone who refused to be touched; another who called Bruno’s creative life “messy” (35:51–36:40).
• “That was a little traumatizing.” — Bruno (36:41)

Funny, Memorable Moments

• Bruno’s childhood “shows” bribing neighbor boys with hot dogs, with his mom as the producer (22:02–23:32).
  • Nicole (cracking up): “Honestly, that is genius marketing!” (22:45)
• Nicole’s tax confessions: “My dad once said, ‘If you don’t make money, the government doesn’t care.’ … I got a big return after six years.” (36:47–37:47)
• Bruno’s massage tips & Nicole’s sensitivity: “Anytime a friend massages me, I’m like, ‘Ow, that hurts!’” (40:30)
• “I once had a massage in Zimbabwe… This lady was throwing me around… I felt like I had been through a war.” — Nicole (42:16)

Social Media Habits & Setting Limits

• Nicole sets a 3-hour Instagram limit, though admits, “I can dismiss it… but after three times, it’s humiliating!” (43:31–44:06)
• Both bonded over dropping their phones on their faces in bed (44:25–44:29)

Advice & Philosophical Nuggets

• On Self-Love: “You gotta find ways to see value in yourself… If you’re in a dark place, do something for someone else.” — Bruno (26:06)
• On Being Chosen: “It’s a matter of choosing somebody whose baggage you can handle… but pay attention if that person is really choosing you.” — Bruno (46:11)
• On Mutuality: “Is the want mutual? We never think about it!” — Nicole (46:19)
• On Partnership: “If you want somebody in your life, you have to consider them… let them know your plans.” — Nicole (47:01–48:14)
• On Independence to Partnership: “It’s a huge change. You become so independent… but with a partner, you don’t have to make every choice alone.” (48:14–48:39)
• On Singleness: “Learn to be a happy single person— that will help your next relationship.” — Bruno (45:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was kicked out of a club for biting… I used to love biting.” — Bruno (03:29)
• “I refuse to let society dictate what I feel about myself… I do love that you’re like, you gotta love yourself, even if you’re working on the outside.” — Nicole (09:19)
• “The wrong relationship can cost you a lot.” — Bruno (45:11)
• “Do I want this person? Does this person want me? Is the want mutual?” — Nicole (46:19)
• “I will say, I was the opposite of you—reading vows, I almost cried. Can you believe I was vulnerable?” — Nicole, discussing officiating a wedding (29:39–30:06)

Important Timestamps Recap

• Bruno’s background & Brazil: 02:25–03:15
• Body image & self-worth: 06:03–08:09
• Cultural dating differences: 12:09–14:04
• LA vs. NY dating culture: 15:20–16:12
• Relationship status & dating apps: 18:14–21:19
• Happy Endings with Bruno origin: 24:46–25:49
• First/worst dates: 33:23–36:40
• Emotional wedding stories: 28:58–31:31
• Massage talk & social media: 40:09–44:06
• Advice for singles: 45:11–46:19

Closing Exchange

Would Bruno Date Nicole?

• Nicole: “Would you date me?”
• Bruno: “Oh yes, I’d definitely date you. You’re so authentic and full of life and beautiful and funny.”
• Nicole: “Yeah. Not a fuck yeah, but a hell yeah. I’ll take it!” (49:08–49:20)

Promotion:

• Bruno: “Make sure you watch Happy Endings with Bruno on WOW Presents Plus. Let me know what you think.” (49:27)

Summary prepared for listeners new and returning—this episode delivers warmth, deep insight, candid self-love advice, and a fun window into cross-cultural romance and self-discovery, with all the humor and open-heartedness fans expect of Nicole Byer.