The Love Is Blind TikTok-cusations, Explained

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Picture yourself as Sara Carton in this season of ‘Love Is Blind‘: You encounter a kind man named Ben Mezzenga in an intriguing dating experiment, and despite his limited understanding of Black Lives Matter, you decide to take the leap and get engaged. However, upon returning to Minneapolis, you discover that the internet has already formed a negative opinion about your fiancé. Truly, it feels like a horror movie!

This eighth season of ‘Love Is Blind’ is noteworthy because many crucial moments happen off-camera. The drama surrounding Lauren’s former relationship and Taylor’s enigmatic Instagram posts have dominated the narrative. However, the most puzzling aspect for viewers is the Ben and Sara situation. Sara frequently mentions TikTok videos without the show showing them directly, making it challenging to grasp the accusations against Ben. So, here’s a brief explanation of what Netflix hasn’t clarified in detail.

So, how does this play out on Love Is Blind?

In episode nine, it’s clear that Sara was using TikTok one evening, with Ben by her side, both appearing on-screen before their wedding. Suddenly, she stumbled upon a TikTok about a man connected to the Minneapolis cast. Sara interpreted the TikTok as criticizing reality TV for glorifying poor male behavior and mistreatment of women and others. Ben acknowledged watching the video and admitted it likely referred to him. He explained that he had met the woman in the video on Tinder four years ago, they went on a few dates, and then he stopped responding (ghosted her). However, he couldn’t recall specifics about their relationship. He also mentioned blocking her on social media after seeing the videos. Sara chose to trust Ben, but seemed somewhat doubtful and puzzled.

What was in those TikToks, really?

In real life, a TikToker named Andra (@hopeyoufindyourdad), based in Minneapolis, shared two videos without acknowledgement from the show. One of her other TikToks delves into her dating experiences in the Twin Cities, which she describes as quite limited. Although she doesn’t explicitly name him, there’s a man in her interactions that strongly resembles Ben. Due to legal constraints, she refrains from directly naming him. The first video was posted on March 2, 2024, following the leaked casting. “I’m not sure how much I can reveal,” Andra explains, “but I will say that I am drained and fed up with a culture that rewards abusive men who mistreat women, deceive, and lie habitually.” Later in the video, she mentions, “I realize this might seem excessive, but unfortunately, due to legal reasons, I can’t disclose specific names. However, rest assured, I will not be tuning in for the Minneapolis season.

In her subsequent video posted on the same day, she expresses that the individual she’s discussing should not be part of the show. She explains this for two reasons: first, because he doesn’t seem to be participating for genuine motives, and second, due to his questionable character. Although she provides examples of his behavior in this video, she avoids giving specific details. She mentions that she is withholding his name for legal purposes, yet she does not explicitly accuse him of any illegal activities. Instead, it appears he may have been a dishonest individual who had treated her poorly, which aligns with both their narratives. For instance, she recounts an incident where Ben and his friends posted a story mocking women who had allegedly been wronged by this person, implying that it was amusing to see the number of responses they could get. Additionally, she shares in this video that she devised a test to determine if the man in question would block her, and he did so, with Ben himself later confirming this during an episode. Andra reveals that her negative encounter with Ben took place while she was in college and had a significant impact on her personal growth.

What’s happened post-show between Andra and Ben?

On January 27, 2025, Andra shared another TikTok video, coinciding with the day the season’s trailer was officially unveiled by Netflix. In her post, she criticized Netflix for failing to remove Ben from the show despite her allegations. “Disgraceful, Netflix,” she declared. “I had hoped that after so many women, including myself, spoke up about this terrible man, you would have the decency to write him off the show.” She further expressed her concern that Ben was driven by fame, as evidenced by his YouTube channel and his persistent encouragement for people to follow his Instagram.

I’ve heard from various sources in Minneapolis that Andra understands the information she shared reached Sara, whom I won’t name directly. She mentioned that it was through word of mouth that she learned Ben had labeled Sara as “mean due to a certain incident.” Furthermore, Andra claims to have been privy to an unconfirmed rumor about the finale: apparently, a source told her that Ben was planning to turn down Sara at the altar in front of everyone. However, it’s said that a “pastor figure” approached Sara first and she declined his proposal.

Has Sara responded?

Absolutely! Sara provided an in-depth account of the events as she experienced them to Us Weekly on February 25th. According to Sara’s recollection, the sequence of events depicted on the show may not be entirely accurate. Sara explains that it was during their visit to the brewery where she first saw the TikTok video involving Ben. She left Ben and his friends for a private conversation, stepped outside, and was with her assistant producer when she received the TikTok in a group chat of Love Is Blind girls. When she asked Ben about it, he admitted it was about him, but the producers separated them to discuss the matter on-camera for the first time.

Sara expressed that the TikToks didn’t provide clear details about his behavior towards girls other than being disrespectful, which can be interpreted in various ways. Consequently, she wondered about the severity of the situation and whether it could potentially pose a threat to her safety. Even though she didn’t feel endangered, she was cautious not to undervalue the issue if it turned out to be serious. However, Sara also mentioned that she didn’t want to overreact if his actions were merely those of a jerk or something similar. Additionally, she took into account that Andra’s accusations were made four years earlier.

Do Ben and Sara stay together?

From Andra’s TikTok posts, it seems they may not be a couple anymore. However, since Love Is Blind contestants can’t post about their spouse on social media until after the show ends, we can’t confirm this yet. We’ll just have to wait and see! The next set of episodes will be out on February 28, and the wedding episode on March 7.

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2025-02-28 01:54