Reality TV Stars Who Dated People From Other Shows
Reality television shows have been a pop culture phenomenon for decades. Whether you're anchored deep in the drama on "Below Deck" or spending days on end with "Love Is Blind," year after year audiences stay hooked on reality shows. And as viewers fall in love with various reality TV personalities, some of those reality TV personalities fall in love with each other. With their newfound fame, it's only fitting that they connect with someone who is also accustomed to life in the spotlight — or at least with a decent amount of Instagram followers.
While we love to see a "showmance" come together on screen, it's just as entertaining to see a reality television crossover. From Real Housewives dating other Bravo celebrities to former Bachelor Nation contestants falling in love with MTV stars, there's plenty of mixing and matching to be had. Who says you need to find everlasting love on a reality dating show when you can always just find love with someone from another show? From steamy hookups to reality stars that said "I do," here are some of the most notable reality television stars who have dated people from other reality series.
Gianinna Gibelli is dating Bachelor star Blake Horstmann
Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann may have walked away empty-handed from their respective dating shows, but the two have since bonded over their past heartbreak. Gibelli starred in Season 1 of Netflix's "Love Is Blind" where she fell in love with Damian Powers in the pods sight unseen. Gibelli ended up being a runaway bride after Powers couldn't commit to her at the altar, and though the two briefly dated following the show, they ultimately split for good in 2022.
Horstmann was a contestant on Becca Kufrin's season of "The Bachelorette," making it all the way to the end before losing to Garrett Yrigoyen. He dated a few women from Bachelor Nation before returning for "Bachelor In Paradise" in 2019, but ultimately he found love on a separate dating show. Gibelli and Horstmann were both contestants on Paramount Plus' "All Star Shore" where they, among several other reality stars from separate networks, searched for love and competed for a cash prize.
After meeting on the show, Gibelli and Horstmann have been going strong since 2022. "This moment was something neither of us expected going into this experience. [All Star Shore] was amazing and we are both so glad we decided to take the risk," Gibelli wrote on her Instagram. "We met some incredible people in front of [sic] the camera and behind the camera that will forever be our friends. We didn't win the grand prize, but we found each other."
Francesca Farago brought the drama to Love Is Blind
Francesca Farago has a knack for stirring up trouble. The Canadian beauty was first introduced to viewers on Netflix's "Too Hot To Handle" where her trysts with Harry Jowsey cost her castmates thousands of dollars from the cash prize. Though she left the show coupled up with the Australian hunk, they ended up splitting up after filming. The pair rekindled their romance and even got engaged during the reunion episode, but ultimately called it quits in 2020.
The Vancouver native debuted on yet another Netflix series when she appeared on Season 1 of the "Love Is Blind: After The Altar" special. After being photographed with cast member Damian Powers a few months prior, she reappeared to cause controversy as Powers' "friend." The flirtatious vixen inserted herself in the midst of Powers' on-and-off relationship with Gianinna Gibelli, with whom he fell in love on "Love Is Blind."
Whether or not Farago's Netflix crossover was born out of a true relationship with Powers, or simply a camera time ploy, remains to be seen. Farago and Powers didn't make a move on each other until they both were cast on Netflix's "The Perfect Match." Their flirty friendship turned romantic while filming, but Farago admitted it ultimately turned sour after the show aired. "I'm definitely the least close to Damian now and I was probably the closest to him in the house with our friendship, but I can't really put a level on each relationship," she told Today.com.
Scheana Shay's steamy Hawaii makeout sesh with Robby Hayes
Before Scheana Shay made it official with Australian fitness coach Brock Davies, she was one of Bravo's most eligible bachelorettes. Fittingly, the former SUR waitress ended up getting cozy with Bachelor Nation star Robby Hayes, a cast member on Season 12 of "The Bachelorette." The rumor mill went wild with speculation about the coupling in 2018 when the two reality television personalities were spotted getting cozy while on vacation in Hawaii.
The pair had a brief fling, being photographed making out at a Las Vegas beach club in 2019 and even going on a date that was filmed for "Vanderpump Rules." They called off their romance that same year, however, after they fell out of contact. "The Bachelorette" alum told Us Weekly he ended up apologizing to Shay and making it right. "It was really not, like, a ghosting thing," he stated. "We're both stubborn — it's just in our genes — and one wasn't texting the other." Hayes revealed he and his former fling even became neighbors after their romance fizzled out. While he told the outlet that Shay is a wonderful person, he admitted that he was looking for someone outside of the spotlight.
Hayes didn't stick to his promise, as he went on to date reality television star Juliette Porter from MTV's "Siesta Key" following their split. Shay welcomed her daughter Summer Moon with Davies in 2021 and tied the knot with the hunk in Mexico in August 2022.
Juliette Porter blindsided Robby Hayes
After Robby Hayes' fling with "Vanderpump Rules" star Scheana Shay, the "Bachelorette" alum found love on a different network. Hayes went on to date "Siesta Key" cast member Juliette Porter after meeting her at the Stagecoach music festival in April of 2019. The MTV reality star revealed to Us Weekly that she crossed paths with the Bachelor Nation star while attending the festival with her co-star Kelsey Owens. The JMP The Label founder had just come off of her long-time up-and-down relationship with Alex Kompothecras. "We were literally crying in the airport," Porter recounted. "She's on the phone with her ex. I'm on the phone with my ex. We just really needed a fun weekend. We get there and we're like, 'What ex?'"
Alas, Porter and Hayes' relationship fizzled out by July. Hayes acknowledged that it was a tough adjustment moving to Florida and taking part in his then-girlfriend's reality show. He told Us Weekly, "I just wanted her to have a good time. So there are a lot of instances where you'll see I try to stay away." Ultimately Porter was the one to end things with Hayes, and she revealed she has regrets about how she handled the split. "I regret breaking up with Robby on camera and, like, not telling him at all it was coming," the "Siesta Key" star admitted to Us Weekly in 2021. "He met me at the beach and he grabbed my favorite bottle of wine. And I was like, 'Oh, thanks for this gift, but we're done.'"
Carly Lawrence and Bennet Sipes got hitched
In the ultimate Netflix matchup, Carly Lawrence from "Too Hot To Handle" and Bennett Sipes from "Love Island" found each other off-camera and tied the knot in 2022. Lawrence made her entrance on reality television in 2021 on Season 2 of the dating show and fell for her castmate Joey Joy. The relationship was short-lived, however, as the two ended things after Lawrence claimed she discovered he cheated on her. As per Sipes, he made his Netflix debut on Season 2 of the U.S. version of "Love Island" in 2020, coupling up with Leslie Golden. The two went on to date but called it quits in November of 2021.
The Canadian native dished to OK! that the duo met after Sipes slid into her Instagram DMs. "I was single for a long time, and I didn't know who the hell he was. He ended up coming over, and we just never left each other," she revealed. After taking a trip to Hawaii and settling into life post-reality television, the duo tied the knot in May 2022, just five months after they made their relationship official.
"It was really quick how it happened. People were very shocked and a lot of people still think it's fake," Lawrence told OK! magazine. "I was going to have to move back to Canada, and we obviously didn't want that. We have a life here — we have a dog, a car, and I love him."
Craig Conover fell for Paige DeSorbo
Sewing entrepreneur Craig Conover has woven fellow Bravo star Paige DeSorbo into his heart. Conover has starred on "Southern Charm" since its premiere season in 2014, and DeSorbo joined "Summer House" for Season 3 in 2019. While the two ran in the same circles for years, they were both dating other people when they first met in 2018. The couple went on to film "Winter House" together in 2021, but Conover was in a relationship with Natalie Hegnauer at the time.
"I was a little bummed when I first got there. But, of course, he was absolutely respectful to his girlfriend," DeSorbo told Us Weekly. "And I'm so happy now looking back that he had a girlfriend because we built just a very platonic friendship, which is, like, the base of our relationship now. Everything really does happen for a reason."
The pair made things official in the Fall of 2021 after Conover split up with his then-girlfriend. The Sewing Down South founder admitted to People that while they were seeing other people for years, he felt drawn to the "Summer House" star. "We always had an eye for each other," he revealed, adding that their relationship evolved naturally from platonic to romantic. "I don't think either of us has ever dated someone else in the industry. We get each other, it's nice. We really are each other's biggest fans, which is something that I've always looked for," the "Southern Charm" star shared.
Gizelle Bryant makes it official with Jason Cameron
In a sweet Valentine's Day reveal, "The Real Housewives of Potomac" star Gizelle Bryant showed up with "Winter Star" star Jason Cameron for the "Summer House" Season 7 premiere party. The Bravo match-up had all the fans talking after the duo posed for a photo together at the watch party. It was Bryant's fellow castmate Ashley Darby who had the honor of introducing the pair, as she previously dated Cameron's castmate Luke Gulbranson.
While Bryant has yet to call Cameron her boyfriend as of this writing, the television personality cheekily responded to Andy Cohen's questions on an episode of "Watch What Happens Live." When asked about her current status with the "Winter House" star, she said, "Jason's great." Bryant confirmed to Cohen that she originally met Bryant for a dinner date after being set up by Darby, and the two hit it off — much to the delight of Bravo fans. "He's a great guy, and we have a lot of fun," Bryant told Today.com.
On another episode of "WWHL," Cameron's castmate Kyle Cooke offered his take on the coupling. "They seem to be very happy and [were] cuddling up last night, so I'm gonna ship [the relationship]," Cooke told Cohen. "There's a little age difference, but who cares? Jason's a good-looking guy and he's a gentleman. I'm kind of digging it."
Caroline Brooks' dinner date with Jason Cameron
Before Jason Cameron stepped out with "The Real Housewives of Potomac" veteran Gizelle Bryant, he was getting cozy with another Housewife. The "Winter House" star went on a date with "The Real Housewives of Dubai" cast member Caroline Brooks in July of 2022 in New York City. A source revealed to Page Six, "They were extremely friendly and flirtatious. Jason even fed her spicy rigatoni at one point." The tipster continued, "They've definitely known each other for a while."
Brooks took to Twitter to share the news of their dinner date in New York City, posting a photo of the two and writing, "Guess who... NYC amazing dinner at Carbone with my hot date. I had a great time last night with great friends. #RHODubai #WinterHouse #BravoTV @BravoTV." Brooks moved to Dubai while still married to her ex-husband Zoran, with whom she shares her son Adam. Cameron previously dated "Summer House" star Lindsay Hubbard before splitting up in 2022. Fans took to the comments to express their support of the Bravo crossover, with one user tweeting, "You look stunning! This length and wig colour?!? Yes!" Though the two reality television stars never pursued anything serious, we now know Cameron has a thing for Housewives.
Stephanie Pratt's short-lived romance with Derek Peth
Stephanie Pratt of MTV's "The Hills" found herself cozying up to Bachelor Nation member Derek Peth in 2019. After meeting through mutual friend Wells Adams, the two hit it off on a St. Patrick's Day date. "We had a really good conversation. He's really interesting. We were laughing," "The Hills" star said on an episode of the "Hillscast." "It was great. He's a great guy." Pratt went on to share that she was able to get past the fact that the former "Bachelorette" contestant showed up an hour and a half late. "It took a bit to warm her up but I was really pleasantly surprised, I will say," Peth revealed.
The reality television stars went on to see each other for a few months, but the distance proved to be the reason for their parting ways in June 2019. That said, the two seemingly ended on good terms and Pratt had nothing but good things to say about Peth. "My life is way too drama right now and I would never want to subject that to him," she revealed to Us Weekly at the time.
The MTV veteran also wished her former beau well when he headed to "Bachelor In Paradise," telling Us Weekly that she asked Adams to pass along a message: "Tell him I love him and I really want him to find love,' because he's the best guy ever, and he really is looking for it."
Paulie Calafiore and Danielle Maltby's rocky romance
Keeping it in the reality television family, "Big Brother" alumni Paulie Calafiore dated "The Bachelor" star Danielle Maltby, but things turned nasty when he cheated on her during his run on MTV's "The Challenge" in 2018. It's a lot to keep up with, but we're happy to break it down. Calafiore and Maltby met and began dating in January of 2018, and went on to date for several months leading up to his casting on "The Challenge: Final Reckoning." Following filming, cheating accusations surfaced that he hooked up with his co-star Cara Maria Sorbello, leading to his breakup with Maltby.
Maltby addressed the rumors in a statement to her Instagram, claiming that Calafiore was living a double-life. Maltby accused Calafiore of leading her on and telling her his romance with Sorbello was strictly drama for the cameras. "When he got his phone back in May when you were done filming, he told me he loved me, had bought my engagement ring, and when he got home to me and we were going to make a baby. He told me ... he stopped it before it went all the way with you," she said.
The "Big Brother" star admitted his wrongdoings, telling E! News, "I have destroyed the one person that has believed in and brought out the best in me." Calafiore and Sorbello are still going strong as of the time of writing if their steamy snaps together on Instagram are any indication.
Shep Rose said he had a thing with Stacy London
Shep Rose is notorious for taking a liking to women decades younger than him — if his antics on Bravo's "Southern Charm" are any indication. But it seems the infamous bachelor finally found a woman in the ballpark of his own age — TLC's "What Not To Wear" star Stacy London. Rose got candid about his tryst with London after his former castmate Cameron Eubanks let the cat out of the bag on "Watch What Happens Live" in 2016. Eubanks told Andy Cohen that Rose had opened up about a certain celebrity hookup while the two shared a flight to New York. After a few guesses were lobbed around, Rose revealed that he had a bathroom makeout session with the TLC stylist.
The "Southern Charm" star was as dodgy as ever fielding guesses from his castmates, but Eubanks insisted that he bragged about the hookup throughout the flight. Rose even posted an Instagram photo from his meetup with London when he took her to his Charleston restaurant, the Palace Hotel, in January 2016. "Showing my newest New York friend @stacylondonreal the @palacehotelchs she's too polite to say it, but I suspect she thinks everything I own is What Not To Wear. #lovelustrun #whynotallthree ?" he captioned the post. "We're friends. We had a good time. Who hasn't made out with somebody in a bathroom?" Rose admitted coyly on "WWHL," adding, "She said yes to my dress." Wrong show, but we'll allow it.
Nikki Bella had an awkward first date with Peter Kraus
In 2018, WWE star Nikki Garcia (aka Nikki Bella) and fellow pro wrestler John Cena ended their relationship once and for all. Following her split from Cena, Nikki's sister Brie Garcia (aka Brie Bella) coaxed her into getting back on the market, but it led to an uncomfortable date with a fellow reality star. Nikki and "Bachelorette" runner-up Peter Kraus not only went on a date, but invited the "Total Bellas" cameras along for the ride.
"Brie sets me up on a date with Peter from 'The Bachelorette' and that was my first date in over six or seven years," Nikki said on an episode of "Busy Tonight." "It was so awkward and I totally got drunk." Nikki admitted that going on a first date while filming for her reality show led to some pretty cringeworthy interactions, and she had trouble flirting. Brie added, "No, but you flirted, because I watched the footage back — but it was really bad. I was like, 'My sister needs help!'"
Nikki went on to find love again with her former "Dancing With The Stars" partner Artem Chigvintsev in 2019. The two welcomed a baby boy together in 2020 and went on to tie the knot in August 2022.