Latest news with #Mezzenga
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Mezzenga: ‘I'm over' the Love is Blind heartbreak
(NewsNation) — 'Love is Blind' contestant Ben Mezzenga says he's 'over the heartbreak' of getting told no at the altar by fellow contestant Sara Carton. It's 'not because of, I would say, the politics side of things or the values, but more just some external factors that happened after the cameras turned off,' he told NewsNation's Leland Vittert on Thursday. 'Love is Blind' is a television show that features contestants who start out talking to each other but aren't able to see each other. At the end of the season, they can choose to get married. A clip of Carton telling Mezzenga she didn't want to marry him went viral recently. According to Forbes, Carton later told her family she left him because of his views on social issues. Where is Kelly Clarkson? Fans concerned Once, Carton told her family, she asked him about Black Lives Matter, and he responded by saying he's 'never really thought too much about it.' In addition, Mezzenga's church held 'traditional' views about sexual identity, Carton said. Forbes reports Carton received support from some viewers who praised her for sticking to her values, but conservatives criticized her, calling her 'woke.' 'I think these were honestly issues that she definitely cared about,' Mezzenga said. Anyone saying either one wasn't on the show for the right reasons is wrong, Mezzenga told 'On Balance.' 'I think we were both doing a really good job being vulnerable,' Mezzenga said. Although he's always avoided political conversations in real life, something Mezzenga said he will take with him from the show is to try to 'lean into' them. 'It's not necessarily conservative or liberal, it's more just — I want to make sure I'm more convicted in my faith, because that is really what's the most important to me,' he said. 'I need to be a little bit more forthcoming in in kind of instilling that in my relationships.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Is politics important in a marriage? ‘Love is Blind' breakup sparks debate
Season 8 of Netflix's 'Love Is Blind' delivered an unexpectedly provocative finale — not with a shocking revelation but with a resolute 'Today, I can't' by one bride on her wedding day. At the altar, Sara Carton rejected Ben Mezzenga because of politics. Carton told her mother and sister that her fiancé's views on Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights weren't just different from hers, but signaled a fundamental misalignment. Throughout the social experiment in which contestants get engaged before seeing each other in person, Carton expressed that equality, religion and vaccines were important conversations to her. On these issues, she said, 'There was no curiosity from him.' The show, which was filmed between February and March 2024, is airing as President Donald Trump's agenda targets diversity initiatives and trans rights as part of a push against 'woke' politics — and has sparked a larger debate about whether having the same political beliefs is a relationship dealbreaker. 'OBSESSED with Sara on love is blind for showing that politics matter in relationships,' one viewer posted on X. Another praised her for asking 'the important questions about their views on society.' Others felt she was unfairly pushing an agenda, arguing she was trying to 'force him to be an activist and be involved in politics' — and that love and marriage can exist without agreeing on everything. Before walking away, the 29-year-old oncology nurse told Mezzenga, 28, that their past conversations about 'the values' she holds led to her decision. 'I remember I asked him about Black Lives Matter, and I'm no expert, but when I asked him about it, he was like, 'I guess I never really thought too much about it,'' she said. The season was filmed in Minneapolis — the city where George Floyd's murder ignited the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 — making Mezzenga's indifference even harder for her to ignore. 'That affected me,' she said. She also took issue with the traditional church he attends and said that their views weren't liberal enough for her. Carton talked about the importance of his accepting LGBTQ+ individuals such as her sister, Lisa, and Lisa's partner, Kelsie. Mezzenga also said in the pods that he didn't vote in the previous presidential election. Many viewers praised Carton for elevating these discussions on such a mainstream platform. 'Not being interested in politics is called privilege,' one commenter noted on Instagram Threads. Others had a drastically different take. In a public Love is Blind Season 8 Facebook group, one person posted a picture of Mezzenga at the reunion and wrote, 'Sad to watch a Christian man getting beaten down because he didn't ask enough questions about LBGTQ!' The post has more than 440 comments as of Monday afternoon, including another person urging him to 'Stay faithful to the word. Shouldn't need to apologize for your beliefs.' Conservative voices were also quick to weigh in. 'Let's find him a nice, conservative 20-something girl. He'll look back and laugh at this,' wrote Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham on X. Tomi Lahren echoed the sentiment, writing simply, 'He dodged a bullet.' Others noted that it wasn't just about the politics, but about the way the couple connected over these issues. Podcaster and TikToker Gilét Slays made a video that Mezzenga 'buried his head in the sand when it came to uncomfortable topics of conversation.' 'Regardless of their views, in this political climate, it is so much [more] important to be on the same page,' said one comment on a TikTok video. 'People need to be sure to have the same values before you marry regardless of your status.' The finale also prompted people to talk about their own relationship red flags. 'I left a dude because he voted for Trump. Women are not settling because it will cost you later ... hard! Good for you Sara!,' one person said on Threads. Many Black online commentators overwhelmingly supported her choice. 'She's invited to the cookout!!!' one person wrote, a phrase often used to signal approval of an ally. The hit reality dating show, where strangers meet and date in private pods, focusing on emotional connections rather than physical appearance, has always had the end goal of making couples say 'yes' or 'no' on decision day. At the altar, Mezzenga said he wanted to continue dating. 'I care about you too. I love you too, and I want to stay with you and keep growing our relationship if you let me,' he told Carton. By the reunion — which took place about a year after filming — things had unraveled. Ben said he'd benefited from privilege but claimed he didn't 'remember' his church's stance on homosexuality because 'there wasn't anyone in my life it pertained to.' Sara said they had planned to live together in Nashville, but he never followed through. Instead, she said he removed her from his 'Find My Friends' app and sent what she called a 'scripted' apology. Ben insisted they had already broken up, which ended up being a back-and-forth disagreement onstage. Reflecting on her choice, Sara told People Magazine, 'I wasn't looking for a right or wrong answer. I just wanted depth — an understanding of where we came from and how we see the world.' In an interview with Us Weekly, the magazine asked Carton whether she had a final question for her former groom. Without hesitation she said, 'I wonder if he voted in the 2024 election.'
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Conservatives lash out at Love is Blind star for leaving fiancé at the altar over opposing political views
The 29-year-old oncology nurse from Minnesota had been engaged to Mezzenga, a 27-year-old account executive also from Minnesota, on season eight of the Netflix dating series, which sees a group of singles try and fall in love without ever meeting the other face-to-face. However, minutes before they were supposed to tie the knot in the March 7 season finale, Carton called off the wedding. 'I love you so much, but I've always wanted a partner to be on the same wavelength,' she told Mezzenga as they stood at the church's altar in front of friends and family. 'And so today I can't,' Carton said, leaving Mezzenga and those seated stunned. 'I'm sorry, but I don't want that to be misunderstood. I still love you, and everything about you is amazing. And I care about you so much.' 'I care about you too,' Mezzenga replied, 'and I love you so much, and I know I want to stay with you and keep growing our relationship if you'll let me.' 'We'll see,' Carton responded cautiously. 'We'll talk about that.' 'I know that the connection we have is so real, and my heart is there. But we talked about a lot of the values I hold so close to my heart. Making this decision, my mind is telling me I can't,' she added before walking out of the chapel. As she walked toward a Black SUV, she nervously laughed, saying: 'I'm fine. Get me out of here!' While in the car with her parents and sister, Carton admitted that she felt 'numb.' 'It's sad. I was really excited about Ben,' she said. 'And he's such a great person. I just hope I made the right decision.' She went on to recall a conversation she had with him about the Black Lives Matter movement. 'I'm no expert, but like when I asked him about it, he was like, 'I guess I never really thought too much about it,'' Carton said. 'That affected me. Especially in our own city. How could you not.' Both Carton and Mezzenga are from Minneapolis, the city where George Floyd was murdered by a white police officer in 2020. His death gave way to countrywide protests and sparked a global resurgence of the BLM movement. 'How did it not make you think about something?' Carton questioned. 'I asked him, too, what his church's views were, and he said he didn't know. So then I watched a sermon online [from his church] on sexual identity, and it was traditional. I told that to Ben, and he doesn't have that much to say about it. I want someone to think about that stuff.' Speaking in a later piece to camera, she confessed: 'Sometimes I did wonder if it was surface, fun, carefree love that we had. Equality, religion, the vaccine — I brought up all these things because I think they're all important conversations. Whatever you believe, at least have the conversation.' Earlier in the season, while the two were still separated in their pods, Carton asked Mezzenga if he would feel comfortable being around her gay sister, Lisa, to which he replied: '100 percent.' However, after calling off the wedding, Carton told the cameras: 'There was no curiosity coming from his side. I always thought that I'd wanna be with someone who's more curious, curious about my brain and how I think about things. People prove who they are, you know? Actions speak louder than words. You can say anything you want, but show me. That would've changed everything if he really showed priority.' Since their shocking on-screen break-up, Carton has faced significant backlash from conservatives, with many leaving disparaging comments on her recent Instagram posts. 'This wasn't love is political Sara. Ben dodged a bullet,' one wrote, with a second adding: 'Hypocrisy is strong with this one. Maybe try being more inclusive and open minded next time.' 'You were the one who wasn't respectful to his views,' another claimed. Meanwhile, others came to her defense, with one saying: 'These comments are not it!!! I'M SO GLAD YOU CHOSE YOURSELF!! AND THAT YOU CHOSE YOUR VAULES OVER HIM!!!!! SO PROUD OF YOUUUU!!' Still, in spite of all the drama, Carton holds no resentment toward Mezzenga. 'I want the best for Ben, but yeah, ultimately, just not my person,' she told Entertainment Weekly in a new interview. 'It's no bad blood, but it's just my understanding of just who he is. It is what it is, and we just move forward.'
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Internet reacts to ‘Love Is Blind' star Sara Carton rejecting Ben Mezzenga at the altar over clashing views on BLM, LGBTQ+ and vaccines
The latest season of Love Is Blind ended with controversy as Sara Carton rejected Ben Mezzenga at the altar, citing their differences on politics and religion. In Love is Blind season 8, Sara left Ben at the altar because he didn't have an opinion on Black Lives Matter or the COVID vaccine, and because his church was too 'traditional' and didn't talk enough about LGBTQ 🤣 — Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) March 8, 2025 During the season finale, Carton explained her concerns after discovering Mezzenga's lack of engagement with issues like Black Lives Matter. 'I asked him about Black Lives Matter,' she told her family after the wedding. 'And I'm no expert, but when I asked him about it, he's like, 'I guess I never really thought too much about it.' That affected me.' Carton also questioned Mezzenga about his church's stance on LGBTQ+ issues after revealing that her sister is gay. 'And he said he didn't know, so I watched a sermon online, about sexual identity, and it was traditional. I told that to Ben, and he didn't really have much to say about it,' she said. Earlier in the season, Mezzenga admitted to Carton that he had largely avoided politics. 'I'm kind of ignorant towards that stuff,' he said. 'Like, I didn't vote in the last election. As long as I don't know, it's not gonna, you know, do much.' The moment quickly sparked debate online, with fans discussing whether political and religious differences should be dealbreakers in relationships. He should change his name to Neo 'cause dude just dodged some serious bullets. — Ellis D. (@DocEllis17) March 8, 2025 They both dodged a bullet. This isn't about one or the other. If you're values, morals, and ideology isn't the same then they're not the right person for you. Simple as that. 🤷♂️ — Cameron May (@Yamnoremac) March 9, 2025 People should marry someone who has similar core values. This will prevent a lot of arguments along the way. — J.C. (@jcFresco) March 9, 2025 Conservatives are melting down because a man on Love Is Blind got rejected at the altar for being a right wing homophobe antivaxxer — chris evans (@notcapnamerica) March 9, 2025 I mean is this not a good enough reason…? She's a nurse, why would she marry someone who doesn't believe in vaccines? — katy (@WizzKhaleesi) March 9, 2025 love this diva. like beyond her views, I honestly view it as a red flag when a man doesn't think outside himself nor cares to question the political climate — ⭑.ᐟ (@flvmeprincesss) March 9, 2025 At the altar, Carton told Mezzenga, 'I love you so much, but I've always wanted a partner to be on the same wavelength.' before walking out of the venue.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Love Is Blind' star Sara Carton rejects Ben Mezzenga at the altar over views on religion, Black Lives Matter
"Love is Blind" stars Sara Carton and Ben Mezzenga did not get married during the season finale of the show, as Carton had reservations about Mezzenga's religious and political viewpoints, including Black Lives Matter. "I asked him about Black Lives Matter," Carton told her family in the car, after rejecting Mezzenga. "And I'm no expert, but when I asked him about it, he's like, 'I guess I never really thought too much about it.' That affected me. Especially in our own city, like how could it not? How could it not make you think about something?" In Netflix's "Love is Blind," the men and women attempt to find their forever partner without ever seeing them. When the singles feel a strong connection, they propose and meet the other person for the first time face-to-face. Once a pair is engaged, they plan their wedding day while navigating the rocky waters of the outside world. At the altar, Carton said, "I love you so much, but I've always wanted a partner to be on the same wavelength." Espn's Stephen A Smith Uses Old Gaffe To Burn Netflix As Fans Wait For 'Love Is Blind' Reunion Special She lamented that there was "no curiosity coming from his side." Read On The Fox News App Carton explained that she also asked Mezzenga about his church and the church's views. "And he said he didn't know, and so then I watched a sermon online, about sexual identity, and it was traditional. I told that to Ben, and he didn't really have much to say about it," she said. "I want someone to think about that stuff." Earlier in the season, Mezzenga told Carton that he had "no discomfort around that community at all," after Carton revealed that her sister is gay and that she was no longer religious because of the Catholic Church's viewpoints on gay marriage, according to Today. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Carton revealed during her conversations with Mezzenga that she didn't become interested in politics until President Donald Trump came into office and the killing of George Floyd in 2020, according to reports. "I'm kind of ignorant towards that stuff. Like, I didn't vote in the last election. As long as I don't know, it's not gonna, you know, do much," Mezzenga reacted. "I've kind of just been staying out of it." Mezzenga and Carton were not the only couple that differed politically. Virginia Miller and Devin Buckley also had conversations about their politics, despite Buckley telling Miller that he wasn't "super big into politics," according to Today. Miller told Buckley that she was open to different political views, but said it would be alarming if Buckley was "way on the other side of the spectrum" on certain article source: 'Love Is Blind' star Sara Carton rejects Ben Mezzenga at the altar over views on religion, Black Lives Matter
