Are you lonesome tonight? Do you miss me tonight?
Are you sorry we drifted apart? Does.
Your Hi guys. Hey guys.
Welcome back to Significant Lovers.
Welcome, welcome. We are your hosts.
My name is Mel. And I'm Kel.
And I'm Caitlin, welcome to this episode of Significant Lovers.
We are a true love podcast hosted by cousins and best
friends. Me and Kelly are sisters and
we're cousins with Mel. I don't know if I need to go to
and that. Yeah, it's awkward trying to
like describe like for cousins, but like technically you 2 are
sisters but you're both going with.
Me. Yeah.
I know. Yeah, it is.
Mel is hosting today, is telling the story and we'll have a
little more chitchat to get into.
But just to kick it off, Mel, who are we talking about today?
This is a very fun episode for me.
It's a couple that I am recently shipping and I feel like there's
a lot of people in the same boat.
And this is Jen Tran and Sasha Farber.
Jen Tran was the most recent Bachelorette and she spoiler not
a spoiler, but she had a messy breakup with the man that she
chose on The Bachelorette and ended up going on Dancing with
the Stars and it looks like she found love with her dance
partner Sasha Farber, who has been on Dancing with the stars
for the past decade or so. Very very cute budding
relationship. This is very current, so by the
time we record between, by the time the episode air is there
might be new stuff that is out, but we're recording this on
January 6th, so. Hopefully what's not out is that
they broke up or something like that, you know?
That would be awful. I know.
But yeah, it could happen, so just keep that in mind people.
This is January 6th, 2024. 2025. It always happens though.
Would you say Kate? I said you don't know what year
we're in. No, it's new.
It's new. It's the new year come.
On But yeah, before we get into the episode, I want to bring
back our new favorite segment, our trivia segment.
Once again I have 3 questions. Oh my gosh.
I'm going to win this time. All right, we'll see.
They I, I think, I think they get, well, actually my last
one's kind of easy, I think for me, but we'll see.
I always think they're hard and then you guys get them so
quickly. Not always.
It's there's been, so there's been so many episodes now
though. So sometimes it it's like it
gets harder and harder each episode, yeah.
It does. I can't remember everything I
know. Question one.
Name the couple who used to affectionately refer to each
other by the nicknames Johnny and Dolly, even though those
names are not remotely similar to their real names.
Elvis Presley. And what is her name?
The Dancing Margaret. Yeah, Anne Margaret.
Actually, no. But wait, did what do that?
Did they do that too? They did that too, I thought.
They had nicknames, but I don't think those were the nicknames.
Yeah. Well, her nickname was like her
dog's name or something. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
OK. I thought for sure I had that.
OK. I don't know.
I'm going to go out on a leg and say something crazy.
I'm thinking Albert Einstein and his wife.
Ding, Ding, Ding. Oh my God, what?
I just thought that too, Kate, and you won't believe me, but I
was like, OK, after she answers, I'm going to.
Say that. Oh my gosh, I can't believe it.
You. Got it, got it.
OK 1.1 point Caitlin. Second question, who said it?
I couldn't not love him. I apprenticed myself to the best
in him and bickered with the worst and to top it off, we were
the same size. I used to say to him, don't
stand next to me at the party. People will think we are salt
and pepper shakers. I have never heard this.
Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher. Ding Ding Ding.
Yay. Wow all.
Right. OK, we're tied they kind.
Of do look like salt and pepper shakers.
Name the celebrity who allegedly first professed his love for his
lover when, quote, chopping wood and yelling up at the moon.
Oh, James Taylor. OK, also I have to say maybe I'm
just like an idiot, but when we repented this episode I was so I
was like, oh, he was chopping wood.
I thought he was literally chopping wood outside.
He was he not? No, I looked it up.
Chopping wood is slang for masturbating.
Oh my God, you kidding? Me, I mean.
Maybe don't tell me that I'm. Sure.
Wait, but how do you know he meant it that way?
What if he meant it literally? I don't know.
But like, now that I think about it, what makes more sense?
I mean, they're both kind of. Weird, I thought she was like
looking out the window. No, he said.
I think he said I'm going to go outside and chop a wood.
Or she's she used that expression that he went outside
to chop wood, was looking up at the stars or the moon.
It's so. Weird.
Please let it be the literal definition otherwise.
Why? Why, when you're like in the
presence of your lover, would you go outside to?
Masturbate. I don't know.
And. She was just aware of that.
Like he, he said like, oh, he wanted to hook up.
And she was like, I'm not in the mood.
And so he was like, OK, I'm just going to go outside.
I have to be actually chopping wood.
I'd have to reread the passage. Should I go?
Should I go get the book? If you haven't, if you remember
where? OK, let me see.
Let me see. Oh yeah, the chapter.
The chapter was referred to as Chopin Wood.
Chopin like N yeah, a posture. Yes, okay, I found the passage.
Okay, what to say? She said when he returned to the
house, he laid a few pieces of newly split wood, Okay, that
sounds like real wood, into the into the Franklin stove and lit
it, lit it on up. That's real 1.
No, that's just the. That's just the situation he
needs in order to. Let's see, let's see if it's a
play on words though, She said. Once he got the fire going, he
closed the stove's glass doors and turned out all but one small
luck near our pull out bed. Before retiring, he went back
upstairs to check how Kate was far faring.
I think that's his sister. The way I saw it, the night
James had seized that moment, protected his sister, had a
catharsis, and in a fit of love crazed wood chopping, sung my
name up to the moon. Oh, you know what it sounds
like? Sounds like that maybe didn't
even happen. But she said that's how she
imagined it. Oh my God.
All right, well, nonetheless, Kelly got the points for that.
Yay, can't. Say that.
Yeah, I said it. Oh yeah.
Oh wait, who got that? Caitlin got it.
Me, I got it. Yeah.
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't. I thought it was Kelly for a
SEC. I'm sorry.
Caitlin won no. Fair.
Congrats, I can't believe this that didn't even happen.
Yeah, what, Mel? She said the way I saw it, so I
think she imagined it. Uh oh.
Falls in for me. In that episode, OK, well, I
want to thank some of our new patrons over on the Patreon for
bonus episodes. Thank you.
They will have gotten our last episode and they will get our
next episode and many, many, many others which you're not
getting if you're not in the club.
So come in the club. OK, So just want to thank Andrea
or Andrea, Emily, Charlotte, Bronte, Lola, M, Miranda, Fiona,
Emma, Maddie, Avery, Kim, North by Clairo, Iris, Francisca,
Francesca and Maddie. Thank you.
Thank you guys. Was Charlotte and Bronte two
different people or was it Charlotte Bronte?
It was 2. Two different people.
Oh. My God, you.
Know that is weird. Charlotte Bronte, Wait.
And weirdly, Emily came before that.
Wow. Wait, what the heck?
That's spooky. It was all the same day.
Literally Emily signed up, then Charlotte, then Bronte.
Whoa this is weird. OK also wait a SEC, are they
like associated together? Is this a prank or something?
Cuz I don't know if I should say this but I'll just say one of
the last names on it is Rock Cliff.
It's like Heath Cliff. Maybe that's just like.
This is getting weird. I don't know.
That's crazy. But they all they all seem to
use a different currency though. True.
Wow. I'm scared.
Well, I think that those are all of our announcements, right?
I think so. OK, we're ready to get into the
episode, all right. Well, Mel, how would you
describe this couple in three words?
I would say serendipitous 30 and healing.
Nice, all positive sounds. Good.
Yeah, I've just been so unexpectedly invested in this
couple. I did watch Dancing with the
Stars this season. I'm not someone who watches the
Bachelor Bachelorette franchise. I know, Caitlin, you tune in
sometimes, but I feel like I'm always tapped into what's going
on in the show. It's always pretty heavily on my
social media pages or in the news.
And I just feel like I always like know what happens without
watching it but. Same with me.
I used to watch Dancing with the Stars more regularly, but not so
much anymore. Although now I'm just like
getting back into it because I feel like it's kind of mindless.
But it's fun and I I really like seeing what everybody comes up
with on the show. But I will say Dancing with the
Stars has led to many couples over the years, At least 20, but
probably more many. I know, it's crazy.
That's more than the Bachelor. French.
Seriously, most of them are not together, but a lot of them
actually are. What's interesting about the
show is a lot of the dancers date each other.
The pro dancers, like they're all in relationships with other
dancers. It's almost like a reality show
in itself. But then sometimes they date
their celebrity partner. And in a TikTok by former pro
dancer Cheryl Burke, she was doing AQ and A, and she said
that most of the time in a show dance, like with the celebrity
couple in the professional dancer, the celebrity is the one
that falls first because they're in a vulnerable position, doing
something out of their comfort zone, she said.
Interesting. You go on this emotional roller
coaster when taking part in such an intense show and the person
you're with seven days a week is none other than your pro dancer.
Even some of the celebrities who have joined the show haven't
shown that type of vulnerability to their intimate partners.
I do think that the producers definitely encourage the
showmances though, obviously for ratings.
Is it like a parent on the show? There have been past seasons,
like I was looking into this, there were past seasons where
they before they do their dance, they have like a whole package
where they like talk about what their dance is going to be for
the week. And it literally it's like
intense music playing and the partners like tell each other
they have feelings for each other and then they kiss and
it's like, what is this? It's really.
It. Seems kind of fake, but you can
also understand why some couples might play into it because it's
like The Hunger Games. Like the more people care about
you at home, the further you go in the show.
So. Yeah, Oh, do people at home
vote? Yeah.
Yeah, it's kind of like American Idol.
I've never watched it. They do take into account judges
scores unlike American Idol, like they combine the scores
with the votes from home. But the more popular you are
that's on the show with fans like, the further you'll go.
I kind of prefer that because I do think sometimes the fans just
get it wrong. Yeah.
Yeah, I like that there's kind of checks and balances.
Yeah, because somebody could be really popular, but then also a
horrible dancer. And it's like, what are you
doing in the finale? And you can hardly move your two
left feet, you know. Yeah, that happens on the show
for sure. I think it happened this past
season. Ilona Mara, she's the Olympic
rugby player who is so lovable and like huge on social media.
And she did have a huge transformation on the show.
She got a lot better week to week, but she still probably
wasn't one of the better dancers.
But she made it to the finale, the top 2, even though oh.
My gosh. Her dance wasn't like on par
with some of the other dancers. Yeah, that's kind of upsetting.
But I also was excited for this episode because back in college,
I spent several weeks writing this really in depth research
paper for a class that was about the history of dance, All about
how dance scientifically helps people to fall in love.
And I wish I found the paper. I was going through my Google
Drive. I even tried to log into like my
college portal to find it, but I couldn't find it.
But I just remember, I remember reading all this stuff about,
like, what happens when two people are dancing together?
And like, obviously it goes back to even, like, mating dances.
Yeah. But basically when you're
dancing with Someone, Like You are releasing the same chemicals
that you released during childbirth and during during
sex. Oxytocin.
That's the hormone that bonds people.
I've heard that, and that's cool.
Like, I don't think we've really talked much about dance.
No, that is a big part of romance.
I mean not all relationships but I feel like especially in
history. It's definitely a big part.
I mean, even at weddings they have the big deal about the
first dance, you know? I want to say my friend Emily's
wedding to Brian over the summer, their dance together was
amazing. They had like actually seemingly
learned how to do some kind of ballroom dance together and it
was like choreographed. I love that.
Then then they went into like a funny dance, but it was
choreographed too. And I was just so impressed and
I loved it. I was freaking out and I don't
know, that's all I have to say, but I just love to see people
dancing that actually like put the work in and yeah, can do it.
I think that's actually like a wedding must.
Exactly. I agree.
Zach's sister did that too and his dad not together obviously.
They both got married last year. They both his Zach's, my
boyfriend Zach, his sister got married and his dad also got
married last year. And they both respectively took
dance lessons, ballroom dance lessons.
And it made a huge difference. And also, I think it's a nice
thing if you're about to get married to bond with your
partner. It's super romantic, it's a nice
hobby to do together. And plus you're like looking
into each other's eyes. It's super intimate.
And I think like with Dancing with the Stars, you know, as
mentioned, the contestants are in a super, super vulnerable
place because not only are they dancing, which they might not
have any experience, but they're on live TV, which is
exhilarating. True.
And plus, week to week, I feel like they're always trying to
make them super. They're emotional and trying to
dredge up. Feel.
How do they do? That about things like they'll
have like themes per week and they'll be like, what got you
into this mindset? Or like pick someone that is
your hero. So then you'll be talking about
like your dad who passed away. Yeah.
Literally. Your grandma.
So then bring their packages. They'll have to like discuss it
with their dance partner, these really intimate details and talk
about their family and open up about their emotions.
So they're really trying to get them emotional.
Yeah, you're literally like letting it all out on the show.
And they work like crazy. I came across this article.
It's about the Bachelor, but it kind of connects.
It's called This is The Bachelorette's scientific
formula to make couples fall in love.
And basically it's written by this writer named Marika Casa
Mariska. And she explains how on The
Bachelorette, the contestants go on many high intensity dates
like skydiving or bungee jumping.
And that releases adrenaline that mimics the feeling of
falling in love. And she quotes this psychologist
named Doctor Diana Kirschner, who says if a person is
frightened and literally clinging to a protector a night,
they actually have the experience of being saved by
this person. Certainly it's not going to make
for lasting love, which is a whole other ball of wax, but at
the moment you are bonded together and we'll associate a
scary turned pleasurable high and relief and excitement with
the other person. And I feel like that can
definitely apply in this situation.
Although I guess the question is, is dancing?
Can that create everlasting love?
I don't know. Guess we'll find out.
Anyway, so who are we talking about?
South Sasha Farber. His real name is actually
Alexander. He was born.
He's Russian. He's Russian.
Yeah. He was born May 9th, 1984 in
Belarus, Soviet Union. But when he was just two years
old, his family moved to Australia to escape the
Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Oh.
My God, sorry, I guess I should say Bella Russian.
Yes, I think he refers to himself as Russian so or least
he did move to Australia when he was super super young.
So does he have an Australian accent?
Kind of, yeah, I I would say so. His dad is Michael, his mom is
Bella, and he has a younger sister.
I don't. Mike and Bella name.
Yeah. Oh, what Twilight?
Yeah, I don't know, just another Twilight reference.
Yeah, I don't know what his parents, Bella.
Ended up with Mike. I know I'm not sure what his
parents did for work, but they lived in a predominantly Eastern
European suburb of Sydney and apparently he was inspired to
begin dance lessons in order to prepare for his bar mitzvah and
thought it would be a good way to meet girls as a 13 year old
boy. So he started taking ball.
I know so cute. He started taking ballroom
classes under the supervision of a Russian dance teacher named
Marta Khan and what has been described as a very Russian
learning environment with very rigorous and strict training.
So a lot of the, not a lot of them, but on Dancing with the
Stars, there's like this class of professional dancers that
come from Eastern Europe or some professional dancers that come
from Utah randomly, but a lot of one of them come from the same
dancing schools. That is random.
Well, Russia has like the best ballet, true.
And the best ballet house. Yeah.
They their dancing methods are, I mean, they're probably not
like the most ethical all the times with the instructors, but
they do make for great dancers. Yeah.
And gymnasts, Yeah, yeah, they are strict.
Anything with leotards, they're. Really good.
Yeah. Oh yeah.
Skating too, right? Oh yeah.
But yeah, so when he was 17, Sasha won the Australian Latin
Youth Championship and was the Australian dancer at the World
Latin Championship and also danced in the Olympic closing
ceremony. So wow.
He is making his way up. When he was 21, he joined the
Australian version of Dancing with the Stars as a professional
dancer. And then then in 2011, he moved
to the US where he began as a troop member on Dancing with the
Stars. So basically like they have a
troop where you're not like partnered with, with a
celebrity, but you still dance and group dances.
And then in 2013, he was promoted to a full time cast
member. Nice.
And while he was on Dancing With the Stars, Sasha began dating
fellow professional dancer Emma Slater.
They dated for about four years and then in 2016, after
performing a very romantic routine together, he actually
got down on one knee and proposed to her live on.
The air. Oh my gosh.
Wow. So they're both dancers on the
show. Yes, yeah, they both are.
So they got married in 2018 and they even shared I think 2 dogs
together. However, they separated in 2022
after four years of marriage and after about two years later
after separating, they officially got divorced in May
2024. So only just last year.
But their divorce has seemed super amicable and they seems
very friendly, like they both still work on the show as
professional dancers. In in August 2023, Emma went on
the Nick Vile podcast and she claimed that they are still a
family, but explained that they both were just in two different
places and couldn't agree when to have kids.
She said it's really the kid thing.
It's interesting because I do want to have kids.
I just don't want to delay Sasha's path in having kids
because I know that he is ready for that.
I don't want to talk about him too much because that's really
for him to say. But it's about kids, she added.
So that's been the real friction and a real hard part.
It had nothing to do with him. He's always been very much
himself. It's me that's found it
difficult to understand why I'm feeling different.
How old are they? He is in his later 30s and so is
she actually, which I don't want to say I don't believe.
Like this has come up a couple times in the podcast and.
This is a weird time. I think this.
Is yeah. Feel like she's keeping.
Track. Yeah, I was thinking about it.
I don't know. I don't know.
It's just kind of interesting because I feel like when wanting
to be sensitive to everyone's situations, but it makes more
sense to me when the genders are reversed in this situation.
If a woman is like, I want to have kids now, and a guy's like,
I'm not sure. But like, in this situation,
well, they broke up like four years ago and he still doesn't
have kids, you know? Yeah, it's just a huge gamble
that if she wants to have kids, too, what's 4 years?
But I don't know. It's not really my place to say.
Yeah, 'cause at least like when Ian Somerhalder supposedly broke
up and Nina Debrev about one kids, he very instantly got
married and had kids. And also they were in different
age groups, whereas Sasha and Emma are very close in age.
And now Sasha is dating Jen Tran, supposedly, who's in her
20s. I think she's 26 or 27.
So it's kind of interesting. Yeah, I know we we do hear that
explanation a lot. Yeah, I think you're right here.
Like the Ian Somerhalder thing, maybe it was true.
But yeah, it's just a little weird.
It is interesting. Reason.
That she's very adamant about that fact the she's.
Very. She's very open about it and I
will say, like I said, they seem very close still, but like not
in even like a suspicious way. They really do come across like
good old friends and Co workers. It's just so crazy to me, like
for me personally to wrap my brain around because I'm just
not like that. I am not good with
compartmentalizing and being mature in that way.
They were together for over 10 years.
They shared a home, they shared two dogs together, and now
they're just like, totally pleasant, it seems.
I don't know, maybe they both have, like, the dream job for
ballroom dancers. So they're like, just willing to
rise above it. But it's interesting.
Maybe they're just putting on a happy face.
Maybe it's not as perfect as we think.
Yeah, I do wonder this again me speculating, but I wonder if
Emma broke Sasha's heart a little bit because she seems to
go out of her way to praise him and often makes really nice
comments in on his Instagram post.
For example, this past October someone made a TikTok video
about how they were just getting into Dancing with the Stars for
the first time and didn't understand why Sasha isn't one
of the more notable dancers since he seems so nice and
charismatic and just a really great guy.
And Emma commented on the TikTok and said no, you're right, he's
amazing. So.
That's that's. Weird, I know.
That's very weird to me. Like it'd be so amazing.
Why are you not together? But.
Apparently, she's been This is like what the tabloids say.
She's been hooking up with or dating a different professional
dancer on the show named Alan Burns.
What? What, Alan?
I thought he was with somebody. How do you know that?
I distantly know stuff about Dancing with the Stars.
Well, Oh my gosh. But yeah, I know.
It almost feels like a little condescending when people do
that. I don't know, like he's this
wounded puppy or something. He's amazing.
I don't know, Yeah, he would kind of.
I mean maybe he's all cool with it, but if my ex is doing that I
feel like I'd be a little annoyed.
Yeah, it would be hard, yeah, But he does seem amazing.
He strikes. These are some qualities I wrote
down. He seems very professional, even
tempered, maybe a little saucy. He loves to take his shirt off a
lot. He like is, oh, ripping his
shirt off. So maybe he's a little vain.
I can see that. He's a dog lover.
He seems kind. He seems disciplined, patient,
mature, romantic. Oh my God, this keeps going.
Wow, what a hunk. These are not things.
These are not things that other people have said about him.
This is what I. Think Oh my gosh.
That that is like not debatable, but anyways.
So, Jacob. Who is Jen Tran by the way?
She is Jen with two NS. Uh huh, we have a cousin like
that. Is that her Hi Jen, full first
name or is it like Jennifer? Oh, it is Jennifer.
OK, another Jennifer. Yeah.
Wow, so many. Yeah, that's like 5 now, right?
Yeah, we've done. Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer
Lopez, Jennifer Gardner, Jennifer Lawrence.
No Jennifer Tran. Yeah, wow.
Oh my gosh. I feel like we're forgetting one
too, but she was born November 24th, 1997 in Hillsdale, NJ.
Her parents immigrated to the US from Vietnam with her older
brother when she actually before she was born.
I'm not sure what her parents did for work, but unfortunately
they had a really tough marriage.
Her dad lived in the basement of their New Jersey home for almost
six years until they officially got divorced in 2014 when Jen
was 16 on The Bachelor, she she said.
I always felt so unwanted by my dad, just like the whole family
situation growing up, I never felt truly loved.
She attended public public school in New Jersey where she
played lacrosse in basketball, and then she did two years at
the University of Pittsburgh before transferring to the
University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she was a
sorority girl. Meanwhile, at some point, her
mom regular. I know.
Well, she is. She is just a regular girl.
At some point, her mom relocated to Boston too.
So she's kind of like a Boston girl.
Then after graduating, she lived in Miami and attended Berry
University to become a physician assistant.
And while in school, a casting director found Jen's TikTok,
where she would post stuff like a day in the Life as APA school
student or just talk about being in PA school.
And the casting director reached out and encouraged her to
interview for the show and at, yeah, The Bachelor.
At first, she was really hesitant because she was almost
done with school, but she did the interview just to see what
would happen. Almost not as a joke, but just,
you know, why not? We'll see where where it goes.
And she was really on the fence the whole time, leaning towards
no. But then the producers offered
her a contract the same week that she describes what was a
bad boating accident that she had gotten into where she was
just a split second away from dying.
I don't, I forget what happened. Like they hit something and she
moved at just the right time. And she would have like, I don't
know if I should have written it down, whether she would have hit
the rocks or something. But it was like a very lucky
circumstance that she didn't get injured.
And that made her realize that life is short and she wasn't in
a relationship, wasn't dating anyone.
That was a point of her life that had been kind of stagnant.
So she was like, fuck it, I'm going to go on the show.
And she, I feel like that kind of describes her.
She seems like someone who does just, like seize opportunities
as they come to her. And so she was cast as a
contestant on Joey Grazaday's season of the show.
And I wrote in my notes, asked Caitlin what Jen was like on
Joey's season. Because I like I said, I don't
watch it, but I know Caitlin, you watched Joey season of The
Bachelor. Yes, so well I've been watching
the Bachelor on and off for about 10 years, maybe more, and
I used to be more consistent with it, but now I just watch a
season here and there whenever I see that people are really
hyping up a one of the suitors, not the suitors like the main.
Person. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like, I don't there's like a name.
The lead, The lead. Yeah, the lead.
And so I did TuneIn for Joey season, even though I didn't
watch the season that he was on. And Jen, she's very sweet.
She's very nice. She kind of seems to be have a
little bit of a bubbly personality.
That's what I got. And she made it really far into
the season. But she didn't have as much
screen time, I would say, as many of the other contestants.
I feel like you didn't get a whole lot of her slash, her
personality. You didn't really get to know
too much. She would have those dates, you
know, one on ones and group dates and to be really sweet and
it seems like she had good chemistry with the lead Joey.
But it was very obvious from early on that there was like 2
front runners, kind of three front runners.
And so when it was the final four, Jen was obviously kind of
behind those other girls. So Jen was nice and she was
sweet, and it's obvious why Joey would have her in the final
four, which I think is as far as she got.
Or maybe she got third, but it was obvious.
I think that also she wasn't his closest connection.
But I understood why he would drag her along because obviously
she seems like a good time. Like she seems really friendly,
very fun. But again, you didn't like get a
whole lot to her. Yeah, he was into her as a
person, but not yeah, they didn't exactly real a connection
or chemistry. Yeah, yeah.
Did she say she was falling in love with him?
It seemed like she was. I mean, everybody seems like
they were like every season, they're always falling in love
with the lead. And it seems like she did really
like him, but I don't think it was really truly like deep love
or anything like that. I think there was the potential
there. And it was definitely like a
crush of sorts or really infatuation.
I have a question, I don't know if either of you would know
this, but when the casting and they're casting the contestants
for the bachelor or The Bachelorette.
So they tell them who the bachelor slash Bachelorette is
going to be and show a picture because like, what if they're
just not your type? That happens.
So a lot of the time they're casting, they have a few leads
in mind. By the time they have all the
people chosen, they know who the lead is going to be and they
tell them. And maybe some people drop out
because they don't really necessarily like them, but a lot
of the times people will go on this show and even still admit,
oh, I wanted it to be this person who is the leader.
I mean, everybody's attractive, but I imagine some people show
up and then they realize like. Well, this actually happened to
Jen, which we'll probably go into.
Yeah. So during Joey's season, from my
understanding, there was this contestant on the show named
Maria who was really popular. She loved Maria.
Yeah, everybody apparently loved Maria, men and women alike.
Like, she was very funny. She just, like, didn't really
fit into a box. Seems like.
She was, like, really confident. And when Joey actually ended it
with her, she was like, OK and just, like, went into the limo.
She knew her work. It seems very striking.
Eyebrows too, and I think everyone thought that she was
going to be the next. One, they thought it was going
to be either her or another girl, like they were shoe wins,
Daisy that was going to be Maria or Daisy, and they were like
shoe wins to be The Bachelorette.
So a lot of people purposefully signed up to be on The
Bachelorette as contestants purposefully for either Daisy or
Maria. And then I think they both
turned it down. And so then Jen was cast as The
Bachelorette. And I think a lot of the people
who had applied were like, sure, we'll still go on it.
And Jen was announced on March 25th, 2024.
So this is only last year, not even a year ago.
And she would become the first Asian American woman in the lead
role in the franchise history. So filming filming began on
March 28th, 2024. And in that time, Jen weeded
through 25 different men until descending on one and getting
engaged on May 26th. So literally less than two
months after filming began, she gets engaged.
I know crazy so fast. I feel like they have a very
like expedited production process too.
That's a, that's a show. You really cannot, you know,
with Survivor going from 49 days to 26, you cannot do that with
The Bachelor. Well, they tried to do that
would be awful. They they did.
They had a show, I think it was called The Proposal.
I watched it. It was only one season and you
got engaged in one night. Oh gosh, that's ridiculous.
So stupid. That should honestly, that
should be considered fraud at that point.
What do people think marriage is?
What the heck is this? I think people are just so
desperate for love. I don't know.
So the man she chose was named
Devin Stratter or straighter, and he was described as a very
hard working 28 year old business owner and they were
secretly engaged for a couple months after filming.
However, during the finale in September of 2024, the producers
made Jen tearfully reveal to the live audience that Devin had
pulled away after the filming had wrapped and that he told her
that he didn't love her anymore and he regretted ever getting
engaged and called off their engagement.
Oh my gosh. And after this, right after
this, the producers made Jen reunite with Devin and watch
their proposal back together. Oh my goodness.
And this poor girl, this poor girl looks absolutely
distraught, like she's crying, she's heaving, like she can like
barely catch her breath. And when she confronted Devin,
she talked about how phony he was on the show and about how
immediately after breaking up with her, he then was clubbing
with that girl Maria from. Oh my God.
The season, the one that everyone thought was going to be
The Bachelorette. Isn't it also especially dubious
or something? Well, not dubious, but crazy
because normally even on The Bachelorette seasons, the man
still proposes to the woman, but on this season she proposed to
him. Oh I didn't realize that.
I thought she just picked him and he proposed.
No, she proposed to him. Hmm.
I know, I know. It's like all power to women
feminism. Like, yeah, do whatever you
want. I think that's great if a woman
proposes to men and, you know, stereotypes are stupid.
But I don't know if for some reason that seems sad to me.
I would never. Be a it's like, it's in our,
it's just like in our culture, at least for like heterosexual
relationships. I don't know.
I know it's probably stupid, but it just doesn't feel right.
Well. I think it would be one thing
for him to propose and then turn around and be like, actually,
no. But it just seems like maybe she
proposed and he didn't want to say no.
You know, probably, yeah, 'cause it's which just makes it, yeah.
It just makes it a whole other level.
Yeah, I'm surprised they don't talk about it.
I mean, maybe they do, but like, they have opportunities to have
these dates where they don't say like, OK, like before the final
rose ceremony. Hey, if I pick you, what do you
want to happen, you know? Maybe they do talk about it.
I just think it's so awful because here she is on this
show. She had 25 men to go through.
Like all these opportunities to weed down.
She obviously rejects some really great guys because she
has to pick one person. And the person she picks just
kind of pulls away immediately. And it's like, you know, I
didn't really want this. I didn't think I was going to
win. And it's like, OK, if you
weren't serious about it, back out on your own.
Like maybe there was someone else to get picked.
Because people are doing it for the wrong reasons, I think.
That's what they always say on the show.
Really. Yeah, people always get in
fights because they're like, you're not here for the right
reason. So do they not have to get
engaged at the end? They can just pick?
Why does it seem like they always get engaged?
They don't have to, but a lot of the times they do.
I feel like, I don't know, I I haven't watched it enough.
I feel like it used to, it didn't wasn't always the
expectation, but now because it happens every season, people
probably think like, oh gosh, there's something wrong if I
don't get engaged by the end of the show.
Everybody else does it. It's too fast.
Way too fast. We just talked about this.
I know, Golden Bachelor. It was later revealed that
Devin's ex from 2017 had a restraining order against him
and that he was previously arrested for violating the
restraining order and breaking into her home, posing questions
how he even passed a background check to be on the show.
So I do think she dodged a bullet even though it sucked in
the moment. And I would describe her as
having a very youthful goofy energy, which I think Caitlin
kind of touched on this. I think it might make some
people not take her as serious seriously, or maybe people tend
to underestimate her. But she is very beautiful, very
disciplined, motivated, spontaneous.
She seems very resilient and positive, as Caitlin said,
bubbly and cheerful. But I think you know very hard
working too. Nice.
But so anyways, where our story begins, really.
That finale episode aired of The Bachelorette and a lot of fans
who had invested their energy into the show all season.
We're pissed off. You know, you're watching every
single week. You know, you're like, who's she
going to pick? Who's she going to pick?
And then you see that it ends this way.
You're you're like, what the fuck?
You're so. Mad and they were disappointing.
So upset about how Jen's breakup was handled by the producers and
how it wasn't delicate and she was forced to watch the
proposal. So the producers are hearing
this online, and they're like, yeah, this is really bad.
And so after the finale, Jen Tran is crying in her dressing
room, and ABC producers approach her and tell her that she can be
on the next season of Dancing With the Stars if she can make
it to the airport in 45 minutes. Jesus.
What? Yeah.
I didn't really, it was that last minute.
At this point, the upcoming season's cast has already been
determined and all the other cast members are already on
their way to New York to appear on Good Morning America the next
morning for the official announcement.
So they say if you can, Yep, they say if you can make it to
Good Morning America, you can be on the season.
So meanwhile, Sasha is at home, and he's feeling kind of bummed
because he was told that he wouldn't have a partner this
season, that and that he would just be on the troop.
And there's just no one that was a good fit for him, apparently.
And then his phone rings and he receives a call from the
executive producer who says, Sasha, you have a flight in 45
minutes. I found you a partner.
It's going to be Jen Tran. And you need to get to the
airport right now. And he claims that he ran
through the airport sweating, just barely made his flight.
Like they apparently didn't even have his ticket at first.
Like he really just made it by like a minute to spare.
Why do I lowkey have chills? I know.
Crazy. And while sitting on the flight,
he receives a tap on his shoulder.
And then Jen says Sasha. And he goes, Jen and they,
that's how they met on the plane.
Wow, that's so cute. So they took a red eye flight
together, changed their clothes, and then went straight to Good
Morning America to announce that they'd be on the show.
Wow, I. Can't believe she went from
crying in her dressing room. I can't believe she said yes.
This is crazy. Yeah, the guy would be like, I
need some time to my that's also.
Crazy that you can go from a pro one season, it's just being in
the troop the next. I know, yeah, like a demotion,
but I mean, it makes sense. Like if they don't just don't
have the right amount of celebrities, I don't know what
the ratio is for like men to women too.
But like they promote some troop members and and I think things
kind of rotate. But that's what I mean though,
about how she seems so spontaneous.
Like here she is in PA school, like she's almost done with
school. And then she gets this
opportunity to go on the bachelor.
She goes, then from there she gets the opportunity to go on
The Bachelorette and she says, sure, I'll do it.
And then from there, Dancing with the Stars.
And this is all like in the span of a year in her life.
It's just so crazy. At first, it seems like they're
just normal dance partners during the performance nights, a
contestant from Jen's Bachelorette season named
Jonathan who had actually made it to the Top 3 when she was on
the show. He attends the tapings or the
live performances to show his support, and fans online are
wondering if maybe she's dating Jonathan.
Interesting. That's nice of him, yeah.
Well, some people think maybe he was clout chasing because, you
know, they filmed him in the audience.
Never mind, I'll take you back. Complete 180.
At one point, Sasha and Jen are being interviewed on the red
carpet with their arms around each other's shoulders, and the
interviewer mentions that Jonathan recently revealed that
if Jen asked him on a date, he would say yes.
And then to that, Sasha gleefully says to Jen.
There you go. Then Jen responds and says that
Jonathan is a great friend friend and that he has been a
great support system while she's living in LA.
Temporarily, she says, but that right now her heart is not up to
dating anyone. But she's excited to see where
the friendship might go. And at this time, there's
actually a different showmance on the show happening between
model Brooks Nader and pro dancer Gleb Shavinko, and that's
getting most of the attention. But Brooks and Gleb, their
showmance is coming across as super superficial and forced,
and they're proving very unlikable with audiences.
And they actually voted out in the third episode.
Wow. That's kind of a showmance that
it seems kind of obvious it's fake or maybe they really are
hooking up, but they're really playing into it in a way that's
not really connecting with people so.
I was just people saw through it.
Yeah, it does seem on the show that Jen is really busting her
ass. She's really putting in a lot of
work and her dances are really good.
And she's posting a lot on social media.
On September 25th, she posted a TikTok of Sasha handing her
flowers to congratulate her for a great performance.
And when he hands them to her, he says, you deserve this baby.
Is that just I know? Is that just like a cheeky
phrase though? And then?
Could. Be they're spending, they're
spending a lot of time together. October 18th, Sasha post a
TikTok of him taking Jen to a Russian restaurant to get her to
try Russian food for the first time.
Then October 23rd people online start to speculate that maybe
something more is happening when the cast is being interviewed
and Sasha's hands are on Jen's hips.
He pulls them away and then she turns around and grabs his hands
and puts them back on her hips. Whoa.
On that on that same day, Jenner field in an interview that she
had to miss the Taylor Swift concert for rehearsals so that
Sasha actually bought her tickets to go see Taylor Swift
in Vancouver once the season is over.
Wow, that's a big gift. I know that's expensive and also
probably hard to get. Yeah, it's very pricey and he
bought a ticket for himself to go with her.
Wow, so how much time has passed so far?
Like how long have they known each other?
They've known each other now for about a month.
OK. So yeah, they keep in TikTok
videos referring to each other at this point as honey and baby,
but it's unclear if it's just a playful banter.
October 29th, Jen and Sasha are both eliminated from the
competition and they're very bummed.
Jen is interviewed and she says we spent the last seven weeks
attached at the hip. I can't even imagine a life
without Sasha at this point. And I didn't even know him seven
weeks ago. And she seems very emotional.
And it's a shame because they they really were great dancers
on the show. They were one of the better
duos. But I think because Joey, the
former Bachelor was also on this season, which is kind of funny
because like, he's like her ex, but not really because, you
know, he was dating many girls at once.
But I think it's so weird. They were kind of splitting the
votes with The Bachelor fans, so.
Yeah, and even though it's unfortunate, he was definitely
way more popular of Leeds than she was.
Yeah, and he actually, he ended up winning the whole
competition. Wow boiler.
Yeah, like that's not one of those shows that people watch.
I know, but maybe I'm wrong. And they already knew that,
yeah. So when they were leaving, they
were asked about dating rumors and that's the clip I have for
you guys. We love seeing you guys online,
cooking together, hanging out, going to tell us of concert.
I didn't forget about that. Many are saying you said she
just date and I'm here for her. You said she just date.
What's up with that? How are we going to date?
Take it away. Listen, I I live a very private
life. I know where.
You live. And I didn't want any of this to
be. I wanted her journey to be
purely about dance. It wasn't about her showmanship.
Yeah, we have amazing chemistry. And that's, you know, you could
see that through our dancing. And I'm really proud of her.
And yeah, that's. Yeah, so.
We're shutting down those rumors.
That's we're shutting it down. That's it.
Yeah, we just shut those down. Yeah, we really shut those.
They shut it down. Yeah, we shut down those rumors,
shut it down. But I feel like the way she said
it was kind of sarcastic, right? A little bit because she was
kind of making fun of him in a way, but it still was like, Oh
no, we're not dating type, you know?
Yeah, but after the show ends, they keep hanging out all the
time and they're constantly posting tick tocks at Sasha
house dancing together and fans are to pick up on the fact that
it it appears like Jen is actually staying at his house.
Then on November 9th, they both attend the Wicked premiere and
pose together on the red carpet and they are interviewed and
once again asked if they are dating.
And Jen smiles and says what? Then she looks at Sasha and says
honey, take it away. And he says we are just here to
watch an amazing movie Wicked. And Jen laughs and says what
happened to the dancing? So I think like referencing that
interview you guys just watch, where he says it's just about
the dancing. She keeps giving it to him to
answer. Yeah, then on November 12th,
someone commented on Jen's ex Devin, the one that dumped her,
and they wrote Jen found a great guy whose name is Sasha.
And then Devin commented and said that's a girl's name.
Oh. My God.
Yeah. And actually did.
This guy Devin is awful. I saw that just this week.
He was at a club and he got bottle service.
And you know the how the girls come out sometimes with a sign
that like says something like usually it's like happy birthday
or something. I think the sign said, Jen,
ain't it? Oh my.
God and you talked to like so. Immature.
Yeah. And he broke up with her.
Like what the fuck? Well also I forgot to mention
this before but when Oh he was seen clubbing with Maria or
something? Maria later posted that she
didn't know him and yeah, didn't want to be dragged into this.
He hadn't been at the club with him.
Like she doesn't really know who he even is.
Yeah, poor Maria. Really, that wasn't even true.
No, but he was kind of like fueling that.
Rumor. I do kind of get the vibe though
The Bachelor Nation or whatever is similar to Survivor.
Like, you know, we're a little connected to the Survivor
community now. I think we need to explain that
to people. I don't think we've ever said
that on the show. Yeah, their sister, my cousin
Shannon, her boyfriend, was on the latest season of Survivor.
Andy. Yeah, If anyone watched it, Andy
is kind of our brother-in-law. Yeah.
And he was like the main character of the season.
He was. The main character.
Yeah, I wanted to bring this up and it has nothing to do with
significant lovers. You know, he didn't get on the
show because of us or anything. No, it's purely a coincidence.
But I wanted to bring it up because I feel like we had a
weird experience recently where it felt like significant lovers
happen to us or like to our family.
Not really. But like people online were just
like talking about Shannon and piercing together stuff.
Like someone made a post about Andy and his wife slash
girlfriend on New Year's Eve and it was a video of them kissing.
And it was on Reddit and people in the comments were like he has
a girlfriend or he's married. And then someone responded and
said like they live together in one video.
She was in the background and she like people are like paying
attention. Yeah, together in one video on
her Instagram. Yeah, crazy.
So. Weird.
Like that's my sister. So now we've been victims to our
own, well, not us, Shannon, but so our own creepiness.
Yeah, if we if we did an episode on them, we would have a lot of
inside information. Oh.
We'd have way information. Would we?
Yeah. I think we know some things that
we don't. Anyway, anyways but I kind of
feel like the Bachelor Nation is similar to the Survivor
community that once you're on alum they all hang out together
and like know each other and go to events together.
I wonder if they have viewing parties the same way Survivor
does. I think they do, maybe.
Kind of seems like it. Probably.
Devin made that comment, Sasha is a girl's name and then Sasha
posted to his story and said the name Sasha is short for
Alexander and he added, you know who else had that name?
Alexander. The great Exclamation point.
Exclamation point like my. Gosh.
I know. Very wholesome.
I feel like he this is just kind of like a little too immature
for him, all this Devin stuff. I know it's spelled differently,
but Sasha Baron Cohen, yes. Our second Sasha.
So November 13th, Sasha actually posted an Instagram of him and
Jen, making people question if this was a hard launch of their
relationship or if they're just trolling people who think
they're dating. And that's the first picture I
sent to you guys. OK, so.
I remember seeing. This like they're at the beach,
but they're in jackets and she has her arm around his neck,
arms around his neck and they're smiling.
Oh, it looks like it's a selfie that he's taking.
They're both smiling a lot. And the caption is days like
this make everything better. He posted it.
Yes. Lots of exclamation mark.
I know what that's like. Four.
Wait one. Days like this make everything
better. That's cute.
That's really cute. And she's so cute.
I know she's very beautiful. So then it's November 19th and
Sasha choreographed an opening number for the Dancing with the
Stars episode and Jen posted a TikTok of the dance.
And there was this meme at this point going around on TikTok
that was like someone would write something on their screen
as if it was, let's say, they would show, like, just your
room. And then you would write
something on the screen that would say, as a veterinarian, I
think dogs need 10 treats a day. And then it would, like,
accidentally flip, and you would see that the dog was the one
writing it or something. Does that make sense?
Yes, I've OK, I know what you're talking about.
Yes, Yeah. Yeah, it's kind of hard to
explain. It's like someone is trying to
anonymously post something as somebody else, but then it's
revealed because the camera flips.
That it's. Like I saw one that was Taylor
Lautner saying like I don't know Edward Soxer, I forget what he
said, but then it showed that it was him doing it exactly.
But he is posting it so you always know it's.
It's a joke, but the person, yeah, the the person acts
flustered, like, oh, sorry, I didn't mean to flip it around.
Like, and it was just a funny thing.
So she wrote on the screen, whoever choreographed this
opening is the hottest and most talented pro ever and should
still be dancing in the semi finals.
But then she flipped it around and it was her face, like
pretending to act like she didn't mean to write it, you
know? Yeah, that's hard to.
Sometimes those memes like that are really hard to.
I know you really have to explain them.
It's a good exercise. Yeah, I know it takes something
funny and makes it really not funny.
Literally. I know.
And I'm like darn, it seems kind of stupid.
It is cute. Though but interesting she
called him hot and even though Jenna's voted off the show, she
still keeps attending all of the live performances.
Nice. So it's November 24th, It's her
27th birthday. And later on, not that day but
later on, she posts a vlog of that day, which includes her
waking up to balloons all over the floor in Sasha's house, then
up. Yeah, and his house.
Then she and Sasha go to the farmers markets together, and he
buys her flowers before they go to the dance studio to rehearse
a dance for the finale. So even though she's voted out,
they make a return for the finale just for fun.
And in the vlog, there's actually a cute shot of a big
disco ball at the studio, and it's in the shape of a heart,
but it looks like there's a broken heart.
But then it's taped over. And then Jen points to it and
says that's mine, which I thought was cute.
Then November 26th, the day at the finale, Sasha posts another
sweet Instagram and again people are like, wait, so is this
confirmation? Are they together?
And that's the second picture. I'm looking at it.
So she again has her hands around his neck.
And they're lean together. Their heads are together.
It's not, it's not a selfie. It's like a professional photo.
It kind of looks like a hotel room.
Yeah, they're posing in a hotel room.
Projector screen actually. Yeah, it kind of does the.
Closer I look. No, I think that's a shade.
It's a shade. Yes, never mind.
But they set up the phone to take the photo and they're away
from it, posing. Their faces are right next to
each other. Her torso is like faced towards
him. Yeah, well, the caption is can't
believe it's the finale of Dancing With the Stars tonight.
Lots of exclamation points again.
I didn't win the mirror ball, but I still feel like I won.
Lots of exclamation points again.
I love his use of exclamation. And but that feels very
confirming. Yeah, yeah, I still feel like I
won, Yeah. And I think what's really
telling is that other professional dancers and
contestants on the show commented sharing their support,
including from Sasha's ex-wife Emma, who comments she comments
3 blushing heart emojis and then just writes love, period.
OK, that's kind of a weird comment, but.
They went to somebody. Ruby Rose, yes, Yeah, I forget
what it was. She commented something on her
ex's post in a new. Relationship.
I forget what to but it was kind of odd.
It was odd because she was clearly, she was still clearly
like upset about the breakup. And I think, I think Jessica
responded. And didn't she say like I've
told you to stop contacting me? Oh.
My God, Yikes. Yeah, bad if he responded to us,
told you to stop. Contacting me.
Oh my God. I mean, it's, I guess it's nice,
but I don't know. It's just crazy because no
matter how civil you are in a relationship, what post of your
ex posting about their new relationship would ever have you
going Flushing flushing face emoji?
Yeah, that's why I feel like there has to be something more
to the breakup because not to project we don't know these
people. Again, I hate to assume, but it
almost seems like she's overcompensating and it makes me
wonder, like does she have some sense of guilt?
But she's, I think so. I hope you find.
Obviously it's nice to want your ex to find.
Someone. To be happy, especially if you
broke up with them. But it just kind of feels maybe
she's like desperately wants him to find happiness because she
feels bad about the way it ended.
That's like the only explanation I feel like for the behaviour.
Yeah, they literally were together for 10 years.
Wow. Yeah, and they got married.
Married, he proposed on air on live television.
And they haven't even been divorced for that long.
No less than a year. Yeah, and less than a year
later, you're doing blushing face emojis on their new
partner's Instagram. Like, I don't know.
I mean, maybe she thinks because at the same time they do work
together, maybe she thinks Jen would feel more comfortable if
she just was totally supportive outwardly, make it so there's no
tension. But still, they just.
I feel like she's doing too much.
She seems like a very nice. I will say she seems very, very
nice. Like she is always paired with
the dancers who are old or the celebrities who are older and
don't go as far. And she seems so patient, so
kind. Yeah.
So she seems like a very nice woman.
Yeah, I'm sure she is. I think I'd be more concerned
with his ex being so supportive though.
Me too is if I don't know if she like has to put her seal on it
or something. Yeah, she.
Has to comment. It's just it's not necessary to
comment. I could see liking it liking the
poses. Yeah, exactly to comment is.
We're way in over in. But you know what, guys like it.
It's not just about them. It's like a universal thing.
Yeah, yeah, this is. If this happened to you, how
would you? Making the personal universal.
Yeah, it's some yeah. Or would I do this?
I would hope not. I feel like I would.
Only do it if I would not. I feel like I would only do it
if I felt like I had something to prove.
Yeah. But anyways, in the finale, Jen
and Sasha did a very romantic steamy dance together alongside
the other showmance from the season, Gleb and Brooks, like
they each had their turn to dance and then at the end they
were all four on the stage together and they danced to the
song, reunited. And it feels so good.
And in the scenes, like behind the scenes footage from
rehearsals, there are shots of them holding hands before they
walk on stage. Then November 28th they spend
Thanksgiving together at Alfonso Ribeiro's house and he's the
host of Dancing With the Stars, the Co host and you know, also
known as Carlton on Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
He is apparently he every year. Apparently he hosts many of the
pros because they don't live near their family.
And among the guests were Sasha and Jen and also Sasha's ex-wife
Emma. So they all spend Thanksgiving
together. Wow.
And then December 1st, Duma posted a blind item message that
Sasha and Jen were spotted holding hands at the Grove in LA
and that she kept calling him honey.
And then on December 4th, Jen posted a series of images to her
Instagram of her and Sasha, and she had a very long caption.
But I'll read it for you guys, she said to my dance partner.
I can't believe that three months ago we didn't know each
other and that we almost didn't even meet.
I've always believed in fate, but meeting you at the airport
in one of my darkest hours, in rushing to Good Morning America
to start what would become the most unforgettable and surreal
dance journey together was truly meant to be.
This experience has been one of a lifetime and truly something
I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
But my experience on Dancing with the Stars was only so
unbelievable because of you. Every day for the past three
months, I've had the biggest smile on my face, in my heart
because you've brought light back into my life.
When I thought that the clouds would be suffocating me.
September 4th was indescribable. The pain I felt left to scar,
but you were the one who helped heal a wound you didn't make.
Thank you for being who you are and for pushing my limits day
after day. Thank you for choreographing
beautiful pieces for me and for putting up with me in all the
times I was down to myself. Dancing requires so much
confidence and self security that honestly I'm still working
through, but the comfort you exuded allowed me to break
barriers. I will miss driving to
rehearsals together every day, dancing in the living room and
performing with you. This experience has been the
most sensational, sensational, remarkable and life changing and
I would do it with you 10 times over over again.
Because of you, I was able to find a love for dancing and now
I can't even imagine my life without you.
I'm so immensely grateful you'd come.
You came into my life and now will you please teach me how to
do an Argentine tango soon? Thank you XOXO, your forever
dance partner. Everything.
Everyone. Give Sasha his flowers.
Wow. Very sweet, but a dance partner,
is that it? I know.
And then she said. Your forever dance partner.
Yeah, which is crazy 'cause it's like she'd say my forever dance
partner, your forever dance partner.
But he's also on the show and he probably has had multiple dance
partners before and he'll have multiple dance partners
afterwards. So being your forever dance
partner makes it seem like I'm like your dance partner in life
type of way, you know? Yeah, and he commented, he said,
he said, oh, thank you. You blossomed into a beautiful
dancer. I hope we can remain friends and
stay in contact. That's such a like yearbook
signing response. Do you stay in contact?
Yeah, I think the people were like, are they trolling us now?
What I. Hope that's just like it.
It's a joke or he was just saying that's be funny, you
know? Yeah, it was a joke because then
she kept quoting that later on and saying I hope we can stay
friends in different posts still.
Oh my God, she wrote this whole romantic thing.
And maybe that's not the time to make a joke, but maybe it is
because again, it's social media like we don't need yeah,
monologue of telling us how your relationship is.
But. Yeah, and I think what's telling
too is, like I said, the pros, the other pros on the show
commenting like Jenna Johnson commented, So sweet.
Love seeing you both so happy. So I feel like these are people
with inside information knowing whether they're dating or not,
you know? I'm I'm thrown off those.
I know, I know, I was too. That's what makes it compelling.
That's what makes a really compelling ship.
December 5th, Jen had to overnight ship her passport from
Miami to LA so that she could fly to Canada for the Taylor
Swift concert. I think because she didn't know
she was still going to be in LA at this point.
But then days pass and it didn't arrive on time, and she was The
passport was seemingly lost in transit, so she only had.
She. Only had one day to spare but
she had to actually go back to Boston or or go somewhere I
forget where she had to go. So she was out of town and she
only has one day to get her passport back which she has no
idea where it is. And long story store, she posted
her stories that Sasha drives all over the city stopping
different UPS drivers to try to find her passport until he
finally somehow finds it just as Jen is returning to LA so that
they can fly out to Vancouver together for the concert.
He has so much confidence to be able to do that.
Yeah, yeah. He's like driving.
Say like, excuse me. Yeah, look.
Through your van right now, yeah.
What? How do you even get permission
to do that? I know, but like, that's
something you do for someone you really care about.
Yeah. True, it's very.
Heroic. So they fly to Vancouver
together. And I will say, you know,
relationships, are they PR, are they not?
Amazon does sponsor their trip as in they buy them clothes to
wear for the Taylor Swift concert and for the trip.
So throughout their trip to Canada, they're like posting
stories and being like, these are our outfits we're wearing
from Amazon. These are like our products, our
travel products that we brought our bags.
So like there is some financial benefit to the relationship at
this point. Mm hmm.
But so many couples also do that, so I'm not gonna totally
negate them. Real life couples, they just get
sponsored and they do these things.
So it could be APR look, but it's so commonplace in today's
social media landscape that. Yeah, I mean, it's not a.
Total red flag to me at least. Yeah, like is a question is a
relationship fake just because there is some financial gain
from it? And I was kind of this came up
with my boyfriend Zach, because this is such a much smaller
scale, like no one cares about us, but but we met on Hinge.
And so I have been saying like, oh, I should get Hinge to
sponsor our podcast so I can tell people how we met on Hinge.
And he was like, oh, yeah, you could be posting about it.
Like we could just like, you know, keep like flaunting about
our relationship and like, get sponsored, sponsored posts about
us being in a relationship and motivate other people.
And I was like, yeah, but like, I don't know, that feels kind of
icky. Then it's like, I'm kind of, you
know, selling my relationship. And he was like, I don't care.
Like make money off of it, but. Yeah, I think it's fine.
Yeah. But basically it's like at what
point I feel like Kristen Stewart used to talk about this
with regards to like her relationship with Robert
Pattinson saying it's, it starts to feel kind of dirty when your
relationship becomes a product for people to buy.
Yeah, I I can see that. I know.
That's why I don't like different though.
Jennifer Lopez. And what's his name?
Yeah, yeah. Well, at least with that, they
really were selling the relationship partially with the
like the music and the movie documentary that they made.
But at least with Jen and Sasha, I'm giving them so much benefit
of that. But they're selling other
products using their relationship, but they're not
selling really their relationship.
They are somewhat because they also both started doing this
thing on social media where people have to pay for exclusive
content. So it's basically like paywalled
stories and posts that they do. So like it's literally like
having a Patreon but on your Instagram.
So people like pay to see their more like close friends stories
basically of the two of them together.
How does that work? Can people not screenshot or
something? I think people.
Can so it's kind of silly, like I feel like I've seen all their
stories on TikTok. I've seen so many of Paul Wesley
from The Vampire Diaries close friends reposted.
It really. Yeah.
Wow. I mean, it's kind of like even
like only Fans, I think people can repost, take a screenshot of
something, but maybe people do it just to support.
But also at the same time, like yes, Sasha is on a big
television show, but I don't think the professional dancers
actually make that much on Dancing with the Stars.
I think it's only, I think that's around a couple $1000 per
episode. And then they get more if they
make it further into the show, but they put in a lot of work
and the season is only it's only one season a year.
So if you're a professional dancer on Dancing with the
stars, you do have to kind of like do side hustles and figure
out a way to profit off of your celebrity in some way.
And like, I'm not sure what Jen's financial financial
situation is like a year, a little over a year ago, she was
just APA student. Like she probably she could have
had debt for all we know. And then, yeah, she probably
gets paid to go on The Bachelor and then The Bachelorette, but
that can only go so far. So it's like you do have to kind
of get your back. Yeah, I don't think that means
that they're not necessarily together.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have had like a million
sponsorships and stuff, which did make me question.
I honestly did question the validity of their relationship,
but I think they're real and. It's so normal and especially
since they are reality TV stars, social media kind of goes hand
in hand with that. That's if they were totally
normal people and then started doing this randomly, it'd be.
Weird. How would they do that?
I don't know, as I started telling this story, I was like,
why would they even do that based on their personalities?
I don't feel like they're the type to do that sort of thing.
I mean, maybe they would. Again, I don't know them, but
when there's people like, oh, some certain Youtubers like
Logan Paul or Jake Paul or Tanamogo or something, if they
were doing stuff like that, it's like, OK, obviously they're just
doing it for the cloud. Sure, the money is the benefit,
but I wouldn't say that's probably their only motivator.
Yeah, I think they, honestly, it reminds me of when you're super
new in a relationship and you just can't get enough of that
person and you want to show them off.
It does seem like they're just like so excited and caught up in
it, which takes me to the next video.
This is not something that you guys, unfortunately, our
listeners can hear because it's not like talking, but they do a
dance while they're in Vancouver.
They had stopped people on the street and asked them to film
this for at TikTok or Instagram. So that is the next clip.
That was cute though. That's so cute the.
Songs, lovers, very romantic. I took that to be like, OK, for
sure they're dating. And I think they are.
Because then on December 13th, Jen had a big birthday party in
LA. And it's very obvious at this
point. Sasha stands beside her when she
blows out her candles, and there's just a lot of footage of
him kissing her on the cheek, her playfully pretending to lick
his face, and her sitting on his lap.
Wow, Lap. And at this point, I feel like,
OK, this guy doesn't have to be hanging around anymore if
nothing's going on, you know what I mean?
I mean, the season's over. Yeah, same with her.
Yeah, yeah. And I don't know if their budget
is huge. I don't know what it is compared
to Survivor, probably bigger. I mean they have celebrities and
stuff. But so maybe I'm wrong.
But all I know is the Survivor thing and I know people online
have speculated if they like get paid to hang out or something
but or they get told to, but they don't and we know that and
so that it is actually authentic.
So yeah, I I don't see why they would still be hanging out all
the time at this point. Yeah, and I mean, Jen had
probably spent time in LA when she was on The Bachelorette and
Bachelor, but she's not like a West Coast.
She doesn't live there, person. No, she doesn't.
She's lived on the East Coast her entire life.
So she's really uprooted her life and she's just staying with
Sasha now, it seems. Yeah.
And also, I know they have a good social media following and
I know people are intrigued by them, but I don't think ABC
would be shilling out money to have Jen and Sasha, who didn't
even place that far into the show, just to hang out.
Yeah, I don't think so either. Then it's December 17th and Jen
is sitting next. Unless ABCI guess I will say,
unless ABC still felt really bad about Jen getting dumped and
that season kind of being awash and the way they handled it.
And so they're like, please look, make it look like you're
in a happy relationship so people realize it was meant to
be or something, or some people get over it.
I honestly don't think ABC cares that much.
They constantly have wash seasons and they don't care
enough about those. Yeah.
Yeah, maybe they're like, people are not going to watch anymore
if they think that contestants don't find love, so let's add
this twist. I don't know.
But yeah, I agree. I don't think they care.
Yeah, I don't think of ABC as being like that sophisticated
with their programs. I'm thinking about like ABC
Family as well. I don't know.
No, I feel like ABC does not care enough.
They probably should. They should be doing these kinds
of things, but they just don't. Because they have just like
another season around the corner and people are going to watch.
The Bachelor has been on TV be forever.
So then it's December 17th and again, OK, I have to describe
one of these Internet things. Jen is sitting next to Sasha and
we kind of talked about this, I think it was last episode, where
she has one of those filters on her, on her forehead. 2nd.
Episode in a row, yeah. Kelly, this is what happens when
you cover modern relationships. You have to describe like these
social media trends. And it says you will end 2024
dot dot dot and then it, you know, a fortune pops up of how
you're going to end 2024 and it lands on pregnant.
And then Sasha looks at it and then perks up and raises his
eyebrows and starts smiling at Jen.
Oh my God. And then that's crazy.
She she captions the video. I've never seen my boss smile so
big. So she they frequently.
Refer us. Yeah, so they frequently also
refer to each other on social media as he's her boss or their
coworkers or their roommates. And I think it's kind of tongue
in cheek to pretend like they're not dating when they are, you
know? I guess in a way on the show
he's sort of not was her boss, but he probably was bossing her
around. Yeah, he was in the power
position. Yeah.
Yeah, kind of. I mean at the end of.
This so weird. I can't imagine though like
being that aware of people's perception of your relationship,
you know? Like I've had jokes with who I'm
dating and nicknames and stuff but it's not like for what
people think. Yeah, it's very like letting
people in. That's what I said.
Why I said the thing about like, is it PR at this point?
Because it is a lot. There is stuff like every day.
So they do. And 2024 continuing to post each
other all the time. They do more cute dances.
They wear matching Grinch costumes because his dog's name
is Grinch. She even refers to herself as
the mommy of Sasha's dogs. They attend a gala together.
It's a gala for Asian and Pacific entertainers in media
and they pose on the red carpet. Sasha then takes solo pictures
of Jen. He looks really proud of her.
They go to the farmers market together every weekend.
They go on hikes together and it just seems like they're together
all the time. It was just funny because those
dogs already have a mom in a way, you know?
I know. They used to.
Used to? What do you mean?
I thought they were Co parenting.
I don't know if they share custody, Mel say.
That, or you just know that. No, Mel said that they were Co
parenting or they they were still family is.
What? That's what she.
Said. She said we're still a family
but I don't know if they Co parent the dogs and I.
Will say from that statement that they were Co parenting the
dogs and that's why I thought it was OK that maybe well not OK.
I did have a few comments but I thought it was more reasonable
that she was so still a presence in their life because you would
probably have to see his ex from their Co parenting of the dogs.
But if that's not the case at all, then that's even stranger.
Yeah, I think in general it's a bad idea to Co parent dogs.
If you break up, which I think I know it's devastating.
And I I could, I never want to be in that situation where you
go through a breakup and you have to think, Oh my God, I
might never see my dog again. I would be absolutely crushed.
But I just don't think it's a good idea.
Yeah, how could you move on from the relationship if you still
have to see your ex? Every week, yeah, yeah.
I mean, people have to do that with kids, but I yeah, I feel
like the dog will be OK with just one parent.
Yeah, the dog will be OK. It's sad.
I mean, you could maybe watch your dog if this happens to one
of you guys. I hope it doesn't if the person
goes away on vacation and watch the dog here and there.
But I don't know. I just, I think it's an
unfortunate thing. But anyways, Jen and Sasha spend
Christmas apart with Jen flying to Boston to be with her mom.
But then she flies right back to LA to spend New Year's Eve with
Sasha. And they ended the year doing a
really cute dance. So that's the final clip I want
to show you guys. Do you mean just a few days?
Ago, yes. Oh.
My gosh, it's crazy. OK.
You say there's so much you don't know, you need to go and
find yourself. You say you'd rather be alone.
Because you think you won't find it tied to someone else who said
it's true that the growing only happens on your own?
They don't know me and you. This is a nice house, it's got
to say that. Whose house is this?
I think it's his huge. That was sweet.
Why didn't he just go on his laptop at the end?
Wait, I think I missed that part.
Yeah, he just goes back onto his laptop or tablet or something.
So basically for the listeners, because they don't know what
video is, it's a it's a wide angle very far away in Sasha's
house. I guess it's very modern and
spacious, but like wooden, well, white ceilings and white walls
were like some wooden beams and wooden floor and they're dancing
together and. It's a great dance they they
dance well together. Looks like he kissed her hand.
He kissed. Did that happen?
He kissed her cheek. I think so, and then at the end
also I think kissed her hand. Yeah, or her shoulder or
something. It was cute.
Yeah, it's very like romantic to grow as we go.
Yeah, the FT goes back onto his like tablet.
But does he actually kiss her cheek?
It looks like he goes in but then she like pulls away right
at the same time. It's too far away that you
really can't tell, but that's what we're.
Looking for that would be so fun to have like a new relationship
and they're teaching you how to dance.
Mm hmm. And that's just something that
you can just do. They're just dancing.
That's so sweet. But very cute.
Yeah, that's their relationship. I saw like a day ago, I think he
posted another photo to his Instagram where it's like the
couple pose where the girl puts her hand on the guy's stomach.
You know, like it's very coupley.
Like definitely looks like they're together.
What do you mean the couple pose?
No, it's like a couple pose, like, you know, the couple pose
that includes this, you know, but like.
A common couple pose. I didn't know if this is like a
meme or something. No, no, no, no, no.
It's just like you wouldn't pose, you would not pose with
your father in this way, you know?
Yeah, she, yeah, she has a hand on his stomach and he has his
hand right above her butt, but not on it.
Just where her butt meets her back kind of on.
The slope, the slope, the slope of her back, the small of her
back, as they always say in books.
Yes. Wow.
But yeah, what's going to happen?
We don't know. Like I Jen did post to her
TikTok I think a couple weeks ago about how she plans to go
back to PA school. So how does that line up with,
you know, Sasha wanting kids? Is she going to stay in?
Lai thought. She finished.
She never. Finished.
Oh, so I mean, that's kind of weird thing about these shows.
These reality shows is a lot of the contestants on The Bachelor,
The Bachelorette are very well educated and have very
successful jobs. I mean, sometimes, like they
might be like unemployed or whatever, but like usually
people who are like in the middle of something that they've
dedicated a lot of time to. So I can't imagine going through
all that school. And then it's like, OK, well, am
I now just gonna be like an influencer or am I gonna finish
this? I know.
Yeah. Mm.
Hmm, I kind of hope she finishes it.
Yeah, I. Bet she will.
But she can't do that forever. No, I mean people can be a
physician assistant and have a family, so.
Yeah. Oh yeah, totally.
People can even be in school and have a family.
Yeah, but yeah, I mean, they have an age difference.
She's 27. I think he might be 39.
But I mean, who cares? Fun.
I want his story. Right now.
Sorry, I'm literally on his story right now and it does seem
like they live together. Yeah, they do actually.
I forgot to mention when she posted that dance she said perks
of living with your dance partner.
I hope I don't like that they keep referring to each other's
dance partner. I want this to be like
completely cut and dry. I know hopefully soon.
I want to know if they're together I.
Think that was. Really exciting Mel, I know I
devastated if not. I know.
I love the story of it. Like I love that she's
heartbroken. He's bummed he's not going to be
on the show and then just suddenly you have 45 minutes to
get to the airport and then they fall.
In love ROM com or something? Seriously.
Actually when they were in Vancouver too, he posted a photo
of them together and I forgot or no what was it?
He posted some Instagram where he said living in a real life
Notting Hill. It's like fate.
Yeah, yeah. Well what I just watched on his
story which was 5 seconds ago that he posted today.
Apparently she was running up the stairs and it looked like to
their bed or maybe to their couch.
But he was sitting on the couch in blankets or maybe in the bed
in blankets, and they were doing the red light, green light, you
know, game, but also from Squid Game as well.
And she was like running to like get to him and he was doing red
light. And she was like, please can I
come like sit with you or leave with you?
And then you'd do green light and then she'd run a little bit
and then you'd say red light. And it just looks so cute.
I was like, Oh my God, that's. They must be they.
Oh yeah. Oh yeah, I forgot to also
mention when they went to Vancouver for the Taylor Swift
concert, they posted videos in their hotel room and there was
only one bed in the background, but it was definitely both of
them were staying in the hotel room because they were showing
off all their products that were in the room.
Wow, very cute, Mel. Very.
Sweet. Yeah, I'm, they're my ship right
now of the year, so I'm waiting for them.
I didn't even know who they were.
I have never watched these shows really, but I.
Has anyone written fan fiction for them?
Yet. Oh, I don't know.
Oh my gosh. Maybe see?
Wonder if any other podcast has spoken about them yet.
Maybe he's searched Dancing with the Stars type podcast or batch.
Podcast, I bet let. Me.
Look it up. I'm looking on Apple Podcasts.
I don't see anything. The only thing I need to say is
he needs a new hairstyle. Why?
What's wrong? With it, I don't like the way he
styles his hair. That's all I'm going to say.
I think it can get a little unruly sometimes.
I think it's better if it's unruly.
The when it's really styled, I think that's when it's at its
worst. You've only seen the pictures
Mel sent us. It's not too long, it just
really stands up from his forehead.
It's just odd. It is like gelled upwards.
Yeah. I think he's a attractive man
though. I didn't say that, I just said
he needs a new hairstyle. Well, I'll send.
Well, you know, he's, he's in showbiz.
I feel like for whatever reason, dancers style their hair like
that. Yeah.
I don't know why, it's just making sense to me.
Yeah. I see what you mean, it is up.
It's kind of like a superhero. Yeah.
But they're cute.
Thank you, Mel. Yeah, you did a great job.
Thank you. I will say next week's episode
is less wholesome. It's less happy, less romantic
comedy. You might think going into it
that it might be a romantic comedy because of the people who
are in it. You might associate them with
romantic comedies, but the story itself is quite scandalous.
It does involve cheating and it takes place across the pond and
in England, and that's all I will cite about that.
Wow, I don't even know if I know who it is.
You do. I told you I remember.
I remember. I'm pumped.
Well, thank you so much, Mel, and thank you to everybody who
listened. Thank you.
Yes.
Thank you and. And we'll get back together next
week. Bye.
Is your heart peeled with pain?
Shall I come back again?