HBO Max recently released OWN’s Never Ever Mets Season 2 on streaming, which proves an excellent point for the current dating situation. In the relatively new reality TV show, Never Ever Mets, seven couples who have been dating virtually and believe they’re in love finally have the opportunity to meet each other in person. Some couples have known each other for a few months while others dated online for over four years, and each have an opportunity to see if that connection flourishes in person.
They stay in a home together for about three weeks, attend therapy and group meetings, and have to work together around the house to strengthen their connection – such as through cooking dinner for the rest of the house as a couple. Given the current digital landscape, the premise is perfect. Online and long-distance relationships are becoming more of the norm, and having a safe, controlled environment – with therapists to help couples navigate this new experience – is a great way for these couples to test the waters. Unfortunately, not all the couples were successful, but the show does a great job of proving that it’s imperative that couples meet in person – and the quicker, the better.
‘Never Ever Mets’ Proves Internet Relationships Make Lies Easier to Hide
The most obvious and common concern stars of Never Ever Mets or 90 Day Fiancé have when establishing a connection online is about how truthful each person is. Living across the country and only communicating through a screen makes it easier to hide parts of their lives they normally wouldn’t, like families. Long-distance relationships make it easier for people to hide their true colors and to not be entirely honest. This is especially evident with all the stars who’ve been hiding their pregnancies and children from their online partners in Season 2. Charli, for example, originally told Jared, who she had been dating for 4.5 years, that she “only had one daughter” who was in her pre-teens. Except in her audition tape, Charli revealed she was days away from giving birth. Jared was relieved about the newborn, which was mind-blowing – until he revealed he has “a six-month-old son” that Charli knew nothing about. But the bombshells between the two didn’t end there though, because Charli went on to explain that she had an additional two children Jared didn’t know about.
Then there’s Clavacia and Tatiana, who had been dating for eight months. Clay offered to go vegan for Tatiana without her prompting him to, but he was later caught by several people eating animal products – purposely hiding it from Tatiana. On top of that, he also has a child whom everyone in the house except for Tatiana knows about. Instead of telling her the truth, he love bombed her. Similarly, Keke had been living with her ex-boyfriend for eight years, which was also the “reason for not meeting Brandon in person.” Keke and her ex apparently broke up within the last few months, even though she and Brandon had been dating online for four years. As Keke stated, “the math wasn’t mathing.” These are all big lies. This isn’t a white lie about a favorite show or song. These are lies that if the other person lived closer, they likely wouldn’t be able to get away with.
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Mental health is nothing to play about.
The ‘Never Ever Mets’ Group Vote Reveals Most Couples Weren’t Connecting
A few nights into the reality stars’ stay, and after everyone had an opportunity to get to know each other a little better, the group took an anonymous vote about which couples would be open to going home together based on their current circumstances. The answers ranged from “yes,” “undecided,” to “hell to the naw.” The group count revealed about half the couples shared they wouldn’t go home with the person they were with. Meaning it’s pretty safe to assume that if some of them met in person sooner, they likely wouldn’t have continued a connection that wouldn’t have served them in the long run, especially not for months or years.
The red flags and compatibility issues were apparent and, just as quickly as the couples entered the house, they probably would’ve ended the relationship. The group vote on whether they would stay with their partners revealed that long-distance relationships built solely over a screen can lead to a lot of time wasted if couples don’t evaluate their in-person connection early on. Even if couples aren’t lying or keeping major secrets, such as in the case of Ervin and Alicia (who were at each other’s throats their entire stay), there’s still a high probability that the vibes don’t translate in person.
In reality shows like this one, daters are often nervous about meeting one another in person. Many couples on 90 Day Fiancé wait years to meet their partners, and the anxiety of breaking the ice can exacerbate the situation. However, Never Ever Mets is proving that not meeting potential online lovers leads to a major risk: the couple may not even like each other in person, as seen with Brittany and Ty. This show allows couples to connect in a safe and healthy environment, but the way each storyline is unfolding proves that couples need to meet in person as soon as possible to better evaluate their compatibility.