Love Is Blind UK is now on Netflix and thankfully it’s just as dramatic as the American version. In the British version of the iconic reality series, a group of singles date behind a wall, hoping to get engaged before they ever meet in person. One of those couples was Tom and Maria, who made it to their wedding day before he said “I do” at the altar. But why?
During their time in the cells, 38-year-old Tom and 30-year-old Maria developed a bond, sharing a sense of humor and developing an emotional connection. However, the pair could not agree on their views on who should pay for what in a marriage and a typically patriarchal relationship where the man is seen as the “breadwinner.”
At their wedding, Tom said “I do not” to Maria at the altar, citing his concern for how she would raise their future children. But did the pair actually split after the show, or did they try to work things out as a new couple?
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In a new TikTok, Tom explained that the couple’s “cultural differences” had put a strain on their relationship.
“It was pretty clear leading up to the wedding day that there were pretty big cultural differences between Maria and me, and ultimately we both felt like there was going to be a ‘no’ at the altar,” he explained.
“Unfortunately, the format of the show means that one of us has to go first.”
He stated that he had “nothing but respect” for Maria and that it was a “real shame that our relationship didn’t work out.”
“At the end of the day, it’s a television show and there’s limited time to tell the whole story,” he said.
The couple’s relationship ideals caused friction during the show, with Maria expressing that she would rather take on the more “traditional” role of a wife and mother, while Tom said he did not want a “housewife.”
Things came to a head when Maria stated that she believed men should pay for everything in a relationship, and Tom claimed at their wedding that their differences could “affect our daily lives.”
In an interview after the couple split, Tom said: “She is someone I will always love and respect.
“If I had a little girl, I wouldn’t want the little girl to expect the man to pay for everything. I would want to raise the little girl to be a strong, independent woman who contributes her own way. I don’t think we’ve had enough time to address these things.”
Despite the separation, Maria also made it clear after the wedding episode that she does not regret her relationship.
“I try not to live with regrets,” Maria said in Instagram Stories.
“I try to imagine that everything happens as it should and that my trip would have been the same if I had to do it again. The only thing I can say is that I would have tried to enjoy it a little more.”
Hopefully we’ll learn more about Maria’s side of the story when we meet again!
Love Is Blind: British episodes one to eleven are now available on Netflix
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