When Benaiah Grunewald-Brydie first popped up on our screens in the debut season of Love Is Blind UK, most of us were kinda confused. Here was this guy—a self-proclaimed "nomad" who essentially called himself homeless—trying to find a wife in a soundproof box. It felt like a recipe for a beautiful disaster. But then the whole Sam drama happened, and suddenly, Benaiah wasn’t just the "travel guy"; he was the hero we were all rooting for.
Honestly, the journey Benaiah took on the show was wilder than most. He went from being rejected by Nicole Stevens to becoming her husband in what felt like a blink of an eye. Now that the cameras have been off for quite a while, everyone’s asking the same thing: Did the nomadic lifestyle actually work with a marketing professional from Surrey? Or did the "rough seas" he always talked about finally sink the ship?
The Benaiah Love Is Blind Timeline: From Pods to the Altar
Let’s be real, the start was messy. Nicole originally picked Sam, a move that had fans screaming at their TVs. Benaiah had tried to warn her—he basically told her Sam wasn't there for the right reasons—but it backfired initially. Nicole followed her gut (which was slightly off at the time) and got engaged to Sam.
It didn't last. Like, at all. They didn't even make it to the honeymoon in Greece.
Once Nicole realized she’d made a massive mistake, she reached out to Benaiah. Usually, in these shows, the "second choice" guy has too much pride to look back. Not Benaiah. He met her in a London cafe, they cleared the air, and he proposed right then and there without even having a ring ready. It was arguably the most authentic moment of the season because it was so unpolished.
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Why the Wedding Almost Didn't Happen
Believe it or not, Benaiah and Nicole actually agreed to say "no" the night before their wedding. According to Benaiah in recent interviews, they both felt the pressure of the "experiment" was too much. They loved each other, sure, but getting legally married after a few weeks is, in his words, "absolutely bonkers."
They went to sleep thinking they’d leave the altar as a dating couple. But overnight, something shifted. Independently—without telling each other—they both decided they couldn't walk away. When Nicole stood there looking "confused," she wasn't actually doubting him; she was trying to figure out how to tell him she’d changed her mind. When they both said "I do," it was a genuine shock to both of them.
The "Homeless" Truth: Is Benaiah Actually Rich?
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Benaiah Love Is Blind wasn't even his relationship—it was his bank account. On the show, he talked about house-sitting and not having a permanent base. This led a lot of people to assume he was struggling.
The internet, being the internet, did some digging. It turns out Benaiah is far from struggling.
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- The Boarding School: He attended Stonyhurst College, a super-exclusive Jesuit boarding school where tuition is north of £40,000 a year.
- The Business: He’s the founder of Prime Access Creations, a luxury drone filming and structural landscaping business.
- The "Nomad" Logic: He explained on social media that he house-sits to save on the £1,500+ monthly rent prices in the UK. He funnels that saved cash into investments and travel.
So, he wasn't "homeless" in the way we usually think. He was just a guy with a high net worth and a very low overhead who preferred living out of a suitcase than being tied to a mortgage in Preston.
Life After the Show: Are They Still Together in 2026?
You'll be happy to know that as of early 2026, Benaiah and Nicole are still going strong. They didn't just survive the "Sam saga"; they thrived. In fact, they recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
Since the show wrapped, Benaiah has leaned into his public profile but kept his feet on the ground. He started a podcast called Beyond the Pod with his fellow castmate and fan-favorite, Freddie Powell. If you’ve seen it, you know it’s basically just two nice guys talking about life, mindfulness, and the weirdness of reality TV fame.
The Second Wedding
One of the most touching things about their post-show life is their plan for a "real" wedding. Because Benaiah's grandfather was very ill during the filming of the show, his family (who mostly live in Germany) couldn't make it to the Netflix ceremony. He’s been vocal about wanting a ceremony that isn't for the cameras, where his German heritage and Nicole’s Ghanaian and Lebanese roots can be celebrated properly without a production crew hovering around.
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What We Can Learn From Benaiah's Approach
Benaiah wasn't your typical reality star. He didn't have the polished "influencer" vibe, and he wasn't afraid to look a bit vulnerable (or even a bit preachy) when he was worried about Nicole.
Here’s the deal on why he worked:
- Honesty over Ego: He took Nicole back after she chose someone else. Most guys wouldn't do that on camera. He prioritized the connection over his pride.
- Financial Intentionality: Even if people found his lifestyle odd, he was doing what worked for him financially. It’s a lesson in not caring what people think of your "status" as long as your bank account and soul are happy.
- Communication: They survived because they actually talked about the "Sam" situation instead of letting it fester.
If you're following Benaiah’s journey, the best thing you can do is check out his drone work or listen to the podcast. It gives a much better look at who he is than the 10-minute edits we got on Netflix. He’s proven that even in the "bonkers" world of reality TV, you can actually find something that lasts if you’re willing to navigate the rough seas.
To stay updated on their journey, keep an eye on their travel vlogs. They’ve recently spent time back in Corfu—where they had their "second" first date—and continue to prove the doubters wrong by simply being a normal, happy couple away from the spotlight.