Daniele Donato and Dominic Briones shouldn't have worked. Seriously. On paper, it was a mess. You had the legacy player, Daniele—the daughter of the most notorious villain in show history—returning for her second shot at the prize. Then you had Dominic, the "newbie" with a big personality and zero experience in the pressure cooker of the CBS lot.
Most showmances die before the wrap party. This one? It turned into one of the most stable, low-drama success stories in reality TV history.
The Unlikely Spark in the BB13 House
When Daniele walked into the house for Big Brother 13, she wasn't looking for a boyfriend. She was looking for a win. She'd already come in second once, and she was playing a hard, aggressive game. Dominic was the "college student" archetype—funny, charming, and a total target for the veteran players.
They weren't even a "showmance" in the traditional sense while the cameras were rolling. If you go back and watch the feeds, it was more of a "flirtmance" or a deep alliance-turned-friendship. They spent nights talking for hours in the backyard, but there was no big, dramatic kissing scene or "I love you" confession.
Dominic was evicted early. Week 3, actually.
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Usually, that’s the end of it. The person inside forgets the person outside within 48 hours because they’re too busy worrying about backdoors and power of vetos. But Daniele didn't. She actually tried to flip the house to save him, which, in hindsight, was the first real sign that this was more than just game strategy. When he left, she was visibly gutted.
Life After the Finale
The real magic happened once the cameras stopped. Honestly, it's kinda refreshing how they handled it. Instead of chasing clout or doing "mance" photoshoots for the blogs, they just... started dating.
Daniele admitted later that she didn't even like him at first. She thought he was just another loud guy. But after the show ended in 2011, they became inseparable.
- The Proposal: Dominic is a romantic. No, really. In August 2012, he took her to the St. Louis Zoo. They both love penguins because penguins mate for life. He arranged a behind-the-scenes tour, and while they were hanging out with the birds, he dropped to one knee.
- The Wedding: They tied the knot on January 19, 2013, in Huntington Beach, California. It wasn't some massive televised special. It was a bohemian-style ceremony with about 120 guests, including a few fellow alumni like Brenchel (Brendan and Rachel).
Building a Family (and a Legacy)
While other Big Brother couples were breaking up on Twitter or filming messy TikToks, the Briones family was just living life. They've been married for over 13 years now, which is basically a century in reality TV time.
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They have two daughters. Tennessee Autumn was born in 2018—on Daniele's birthday, no less. Talk about a perfect gift. Then came Lux in November 2021.
Daniele has talked about the transition from being a "cutthroat" player to a "helicopter mom." It’s a weird shift to see if you only remember her from BB8 or BB13. She’s famously private about her kids, often sharing just enough to keep fans happy without overexposing them.
The All-Stars Return and the Distance
When Daniele returned for Big Brother 22: All-Stars in 2020, we got a glimpse into their marriage that wasn't all sunshine and roses. She was honest. She mentioned on the feeds that Dominic worked a lot and was often away, which meant she was doing a lot of the heavy lifting at home.
It was a rare moment of vulnerability. It showed that they’re a real couple with real-world stresses, not just a highlight reel. Fans were worried for a minute, but Dominic was her biggest cheerleader on social media the entire time she was in the house. He even appeared in her "message from home" segment, looking every bit the supportive husband.
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Why They're the "Gold Standard" of Showmances
Basically, they succeeded because they didn't let the show define them.
Dominic largely stepped away from the spotlight. He doesn't do every podcast. He doesn't beg for a spot on The Challenge. He has a "normal" life. Daniele, while she’s returned to the game, always seems grounded by the fact that she has a stable home base to go back to.
They survived the "curse" of the show because they built their foundation after the lights went down.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking for the secret sauce of the Daniele and Dominic Big Brother success story, it's pretty simple:
- Prioritize the friendship first. They were friends in the house long before they were lovers.
- Keep it private. You don't need to post every argument or every "date night" to stay valid.
- Support the hustle. Whether it's a 3-month reality TV stint or a grueling work schedule, they've clearly learned how to trade off responsibilities.
Keep an eye on their social media for the occasional family update, but don't expect a reality show about their marriage anytime soon. They’ve already won the best prize the show has to offer, and it wasn’t the $500,000.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Go back and watch the "Pajama Jams" clips from the BB13 live feeds if you can find them online. It’s the best way to see the actual chemistry that started it all before the "edit" took over. Also, check out Daniele's Instagram for her photography—she’s actually got a great eye for capturing their family life in a way that feels authentic rather than curated.