Reality TV usually follows a script. You know how it goes: boy meets girl, they fight over a "villain," and then they break up two weeks after the reunion specials air. But Nicole Love Is Blind (or Nicole Stevens, as her fans know her) managed to break that cycle by doing the one thing most contestants are too scared to do. She admitted she was wrong.
Honestly, the British version of the Netflix hit felt a bit different from the jump. It was less about the "clout chasing" we see in the US seasons and more about these genuinely awkward, middle-aged-ish people trying to figure out if they could actually live together. Nicole, a head of brand and marketing from Surrey, became the heart of that struggle.
The Sam Klein Situation: What Really Happened?
We have to talk about the ring. If you watched the show, you probably cringed so hard you nearly pulled a muscle. When Sam Klein proposed to Nicole in the pods, he didn't just put the ring on the wrong finger; he put it on the wrong hand.
For a lot of viewers, that was the ultimate metaphor. Sam was saying all the "right" things—things like "I just want to be loved"—but his actions were constantly tripping over his ego. Nicole, who had been through a divorce and was looking for something stable, fell for the words. It’s a human mistake. We've all been there, ignoring red flags because the person is telling us exactly what our insecurities need to hear.
✨ Don't miss: The Scream: Why Munch’s Painting of a Screaming Man Still Terrifies Us
The fallout was fast. They didn't even make it to the honeymoon retreat in Corfu. Nicole realized almost immediately upon meeting Sam that the "physical chemistry" he kept bragging about to the other guys just wasn't there. There were rumors and weird comments from Sam later claiming she tried to initiate things and he turned her down, but most fans saw right through that. It felt like a classic case of a guy trying to protect his pride after being dumped on international television.
Why Nicole Love Is Blind Chose Benaiah the Second Time
Benaiah Grunewald Brydie was the "nomadic" guy. He lived a bit of a wandering lifestyle, which is usually a massive red flag for someone looking for a husband. But he was also the only one who had the guts to warn Nicole about Sam while they were still in the pods.
Most people would’ve been too proud to go back to the guy they rejected. Not Nicole.
She reached out to Benaiah after the Sam disaster, and their "meet-cute" in a London cafe was probably the most authentic moment of the entire season. No cameras in a high-tech pod, just two people admitting they messed up. Benaiah didn't make her crawl, either. He just saw her, and you could tell it was over for him. He was all in.
👉 See also: Mama Day by Gloria Naylor: Why This Magical Story Still Matters
Is Nicole Still With Benaiah in 2026?
If you're looking for the "happily ever after," you actually found it this time. As of early 2026, Nicole Love Is Blind and Benaiah are not just together—they are thriving.
While other couples from their season, like Steven and Sabrina, crumbled under the weight of long-distance and "communication styles," Nicole and Benaiah leaned into the weirdness of their start. They’ve spent the last couple of years traveling—fitting for Benaiah’s lifestyle—and sharing updates that don't feel like staged "influencer" content.
👉 See also: Why Top 10 Halloween Jokes Actually Make or Break Your October Party
- The Second Wedding: They actually planned a second ceremony. The first one on the show was beautiful, but Benaiah’s grandfather was too ill to attend at the time. They wanted something that felt more like "them" and less like a TV production.
- The Business Side: Nicole has used her platform to lean into holistic living. If you check her socials, she's often "The Holistic Nicole" now, focusing on wellness and mental health.
- The Podcast: Benaiah even started a podcast with fellow cast member Freddie Powell (the fan-favorite funeral director). Nicole was his first guest, obviously.
The "Villain" Narrative vs. Reality
The reason Nicole Love Is Blind remains a trending topic years after her season is because her story felt like a lesson in intuition. She ignored her gut for a "sure thing" with Sam and it blew up. Then she trusted her gut with Benaiah, even though he was the "risky" choice, and it paid off.
People love to hate on Sam, but Nicole has been remarkably classy about the whole thing. She hasn't spent her post-show life trashing him in interviews. She basically just moved on. That kind of maturity is rare in the reality TV world where a "feud" equals more followers.
What We Can Learn From Her Journey
If you're dissecting her time on the show for your own dating life, the takeaway is pretty simple:
- Don't ignore the "ick": If the ring goes on the wrong hand and your body is telling you to run, run.
- Vulnerability isn't a weakness: Nicole coming back to Benaiah was the most vulnerable thing she could do. It worked because he was the right person to receive that vulnerability.
- The "Slow Burn" is better: Benaiah wasn't as flashy as Sam. He didn't have the "I'm just a boy" lines ready to go. But he had the depth.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you want to keep up with their actual lives rather than the edited version, follow Nicole’s journey into holistic health. She’s been vocal about how the stress of the show affected her and how she’s used her marriage and wellness practices to stay grounded. Look for her updates on travel and wellness workshops, as she and Benaiah often host or attend events that focus on connecting with nature and each other.