If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen her. Sara Carton, the 29-year-old oncology nurse from Minneapolis, became the face of "standing on business" during the latest season of Netflix’s social experiment. But honestly, the way people are talking about her online is kinda wild. Some call her a hero for sticking to her values; others think she was too hard on her fiancé, Ben Mezzenga.
The Love Is Blind season 8 finale was a total train wreck for almost everyone involved, but Sara’s story arc was different. It wasn't just about "will they or won't they." It became a national debate about whether you can actually love someone who doesn't share your world view.
What Actually Happened with Sara and Ben?
In the pods, they seemed like a match made in heaven. Ben, a 28-year-old developer, was charming and definitely into her. Sara was open, funny, and seemingly ready to find "the one." But the cracks started showing long before the wedding dress was even picked out.
The real tension started with a conversation about politics and religion. Sara is fiercely protective of her sister, Lisa, who is gay. For Sara, support for the LGBTQ+ community isn't just a "political stance"—it’s about her family. When she asked Ben about his views on things like Black Lives Matter or the COVID-19 vaccine, his answers were... well, they were vague. He basically said he "keeps out of it."
That didn't sit right with her. At all.
The TikTok Scandal That Changed Everything
While they were living together in Minneapolis, a TikTok video from a local influencer named Andra Berghoff started making the rounds. It didn't name Ben explicitly, but it described a former University of Minnesota baseball player who "treated women like objects."
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The internet did what the internet does.
Fans quickly connected the dots to Ben. Sara actually saw the video while sitting on the couch with him in episode 9. Imagine that for a second. You’re engaged to a guy you met through a wall, and suddenly hundreds of comments are accusing him of being a "clout chaser." Ben eventually confirmed the video was about him but tried to downplay it. For Sara, the "surface-level" vibes were starting to feel like a massive red flag.
The Altar Rejection Nobody Saw Coming
By the time the finale rolled around, most viewers thought Sara might just grit her teeth and say "I do." She was nodding and smiling at the altar. She looked stunning. Ben said yes.
Then Sara spoke.
"I love you so much, but I’ve always wanted a partner to be on the same wavelength," she told him. "And so today, I can’t."
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It was brutal. But the weirdest part? After she said no, Ben actually asked if they could just go back to dating. Sara’s reaction—a mix of a laugh and a "we'll see"—became an instant meme. She later told People magazine she was shocked he even suggested it. To her, if you aren't ready to marry the person, why keep dragging it out? She felt there was "no depth" coming from his side.
Is Sara Dating Joey Leveille Now?
This is where the plot thickens. If you follow the Minneapolis cast on social media, you’ve probably noticed Sara hanging out with another season 8 alum: Joey Leveille.
Joey, the 35-year-old physician associate with the very thick Minnesota accent, didn't find "the one" either. He and his pod-match Monica Danús also split at the altar. For months, Sara and Joey denied they were anything more than friends. They played it cool in interviews, including a spot on the Jason & Falen show where Sara joked about "Red Flags."
But the secrets didn't stay secret for long. In July 2025, the two finally went Instagram official. It turns out that while the pods didn't work for them with their original partners, the shared experience of the show brought them together. Honestly, seeing an oncology nurse and a physician associate together makes a lot of sense. They’re both in the medical field, and they both seem to value the "depth" that was missing in their previous TV relationships.
Why Sara’s Decision Matters for Reality TV
A lot of people were mad at Sara. They called her "woke" or said she was "looking for reasons to fail." But if you look closer, she was just being a "practical Capricorn," as some fans pointed out.
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- Values aren't negotiable. You can't "compromise" on whether your sister's identity is valid.
- The "Middle Ground" isn't always safe. For Sara, Ben’s refusal to take a stand felt like he didn't care about the world around him.
- Trust your gut. Even when a camera crew is watching, if it feels wrong, it is wrong.
She didn't want to repeat her past mistakes of staying with someone hoping they would change. She chose herself, and in the world of reality TV, that’s actually pretty rare.
What You Can Learn from Sara’s Journey
If you're currently dating or looking for a partner, Sara's experience in season 8 offers some pretty solid life lessons. Don't ignore the "small talk" about big issues. If someone tells you they "don't really get into politics," ask yourself if you’re okay with that level of detachment long-term.
Check these things before you say "I do":
- Do your fundamental morals actually align, or are you just "having fun"?
- How do they react when their past (or a TikTok) comes back to haunt them?
- Are they curious about your life, or are they just waiting for their turn to talk?
Sara Carton might not have found a husband on the show, but she definitely found her voice. And maybe, just maybe, she found a better match in Joey.
If you're looking for more updates on the Love Is Blind Minneapolis cast, you can follow Sara on Instagram at @saracarton_. She’s pretty active there and shares a lot of behind-the-scenes looks at her life as a nurse and her travels.