Honestly, if you watched the first season of Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, you probably have a very specific image of Zay Wilson in your head. Maybe you remember him as the guy who couldn't communicate. Or perhaps you saw him as the victim of a partner who had one foot out the door from day one. It’s complicated. Reality TV is rarely a straight line, and Zay The Ultimatum remains one of the most polarizing figures to ever walk onto a trial marriage set.
The show started with a simple, albeit stressful, premise: Rae Williams gave Zay an ultimatum. Marry her, or it's over. Two and a half years of dating led to that moment. But as the cameras started rolling, the cracks didn't just show—they shattered the whole foundation.
The Night Everything Changed
The turning point for Zay Wilson wasn't a rose ceremony or a fancy dinner. It was a 3 a.m. (actually, more like 8 a.m.) return to an apartment after a night out that no one saw on camera.
Rae was waiting. Zay had stayed out all night, turned off his location, and stopped answering texts. When he finally walked through the door, the fallout was explosive. Rae later admitted on the reunion that she actually punched him during that argument—a detail that sparked massive debate among fans about double standards in reality TV domestic disputes.
Zay’s perspective? He felt shut out. He felt like Rae had already moved on with her trial husband, Jake Cunningham. In his head, the relationship was already dead, and he was just trying to "escape" the pain of watching his girlfriend fall for someone else right in front of him.
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It was messy. It was raw. It was exactly why we watch these shows, even when it feels a little wrong to look.
Life After the Experiment: More Than Just a Reality Star
You might think Zay just faded into the background after the reunion, but he’s actually been busier than the editing would have you believe. For starters, he didn't just sit around moping about Rae.
He jumped back into the Netflix "multiverse" by appearing on Perfect Match in 2023. He didn't find a wife there either, but he did prove that he's a staple in the reality dating world. But what most people get wrong is that Zay isn't just looking for a camera to stand in front of.
- The Basketball Roots: Before the fame, he was a 6'6" forward for Kansas Wesleyan University. He was a sports management major. Basketball wasn't just a hobby; it was his life before the "Zay The Ultimatum" label took over.
- Modeling Career: He’s currently represented by the DeVisionaire Group and spends a lot of time in L.A. If you follow his Instagram, it's basically a wall of high-fashion shots and, surprisingly, a lot of motivational quotes.
- Country Music? Yeah, you read that right. In 2024, Zay started making moves in Nashville. He even performed at Larsa Pippen’s 50th birthday party. It sounds like a random Mad Libs sentence, but it’s his actual life.
The Larsa Pippen Connection
Speaking of Larsa, the rumors were flying in late 2024. After her high-profile split from Marcus Jordan, she was spotted "casually dating" Zay.
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People were skeptical. The age gap (she’s 50, he’s 28) had the internet in a frenzy. But sources close to them claimed they were just enjoying each other's company. Zay seems to have a thing for high-drama environments, so hanging out with a Real Housewife of Miami actually makes a weird kind of sense.
It’s a far cry from the college-sweetheart vibes he had with Rae. It feels like he’s finally leaning into the "influencer bopping around L.A." lifestyle that Rae once mocked him for.
Why We Still Talk About Zay and Rae
The reason Zay The Ultimatum stays in the search bars is that their breakup felt unfinished. At the reunion, they dropped a bombshell: they actually tried to make it work after filming wrapped.
They were living together again. They were trying to fix the "location sharing" issues and the trust gaps. But then the truth about Zay’s physical connection with his trial wife, Shanique Imari, came out. That was the final nail. Rae moved on to explore her sexuality—eventually coming out as bisexual—and Zay moved on to... well, everything else.
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He’s admitted in various podcasts, like Sweet Talks, that he wasn't ready for marriage back then. He was young. He was still "figuring out what Zay wants." Looking back, the ultimatum was probably the worst thing that could have happened to them as a couple, but the best thing for them as individuals.
What You Can Learn from the Zay Saga
If you’re currently in a relationship where someone is "dragging" you toward a commitment you aren't ready for, Zay Wilson is your cautionary tale.
- Ultimatums usually backfire. They create resentment, not romance. If you have to force a proposal, the marriage is already on thin ice.
- Communication isn't optional. Zay’s biggest struggle was expressing his hurt without disappearing or lashing out.
- Growth happens in the "after." Since the show, Zay has pivoted into music, modeling, and new social circles. He didn't let a bad breakup define his entire future.
If you’re curious about what Zay is up to right now, his Instagram is the place to be. He’s moved past the reality TV villain edit and is clearly focused on building a brand that has nothing to do with trial marriages. Check out his latest music releases if you want to see a side of him that the Netflix cameras completely missed.