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What is Laura Bretan (“America’s Got Talent”) doing now? What happened to her?

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Romanian-American soprano Laura Bretan first captured the hearts of the audience in the sixth season of “Romania’s Got Talent”, from which she emerged as the winner, and later in the 11th season of “America’s Got Talent” when she ended in sixth place. In both competitions she was described as a child prodigy, since she was only 13 years old when she brilliantly performed the famous Puccini opera arias “Vissi d’arte” and “Nessun Dorma.” Her performances, while captivating, spurred a huge debate in the world of opera, if belting out these difficult pieces at her age could cause her physical injury. Seven years later, fans wondered if she’d pursued her dreams of becoming a popular professional opera singer.

Get to know Laura Bretan

People with undeniable talents, especially the young ones, often surprised viewers. Laura’s voice was quite rare, her range was incredibly amazing, and the music genre that she chose to focus on astonished everyone.

Early childhood and family

Laura Bretan was born on 7 April 2002, in Chicago, Illinois USA, to Romanian parents Petru and Rahela Bretan. She and her siblings, Estera and Petru Jr., were raised in a Pentecostal Protestant middle-class household in the suburb of Northbrook. Her religious belief had a strong influence on her life, as could be seen in her convictions that she started to uphold and advocate, even as a child. She started singing gospel music in Church at the age of four, and at the age of seven, she realized that she had the talent to sing Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” in a different manner. However, it was only when she was 11 that she discovered that her voice was highly appreciated by people who heard her sing.

Her greatest musical influence growing up

Laura’s mother was her biggest influence, as she introduced the young Laura to pop singers with supreme vocal ranges: ‘Though she wasn’t a singer, she loved listening to Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, etc. I’ve also started researching and started listening to artists like Celine.’ However, when she was a bit younger, she preferred singing Christian songs.

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Laura shared in an interview that she taught herself to sing opera, and she also found it weird that as a young teen, it was the genre that she became accustomed to. She said that it just happened, and that she didn’t even know that what she was singing was opera. Initially, she learned everything from watching YouTube, and then at the age of 12 started to take voice lessons from Nicole Roman, a professional vocal coach and a Romanian lyric artist from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. From then on, her love for classical and timeless music developed into a passion, and she enjoyed singing operas, especially those which were written by her favorite composers, Giacomo Puccini and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Started her singing career in “Romania’s Got Talent”

Her grandfather grew tired of watching her win in local amateur singing competitions, including “Super Top Dog” and “Stars of Tomorrow” in 2014, and encouraged Laura to join the reality television talent competition, “Romania’s Got Talent,” in 2016. It was unfortunate that her grandfather passed away in January 2016 before he could witness her wowing the audience with her audition piece, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro.” One of the judges, Florin Călinescu, immediately stood up mesmerized after Laura had just sung the first line. The audience then gave her a standing ovation, as well as the other judges, who had to explain why they couldn’t give her the golden buzzer that she so richly deserved. Judges Andra and Florin told the audience that they had all used up their golden buzzer options. The other judge Andi Moisescu exclaimed, ‘Nici acum nu imi vine sa cred ca e real ce am vazut,’ which meant that he still couldn’t believe that what he’d heard was real. The only thing that they could do was to go up on stage to give her a hug and compliment her outstanding performance.

During finals week, Laura belted out Puccini’s “Vissi D’Arte” from the three-part opera “Tosca”, as she competed with 15 other contestants with differing talents. She made it to the final three, as she bested out a dancing duo and a pole dancer. In June 2016, at the age of 13, she was crowned “Romania’s Got Talent” winner, with a prize of 120,000 Euros.

Her door to international stardom opened in “America’s Got Talent”

While she was declared the grand winner of “Romania’s Got Talent,” people around her knew that she needed international exposure to reach her full potential, and there was no better way of doing that but to join “America’s Got Talent.”

All about “America’s Got Talent”

“America’s Got Talent,” also known as the “AGT” series, was the brainchild of Simon Cowell, who was responsible for putting “X Factor” on the map when he was still an executive at Sony Music. Instead of just focusing on singing, he opened up a competition for all types of talents. The TV show was supposed to initially air on British TV after the pilot episode was approved for broadcasting, however, the chosen host of the show had a dispute with the ITV network, and went to a rival network. Simon decided to defer it, and opted to launch the American version in June 2006. It had a successful first season, which motivated ITV to launch their own. In May 2023, the 18th season of “AGT” will premiere with a new set of talents.

Laura’s audition day, the Golden Buzzer

Viewers of the 11th season of “AGT” were pleasantly surprised by an incredible performance from 13-year-old Laura Bretan – she chose the popular yet extremely difficult opera piece “Nessun Dorma” as her audition song. Just as happened in Romania’s competition, she blew the minds of the audience and the judges, such as Simon Cowell, Mel B., Howie Mendel, and Heidi Klum. Everyone gave her a standing ovation, however, this time around she received the elusive Golden Buzzer from one of the American judges, which automatically sent her to the quarter- finals round. Simon even said, ‘I have never heard anything like that in all the years I’ve been doing this show.’

After the audition episode was aired on TV, she was overwhelmed by the attention she received from everyone, and was excited that her audition clip garnered over 20 million views in just a short period of time.

Her AGT Quarter Finals performance

While most of the fans knew that Laura would undoubtedly move on to the next round easily, as she possessed such a rare gift, it was still nerve-wracking for her family, as there would be times when a contestant was sent home due to a lackluster performance. Sometimes it would boil down to a wrong song choice, which could undermine someone’s skills. Even the producers of the show knew that fans were waiting to hear her vocal prowess once again, so they put her in the last spot. The young opera singer just turned 14 years old when she went back to the “AGT” stage, and performed “The Prayer” originally sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. She received another standing ovation, and Mel B., the judge who gave her the Golden Buzzer, was completely thrilled that she chose a contestant most deserving of its benefits. After the performance, she commented, ‘Where does this voice come from? It’s incredible and powerful.’ Laura was already in tears from the appreciation that she received especially when Simon Cowell said that the reason why they made the show was to find people like her. She moved on to the next round.

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Laura’s unforgettable Semi-Finals round

Before Laura performed her chosen piece for the Semi-Finals round, she shared a brief story about her grandfather whom she considered her best friend. The grandfather used to live with their family, and each time she would go home from school, her grandfather would be waiting for her, and they would listen to opera music together. In 2015, about a year before she joined “AGT,” he became quite sick, and died before the show started. Apparently, he was the one who encouraged her to follow her dream, and she knew that he would be so proud of how far she had come in her journey.

That night, she said that she would imagine him sitting with the audience watching her sing one of his favorite songs, “Pie Jesu.” The Latin lyrics of the song came from the hymn “Dies Irae,” a medieval poem describing the Last Judgment which was set to music created for the Requiem Mass, dedicated to those who have passed on. Her haunting rendition was welcomed with rousing and thunderous clapping that had everyone on their feet again for another standing ovation. Simon Cowell even said that if she wouldn’t be included in the Finals round, then something seriously wrong would have happened. Another judge, Howie Mendell, said that he hoped that viewers at home did not only hear the fantastic voice, but also felt the sincerity of the performance through their screens. He encouraged everyone to vote for her, because it was an OMG night for him. Laura didn’t get enough votes from viewers, but was saved by the judges’ vote, so she went to the Finals round.

The Finals Round in which she finished sixth

Just like Laura’s three previous performances, she received another standing ovation, and the judges were all in agreement that they couldn’t imagine that the one who performed that night with a huge voice was just a skinny little teen. Someone said that it was hands down a million-dollar performance. Heidi Klum said that Laura looked like a princess that night, but ruled the stage like a Queen. Her song choice for the finals night was Puccini’s composition, “O Mio Babbino Caro,” the same song she sang during her audition in “Romania’s Got Talent.” Her fans thought that she already had it in the bag, but during the results night, she only managed to end the competition as the sixth placer. Some of them already had an inkling that she wasn’t as popular as her competitors, due to what happened during the Semi-Finals round. Many were disappointed, but her fans knew that it was only the beginning of her career as a professional opera singer.

The huge debate on Laura Bretan’s choice of opera pieces

There were some vocal coaches and professional opera singers who voiced their concerns after they watched the viral videos of Laura’s performances; apparently, some of them believed that she was pushing herself too hard to reach those difficult notes. For instance, the song, “Nessun Dorma” was originally written for a certain tenor voice and was so demanding that it could damage the singer physically if the body hadn’t fully developed yet. Those who were “in the know,” were outraged that someone as young as Laura was being exploited on TV.

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An experienced opera singer, Heidi Moss, wrote an open letter to Laura on her social media account, telling the young singer that she might have been forcing some sounds that could later on turn out to be dangerous for her health, and her potential to become something more, because true classical training would take years. She wrote, ‘Over time, the irritation of singing that way can cause swelling or even worse, nodes or popped vessels.’

Another opera singer, soprano Catherine Bott, gave her two cents as well to the topic, saying that it would be best to allow young Laura to let her voice grow and settle just like Mirella Freni, the iconic Italian soprano, did with her talent. Mirella also participated in several competitions when she was young, but limited her singing until she was 16 years old. It paid off, as she became one of the most successful opera singers in the world.

However, not all opinions were light-hearted and logical, as some critics produced sarcastic and nasty statements such as starting a GoFundMe page so people could donate to send Simon Cowell to the MET. Most Laura and “AGT” fans felt that those criticisms came out as plain snobbery. Some of the opera purists perceived the audience who gave Laura a standing ovation to have poor taste, as they didn’t understand the true meaning of opera. In the end, even if the intention was good and would benefit Laura in the long run, they also immediately dismissed Laura’s performances as ‘not opera,’ which was regarded by fans as jealousy. Some people said that if only these critics welcomed the new opera enthusiasts, even those uneducated ones with open arms, then this genre would gain more fans instead of haters.

Laura Bretan’s life after “AGT”

With a great support system, people need not worry about how she dealt with not being the winner, as she took everything in stride, and her faith in God Almighty strengthened even more. Not winning “AGT” wasn’t the end of her singing career, as Laura became busier with all the invitations for interviews and performances not only across the US, but internationally as well. She went to Rome to perform just a month after “AGT.” It was the start of many travels to different cities, performing in music festivals and featuring in concerts of popular artists including David Foster, Chris Botti, Yiruma, and Jose Carreras. She even landed a major role in a short film called “An Aria for Albrights,” which was an entry for a film fest.

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It was reported that her parents made sure that she continued her studies through online schooling. Laura posted photos on her Facebook account in June 2020, of herself dressed in a toga and holding her certificate from Alpha Omega Academy, a classic Christ-centered school. She also had a huge smile on her face as she held a car key, and her fans assumed that she was given a vehicle as a gift, and was officially allowed to drive it.

In March 2021, she released an album entitled “World I See,” of nine songs which were a mix of contemporary and classical music. She featured guest artists such as The Tenors for the song “Believe”, and Alberto Urso for “Miracoli”, and co-wrote the music and the lyrics of the title song. All of the songs in the album were made available digitally through major music streaming sites, and a physical album could also be purchased. In 2022, she had over a million streams from 176 countries on Spotify.

As for those who worried about her voice when she was singing arias, when starting in the business, she only had this to say, ‘We shouldn’t underestimate someone because of how young they are, but by the way they work and the time they invest into doing what they do.’

Her team had been planning for her to release a new album that would feature Italian classics and original music. In between her travels and performances, Laura had been busy writing and recording songs. She knew that it would take a long while before her new album would be finished, so she release a single entitled “Higher Place” in which she again co-wrote the lyrics and music. To celebrate her 21st birthday in April 2023, she also released her version of a Christian song entitled “Via Dolorosa.” The fans can listen to it through different social media and streaming platforms.Clearly, his career is anything but over – quite the opposite!

As the Managing Editor at The Legit, I direct a dynamic team dedicated to creating rich content that profiles the lives and accomplishments of influential figures. My commitment to detail and storytelling drives the production of biographies that truly engage our audience. I manage all aspects of the editorial process, from conducting thorough research to crafting vivid narratives, all while ensuring the accuracy and quality of our work. At The Legit, our goal is to offer our readers comprehensive profiles that provide deep insights into the realms of business, entertainment, and more. Through diligent research and engaging storytelling, we highlight the exceptional journeys and achievements of those who both inspire and intrigue us.

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How is “90 Day Fiancé” Jorge Nava doing after prison?

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It’s not uncommon for a popular reality TV personality to engage in acts that haven’t been thought through really well, but serving prison time isn’t what most would specify as customary in that line of work. Jorge Nava had the misfortune of finding out what it’s like to live behind bars, as opposed to in front of the camera lens.

It suffices to say that his life wasn’t easy prior to the conviction, and a lot of his troubles were, for better or for worse, documented in TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé.” While most of the couples in the series had at least somewhat of a wholesome story, the same can’t be said for Jorge Nava and Anfisa Arkipchenko, who at the time were 27 and 20 years old, respectively.

Although there isn’t any real evidence for this claim, many fans are certain that Jorge would’ve been much better off after the show had he had a less money-oriented partner. Without a doubt, Anfisa’s materialistic fascination left most wondering why Nava even tolerated such a greedy and vacuous personality in the first place. Thus, to understand what brought Jorge to court later on, it’s important to understand the story that pushed him towards such incidents.

An unlikely love story

Jorge and Anfisa never would’ve met, considering the fact that she’s from Russia, had he not noticed her revealing pictures on Facebook by accident. Arkipchenko was born on 4 September 1995, into a modest Russian family that had little to offer in the way of glamour and prestige – something she had her sights set on from early childhood.

Her luck would change for the better when someone who at least appeared wealthy took an interest in her physique, which would’ve been the Californian entrepreneur Jorge Nava. Although not exactly a millionaire by definition, Jorge was able to afford a semi-lavish lifestyle, having himself grown up in a relatively affluent family.

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It’s unclear whether Nava was using his parents’ money to fund his relationships with women who shared Anfisa’s interests, but it can’t be denied that he was able to keep paying for the various wants and needs that his Russian bride-to-be would come up with. There was a limit, however, perhaps on the credit cards he was using.

As a result, Anfisa couldn’t exactly have every single thing she wanted, such as a $10,000 handbag. Jorge’s failure to provide her with this particular item caused a rift in their relationship, leading Arkipchenko to go back on the previously agreed plans, which was to come and live with him in the US.

Prior to settling down together, the two went on a costly vacation across Europe. It’s unknown how many pricey gifts Nava afforded Anfisa throughout that time, but his reluctance to buy the handbag made her cancel the couple’s remaining flights. She outright refused the idea of trying to reach a compromise, deciding instead to abandon the relationship and return to Russia.

Back together, and apart, and back together

Unsurprisingly to most fans, it didn’t take long for Anfisa to get bored of her same old rural Russian lifestyle, and she eventually found it in her heart – or perhaps her handbag – to forgive Jorge’s transgression of not spending exorbitant amounts of money on someone who isn’t even his wife. She let him know that he had another chance at giving up his wallet, and Nava was just happy that he could yet again use federal paper to make up for his other apparent deficiencies.

The two reunited, and Anfisa finally came to the US, at which point they were featured in “90 Day Fiancé.” Their presence in the show was chaotic, to say the least, with Anfisa’s behavior becoming so erratic at times that one had to wonder whether they were watching reality TV or a horror film.

Since Jorge had previously pleaded guilty to marijuana trafficking, most landlords found it unacceptable to rent him their property, soNava mostly lived out of hotels, and Anfisa really didn’t like that. She often criticized him for even the tiniest of issues, and Jorge’s mother, of course, found her son’s life to be unbearably stressful.

With the young Russian having nothing nice to say about Jorge’s family, and the feeling being mutual on the other side, it seemed for most of the series that Nava was the one holding everything together, taking his partner’s unnecessary aggression and his family’s excess worry upon his shoulders pretty much every single day.

Many viewers wondered how anyone at all would want to remain engaged to such an ungrateful and spoiled person as Anfisa, while Jorge simply tried to make the most out of any situation, constantly apologizing and complying with his fiancée’s almost every desire.

As Anfisa grew more and more tired with the fact that they couldn’t settle at a single location, she pushed further for Nava to obey her commands. There was another problem, however, and it was more of a psychological nature.

Due to Jorge’s wealthy appearance, as well as his tendency to flaunt his supposed wealth around, certain shady characters caught wind that he might have some cash laying around, eventually breaking into his old apartment and robbing him blind of all valuable possessions. Ever since then, he’d been extra cautious about keeping his life in just one permanent place, leading to an inconsistent hotel-to-hotel residency that was really getting on his future wife’s nerves.

Nava’s failure to fulfil every single wish that Anfisa would conjure up resulted in the Russian being quite unhappy, showing most of the time that she’s agitated with the simple fact that Jorge exists. Quite the opposite of love, some would say, but Jorge begged to differ.

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He described her as a solid and stable individual whom he loved relying upon, explaining that he liked himself a strong woman who isn’t afraid to speak up. Naturally, there’s a limit to how ‘strong’ one should realistically be in a two-way relationship, but alas, only Nava knows what’s best for him, but obviously not!

Even with Jorge appreciating the way she treated him, Anfisa had been ready to leave him on numerous occasions. She threatened almost every single day that she would disappear from his life if he didn’t comply with this or that request, engaging in what most have called severe emotional manipulation.

In the end, Jorge would always succumb to her demands, allowing the young model wannabe to take whatever she wanted from him. It was never enough, however, and Anfisa’s behavior grew more violent and unreasonable by the episode.

Russian psycho

It was revealed by Jorge himself not too late into the relationship that Anfisa has been breaking phones that he spent a lot of money on, which was only one of the many ways the young Russian would relieve herself of aggression and other negative emotions. Without exception, her future husband and his wallet were the punching bags.

Jorge’s mother was understandably enraged with her son’s fiancé, directly accusing her of ‘spreading [her] legs’ whenever Jorge threw money at her. This caused the Russian to get up from her seat and leave the place where she met Mrs Nava, storming out in yet another rage, which Jorge alone would later suffer for.

Go away, but come back

Just like Jorge, fans more often than not had no idea how to make sense of what Anfisa was requesting, seeing as she would kick Jorge out of the small apartment that they eventually moved into, and then call him right back and scream because he isn’t home. The calls were torturous, to put it mildly, as no matter what Jorge said, it just wouldn’t be right, or enough.

It didn’t matter whether he complied with what Anfisa was asking, or simply opted for outright refusal, the young Russian’s reaction was just about the same every time, involving only more screaming and offensive language, all of which Jorge was absorbing like a sponge for the sake of their future marriage.

The aforementioned video shows the Russian calling him incessantly, and each time he would reply, she would just utter a single question and hang up. Nava described her as very controlling, detailing how she always had to know where he was, just to make sure that he wasn’t potentially spending his money on a different woman.

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Even after Jorge promised that he would immediately come back, Anfisa kept screaming ‘NOW’ at the top of her lungs, screeching into the microphone until her throat gave out. Most fans took Nava’s side in the many conflicts that were seen throughout the show, agreeing with pretty much everything he had to say about his foreign fiancé.

The same clip also shows one of the few times Nava stood his ground, at which point he told her he wasn’t going to ruin his life just for her. Anfisa didn’t say anything at all, but instead actually slapped her future husband. Finally, the two are seen in a luxury store, where Anfisa is asking for a very expensive dress. Jorge admits that he doesn’t actually have $20,000 in cash that time around, to which Anfisa asks why he even brought her to the US in the first place.

Then, as per usual, right after they go home that day, Anfisa would wake up the next and demand more things, forgetting wholeheartedly that she ever questioned whether they should remain together, as long as Nava is open to making more purchases on her behalf.

The fans believe it was exactly this behavior that eventually pushed Jorge to make more money than he could at the time, leaving him no other option but to engage in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking. In other words, it’s quite possible that  Arkipchenko made Nava go back to his former illegal habits.

Too close to the sun

The consequences of Anfisa’s overwhelming requests culminated on 15 February 2018, when Jorge violated the basic rules of traffic, possibly from driving under great amounts of stress. It was soon revealed why he wasn’t having the most relaxed day behind the wheel, as the officers used their right to perform a routine search of the vehicle after making Nava pull over for an ID check.

His vehicle was stacked to the brim with marijuana, which is only legal for medical purposes in the place where he was halted – Mojave County, Arizona. There was no talking his way out of the fact that he intended to sell this stock to recreational users, which is a severe crime in the state. He was found in possession of 293lbs (133kgs) of marijuana, thus facing a potential prison term of over 25 years.

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He was charged with possession and transportation of marijuana with the intent to sell, but subsequently released on $25,000 bail. That wasn’t the end of the ordeal, however, as he still had to face the court in due time. Nava found one of the best attorneys around, who managed to reduce his sentence from a class two felony charge to a class four one, thanks to another plea deal.

Good times, at last

In the end, Jorge ended up serving only two and a half years for a very serious law violation, which can almost be equated to coming out completely unscathed. Still, that wasn’t enough for Anfisa, and she later filed for divorce. The Russian then used her “90 Day Fiancé” fame to spread her name online, starting various social media profiles and a YouTube channel, all of which she is still steadily growing in mid-2023.

As for Jorge, he somehow lost over 128lbs (58kgs) in prison, and had something to look forward to upon coming out as well, as he started a relationship with actress Rhoda Blua soon after tasting freedom again. They ultimately married on 31 July 2022, four months after the birth of their second child, George, with their first, Zara, having been born in April 2021.

Unconfirmed sources claim that Jorge’s new net worth is somewhere around $1 million, suggesting that he’s doing very well for his family after giving up crime for good. Regardless of the verity of that claim, it’s been noted across media outlets that Nava and Blua seem to be well off, lacking for nothing in particular.

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‘Perfect Match’ Cast Members Who Are Still Friends After The Show

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Netflix, known for primarily financing documentaries, anime series, movies, and stand-ups, has also branched into producing and distributing reality TV series. Their dating series “Perfect Match,” produced by Kinetic Content and created by Chris Coelen, is becoming a leader in the genre. However, despite the name, only a few couples continued their romance after 12-hour-long episodes. We’ve studied which ones still nurtured their friendship after the finale aired on 28 February 2023.

The romance fizzled out in most cases

Many participants admitted that the show gave them hope of continuing their romance after leaving. However, the five couples who matched in the end quickly discovered that their bond resulted from the isolation in the six-bedroom, five-bathroom house in Panama City, in a resort town named Playa Bonita.

The singles faced many obstacles after leaving, primarily the distance; they were from various parts of the USA, which was problematic enough. However, some were from Australia or Canada, or had family in Europe, such as Damian Powers, who was born in Germany. Moreover, some participants still had former partners they hadn’t get over, and had to return to their busy lives as, for example, TikTok creators, dancers, realtors, and athlete managers.

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Dom Gabriel and Georgia Hassarati

Although Dom bonded with Georgia and left the house with her, their romantic relationship didn’t last long. The media called their break-up messy, but the couple claimed that distance was the primary reason – after all, he’s from Toronto, Canada, while she’s from Brisbane, Australia. They weren’t each other’s first choice; Dom initially connected with Francesca Farago. However, she eventually developed feelings for an old flame, Damian Powers, with whom she participated in “Love is Blind.” Luckily, George decided to give it another chance when he ran into Georgia on a date with Chase DeMoor, and she later matched with him. Their castmates recognized their connection, and the two won the first season of the dating reality TV series, meaning that expectations were high.

Sadly, the two slowly distanced romantically after the cameras turned off, citing the feeling that they were living in a bubble that finally burst. However, they both shared positive opinions of one another, calling each other ‘an amazing person’ and stating that they were on good terms and felt that their relationship made them stronger. It’s unclear how long they were a couple, and whether they spent time in person afterwards. Francesca claimed that Georgia broke up with him three days after filming, to date Harry Jowsey. In contrast, shortly after the show ended, Dom implied that they were together when she joined the “Georgia and Harry Jowsey Fall in Love” podcast.

Additionally, they both admitted to never redeeming their all-expenses-paid trip. Thankfully, they seemingly resolved their issues in time. They still follow each other on social media, and have shared screenshots of their chats, meaning they are in digital contact. Dom even said that if they meet again and the connection is strong, they would carry on and see where it goes.

Dom Gabriel and Ines Tazi

While Georgia moved on with Harry, Dom was connected to Ines Tazi afterwards for a good reason. She convinced him to stay in the Panama City house to see if he matched with anyone before he encountered Georgia. Although she had herself in mind and confessed her feelings in the house, Dom didn’t break things off with his girlfriend.

Moreover, after breaking up with Dom, Georgia accused them of flirting with Ines in the house on “The Viall Files” podcast. Despite those accusations and the fans ‘shipping’ the two after they posted many images and videos to social media, Ines and Dom didn’t start dating post-show, proving how strong their friendship’s is.

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Dom Gabriel and Shayne Jansen

Unsurprisingly, many cast members of the same gender bond over the time they spend pursuing romance, and Shayne and Dom were great examples. Their bond was apparent during the filming, but grew in the real world. They call each other ‘besties’ and share a love of fitness, swings, and a particular clothing item—a crop top, calling themselves ‘crop top boys for life.’

Dom Gabriel and Zay Wilson

Dom also stayed on good terms with Zay Wilson, despite Zay’s early elimination, meaning they had very little time to connect. However, after Dom left, he read his fans’ comments. He filmed many TikTok videos with Zay, even acknowledging the requestion captioning a lip-syncing video of the Jonas Brothers’ song “Burnin’ Up” with, ‘Y’all demanded more Dom & Zay content!’

Colony, Savannah, Diamond, and Anne Sophie

Zay wasn’t the only cast member who went home early, and lost the opportunity to befriend with people given enough time. However, there were other reasons that viewers failed to see friendships develop. Some cast members made meaningful connections and potentially long-term bonds behind the scenes. Still, viewers never saw it because episodes were much edited, and had to follow exciting storylines. Diamond Jack revealed that she grew close to other women of color, Anne Sophie Petit-Frere, Colony Reeves and Savannah Palacio. Additionally, since she posted a video of them dancing and posing on 2 March 2022, she inadvertently revealed that they got together pretty early, perhaps even during the casting process. Whatever the timing, the ladies called themselves ‘the baddest girls in the house’, and even during the introduction, warned the others not to play with them.

Chloe Veitch and Ines Tazi

Ines had many failed matches in the show, and was unlucky in love with Shayne Jansen, who she presumably had to see a few times since they were both friends with Dom. However, she befriended Chloe Veitch, who Shayne left her for, and the two surprisingly remained close friends afterward. Although neither seemed interested in women, some fans thought that the two became engaged. That’s because Chloe posted their picture on a night out, with Ines putting a ring on her index finger, captioned, ‘I SAID YES!’ Ines took the joke further by commenting, ‘Wifeyyyy GOAL. Not one day can ever be dull with you in it!’ However, it was all good fun, and they merely celebrated their friendship.

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Even more surprisingly, Chloe and Ines befriended Chloe’s ex-boyfriend’s ex-fiancé, Natalie Lee, who starred in “Love is Blind.” Natalie accused Shayne of signing up for the Panama show while they were still together, and the timing matches since the casting began in September 2021.  However, although Chloe said that the casting directors chose Shayne because they thought that he was her ideal partner, the complicated history didn’t bother Chloe later.

Francesca Farago and Kariselle Snow

Francesca and Kariselle shared a tight bond in the show, and because they were openly bisexual, they even made out several times, despite having male matches. Although Kariselle’s match, Joey Sasso, saw nothing worrying with that behavior, it bothered Abbey Humphreys, with whom Francesca matched besides Dom.

However, they didn’t let those feelings affect their bond, and had each other’s back to the point of being called ‘a villain and her minion’ by Chase DeMoor and viewers online. People also speculated that they had been close before the show, because they posted pictures of themselves hugging at the Los Angeles Pride event during Pride Month, June 2022. However, they should have remembered that Netflix filmed the show in March of that year, meaning the two were in the real world for about two and a half months by then.

Kariselle Snow and Joey Sasso

Fans loved seeing the loving connection between Joey Sasso and Kariselle Snow, and the couple even became engaged when Joey proposed to her during the season finale. She said yes, but stipulating that he had to get her father’s approval. However, after the show, the couple was quiet about their relationship, and fans had to dig deep and analyze their activity for information. Kariselle posted a TikTok video on 3 March 2023, stating that she came home from Panama and had to inform friends that she was back with an ex-, whom she’d said she wouldn’t return to, but that they were also engaged. However, the video seemed like a skit, making fun of the complex situation she’d got herself into.

That brought light to a February 2023 interview Joey gave to Newsweek magazine. He said that they weren’t on the same page romantically, and went their separate ways in that regard, but are ‘seeing what life has in store for the future and that they feel like the divorced mom and dad of “Perfect Match.”‘ He added that he will always love and respect Kariselle and speak highly of her whenever he can, and Kariselle later said that they remain close friends who keep things civil.

Izzy Fairthorne and Georgia Hassarati

Georgia and Izzy have a history; they were cast members of the third season of “Too Hot To Handle.” Their connection deepened during their time in Panama, while independently searching for but failing to find their perfect match. During the podcast in which she accused her ex-boyfriend Dom of flirting with Ines Tazi, Georgia shared that she has much in common with Izzy, and that the two are great friends.

Zay Wilson and an unknown cast member

Zay Wilson attracted attention for being the first to arrive in the villa, and among the first to depart. As a reminder, Anne Sophie Petit-Frere chose bad boy Chase, but he felt that his perfect match wasn’t in Panama. However, in a TikTok video that he posted on 24 February 2023, he told his followers that he’d been dating someone from the show. However, he clarified that they are still working on moving past the close friends stage and would ‘be outside,’ i.e., go official, after a few more dates. Although he didn’t reveal who it was, viewers with a good memory recalled that he mentioned being interested in Savannah Palacio. We now know that she is close to Anne Sophie, and both women told their TikTok followers that Zay expressed romantic interest in Savannah in the villa. We have yet to see if the internet sleuths got it right. Also, it’s uncertain whether Zay and this mysterious individual will go public with their relationship, or just stay friends.

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All romantic relationships failed

Of the five couples that left the show while still romantically involved, none stayed together in the real world, and one even broke-off their engagement. “Perfect Match” served as a social experiment, and its results were discouraging when it came to finding love.

However, most participants found friends they could spend time with and collaborate with, making their stay in Panama far from pointless. However, since the show went off the air recently, we have yet to see how long they can maintain the connection, especially when distance, their occupation, and romantic partners enter the picture.

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What happened with Bear Brown’s assault case? Explained

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Bear Brown is a reality TV personality, who gained fame as one of the stars of Discovery Channel’s hit show, “Alaskan Bush People.” The show follows the lives of the Brown family as they mostly live off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness. Bear’s colorful personality and wild antics have made him a fan favorite, but his personal life has also been the subject of much media scrutiny. Bear Brown faced domestic violence accusations from his wife, Raiven Adams in 2022, and was even arrested as a result. So, what exactly happened?

Who is Bear Brown?

Bear Brown was born on 10 December 1987, in Alaska, USA. His birth name is Solomon Isaiah Freedom Brown, however, he’s commonly known by his nickname “Bear,” which he has gone by since childhood. He grew up in the wilderness with his family, and learned how to live off the land at a young age. His father, Billy Brown, was the patriarch of the Brown family and the main star of the reality TV series “Alaskan Bush People.” However, Billy sadly passed away in 2021, due to a seizure.

Bear Brown is one of seven siblings, and has featured in the show since its debut in 2014. He’s known for his adventurous and daring personality, and has been involved in many of the family’s most exciting and sometimes dangerous exploits, such as hunting, fishing and building their own homes.

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Bear has therefore gained a significant following on social media, on which he often shares updates about his life and adventures. He has over 300,000 followers on Instagram, posting photos and videos of his travels and wilderness experiences.

Bear Brown’s lifestyle is unique and unconventional, and he’s faced criticism from some who question the authenticity of his way of life. However, he remains committed to his family and their way of life, and has stated that he’s proud of the skills he learned during his upbringing.

Alaskan Bush People

“Alaskan Bush People” is a popular reality TV series that premiered on Discovery Channel in 2014. The show follows the lives of the Brown family, who live in the remote wilderness of Alaska and strive to live off the land. The family consisted of patriarch Billy Brown, his wife Ami, and their seven children – Matt, Bam Bam, Bear, Gabe, Noah, Snowbird and Rain.

The series has been successful due to its portrayal of the family’s unconventional lifestyle, which involves living without modern amenities such as electricity, running water and indoor plumbing. The Browns hunt, fish, and gather their own food, build their own shelters, and live in harmony with nature.

Throughout the series, the family has faced various challenges, including harsh weather conditions, health issues, and wildlife encounters. The show also highlights the Brown family’s close-knit relationship, as they work together to overcome these challenges and maintain their way of life.

Over the years, “Alaskan Bush People” has faced criticism for its questionable authenticity and portrayal of the Brown family’s lifestyle. Some critics have suggested that the show is scripted and that the family doesn’t truly live in the wilderness. However, the Brown family has defended the show and their way of life, stating that they’re proud of their lifestyle and the skills that they’ve learned.

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Despite the controversy, “Alaskan Bush People” remains a popular reality TV series and has spawned multiple spin-offs, including “Alaskan Bush People: Bushcraft Chronicles” and “Alaskan Bush People: Off the Grid.” The show has garnered a dedicated fan base, drawn to the Brown family’s resilience, resourcefulness, and unique way of life.

Bear Brown love life and family

Bear Brown and Raiven Adams tied the knot in January 2022, after several years of an on-again-off-again relationship. The couple first met at Brown’s brother’s wedding which took place in 2018, for which Raiven’s mother was the wedding photographer. Raiven was helping her mother on the job, and felt an instant connection with Bear as soon as they met. They began dating shortly afterwards and announced their first engagement in 2019. However, rumors of a split soon emerged, but the couple eventually reconciled, and Bear proposed to Raiven again in September 2021.

During the time they spent separated, their son was born in March of 2020, but the two had major, which resulted in Bear meeting his son only six months later. Raiven went as far as to file for sole custody of their child, while Bear fought for shared custody. In the end, they managed to resolve their dispute, with Raiven deciding to give Bear another chance.

Their wedding took place in an intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends, along with their one-and-a-half-year-old son, River. Bear and Raiven shared their excitement with fans on social media, posting pictures from their special day.

Bear Brown assault case. What happened?

Bear Brown made headlines in March 2022 when being arrested for domestic violence. The alleged incident occurred when allegdly Bear verbally and physically assaulted his wife Raiven in the trailer they were moving into.

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According to Raiven’s account, Bear had been acting erratically and shouting, making her feel very unsafe. She locked herself in the trailer to get away from him, but Bear demanded to be let in and even asked her to retrieve items from the trailer as a way to talk to her. The next day, while Raiven was having a video call with her mother, Bear allegedly called her crazy and tried to take her phone away from her. Raiven claims that during the altercation, Bear put her on the ground and scratched her hand.

Although police officers couldn’t find any visible marks on Raiven’s body, aside from a scratch on her finger, Raiven alleges that Bear had pushed her several times. She also claimed that Bear’s actions constituted assault.

Video evidence from Raiven’s call with her mother allegedly shows her saying “pushing me down on the bed and taking my phone is an assault,” further supporting her claim.

Following Raiven’s report, Bear was taken into custody and placed in Okanogan County Jail, where he was charged with fourth-degree assault. He spent the weekend in jail before being released without bond.

Bear’s court date was set for April 26th, and he has since made a plea deal. The case has drawn significant attention from the media and fans of the reality TV show, with many expressing their disappointment and concern over the allegations of domestic violence.

Bear and Raiven’s relationship has been tumultuous in the past, with multiple break-ups and reconciliations. The incident has raised questions about the safety of the couple and their son, and their ability to maintain a healthy relationship, particularly given the high-profile nature of their status as reality TV stars.

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The case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be for Bear. Regardless of the legal proceedings, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing issues of domestic violence, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.

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