The Cuties story on 'Love Is Blind' was a big plot point in the Season 3 finale and reunion — and people are sounding off about what really happened.
Warning: Spoilers for the Love Is Blind Season 3 finale and reunion are ahead.
Season 3 of Love Is Blind introduced Netflix subscribers to five new couples who immersed themselves in days of intense speed-dating in hopes of finding "the one" — before becoming engaged to a person they had never seen. After finally meeting their fiancés face-to-face, the duos embarked on a tropical vacation before returning to their real lives and figuring out whether they'd say, "I do," or, "I don't," on their wedding days.
Zanab Jaffrey and Cole Barnett were among the singles who fell in love in the pods — however, Cole grappled with not feeling physically attracted to Zanab once they started their in-person relationship. He made comments about her being "a 9" while rating fellow cast member, Colleen Reed, "a 10." Fast-forward to their wedding day, and Zanab completely blindsided Cole by saying, "I don't" at the altar. She accused him of shattering her self-confidence, ending things right then and there.
Enter: The Cuties story.
What is the Cuties Story on 'Love Is Blind'? Netflix released footage from the controversial incident.
On the Love Is Blind Season 3 reunion, Zanab and Cole faced each other for the first time since their (failed) wedding day. That's when Zanab first mentioned the Cuties story. "People had known things that had happened," she said. "Like the trying to control what I ate and me trying to change my eating habits. People … a couple of my friends knew."
A visibly incredulous Cole responded to her reference to tiny tangerines with, "That’s hilarious. I never once cared what you ate. What are you talking about?"
Zanab insisted: "The 'Cuties story' that didn’t make the cut. It was like 2 p.m., we were still filming, so I grabbed two Cuties, like the little tiny oranges that fit in the palm of your hand. He looked at me and he goes, 'Are you going to eat both of those?' And I said, 'Yeah that’s a serving.'
She continued: "And he goes, 'Well, we’re going out to eat later, maybe you should save your appetite.'"
At the very end of the reunion episode, however, Netflix aired the Cuties story in question. Here's a rundown how the conversation actually went:
Cole: Peeling oranges. Are you about to eat two of those?
Zanab: Maybe. That’s a serving. You OK with that?
Cole: You better save your appetito.
Zanab: I’ve only had a banana and a scoop of peanut butter today.
Cole: I’m talking a big old sucker tonight. (He gestured at the large size of his upcoming meal.) You only had a banana today? Why?
Zanab: I could tell you, but probably shouldn’t.
Cole: I offered you a poke bowl.
Zanab: I know you did but we had that last night.
Cole: Oh, are you getting wedding dress bod?
#loveisblindseason3 #colezanabcutiesstory
♬ original sound - FredAlexFor some 'Love Is Blind' fans, the Cuties story changed everything.
Fan reactions to the footage of the Cuties story have been incredibly strong. Some still 100% backed Zanab.
idc if I get ENGAGED and a man rated me 9/10 and then tells me my friend is a 10/10 of course imma be insecure about my body and skin. Imma be sick overthinking what I eat and wear. I support Zanab #LoveIsBlind
— Amairani 🌹 (@amairanicj14) November 9, 2022idc if people are mad at Zanab I support women’s wrongs 💖
— shutupsarah (@fr0gandtoad) November 9, 2022Others thought both Zanab and Cole were problematic in their own ways.
We’re allowed to dislike BOTH Zanab and Cole…just because we don’t like Cole doesn’t mean Zay gets our full fledged support and vice versa #LoveisBlindS3
— :D:D (@didster06) November 9, 2022Still others claimed that Zanab blew things completely out of proportion, causing the entire cast to turn on Cole without reason.
The producers leaving in the Zanab and Cole cuties story at the end of the reunion #LoveIsBlind pic.twitter.com/L4HtdRcmyg
— April Garza (@aprlgarza) November 9, 2022plot twist: zanab is the real villain in #loveisblind season 3
seeing the cuties clip, cole did nothing wrong. zanab, out of her insecurity, made it a bigger issue than it was and blamed cole entirely. he did not deserve that humiliation at the reunion. #LoveisBlindS3
Nah this cuties cut scene just exonerated Cole. Not a good look for Zanab #loveisblind pic.twitter.com/IxdFmw2YQF
— a hater, firstly (@mylastbraincels) November 9, 2022The way Cole was portrayed by Zanab with the over exaggerated version of EVERYTHING he said is crazy. That chick may not be bipolar but is a complete liar, seeking attention while trying to burry that dude. The cuties story wooooow. #LoveIsBlind #LOVEISBLINDreunion
— TheCamRodriguez (@TheCamRodrigue1) November 9, 2022So glad Netflix showed the cuties / tangerine clip with Zanab and Cole. There is something off about that woman. She blew that way out of proportion. He was actually sweet in that clip. Wondering if the bachelorette party talk actually happened. #LoveIsBlind3
— L. Dub (@ctn2019) November 9, 2022What do you think? When it comes to the Cuties story, is Cole the bad guy or did Zanab overreact?
The entirety of Love Is Blind Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
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