A contestant on the new series of Love Is Blind has sparked debate online after eviscerating her date for his apathetic approach to politics.
Sara Carton grilled her prospective partner Ben Mezzenga about ‘some controversial things’ like Donald Trump, Black Lives Matter, and the killing of George Floyd.
The politically-charged discussion was an anomaly for the Netflix show, where contestants are normally shown focusing on lighter topics like their love lives – as noted by viewers who praised it as ‘the most honest conversation’ they’d seen.
Oncology nurse Carton, 29, broke the mold during season eight, episode four, when she pushed real estate developer Mezzenga, 28, to express his opinions on several hot-button topics.
‘I’m, like, kind of ignorant toward that stuff. Like, I didn’t vote in the last election. As long as I don’t know, it’s not gonna do much,’ Mezzenga admitted.
Carton blasted her date’s response as ‘so annoying,’ but pushed forward by asking him what his thoughts were on the Black Lives Matter movement.
‘I’m not one way or the other. I just kind of keep out of it,’ he said.
‘I think it’s very valuable and important to think about those things,’ Carton hit back.
Sara Carton (pictured), a contestant on the new series of Love Is Blind has sparked debates after eviscerating her date for his apathetic approach to politics
Carton grilled her prospective partner Ben Mezzenga (pictured) about ‘some controversial things’ like Donald Trump , Black Lives Matter, and the killing of George Floyd
‘And knowing you, it’s not like you’re actively, like, racist, but I personally believe what happened to George Floyd and everything else that happened, I don’t think that’s right at all.
‘What’s so important is to speak up for things that are happening around us. You know, like, our voice really does matter.’
But Mezzenger still didn’t engage. ‘Yeah. I’ve just kind of being staying out of it,’ he said.
Carton said she didn’t like his answers, telling Mezzenger she appreciated his honesty but also adding: ‘I think it is so easy for us to not have an opinion.’
The real estate developer admitted he ‘didn’t know how to intelligently talk’ about politics – something which may prove a fatal blow to the couple’s relationship.
Viewers shared footage of their conversation on social media, prompting debates about the importance of speaking about politics during the early days of dating.
‘Everyone needs to have these conversations early on in dating,’ one person commented beneath a TikTok clip of the interaction.
‘I just broke up with someone for this reason,’ another person said. ‘I can’t do indifference or chosen ignorance.’
Several viewers praised Carton for bringing up politics. ‘She instantly became one of my favorite people on this show – loved this open conversation,’ one woman wrote.
‘Ugh I loved Sara!’ another woman wrote. ‘Asking the real hard questions that truly make it break a marriage and need to be talked about beforehand and a lot of people don’t. His answers were very telling.’
Many viewers praised oncology nurse Carton (pictured) for bringing up politics on Love Is Blind
The politically-charged discussion was an anomaly for the Netflix show, where contestants are normally shown focusing on lighter topics like their love lives – as noted by viewers who praised it as ‘the most honest conversation’ they’d seen
Mezzenga (pictured) admitted he ‘didn’t know how to intelligently talk’ about politics – something which may prove a fatal blow to the couple’s relationship
The reality TV show follows 32 single men and women aged in their 20s and 30s as they choose their future life partner without ever seeing them.
Male contestants propose to their chosen date after several conversations from inside ‘pods’ where they can hear but not see one another.
Season eight is set in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after the previous season was set in Washington DC. It premiered on Valentine’s Day, and is available to watch on Netflix.
Hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey revealed that this year’s season is ‘different’ because it’s set in the Midwest for the first time.
‘Every season takes on the personality of the city that it’s based in,’ Nick told People magazine this week.
Vanessa added her perspective: ‘With Minnesota, it’s really interesting because they’re all there wanting to find love, but they definitely have had a harder time relating to issues.’
