Who Is Daniel Nides & What Does He Have To Do With Love Is Blind Season 8? (Is Lauren Telling The Truth?)

Daniel Nides was revealed as Lauren O'Brien's situationship before coming in Love Is Blind season 8, and here's everything to know about their murky situation. David "Dave" Bettenburg categorized Molly Mullaney as a fun-loving, unserious woman because of her background as a dancer and stereotyped Lauren as a chaste, sweet lady because she used to be a social studies teacher. The idea that women contain multitudes in the 21st century was too much for Dave to bear, and he was horrified when he found out Lauren was sleeping with someone before Love Is Blind season 8.

Dave and Lauren's dramatic situation is the only storyline keeping Love Is Blind season 8 afloat, as it may be the most boring season yet. Sara Carton blew past Ben Mezzenga's political beliefs, Taylor Haag and Daniel Hastings' Instagram debacle turned out to be nothing, and Devin Buckley doesn't seem to care that Virginia Miller wants a prenup. Meanwhile, Monica Danus and Joey Leveille's biggest hurdle is her jealous sister, not the communal sock bin. Dave will use any excuse to get out of his relationship with Lauren, and the friends-with-benefits situation is proof.

Daniel Was Lauren’s Friend With Benefits

He's A Lawyer And CrossFit Aficionado

Daniel was the friend with benefits Lauren talked about on Love Is Blind, revealed on his own Instagram and via a fake Love Is Blind promo photo. While his personal Instagram is now private, he does have a public CrossFit profile, @teamdandies, where he shows off his chiseled physique alongside other CrossFit aficionados on his "elite intermediate" team. Redditor u/constanteggs snapped a photo of his profile before he went private, sharing his post in the group.

"This is supposed to be the pure hearted man whose word people are taking as gospel truth and defending because he couldn’t possibly just be messy and looking for attention.………..ok."

"THIS LITERALLY CONFIRMS WHAT HER FRIENDS ARE SAYING EVEN MORE!!! That he just wants attention and wants to be on TV. The fact he’s listening to this man and all his friends over Lauren…." wrote one fan, while another said, "This is supposed to be the pure hearted man whose word people are taking as gospel truth and defending because he couldn’t possibly just be messy and looking for attention.………..ok." It's clear Love Is Blind fans are not impressed with Daniel and don't trust him at all, at least those active in the Reddit group.

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According to Daniel's LinkedIn, he has trademarked the name "GYM TAN LAW," based in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. He got a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota, intending to go into physical therapy. However, he later went to law school and began practicing in the Twin Cities area. Daniel has been with his current company, which is hidden on the platform, since 2019.

He Posted A Reel Before Going Private

While he's been accused of clout-chasing, there's evidence Daniel didn't want to be part of Love Is Blind. Before making his profile private, Daniel posted an Instagram Reel revealing Love Is Blind production tried to get him to share his story and come on the show. He also attempted to get the team to pay for him to be somewhere else during filming since he lived in the same apartment building as the couples during the short engagement period. After he posted the Instagram Reel with receipts, he chose to protect his privacy rather than engage.

Daniel drew attention to himself on Instagram, but he also wanted nothing to do with Love Is Blind and quickly made his social media private.

Lauren and Daniel were never in a relationship. The 31-year-old former teacher was insistent she and Daniel were casually sleeping together before she appeared on Love Is Blind. Her friends never met him, they never slept at each other's houses, and she didn't feel the need to end things because there was nothing to end. However, the Minneapolis season needed something to spice things up, so, unsurprisingly, production tried to get Daniel on the show. Everyone else is boring.

Was Dave Right To Be Upset About Lauren And Daniel?

He's Just Not That Into Lauren

Dave was right to have suspicions about Daniel because he chose to get engaged to a woman he barely knew, but once all the details came out, he needed to drop it. He seemed to be using the past relationship as an excuse because he wasn't ready to get married and wasn't that into Lauren. Dave had an idea of who Lauren was in his head, and when she wasn't a perfectly virginal angel of a woman, he got upset.

Dave's feelings were likely further exacerbated when they didn't have sex in Honduras. He was probably thinking, "how can I marry a woman who has casual sex but won't sleep with me on our honeymoon?" Internalized misogyny is tough to overcome. He's also overly concerned with his sister's opinions, but this should have been expected. Dave lost his mother six years ago, and he alluded to her controlling nature in the pods. His sister has taken over this role, guiding his decisions on everything from white sheets to a marriage partner.

Dave chose Lauren because he thought he was picking the "right" woman-- a kindhearted former teacher with a nurturing personality and easygoing nature. These aspects of Lauren appear to be true, but finding out she had casual sex ruined the image he had created in his mind. Lauren disappointed him, and Dave can't get over his bruised ego.

Will Lauren And Dave Get Married?

It's Highly Unlikely

Dave and Lauren are not likely to make it to the altar. A preview shows Lauren's messages turning green when she texts Dave, a sign he's blocked her. Lauren deserves better than a man who doesn't believe her, shames her for having a romantic past, and won't defend her to friends and family. Hopefully, Lauren chooses to leave Dave of her own accord, realizing that there is someone better for her out there. Dave needs to learn to stand on his own feet and trust himself before getting into another serious relationship after Love Is Blind.

Love Is Blind season 8, episodes 10-12 drop on Friday, February 28 on Netflix.

Sources:@teamdandies/Instagram, u/constanteggs/Reddit, Daniel Nides/LinkedIn