Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Giannina Gibelli: Beauty and the Beast

Episode Date: September 21, 2021

Did you ever think you’d meet someone through a wall, fall in love through a wall and get engaged through a wall? Giannina a.k.a. Gigi definitely did not but that is exactly what happened for her in her pursuit of love on “Love is Blind”! Unfortunately, she was left at the altar by her fiancé, Damian… but there was some relief in that. Gigi joins Kaitlyn to share all the behind the scenes juicies of this “experiment” she signed up for, how much time the cast actually spent sequestered in those isolated rooms without windows not knowing what time it was or how long they had spent talking with their “soul mate” AND if her relationship with Damian was truly as dramatic as it seemed on TV. Gigi shares her passions as a “Soulpreneur”, how she is listening to signs from the Universe and that she truly believes in “faking it until you make it”. She also clarifies the extremely awkward situation of Damian bringing Francesca (from “Too Hot To Handle”) to the After the Altar reunion…  You heard it here first!! I’m hitting the road for my last single girl tour, Vinos before vows right?? For access to presale tickets visit kaitlynbristowetour.com code: DIRTY Thank you to the OTV sponsors for this episode: CONAIR - The Knot Dr. All-In-One Dryer Brush by Conair®. To order, go to conair.com and search Dryer Brush. PAYPAL - To get $10 cashback on your first transaction of $20 or more, just head to your local CVS and pay using your PayPal or Venmo app. Go to paypal.com/VINE. OXICLEAN - Visit oxicleancoupons.com where a coupon is waiting for you. GEICO - Go to geico.com, get a quote, and see how much you could save. It’s GEICO-easy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Okay, let's talk about the original enemies to lovers story. Before all of our reality TV couples, before the rom-coms, we binge, there was Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in pride and prejudice. And Audible has just dropped a brand new original that will have you completely hooked, I am. It's not just any audiobook. This is a full cast performance. So Marisa Abella, you might know her from industry, brings Elizabeth Bennett to life.

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So whether it's your first time experiencing Pride and Prejudice or you've read it a million times, you're going to fall absolutely in love all over again. So go listen to Pride and Prejudice now at audible.ca slash Jane Austen. This week's Off the Vine is sponsored by Conair. The Not Doctor All In One dryer brush by Conair is all you need to create a salon blowout at home quickly and easily. To order, go to conair.com and search dryer brush. PayPal, to get $10 cash back on your first. first transaction of $20 or more, just head to your local CVS and pay using your PayPal or Venmo app. To see terms and learn more about how to earn $10 cash back, go to PayPal.com

slash vine. OxyClean, visit oxycleancoupons.com right now where a coupon is waiting for you. And GEICO. Go to GEICO.com, get a quote and see how much you could save. It's GEICO easy. Visit guyco.com today. That's guyco.com. Hey everybody, you're listening to Caitlin Bristow's podcast, Off the Vine. Take it away, Brie. Wine. Lots of wine. Hey, be on the mic, turn it up.

Let's go. Hey, ramen, Pino, ready for the show. Everyone's welcome. So come on in because OTV, it's about to begin. Hey. Welcome to Off the Vine. I'm your host, Caitlin Bristow. Vino's holy shit-tacking mushrooms.

I have a good one for you today. If any of you were like me and bingewomen. watched all the shows during quarantine, then you probably watched the Netflix dating show, Love is Blind, where strangers talked to each other through a freaking wall, fell in love, got engaged without ever seen each other, and then got married. You thought Bachelor was crazy, but how about never seen each other? L. O. Freakin'L. Unfortunately, the beautiful human I talked to today made it all the way through the show to be left at the altar. My heart. You know her, you love her, and you want to give

her a big old hug. It's Giannina. a.k.a. G. She talks with me about all the behind-the-scenes secrets. What's going on with her and Damien now? And what the heck was up with Francesca? It's honestly just such a good combo. So, enjoy. San Diego right now. Well, you're in San Diego. Okay, because I feel like your Instagram and always traveling somewhere. Yes, it's, well, lately I've,

well, I've always liked to travel, but lately I put my stuff in a storage unit in Miami and I've just been living like off the fat of the land kind of thing. So it's just been, yeah, really liberating. And also like, I couldn't find a place. So it's just, I'm just going with the flow and seeing which city kind of calls me. because right now I'm not really tied to anything.

So we'll see where I end up. I would love to live in a little free bird. Europe? Yeah, I would love to look for it. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, it's just a whole other lifestyle over there, which is, okay, have you always been like a little freebird? Is that kind of what led you to being on the show?

Because I feel like people who end up on TV, I feel like a small percentage of people are like, I can't believe I did this. It's totally out of my comfort zone. And then a big percentage is like, well I've always been like a risk taker or like like you know push myself to the limit so how did you even end up on the show and have you always been been kind of like I'm just going to go wherever it calls me yeah yeah that's exactly what happened so they they found me on

Instagram and I was at a bar with like a couple of girlfriends and I was telling them like I am so over the city like there are no more men for me here and at that moment my phone lit up and it was a DM saying like hey girl I'm casting And I was like, passing. I've never heard. I've heard collab. Right. So I told her and she was like, hey, so, you know, you can fall in love with someone, but there's a patch.

Like, you have to fall in love with them through a wall. And whenever you want to see them, you have to get engaged. And then once you're engaged, you have to have a wedding. But you don't have to get married. And I was like, this is weird. Like, your timing is insane. I'm a little weird. So, like, maybe this will work out.

And then, and then I was like, okay, like, Caitlin Bristow's of the world. like, I'm never going to get picked. Like, it's just gorgeous in this out there. So whatever. And then little by little, it just kept pushing me and pushing me. And I told my parents actually at my brother's wedding, like, a day before I was getting sequestered, which was like the most dramatic thing I've ever done in my life. And I told my mom and my dad, and they, like, weren't even like the teeniest bit surprised.

They were just like, go. And that's, yeah. And that's just the type of, because I'm a product of my parents. Both of my parents are like, very like, go with your heart, you know, do what feels right. And I was always brought up that way. And I mean, I call myself a soulpreneur. Like, I don't like to stay in one place if I don't feel happy. So I was like, the universe is presenting me with this.

And then I did it. And I was just like, I'm not even surprised, but I'm not even that surprised because if it's going to happen, it's going to happen to me. Like if someone's going to get stood up at the altar, it's going to happen to me. So let's go. it's all part of like your journey which is so I feel the exact same way like my parents same thing they've always been like you got to follow what makes you happy you don't have to go to college after high school you just do like if you want to do it if you don't don't like go explore the world you got to do what you want to do and when I came to them saying I was

going to go on the bachelor they're the same way they're like yeah of course you are go and like when I was there I was like yeah of course I'm here like it just felt so like weirdly normal to me. I mean, as you know, reality TV is weird. The thing is that The Bachelor's been on for 20 years where you were part of the very first season ever of Love is Blind. And I heard now, now that you say what casting said, maybe I was wrong. I thought you guys just thought it was an experiment. Like, I didn't think you knew the concept, but you did know the concept going in. Yeah. So I was told, I was told the entire time, it's a social experiment. It's a social experiment. But here, like, you know, here's the caveat. Like, you're not going to go in and

like, so we didn't know lots of things, though. We didn't know, like, if it was going to be like a gotcha show, you know, like if it was going to be like a beauty and the beast kind of thing. We all learned what this was together. So because we were the first season, like production was learning, like set was learning. Like, everyone was learning a bunch of, even though they were like all-seasoned veterans. Like, it's the first season, you know? Yeah. And so that's also why part of it I was just like, I'm just going to say whatever I want because no one's going to see this anyway. Yeah. That's so funny. I mean, I would have done the same thing. And I know it's like supposed to be

you're on one side, they're on the other. It's supposed to be getting to know somebody's like soul and personality and what makes them and looks aren't supposed to be important. But did you guys ever say to each other like here's what i look like and trying to like describe each other yeah so we did with i never did it with danian but with everyone else i was just like okay so you sound like you're you know this tall or that or whatever and um i guess someone asked me what i my celebrity looked like and i said paid up dead and then it went because at the time with the blonde hair i look right i could see that and i guess it just went around the grapevine and so he knew that I looked like

Kate Upton-ish. Yeah. So he was, he already kind of knew what I looked like, but we never asked each other. But, um,

I don't know who, I don't know, because at the end of the day, it's Damien, I remember Damien did say like, he looked like a mix of Zach Ephron and Gerard Butler. What?

I was like, oh my God, it's like Jesus. Like, I was like, like, wait, first of all,

I don't see that. Do you? No. Oh, bless. That's like, I'm like, oh, Zach Ephron and Gerard Bueller. Hell yeah. I mean, he does have blue eyes like Zach and he is like six foot three like Gerard. So I could totally see.

Yeah, he's very tall. Oh, okay. So interesting. There's a lot to grab on there. Yeah. Okay, that makes sense because I don't know if you get this because every time people meet me, they're always like, oh my gosh, you're so much smaller or someone who's tall. gosh, you're so much taller. People never know because you're just, you know, on TV, you can't tell.

And how tall are you? Because he's, that's tall. He's six, three, I'm five seven. Oh, you're five seven. Okay, that's the perfect height. By the way, that's like my ideal. If I could come back in another lifetime, I'd be five seven. Are you like five five five? I'm five four. But like, like just, I'm not lying about being five four, but I'm like, just five four. All my friends are five four, five. I'm always like the tallest one. I'm like, you guys look so cute. Because you can wear anything you want. Like literally anything because you're so little and cute. I feel like if I wear like a short, a skirt that's too short, like, it instantly like very short.

You know what I mean? If you're shorter, it looks cute. Or sweatsuits anyways at all times. I'm like, when you were running to get your dog, I'm like, oh my God, that dress is so stinking cute. And I'm like sitting here in my little sweatsuit being like, eh. So I like to wear things that are cute, but feel like DJs. Like, this is, like, just one long DJ. It's like, you know, it has that shape to it.

All right, everyone. I got to interrupt myself here for a super important announcement. This is not an ad. Well, I mean, it is, but for me. So I am very excited to tell you guys, you ready? Should we do a countdown? Okay, here we go. Three, two, one.

I'm going back on tour. I know so many of my vinos bought tickets to my last tour that I had to cancel. And I've been waiting for so dang long to get back out there. and see my peeps. I cannot wait. And since I'll be getting married next year, I wanted to, you know, maybe sort of throw myself a bit of a bachelorette party with all of you. Well, 10 bachelorette parties, I guess. Because yes, I have 10 shows coming up in November and December. I'm coming to New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Boston, Charlotte, Minneapolis, and Nashville. There are limited tickets. So if you live in one of these cities or want to come

hang out in one of these cities with me, please come party with me and some of my friends, you're invited to my bachelorette party okay it's official consider this your official invitation i'm calling it my bride and dirty tour because let's be honest no one ever thought i was going to be a classy bride wait i could be both so if you're listening and you want some tickets go check out kately bristow tour dot com and i'll see y'all soon okay i'm going to need all of y'all to go see the doctor okay asap not just your regular old doctor though i'm talking about the knot doctor, aka the doctor for all of your hair needs. Equipped with innovative detangling technology to remove knots with no snags and ionic technology to reduce frizz. The knot doctor all in one

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back on your first in-store QR code payment of $20. bucks or more. I truly love using PayPal because, first of all, it's just super easy to use. And very importantly, I know how secure it is to use wherever I am. So now it's even more convenient to use PayPal when I go to CVS and I'm basically being paid and rewarded to use it. When I pay at CVS using a QR code, it's literally just a few taps in the app and I'm done. No digging through my bag to find my wallet, trying to come up with the right amount of change. And I got that $10 cash back the first time I made a purchase of $20 or more. So it was basically like getting half off. Look at you, Caitlin, being all frugal and resourceful and stuff. To get $10 cash back on your first

transaction of $20 or more, just head to your local CVS and pay using your PayPal or Venmo app. That's $10 cash back on your first purchase of $20 or more with the PayPal or Venmo app. To see terms and learn more about how to earn $10 cashback, go to PayPal.com slash buying. Okay, I wanted to know if there's anything that surprised you when, like, obviously, this gives you a lot that surprises you when you, you know, it's your first time doing it. But when you got out of the pods, let's say, and you went into the real world, did it surprise you how obviously big the show blew up or how people reacted to you? Like, what was the biggest shock from doing this whole experiment?

Um, so for us, we shot it in November. 2018 and then we were in limbo for like a year and a half so like yeah so no one knew that I no one outside of my circle knew that I did it or I couldn't post it I had a boyfriend nothing wow and then yeah and then the show comes out and then suddenly everybody knows about it and then we get blown up and then we get put away because of quarantine so it was like a very big yeah it's like the roller coaster was going like this for a year and then then it finally hit the beak and then it went like this like in shoot yeah so it was a lot um just to take in a lot once because then you think like okay like am i back in a pod like what's going on like

it was very interesting yeah because you were like stuck in this one room getting to know somebody and then you had to go back to being stuck in a room getting to know somebody and try and navigate those relationships and like what the world is of being on tv but do you think the show blew up so much because of quarantine. Like, do you think people were like, oh, I'm just going to binge this show because I'm stuck at home? Yeah. So it did really well before everyone got locked down.

And then it stayed in like the top 10 for like a month. And that was when top 10 was just introduced. And we're just like, what is happening? And if people were able to really relate to it, because again, they're back into a situation where they can't see their friends. I can't see their family. So it was like the Simpsons style. You know how they predict.

They predict everything. Yeah. That's so funny yet because people are really, they're also trying to date from home, not seeing people. Yeah. It was, I mean, for the majority of the pandemic, I wasn't single, but now I am. Well, we're going to get it all into that because,

well, first of all, I have a couple more questions about like behind the scenes because I love this stuff. Like, I love all behind the scenes of TV because obviously I find it fascinating. And I want to ask you about behind the scenes of the bachelor. Oh, yeah, you can do it. Anytime you have a question for me. Go ahead. How long were you guys actually in the pods for? Like, for us and viewers, it looked like weeks. But I don't, how long were you actually in the pods? So we were in the pods for nine and a half days. Holy. And how many hours? Like, where did you sleep? How many hours were you actually in those pods talking? So the whole way it was set up, it was, you don't know what day it is, what time it is. obviously sequestered right but you could be in a room for seven hours and not know that it was seven hours or you could be in a room for one hour and feel like it was seven hours so

you're kind of like in this very very limbo aspect where you're like pretty much in a warehouse and you you can't see the daylight and you get fed and there's a bunch of beer and liquor everywhere yeah so it's like all right it's nine a m i guess i'll have a beer but you don't really feel exciting. So it was really interesting because I had like so many like epiphanies in that little room. Oh, I bet. And I don't know if you ever experienced this or if anyone else's experienced this from like The Bachelor or anything, but we were so like enveloped in it and like in this, we made like our own little environment and like our own little ecosystem essentially that I was just like starting to feel everything. Like I was very, very sensitive.

Like I was like going through like this purging of like emotion and like all this. It was very, very intense. So like when the the pods like they showed like 1% of right what happened in there. Yeah, that's that's that's same as Bachelor World. And I always obviously because I come from Bachelor World, I always compare situations or think about that. And it is you you're put in a different environment where you are only meant to express your feelings, feel your feelings, talk about your feelings.

And that is how you get somewhere with somebody to the point where you could marry them because, like, overall, how much time do you think you spent with Damien, like, talking? I'm going to say less than 24 hours. Okay. Yeah. So less than 24 hours. But in those less than 24 hours, you are talking, like, you are, like, bearing your soul and talking about, like, the deepest things. And you're getting somewhere more than if you dated somebody for maybe even, like, a year of, you know, going on dates or playing the game or, you know, you're just going to the deepest place. And I feel

like you do that on The Bachelor, too, where you talk about things that you normally wouldn't talk about in relationships. You just get right to the bottom of things and, like, move so much quicker. But that's, that's truly how you can do it? So I'm wondering, like, do you think you got to know him in that pod better than you got to know most of your past relationships in, like, the time you're dating? No. Because for us, I still had to find out that physical element. And then people in The Bachelor are able to see how the man or the woman, like, interacts with other people. And you're like, oh, okay, I can't have a sense of his character. And I only knew the one side, which is whatever he wanted to show me, and vice versa, which is whatever I, you know,

I would say things that I didn't necessarily want to, like, admit. That's part of it. Right. Yeah. But still, it's all, it's all things that I'm controlling. And so I really was curious. And that's like when we got into like our first big blowout in the party, Barnett's like birthday party was because I was like, see, like this is what we were missing. Like I needed to see how you were in social situations. And it's just like, and we just don't jive, you know, kind of at the end of the day.

So that's what that's absolutely. You do get to like the deep root of everybody. But then there's, that is. a fascinating social experiment though because you do get to know somebody down to their core and who they are but then that person might not exist outside of the pod the same way they did in the pod and you know you're obviously going to be different in different situations different settings around your family around your friends around strangers and that is a whole other concept which i guess you don't you get to see a little bit of that in the bachelor world because

they interact with producers and stuff but like even going into the outside world after that you're like oh like you get to meet their real friends and see how they are out in public and you're like wait or you're like oh like you can really go either way which really 100% yeah yeah it's I mean from I know editing is always a factor in TV shows and even though you're being your true authentic self but can edit to to look certain ways but your relationship always seemed and I'm not saying this as an insult because I've had relationships like this but it was always so dramatic. Is there editing to that, or was it really like that?

It really, really was like that. And, yeah, after we wrapped and everything, everything was just always so dramatic. And it was kind of a relief, too, because I, you know, I was kind of, like, freaking out. I was like, oh, like, I'm going to, it was so dramatic. Like, why was it like that? And then we were dating, you know, for like a year and a half normally.

and I was like, oh, shit, like, at least we were ourselves. Like, it wasn't the cameras, it was us. We were just really over the top. I like that, though. I like that, though, because I think I just talked about this on another podcast with this girl who was on Bachelor of Paradise. I didn't really agree with certain things that she was doing on TV, but she was like, but this is like, she's like, I'm just figuring stuff out as I go.

She's like, and at least I can say I was being my. And I'm like, that's so fair. Like, if you're not doing anything, you know, quote unquote wrong or like illegal and you're being true to yourself and you're like, no, that really was us, would you rather it that way than be portrayed as perfect and not be that way in real life? Yeah, because honestly, I thought about it for so long. I was just like, ugh, like, why couldn't we just been normal? Like, we just worked out. Like, it would have been so much better. But I, the way that, number one, I've learned from this experience.

and knowing what it is that I do want and don't want is been so incredibly really invaluable. But then also the way that we did talk about everything that was super uncomfortable for a lot of people to talk about. A lot of people really attached themselves to that and said, thank you. I really like find myself in this type of relationship as well. Like what do I do or, you know, this is how I handled it. Like thank you so much for being honest.

Like, you know, I thought there was something wrong with me. And so that itself, I'm just like, put it out there. Like, I don't care. I agree with that. I feel, do you know what number you are on the enneagram by any chance? No, I haven't done that yet. What are you? I'm a four with a three wing, they say.

So I'm like, like, when I go into my, like, impaired way of thinking if I'm being insecure or I'm not like doing what I want, I get really competitive. And like, I need to be the best of everything I do. and I get like weirdly like an overachiever and when I'm in my healthy way of thinking I'm like very sensitive and emotional and both can be dramatic but it's really just like I feel everything like I feel every situation I just like I feel everything to like another level where it's the blessing and a curse and I feel like that could be how you are yes that's exactly how I am yeah I feel like you should take the Enegram test and find out and then text me what you are because

it's so fascinating. I always wanted to just be a three because I thought that's who I was like deep down. And I kept like trying to answer the questions to be a three. But when I really authentically did the test, I was like, God, I'm such a four. So competitive. Are you an Aries? That's very Aries. I'm Gemini, which I don't feel Gemini. Are you Gemini I'm a Gemini rising okay I'm cancer rising I could okay what's your birthday April 3rd April 3rd okay yeah so I'm Aries sun Gemini rising Leo moon okay oh that's a that's a good combo got a lot going on over there have you ever talked have you ever like done a not a course but like even a sit down with an astrologist and like it gone into your birth chart and done all

that so I am that person you are i am that person i could read your whole chart i've done it to every single person oh i love that shit so much i always have those kinds of people on my podcast oh that's amazing so you're just so in tune with that and that's why have you always been that way because i find that people i've heard you say things like the universe and with where it's what that is so me as well i'm like such a believer in just following your path and what the universe is going to bring to you and that's why even like you know dramatic relationships certain things are all meant to happen in your life to bring you into who you are really supposed to be and a lot of people see what these

relationships is like what's wrong with me and like why isn't this but it's all just a life lesson that you're supposed to go through exactly like nothing's wrong with you and if you feel like there is it's just because one you're trying to fit into a mold of some kind like but they're like society things you should or like your parents or like your boyfriend like we've heard this like a million times right but when you're in that relationship that makes you feel like you're going crazy it's just you're just not compatible like there's nothing wrong with you there's so many people out there that are going to love you all your quirks and all this and i had to learn that the hard way i was very very like messed up for a while because i was just like ugh like i'm too last minute with everything i'm too loud like why am i like this blah and i never had any problems with that before i I would always just tell people like, sorry. But there's also that fine line of that I had to learn of, well, tough it up. This is how I am versus like, let me evolve into a better version of myself. And let me catch on to those, you know, bad habits that like, you know, maybe I shouldn't yell when I'm angry all the time.

Let me just figure that out. And let me catch myself. And, you know, those are all like nature versus nurture like shit that you have. have to piece apart all by yourself. Or with a therapist. Oh, yeah. That's why I do that. Yeah. Glass of wine and a therapist. That's like those are my love languages, like wine and therapy. Vinos, do you own a rent your own home? I'm sure you do. I bet it can be hard work, but you know it's easy bundling policies with GEICO. Geico makes it easy to bundle your homeowners or renters insurance along with your auto policy. And it's a good thing too because you already

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OxyClean White Revive Laundry, Whitener, and Stain Remover, and Save While You're at it. Visit OxyCleancoupons.com, where a coupon is waiting for you. Were you shocked when Damien said no, or did you have a lot? like a slight inkling that he was going to do that at the altar so we talked the night before and we weren't supposed to but we were talking the day before and i was like hey like i know my decision like i've put you through hell and back and you fought for me every chance of the way like i know what i'm going to say what about you he's just like i don't know what i'm going to say until i see you because you have put me through the ringer and now i'm insecure now i don't know what i want

And so I was just like, bullshit. He's going to see me in my dress. I'm going to look fantastic. Like, our family's going to be there. Like, there's absolutely no way, right? And, you know, I'm getting my makeup done and they're asking like, so. Like, what if he says no? I'm like, I'm like, sorry.

And my dad is walking me down the aisle, and I see him crying. And those weren't happy tears. Those weren't like, Janina, you look beautiful tears. No, those were like, this is going to hurt tears. and so I was still waiting and like hoping that I was wrong from my instinct watching him cry his eyes out and um I know he said no and then at the end of the day like I'm not gonna lie there was a part of me that was really I was just like like you know we can really figure this out or not or whatever but like at the end of the day like it's

been such a long marathon and I have my answer and like I'm just, I'm ready to move on and then I stayed in it. Well, that just makes you human because I'm sure there's so many people listening. I've done it where you just, like, there's so many mixed emotions and you want it to work so bad and you love the idea of it that you stay. And I mean, you have this bond. Like, oh, it's crazy. Yeah, you have such a bond that you have never, no one's ever gone through and you're in this

together and you want it to be like you and him against the world and you just have the vision like yeah i so i get why you want to hang on and you did and did you were you guys just off and on this whole time and until the reunion no so we were actually on the whole time until about a month before the reunion um wow yeah and then we were just like but we were always like rocky still always trying to you know fit a square peg into a circle and and so then we were just like hey you know what we've tried this let's just take away the label again and let's not be boyfriend girlfriend but let's just you know see what happens and um we did that and then that's why at the reunion we were at a great area but we were still very much like boyfriend girlfriend just not

call each other boyfriend girlfriend i mean you've been so much together yeah so should have to like two years you know that's a long time well okay what you guys had been through in that pod just like completely like sharing your shadows your ups and downs in life like who you truly are into going into the outside world to try and navigate that two years is actually a long time to try and make something work and that's exhausting and you know exhilarating and all these emotions and it's drug it is a drug it is a drug It really is. You have so many highs and lows and you like, you almost find comfort in each other's like sorrows and like match each other's insecurities, but then try and like love each other through them. It's, I've been there. It's, it's. And I picked up on like a lot of things that I'm like, I never did this before.

You know? So after that, I was just like, it's not, it's not bringing out the best in each other. Yeah. Yeah. That's hard to accept. Yeah. It was a very. much like mature grown-up decision to like not be together versus like oh like I caught you here and I did that like we really just cut things off because we're like we just can't anymore like it was you know it wasn't like exhausted every every attempt and like anything you could do that I have so many questions about the reunion because is it Francesca Francesca okay Francesca okay what what was their relationship I don't get it because she seemed to like even have a little more feelings for him than he did for her. I feel like he just found comfort in talking to her, but also she seemed like a little bit jealous of you. And then you were so calm at the reunion when he

brought her, which I thought was so strange that he brought her. It didn't make any sense. And what the hell went on that night? And is that when you guys decided that was it? So Francesca and Damien were, they both had the same manager. Okay. And they went out to lunch, like, back in August or dinner with like the whole team. And it was seven of them. But but the paparots didn't only caught them two leading together. Yeah, I saw the picture and I'm like, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, this is hilarious. Like, how does anyone think this is real? Right.

But then when the reunion came around, they were still, I guess, had a friendship going on. She was in town and they had that lunch, which was like, all of these things were communicated to me. Like, I knew that he was going to go out to lunch with her. I knew that he was in town. And then the way that I would hear it was not. how I saw it at all and I get it editing and all that stuff but there's so many things that you can edit like you can't edit out chemistry no you can't edit out like you know the things that came out of your mouth and especially when the teeth the camera's on you and those things are coming out of your mouth

that's not editing like I personally experienced that we all you know we have so it's like I know that that what came out of your mouth what came out of your mouth yeah and um and at the reunion I was not expecting to be treated like a complete stranger, which is ultimately, like, what just set me off because I'm, you know, you try to put yourself in this position of like, you know, I wouldn't want anyone to tell me that I couldn't have any guy friends. So I'm not going to go ahead and tell him that he can't have any girlfriend. Even though the situation is shitty, like, I'm not going to go ahead and make a big

stink out of something that I don't feel is there. Like, I personally didn't feel like that there was anything going on between them. And I still don't think that they've, like, hooked up or anything, but there's definitely, like, a flirtation ship. And the way that he confided in her about, like, us and our problems. Right. It's just like, I've seen that happen before. And you only do that when you want to get out. And when you're trying to find something else.

That's so true. You're trying to fulfill a void. So he was definitely trying to fulfill a void. And, you know, we were in a hard situation. So I see that. But it's just like, wrong time, wrong place. wrong person and at that night after we I mean I really wanted to talk to her and just get down to the bottom of it that's why I was so calm because I've always assumed like I always like put my like yell when oh there was a perfectly you know reasonable explanation for this I'm like okay let me kind of put my training in thought here I talked to her and she seemed equally as confused and I'm like either you're really good at this or yeah you've also being you know

duped like me yeah and she was very uncomfortable by the whole end of it and she left and when I saw that I was like oh okay what's going on here he liked the attention

like he loved it and maybe I wasn't giving him enough you know maybe that's why he had to go out but we talked that night and he drove me home and then when I got home I was like I'm done like there's just nothing there for me anymore and it was just a very long drowned out breakup for like the next like two months after that just because it was like you try to separate yourself right from the cameras and the drama and like what's really you know what's really important it's our relationship and blah blah it's like but this is our relationship like I don't think you understand that the things that were brought out and the conversations that were had like these are things that we deal with all the time.

So how many more signs from the universe do I need to be like, hey, girl, they're slapping you in the face. Yeah, exactly. And so I had to slap him in the face a little bit too. But, hey, listen, it's just not going to work. Right. It's just what it is. Right.

It's so, yeah, watching that whole thing, it was, I wonder, and maybe you know the answer to this, but did he watch that back and go, okay, maybe I do like the attention and how I handled that was wrong, or does he stand by the way he behaved? I don't know. We haven't talked too much about that. It was very much like that. Hey, are you okay? Yeah, I'm fine.

Okay. Well, I'd barely know you, but I'm, like, proud of you for separating yourself. Like, even if it took two years or, you know, whatever, it's, again, it was a whole learning experience. You probably learned so much about yourself. You've probably grown so much from the experience. And if you can remove yourself from it and just, you know, cut ties, I think that's obviously the best way to do it. And sometimes that takes a while. It takes a while. And it's also like just rip off the band-aid. Like if you try to be friends with, you know, especially if you're like in a

toxic relationship, like you're just going to keep getting sucked back in. And if you really have to separate yourself like you said so that you know like what are my feelings and what are the feelings that I'm trying to make up for or how am I overcompensating for this person? Am I not listening to myself? Am I putting that person in front of my feelings? And I would always do that. And that's good because that's like you're really, you're the right person. It's good.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Because at the end of the day, it's like, okay, I want to put your feelings on front of mine. That's how I know I love you. But like how much is how much. supported yeah yeah no I feel there's so many of my listeners that have questions for you and by the way everyone loves you and it was so cool to see because you never know when like you put out questions

and people are just like oh we love her so um I always feel terrible when I can't pronounce people's names but Amy Erasmus wants to know do you regret getting back with Dave yeah no I thought I did for a while I was like I had a perfect out right there you know but without having gone through the other part of the relationship and been with him I one 100% wouldn't have learned as much and we both helped each other like he's I'm making him sound like a horrible person but he was great like you really yeah he really taught me so much about you know how to be responsible in this sense and that and and also how to really believe in myself

when I really couldn't there was just nothing for me to hold on to so he was really always there and I don't regret that at all because he was he was 100% my rock but you know it came with a lot of like emotional like hardship so no I would have yeah and honestly

it's like Voldemort like and Harry like one can't survive without the other like that's yeah you know I totally get that that's hilarious Lexus Elani asks, is your mother okay after the breakup? Yes. Your mother? Oh, my gosh.

So my mom keeps telling me in Spanish, obviously. She's like, stop dating boys. You need a man. You need like a 35-year-old man like a 30s. And I'm like, okay. Where is he? Like you were like, she's like, she's so cute. Yeah.

That's pretty cute. Okay, Mandri Wheels asked, what helps you feel confident? It comes from within. you know and so many times I feel like I don't have any confidence at all but really what gives me the most confidence is like faking it until you make it and you just believe in yourself until you really believe in yourself you know you're like I feel even with like hair and makeup on you're like like I don't feel it today but you have to like I have to force it out of myself or else I'm the type of person that will just stay like this I have to force myself in order to feel it or else

I'm just going to get stuck in my own little, like, pity circle. Yeah. So either, you know, do a nice facial or just, like, just tell yourself you're the hottest shit in the world because I don't believe that no one else is going to. It's true. I do that with myself. If I'm, like, having an insecurity, I'm like, oh, bitch, please. You're, you got this, this. I just, like, talk myself out of it and then I move on.

Yeah. But again, that's taken a lot of therapy years. Amy Fairloin, 35. wants to know what was the best and worst thing from Love is Blind? Best thing was that my mom and dad, who hadn't interacted really for like 10 years, became best friends. Cool. I love that. Yeah, because of that, they like went to the wedding and they became like her, my stepdad and my dad, the three best friends you could ever have.

It was like the weirdest, craziest thing. That's so special. Yeah, that to me, I was just like, all right, anything can happen now, but that was great. And then the worst thing, I'm going to say, like, the year and a half in between the first, filming the first season and then it coming out, because I was just in such a dark place, because I didn't know what was going to happen to me. You know, I was very, very, very honest. And I didn't know what was going to be taken out of context and if people were going to understand it. And then also half of my family was pissed. Like, my mom and dad were great, but most of my family was not about it.

So I was, yes, I was very much like, I hope this works out for a whole half. I broke out because, like, I gained weight. I was just in a very, very emotional, like, not in a good place. So that was, for a year and a half, I ate shit. I lost my job. Wow. That's hard. That is a very hard phase to be in because you don't know if you can get your job back

or you don't know what's about to happen to your life. You don't know what's going on in your relationship. You've just been through a whirlwind of drinking and not sleeping properly and in, like, you know, your feels. and it's, it's, like, traumatic almost. Yeah. It was trauma. Mm-hmm.

And I was like, I'm so poor. I can't even go to a therapist. So I guess I'll just figure this out. And then I was so happy that that year and a half happened because God was really like, I'm going to humble you before I'm going to reward you. So I've definitely been humbled. That's a good point. That's, yeah.

I mean, looking back, you can say that now, but that would have been really challenging. I'm yeah I can kind of relate to that too of the the dark place in life after filming and it's just so confusing yeah and then last question is somebody obviously wants to know what your confession is for the podcast this one is actually a confession but whatever I'm in California I feel we to get rid of my headaches I love it I mean it's legal

you're not doing anything illegal I actually one of my girlfriends posted about her migraines and somebody was like have you tried smoking weed and she said that was the only thing it doesn't take it away but weed is the only thing that helps migraines

over like she's been to doctors and like everything she could possibly do and smoking weed is the only thing that has just relieved something so that don't make it's on the ground yeah it's from the ground I feel that

I saw Katie who was the last bachelorette she posted something about like having an edible and people were so mean to her and I was like really I'm like sitting at home having an edible is a lot more safe and like feeling drinking and driving

yeah exactly it's not like she was out drinking making terrible decisions like it's legal there I don't know I just find it crazy when people judge that I'm like, it's the same thing as drinking, just may be a little safer. Really? And it's not even like, and you know when everyone was drinking, smoking cigarettes?

Yes. It's like, well, this is way safe. It's not going to kill you. Like, you're not going to get cigarettes on this. Way worse. I know. It's so interesting. Well, thank you for sharing your confession.

It's always my favorite part of the, well, not the favorite part, but I always like, I can't finish a podcast without getting somebody to confess something with me. Yeah, you've gotten some really juicy ones. I've gotten some really juicy ones. I've gotten some juicy ones. There's been some, some, like, crazy, crazy stories that I'm like, damn, I can't believe you just let the whole world know that. I should have gone deeper.

No, it's, no, it's, I like hearing them all. It's anywhere from, like, this one girl was talking about, like, anal and pooping and to, like, smoking wheat. So it's all good. And what's next for you? What's, what's coming up in your life? and what you're doing over there. Yeah.

So I am currently just taking literally everything that I'm taking from my trips and what I've learned in the past year and a half of being in the public eye and seeing what people like. And finally I found myself truly like this past year. And I always wanted to create something and always wanted to put something out there that really portrayed really who I am as a person. But I couldn't get there. I was so blocked and my emotions were just completely all over the place and I was still trying to figure out like what can I say and what can I say now because now there's a whole microscope.

So there's definitely been a whole year of just putting things together that I can't wait for everyone to to wear and to experience. I'm really excited about that and then putting everything in all my travels and my YouTube series and hopefully do like what you're doing. and just do more TV, be part of love is blind, like Sucin 20 and host any sort of show. I'm happy to do that. Well, you're definitely, you're definitely going to. Maybe you should, yeah, maybe you should go on The Bachelor. You know, oh my God, Caitlin. Everyone tells me that I should be the next Bachelorette, and I'm just like, first of all,

I don't think I can do that because Netflix. Second of all, right, okay. How is it like having so many guys, and then I barely think anyone is cute? So I was the hard. I was the same way. I'm like, there's no way I'm going to find my person. Like, I'm so picky. I don't find many guys attractive.

Like, it's going to be, like, so hard for me to fake it with all these guys. And, you know, 30 of them come out of a limo. And, yeah, it was like I was dating. I mean, after the first night, I think I was, there's like 23 guys I was dating. And it was. I was like, what's your name again? it was fascinating because you actually like they pick some pretty cute guys and like everyone is just like charming and handsome and has a story and some of them just are terrible and you

have to play you know I'm going to pretend and like hear you out but yeah yeah exactly but at the end of the day I was like there was four solid guys there where I was like I would date you in the outside world and then like another four there that I was like it's fun to flirt with you but other than that it was really challenging and it sucked just trying to like compartmentalize every relationship and like try and be because everything's on you you have to like be present in each relationship remember and take in and take in and give give give but like I don't know it was it was crazy but you would I mean if you didn't have the Netflix stuff you'd be an awesome a Bachelorette.

I was going to say, though, like people, certain people bring out different parts of you. So you see like, oh, this guy makes me laugh and this guy is like, makes me artistic. And that's what I felt in the pods. I was like, oh, this one's, this, this one's the adventure guy. And I'm going to be able to go traveling with him. But Damien felt like he had all of it one. Well, that's the thing.

Yeah. That's, I mean, that's what when you were, you know, given that opportunity to, have these conversations with more than one guy, which is obviously not normal in the real world what it is, but not to seriously talk to them like this. It's, it is draining because I become a chameleon where I can just change for each person and be what they need. But I'm like, wait, I need to like fill my own cup back up after all of this. Because at the end of it, I'd be like, oh my God, who am I? Like, it was, it was crazy. But yeah. We need to hang out. We need to go. Yes. Oh my gosh. Okay. So where can everybody find your YouTube, you, everything?

Yes. So find me on Instagram at Gianina Jebeli. That's G-I-A-M-I-N-I-N-A. I know it's a mouthful. And then YouTube, G-N-N-I-Jabelli, or The Vibe with G. And on TikTok, Gene-N-G-N-G-E-N-G-Ly. Yay. We should have fun stuff on there. Lots of outfits. Okay, that's amazing. Awesome. I'm going to go follow you on TikTok because I am like obsessed with TikTok. I think I only follow, like, my family and two closest friends. I need to, like, branch out here. But thank you so much for coming on the pod and talking.

It was so, so good to talk to you. And I can't wait to exchange our little life path and any gram test results. Yeah, we're going to figure out. We're going to know each other deeper. Yeah, for real. We'll have our own little pod moment. This was our pod moment. This was our pod moment.

We should have done it with our, with the screens off. Just kidding. Okay, well, I'll talk to you soon, and thank you so much for doing this. Yes, thank you so much, Caitlin. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday. Thanks for listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow. Get new episodes every Tuesday exclusively on Podcast1.com, the Podcast One app, and subscribe

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