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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
The casting team reached out to me about a year later.
It was actually a rigorous process; they wanted to check that I was there for the right reasons.
I went on the show because I was really tired of the superficial way of dating.
I only lasted about two months on the apps.
I was really open to the unique way of dating onLove Is Blind.
How did your relationship with Uche start?He was my very last date on the first day.
It was an instant connection.
We wanted the same things; we had the same interests.
He was very vulnerable with me compared with the things Id been hearing from the other girls.
He approached me with an openness I hadnt really seen with the other men.
It showed self-awareness of things that he struggles with.
As the conversation progressed, I felt very judged.
I was trying to validate his feelings and let him know I understood his perspective.
He was fearful that I would cheat on him.
Im a pretty sensitive person and my feelings were hurt, so I immediately shut down.
Were all human and we go through things in our life where we make bad decisions sometimes.
Watching the scene back on TV, it validated how I felt like I was being interrogated.
It shifted from being this very open conversation to being questioned really hard.
His tone of voice was intimidating.
I didnt want to say the wrong thing.
I wanted to focus on the fact that I had evolved; I had grown from that incident.
It just never got to that point because of how condescending it was.
I try not to keep a tally of things that happen in the relationship.
We had gotten past the cheating discussion at that point.
It was actually more about How am I going to feel comfortable moving forward with you?
I also wondered how we would establish trust in the relationship when he was keeping this from me.
Id had this gut feeling that I didnt want to move forward in an engagement like that.
I only want to be engaged and married once.
I wanted to confirm I was 100 percent emotionally secure with Uche, and I didnt feel that.
They wanted us to decide on what we wanted to do together.
But I realized I had to do something for myself, and I left.
I felt Uche wouldnt have been able to fully understand how I felt.
Maybe its difficult for you, but Im interacting with both Uche and Lydia.
Thats not the same thing.
He couldnt understand that Lydia was not respecting my boundaries.
Thats why I didnt feel like it was going to help to have another conversation.
I probably could have communicated a little more, and thats the only thing I wish I did differently.
You mentioned a conversation with Lydia that factored into your decision to leave.
That was a moment for me saying, If you want him back, here you go.
She snapped because she did not like that comment.
I just kind of had a human moment.
I didnt want to be in between these people.
I didnt feel respected or considered or comfortable.
Things arent adding up.
I dont feel the emotional security with Uche.
There were too many things that made me feel this wasnt right.
I was still very emotional about the decision.
I knew Uche was going to be blindsided by it; even still, I didnt expect his reaction.
Weve been able to give each other grace and move forward, but it wasnt easy at the time.
I didnt know how much more of that angry response I could handle.
I told him, Hey, when youre ready to have a conversation, Im open to that.
I couldnt tell if he was telling the truth.
I wanted that, and it wouldve meant so much to me to have that.
How did your friendship with Lydia start?
You two seemed really close.Lydia and I had shared some really heartfelt deep conversations prior to the filming process.
Thats how the bond was created.
I think people should have a little bit more grace for her.
We all do things out of love that people dont quite understand.
I think she really felt for Uche and had a deep connection to him.
I dont know the ins and outs of their relationship, I just know what she told me.
Uche claims Lydia plotted to be on the show with him.
After going through the entire experience, do you think theres any merit to that?Im not sure.
I can understand why he may feel that way.
He alluded to that a few times.
Thats something they can both speak on.
I hope that one day Lydia can feel comfortable enough to really and truly tell us how this happened.
Is there any part of Lydia and Uches relationship you still want clarification on?No.
There is probably more to elaborate on if they choose to.
Theres still a lot of unanswered questions.
But I feel totally at peace with what I know.
Have you and Lydia spoken since the pods?
Whats the status of the friendship?I havent spoken to her recently.
Weve spoken a couple of times following filming.
It was a very mature conversation.
She and I have mutual respect for one another.
I wish her the best; I want her to be happy.
I feel like she wants the same for me.
She understood that our friendship wasnt going to be the same.
