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Love Is Blinds Bliss Poureetezadi came into Netflixs experiment with no expectations especially not one of a love triangle.
Poureetezadi handled the twists and turns with maturity and grace because she knew Goytowski was her person.
How did you and Irina handle dating the same person in the pods?We didnt really talk.
The episodes dont show this, but I really drew a lot of boundaries with Irina.
I had that conversation about Zack with her multiple times, like, Lets just not talk about this.
This isnt serving either of us.
You do your thing, Ill do mine.
Im not into competition.
Im never going to compete for a man, thats just not my vibe.
And its not how I approached this experience.
That was me not being my best self.
I do understand why he went with her.
I think it was a fear-based decision, and weve all made decisions from that place.
It didnt change my perception of him at all.
I still thought he was an absolutely respectable person.
I really admire how you responded to your breakup with such maturity.
Was a breakup something you prepared for?Honestly, I didnt really prepare for that.
I went in like, I am gonna show up and Im just gonna do this.
I didnt want to overly plan for it because I felt like it wouldnt be authentic.
I didnt expect to fall in love.
I knew that in my soul.
When he ended things, I was surprised.
Obviously, I was hurt, but I had so much peace with it.
What is meant for me is meant for me.
This isnt my first rodeo.
Ive been the one to have to break up with someone else.
Ive had a lot of anger come back at me.
Youre not trying to hurt this person.
Youre trying to be open and honest and do your thing.
I did cry after I got out of the pods.
I heard you left the pods after.
I did want to leave.
There was no reason for me to stay.
Who reached out first when Zack returned from Mexico?I didnt have direct contact.
I didnt have his phone number.
He didnt have mine.
He reached out to the producers to reach out to me.
As were seeing each other in the restaurant, that was the first time we were seeing each other.
What was your initial reaction to seeing him in real life?It was intense.
I fell in love with this person in the pods without seeing them.
It was a reveal moment for me in a lot of ways.
I was so nervous it was in public.
But when we saw each other our eyes just locked.
It was this intense chemistry, like truly the most bizarre thing.
Not that I didnt expect to be attracted to him, but it was so intense.
you could kind of see me smiling, Im actually suppressing that as hard as I can.
Im trying to remain calm and cool.
And thinking like, Well see what he has to say.
I already had agreed to share my life and journey with the world, whatever that was.
It made sense for me.
Why did you decide to take him back?He was always so honest with me in the pods.
I mean,honest.
Like maybe too honest.
I felt so safe with him.
I never felt like he was untrustworthy or saying things that were manipulative or trying to play games.
I really, really felt like I knew this mans intentions.
We deeply fell in love.
We needed a second chance and wanted a second chance.
I was so open to hearing him out.
Why would I let my pride get in the way of this beautiful thing?
He has consistently shown that hes a good man.
Even the way he handled the situations in Mexico.
He was very aware that something was off with Irina, so he was trying to figure it out.
Hes also super athletic.
In the show, you said his proposal came as a surprise.
I just thought we were dating.
I was like, I guess they want to film us continuing dating or something.
It was genuinely shocking.
What was the aftermath of Zack meeting your dad?I expected my dad to react that way.
I would probably be surprised if he didnt react that way.
He had the right to be skeptical and ask questions.
But I never felt like I had to prove to him that I was making the right decision.
I live for myself and I trust my intuition.
I knew he was gonna be there to support me.
They offer supportive therapy sessions.
They will pay for you to go to a therapist if you need.
Its so amazing to have that safe space in place with all of them.
There were so many amazing moments.
The owl thing was a lot more profound moment than what is shown.
Owls are very much my sign.
Im a very spiritual person.
That was my sign that Im on the right track.
He also was wearing a tie that had an owl on it.
Thats actually part of how the discussion came up.
It was a crazy, beautiful, serendipitous moment.
What were your thoughts on his owl painting?I love his owl painting.
I think its so cool.
Its just another weird sign that I knew I was supposed to be with him.
Its a great painting, and it will continue to be a great painting.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
