It's a type of crossover that fans love to see: Bachelor in Paradise star Blake Horstmann is in a relationship with Love Is Blind alum Giannina Gibelli. Relationships that form on television, more often than not, evolve (and dissolve) quickly; viewers are always on their toes seeing which couple will form next. Certain shows like Survivor are known for fostering relationships that otherwise might not occur, and Bachelor Nation is certainly among them.
Viewers have watched Blake and Giannina try—and fail—to ultimately find true love after being cast on their respective programs. Blake, 32, first appeared on Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette in 2018. He ended the season as her runner-up; Becca and Blake have had a generally amicable relationship since and were even rumored to be back together just last September. In 2019, Blake went on Bachelor in Paradise and quickly created controversy when it was revealed he had been involved with other cast members Caelynn Miller-Keyes, Kristina Schulman, and Hannah Godwin. As for Giannina, the 28-year-old was on season 1 on Netflix's Love Is Blind in 2020. On a show where you cannot see the person you're talking to, Giannina and fellow contestant Damian Powers became a couple after finally meeting. While fans loved their relationship and thought they would last after getting engaged, Giannina confirmed their split last August.
Now after weeks of circulating rumors, a source close to People confirmed that Blake and Giannina were an item. Saying that they were "taking things slow" but enjoying their time together on Jan. 3rd, the inside scoop revealed that Blake and Giannina's relationship is new and that they started dating after "recently meeting," although the exact date is unknown. Page Six backed up People's source the next day by comparing Instagram stories that Blake and Giannina have shared over the past couple of months. Referencing uploads posted by Blake and Giannina for New Year's Eve, Page Six commented on the two wearing black-and-white outfits in the same white-walled room. Giannina posted photos of herself in the same outfit in front of a stack of barrels; the day before, Blake struck his own pose in front of similar props. While these similarities are small, they did not go unnoticed.
As a reality star, Blake has not been afraid to reveal information that others wouldn't; it's a surprise to some that Blake and Giannina would be hanging out under wraps. Page Six, however, gives another example of the two sneakily dropping clues. In one photo of herself from late last year, Giannina can be seen standing in front of a gray couch. At the time, viewers didn't pay it much attention. Back in October, however, Blake uploaded an Instagram ad that shows him sitting on the same piece of furniture; this is when people first started to take notice. Flocking to Giannina's New Year's Eve post once the news broke on Monday, fans were quick to call out their relationship. One user wrote to Giannina, "You and Blake okay girl okayyyyy" while another asked, "Where is Blake lol."
Despite Blake's fall from grace with Bachelor Nation and Giannina's ex-engagement, everyone is interested to see how much further these two take their relationship. With the couple enjoying the holidays together as they enter 2022, the Bachelor in Paradise and Love Is Blind stars are starting the year on a good note. With Gianina's caption "I am about to walk into the best year of my life" matching Blake's "2022 is gonna be the best year in a while😉," these two have passed the point of subtlety.
Sources: People, Page Six, Giannina Gibelli/Instagram, Blake Horstmann/Instagram