After a few years between cocktails, First Dates has finally returned, with the premiere bringing with it a controversial contestant.
A 23-year-old model named Tyler drew ire from viewers for ‘sexist’ comments he made on his date with 27-year-old nurse Kristal. During dinner, he immediately zeroed in on whether she would give up work to be a housewife.
Tyler persistently asked, “Would you ever be a housewife?” and when Kristal replied that she was passionate about her career as a nurse, he suggested that her job had prevented her from finding a partner. Umm, what in the 1950s is going on?
It got worse. After Kristal said she wanted to buy her own home, Tyler replied, “What if a man can do that for you?” and ignored Kristal’s excitement over realising a lifelong dream. It was a painful watch.
When the twosome had to decide whether they would have a second date, Tyler said: “Why would a man want to put effort into a woman who is independent?”
Ultimately, they decided not to proceed with a second date, but according to Kristal, this wasn’t the end of their story.
When the cameras stopped rolling, Kristal told WHO that Tyler reached out to her.
“After the episode was filmed, he said I wasn’t as bad as he’d expected and asked whether I’d go on a second date,” Kristal said. “I politely declined.”
In exciting news, Kristal has since bought her own house. “Since filming, I’ve achieved one of my biggest goals and bought my own home,” she said.
And Kristal’s career is thriving, too.
“I’m continuing my nursing career and studying a postgraduate degree to further develop my skills and continue helping others,” Kristal told WHO. Kristal has also started dating “someone special” in her life. “He’s kind, supportive and respects my goals, which is incredibly important to me,” she said. “He’s nothing like Tyler.” Love that for Kristal!
The online backlash to Tyler’s comments on First Dates
First Dates viewers have slammed Tyler’s ‘housewife’ comments as outdated and sexist, with one scathing Instagram comment racking up more than 2,000 likes, stating: “On behalf of all men, we do not claim this thing.”
Another wrote, “This can’t be a real person,” as others pointed out the double standard, asking how Tyler would respond if someone asked him to be a househusband.
The clip has been widely circulated online, with critics sharing their views of Tyler’s archaic opinions on women.
“When she said she wanted to work, he responded as if she had failed a test,” said women’s advocate, Tarang Chawla, in a video liked by Kristal. “[He reacted] as though her ambition and independence were an inconvenience.”
Kristal told WHO that she understood the backlash to Tyler’s statements.
“I understand why people reacted the way they did. I think women should never be made to feel embarrassed for wanting a successful career, financial independence or to own their own home,” she said. “There were moments where I genuinely didn’t know what to say, so all I could do was laugh in disbelief. I was quite shocked by some of the comments that were made.”
‘I was genuinely taken aback’
Kristal admitted she was ‘surprised’ to be matched with someone like Tyler, noting that she values a man “who is respectful and encouraging, so I was surprised by some of his views and the way he expressed them,” she said.
She was especially shocked that he didn’t see the value in her working as a nurse.
“I was genuinely taken aback. Nursing is something I’m incredibly proud of. Every day, I have the privilege of caring for people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Helping others is a huge part of who I am, and I hope to continue making a positive impact in my community.”
Kristal added that buying her own home is a huge source of pride. “Owning my own home has also been a personal goal that I’ve worked incredibly hard to achieve. I believe every woman should feel empowered to pursue her own dreams,” she said.
“Those choices deserve to be respected, not dismissed.”
In the episode, many have praised Kristal for remaining calm and speaking to Tyler with kindness, which she admits is something she learned through her job working as a nurse.
“I try not to judge people too quickly,” Kristal admitted. “I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, as the date continued, I realised our values weren’t aligned. What disappointed me most wasn’t our differences — it was the way he spoke about my goals and ambitions… kindness and respect are qualities I won’t compromise on.”
In the years since she filmed First Dates (yep, it was filmed in 2023), Kristal can’t help but see the comedy in her time with Tyler.
“Despite everything, I can still look back and laugh,” she said. “More than anything, it reminded me never to settle.”
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