Love Is Blind stars Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl have spoken out against Nick Viall’s insensitive comments about the mental health of reality TV stars. Viall took to Instagram on April 27 to express his dismay at a non-profit organization started by Thompson to provide mental health support to past, present and future reality TV contestants. He urged his followers not to donate to his “ridiculous cause” and minimized the struggles of reality stars, citing their “free Coachella experience, free clothes and 5-figure pay days”.
Thompson quickly clapped back at Viall’s comment, calling it a “horrible take” and accused Viall of not being interested in having a conversation about mental health and reality TV abuse. Ruhl, who filed for divorce from Thompson in August 2022, also criticized Viall for speaking negatively about suicide and stigmatizing mental health.
The Love Is Blind stars also pointed out the hypocrisy of Viall’s comments, noting that he is paid to promote a mental health app despite his disapproval of reality stars’ mental health struggles. Ruhl referenced the suicide of a fellow Bachelorette contestant from Viall’s season and questioned the reality stars’ lack of empathy.
Thompson recently announced the creation of the UCAN Foundation, which aims to provide mental health and legal assistance to reality TV contestants. Their non-profit organization was created in response to allegations of emotional warfare by former Love Is Blind participants. Thompson and Ruhl’s comments highlight the importance of addressing mental health in the entertainment industry and the need for empathy toward reality TV stars.
