Reality stars Matt Barnett and Bruce Stephenson share more than just Netflix shows — in fact, they used to share an apartment complex.
Stephenson, a cast member on Twentysomethings: Austin, shared in a December 10 TikTok that he and Love is Blind star Matt Barnett were friends far before their TV fame. In the comments on TikTok, Stephenson explained that they were neighbors when they both lived in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stephenson tells Tudum that he met Barnett in 2020 at a cookout with mutual friends and the two lived in the same apartment complex for nearly eight months. But, Stephenson reveals, he never watched Barnett’s time on television. “I never watched ‘Love is Blind’ because I didn’t want the show to impact the way I looked at Matt or Amber,” he says. “They’re both very genuine people, and they were the first two people I told about Twentysomethings: Austin when I got cast.”
Stephenson eventually moved back home to South Carolina after losing his job during the pandemic, but the two remain close. “Since my experience with Twentysomethings: Austin, he’s been a great guy to go to whenever I have questions,” Stephenson says. “We were together a few weeks ago for the premiere, and it was cool getting his perspective on things since he’d been on a Netflix reality TV show too!”
Since their respective shows wrapped, both men have been busy: Barnett is loving married life with wife Amber Pike, and Stephenson has been dealing with newfound fame while living back in his hometown. And even though he still hasn’t seen Love is Blind, Stephenson says he’s open to appearing on the show his friend found love on.
“‘Love is Blind’ would be a cool experience for sure... if I was given the opportunity, I may give it a shot, who knows?” he says. “For now, though, I’m going to enjoy the after-effects of Twentysomethings: Austin and spend time with my family and friends. Looking forward to spending NYE with my fellow cast mates as we bring in the new year!”
