5 Shocking Reasons Dave And Lauren’s Love Is Blind Engagement Collapsed—Plus Who Lauren Dated Next

The tumultuous journey of David “Dave” Bettenburg and Lauren O’Brien from Love Is Blind Season 8 captivated viewers, but their dramatic split before the altar was less of a surprise and more of a slow-motion car crash that fans saw coming. As of December 2025, the dust has settled on their explosive breakup, revealing the deep-seated issues—from pre-show "situationships" to an unexpected love triangle—that doomed their attempt at an experimental marriage. The most recent and surprising update, however, involves Lauren moving on with another member of the Minneapolis cast, proving that the search for love continued long after the cameras stopped rolling.

This deep-dive explores the five core reasons why the Dave and Lauren relationship failed, the shocking confessions made at The Reunion, and the definitive update on their current lives, including the unexpected new romance that rocked the Netflix reality show's social circle.

David Bettenburg and Lauren O'Brien: Full Cast Biography & Profile

Dave and Lauren were two of the most talked-about contestants from the Minneapolis-based Love Is Blind Season 8, a season that saw more drama outside the pods than inside.

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• David "Dave" Bettenburg:
  • Age: 33 (at time of filming)
  • Occupation: Medical Device Sales (specializing in the plastic surgery sector)
  • From: Minneapolis, MN
  • Relationship Status: Split (Single, as of late 2025)
• Lauren O'Brien:
  • Age: 31 (at time of filming, possibly 32 now)
  • Occupation: Educational Sales
  • From: Minneapolis, MN
  • Relationship Status: Split (Reportedly dating another cast member post-show)

The couple formed a strong connection in The Pods, leading to a heartfelt proposal from Dave. However, their relationship quickly deteriorated once they entered the real world and were forced to confront their pasts and their fundamental differences.

1. The Love Triangle That Dave Downplayed: Molly Mullaney

One of the earliest signs of trouble in paradise was the intense love triangle involving Dave, Lauren, and fellow cast member Molly Mullaney.

In the pods, Dave was equally smitten with both women. While he ultimately chose Lauren, his indecision and the way he handled the breakup with Molly created a lasting tension that followed them out of the experiment.

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Molly later became a vocal defender of Lauren, publicly calling out Dave's treatment of his fiancée. The fact that Dave couldn't fully commit to one person in the initial stage—a core premise of the show—proved to be a major hurdle that Lauren could never fully move past.

2. The Explosive "Situationship" Drama and Dave's Reaction

The true catalyst for the breakup was the bombshell revelation about Lauren's pre-show dating life.

During the post-pods honeymoon trip to Honduras, Dave discovered that Lauren had a recent "situationship" with a man named Nides, who was reportedly part of their shared Minneapolis friend group. This information was apparently relayed to Dave by his friends after the cast got their phones back.

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Instead of focusing on their future, a significant portion of their post-pods journey was consumed by Dave repeatedly questioning Lauren about the details of her past relationship with Nides. Many viewers and fellow cast members, including Molly, felt Dave's intense focus was a form of "slut-shaming," which was a massive red flag. This drama caused immense strain, with the couple having the "same conversation every single time," leading to emotional exhaustion.

3. The "Ick" Moment and the Failed Wedding Planning

As the wedding date approached, the foundation of their relationship crumbled under the pressure of the real world. The drama over Lauren's ex, Nides, led to what many fans dubbed "the ick" moment for Dave, where his initial attraction and emotional connection began to fade.

The couple became the only pair from the Minneapolis cast who didn't make it to The Altar. Their final, tense confrontation showed a clear lack of emotional support and trust. Lauren felt Dave was not defending her to his friends, while Dave felt Lauren was not being transparent enough about her past. The "nail in the coffin," as Lauren described it, was the realization that they were fundamentally incompatible and that Dave was not ready for the commitment of marriage.

4. The Post-Show Shock: Lauren O'Brien Dated Another Cast Member

The most current and surprising piece of news, confirmed in late 2025, is that Lauren O'Brien moved on romantically with another member of the Love Is Blind Season 8 cast: Scott Sanderson.

Lauren revealed on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast that she and Scott, who was also a contestant in the pods, began dating six months after her split from Dave. Both Lauren and Scott were part of the cast's social circle known as the "Yee-haw Crew," which also included Sara, Joey, Taylor Haag, and Daniel.

This revelation shocked fans, proving that while love may not have been blind for her and Dave, the connection to the Minneapolis Pod Squad remained strong enough for a post-show romance. This update is a fresh twist in the narrative, confirming that Lauren is actively dating and moving forward with her life.

5. Where Are Dave and Lauren Today? (December 2025 Update)

Following the emotional and public split, both Dave and Lauren have provided updates on their lives, confirming they are currently single and focused on their careers and personal growth.

Lauren O’Brien’s Current Life

Lauren has been incredibly open about navigating the dating scene in Minneapolis post-reality TV fame. She has been active on social media, sharing her experiences and focusing on her career in Educational Sales. Her brief, post-show romance with Scott Sanderson confirms that she is open to finding love, even within the tight-knit circle of her fellow cast members.

David Bettenburg’s Current Life

Dave, who works in Medical Device Sales, has stated he is "enjoying single life" after the intense scrutiny of the show. His focus appears to be on his career and social life, putting the public drama of his time on Love Is Blind behind him. The controversy surrounding his comments and his handling of the Molly and Nides situations has made him one of the season's more polarizing figures, but he maintains that the relationship failed due to a lack of transparency.

The journey of Dave and Lauren serves as a potent reminder that while the pods can forge a strong emotional connection, the transition to the real world—with its pre-existing friendships, past relationships, and social pressures—is often the ultimate test that many couples, including this one, simply cannot pass.