Love Is Blind season 11 star John Shannon is taking accountability for the actions that led to the dissolution of his marriage to Sarah Williams.
“I did want to address something that I think is pretty important, which is the way I would handle conflict with the name-calling and the ‘viping,’ as it was referred to,” John, 33, said in a Friday, November 13, social media video. “I think for a long time I normalized name-calling as just part of conflict and I didn’t appreciate how damaging that could be and the lasting effects of it, especially when it’s coming from someone who’s supposed to be your biggest supporter.”
He added, “I do realize I’m 33, and I should have f***ing figured that out by now.”
John got engaged to Sarah, 34, sight unseen in the Love Is Blind pods in 2025, which began airing on Netflix last month. While John and Sarah were the sole season 11 couple to get married in the finale, they split this summer. During the reunion, John claimed they broke up after he made a “mistake” and texted a stripper who also worked as an escort. Sarah, however, has since alleged that she ended her marriage after John called her “dumb,” among other names, that made her feel ashamed of herself.
Since Sarah filed for divorce in June, John has entered therapy.
“Recently, I started seeing a counselor … who helps specifically with managing your emotions and dealing with conflict,” he said on Friday. “I thought I needed somebody who had more of a specific focus and approach on my issues. I haven’t always known how to contribute to a healthy relationship, and I think that caused me to carry some pretty unhealthy habits into marriage. I did want to be married, [but] I clearly was not ready. I wish that I had realized that before committing to one or even signing up for something like this.”
Even so, John revealed he “learned a lot” from his brief marriage.
“I just want to make the right changes before ever getting into another relationship, whenever that may be,” he noted. “I don’t expect one video to change anyone’s opinion about me, but I do want to call [out] that I have a lot of work to do, and I am committed to doing it.”
Alongside his emotional apology video, John attempted to clear up speculation about his divorce proceedings.
“I’m not withholding divorce papers. I was officially served on October 26, and we’re working toward getting everything resolved,” he wrote in his caption, also acknowledging his messages with the escort. “I knew who I was texting, and what it meant. I was looking for attention, just like when I downloaded Tinder that same weekend. When we started talking about actually meeting up, I stopped. But I’d already crossed a line I never should have, and there’s no excuse for that.”
Love Is Blind season 11 is now streaming on Netflix.
