Say it ain’t so! Of all the Married at First Sight season 3 couples, Vanessa Nelson and Tres Russell seemed from the start to be the likeliest pair to find marital success. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, and Vanessa, 26, tells Us Weekly exclusively how she reacted when she realized her marriage wasn’t working.
Despite sometimes struggling with Vanessa’s trust issues and Tres’ reluctance to use the L-word, the pair had generally had a smooth road throughout the season, including both of them opting to stay married on Decision Day in the March 1 finale. That’s why viewers were shocked when the reunion on Monday, March 8, revealed that they had ended their marriage.
“Initially, I was really upset,” Vanessa tells Us. “It took me a few months to stop hoping we would reconcile.”
“I was the only one who tried to reconcile our marriage for several months,” she continues. “Some things cannot be repaired, and some things you should just let go. Marriage is a strong concept that makes you want to keep trying and stay dedicated. Tres made it clear that he was not interested in reconciling, and I am fine with that.”
Vanessa says she doesn’t have any regrets about the process, calling it a “great growing experience.” But she also says that Tres, 27, should have been more open with her.
“I wish I would’ve known earlier that Tres didn’t have feelings for me, so that I could make the best decision for myself,” she says. “I also wish I would have communicated more effectively.”
Vanessa admits it “was difficult at times” to watch herself on TV, particularly because viewers would express to her how excited they were for the couple’s future, not knowing the rockiness that lay ahead. And while the split is still recent, she remains hopeful about where she’s headed.
“I look forward to dating in the future and meeting someone who fits me,” she says.
Married at First Sight, produced by Kinetic Content, airs on FYI on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST.
