“Love Is Blind” star Iyanna McNeely is taking a moment to pause and reflect on her latest trip around the sun!
The second-season alumna experienced many milestones in the past year. She was first introduced to us in early 2022 during her season of Netflix’s premiere reality dating show. Viewers saw her marry Jarrette Jones and later bravely navigate their separation and divorce publicly.
McNeely transparently shared many aspects of her breakup grief on social media, but she also took the time to commemorate the positive aspects of her year! She chronicled the adventures spent hanging out with fellow season two cast member, her best friend, Natalie Lee!
On Friday, McNeely took to her Instagram to share her thoughts and observations about her 28th year on this planet; keep reading to find out more!
McNeely Transparently Shared Details Of Her Split From Jarette Jones On TikTok
The Blast has covered many elements of the 29-year-old reality star’s last year in the spotlight, including her outlook on her divorce from Jones, 33.
McNeely is no stranger to vulnerable sharing her thoughts with her followers. In December, McNeely tearfully shared her heart with her TikTok following. The video was almost three minutes long.
“I’m crying for that girl I was at the beginning of this marriage,” McNeely tells the camera. “I was so hopeful, and I had less baggage. And I was optimistic, and I was healed. And I’m crying for that marriage I thought could work.” she went on.
The reality star also revealed how her hope for their marriage’s success outweighed any criticism over the length of their marriage.
“As much as people laugh at how long we were married, I think my expectations made it real; my hope and my tears made it real,” McNeely continued.
The TikTok seems to have been removed.
Lee commented on her close friend’s TikTok, writing, “You are the strongest person I know. love you always [heart emoji].” Lee dated Shayne Jansen throughout the season but did not marry him. Jansen would later star on Netflix’s “The Perfect Match.”
McNeely has also been transparent about how much she desired privacy. Some Instagram followers weren’t happy with McNeely’s thoughts about the season’s “After The Altar” special. She said, “Ready for this. So that you all can leave me alone. Let’s get it over with and close this LIB chapter!”
Fans would later call McNeely out on Reddit.
A Reddit user wrote, “…I understand not wanting hateful and unnecessary comments, but I think it’s pretty irrational to go on reality TV, and then when things go wrong, you shun fans who fell in love with you via reality TV.”
“A lack of privacy is the cost of the 15 mins of reality TV fame,” another Reddit user wrote. “People should know this when they sign up.”
“OP. I’m pretty empathetic, but I agree with you,” another user said. “When you publicize your relationship, the ending will be equally so. Every action has a consequence. Decide to go on a HUGE reality TV show? Well, be prepared for the fallout,” they said.
The Birthday Gal Reflects On The Lessons She’s Learned In The Past Year
McNeely shared a poignant and reflective reel on her Instagram. The reality star is seen sitting in a cozy cabin while reading the second book in the “Court Of Thorns and Roses” series by Sarah J. Maas.
“Today is my 29th birthday,” McNeely begins in the clip. “That’s crazy. I’m one year away from 30. I’m actually really excited to turn 30, because I will be more established in myself, even more established in myself,” she stresses. “I learned so much in the past year, my life has been drastically changing,” McNeely continues. “Constantly, for like two years, at LEAST, no, three! I feel like I learned some of the last lessons that I needed to learn in order to start receiving what was good and healthy in my life. I think before I wouldn’t have been ready, not that I didn’t have good before, I had ‘good,’ but I feel like as of late, it’s been a lot of ‘fruit,’ McNeely continues. “I feel really blessed. Usually, I’m pretty melancholy during my birthday. I don’t feel like that, I think leading up to it, I did feel some type of way per usual, but then something shifted in my mind. I reminded myself that I am worthy, I am deserving, and I have so much good in my life. And I thought I would feel alone, but I DON’T, I really don’t! ‘Cause I know I’m not. I’m rambling, but I know I’m not. I feel loved. I feel cared for. I’m gonna try not to cry, ’cause you know I stay crying on camera, but not this time…!”
