I asked Google what the term was for when people stop and gawk at traffic accidents. This phenomenon is called “rubbernecking.” I then asked why — when this happens — it feels like time slows down? Here is Google’s explanation: The mind is focused and we feel alert. This bodily situation increases the chance of survival when we have to defend ourselves or have to quickly run away from danger. Because the body and mind are in a mode of extreme speed, it seems like what is happening outside in the world then slows down.
This is the feeling that I had while viewing Lifetime’s series “Marrying Millions,” which has returned for season two, on Wednesdays, at 10 pm ET/PT.
Five new couples join the series with returning favorites Bill and Brianna from Dallas and Gentille and Brian from Las Vegas. This series is from the creators of 90 Day Fiancé. Here, in “Marrying Millions,” the series follows relationships where one partner is incredibly wealthy and the other is definitively not, leading the couple to face intense scrutiny from family and friends and questions about whether it’s true love…or true love of the money and lavish lifestyles.
Here is where the gawking (for me) begins. Where one member is rolling in money and privilege and the other member is “definitively not” which frankly gave me a brain freeze.
In the press release the series creators wrote this: “While these love stories may sound like modern-day fairytales, they are not without major challenges as the couples must try to bridge their vast differences and fit into each other worlds.”
For the record, before I push into a brief description of three couples that are featured, I never thought (not, even once) that there was a “fairytale” aspect to the pairings. The confusion is designed to cause conversation. I believe this is what makes “Marrying Millions” a success. It’s an equivalent (for me) of watching a car crash on the side of the road.
I’ll share three examples to try and make my point. The first couple is from Dallas, TX, Bill, and Brianna (RETURNING COUPLE). Bill is 61 years old. He founded and currently runs a commercial real estate company with investments in the billions. He’s been divorced, twice, before he met Brianna, 22, at a popular restaurant in Dallas where Brianna was a hostess. Let’s do the math. He’s 61 and a billionaire. She’s 22 and a hostess. There is an almost 40-year age gap. Do you remember the dialogue from the popular film “Ghost?” — “Molly… You in danger girl,” that’s what blazed in my head when I watched their exchange. Eventually, Brianna will become 23, then 24, and so forth and so on, and I suspect, “too old” for billionaire Bill.
The second couple is Rick (68) and Erica (23). She’s from small town, Springfield, Illinois, and he lives aboard his yacht in Miami Beach. Here there is a 45-year age gap. The two met through social media, and after liking some of her photos, moved quickly to ask her to live with him on his yacht.
Then, there is the African-American couple, Rodney (Foster) and Desiry (Hall) from Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, CA.
Rodney is a multi-millionaire who makes his money in the wine industry. Desiry, a former police officer, works for a non-profit. But with Rodney living outside Washington, DC, and Desiry residing in Los Angeles, their relationship has its share of challenges, including the fact that they have kept their relationship a secret.
I’ve had an opportunity to speak with Rodney and Desiry, but before you venture to read the brief Q&A please push into the link below, and do take a peek into their relationship and watch these clips. There seems to be an elephant in the room and for me, I wrestled with asking it.
VIEW CLIPS:
https://aenetworks.box.com/s/8tw5gfzgg0rzo85618sayg1d0czg0xeb
https://aenetworks.box.com/s/9olfqkotvp609g5ciqgk7z66va41wlr1
The internet has speculated that Rodney is a homosexual and that their relationship is manufactured for the show.
Here is what Rodney and Desiry from Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, CA, had to share about being on Lifetimes “Marrying Millions” (on Wednesdays, at 10 pm ET/PT) had to share about the show.
LOS ANGELES SENTINEL: Hello – Desiry Hall.
DESIRY HALL: Hello, Lapacazo.
RODNEY FOSTER: Hello, Lapacazo
LAS: (pause) Oh. Wait. Is this Desiry. I’m confused.
RF: No. I’m Rodney.
LAS: (pause) You are Rodney?
RF: Yes.
DH: This is Desiry.
LAS: (pause). Okay, let me start with you, Desiry. It’s very courageous of you both — I think — to open your lives to a reality television series. Do you agree? What made you step into this?
DH: I wanted to really push Rodney to the core of where our relationship was headed. I felt like if I asked him to come on the show, that he is heading in the same direction that I was. Which is marriage. So, we talked about marriage. So, I thought if he comes on this show, he’s serious. If not, then I know that I am wasting my time.
LAS: And how does this end for you?
DH: (pregnant pause) I can’t say. You have to watch the show.
LAS: Indeed. Correct me if I am wrong, you are divorced?
DH: (pause) Yes. I am divorced. I’ve been married twice before. Marriage is not easy.
LAS: No.
DH: [Marriage] …. it takes work. I’ve tried my best to tell Rodney that because I’ve had that experience under my belt and I just know what it takes a marriage to work. Marriage is about compromise. You have to be selfless.
LAS: True.
DH: Women know what they want. You go after what you want.
LAS: And compromise.
DH: Yes. There is a lot of compromise in our relationship. We try to come to a point where we respect each other’s space.
LAS: Rodney. You are silent.
RF: No. I just answered you (laughter). We try to come to a point where we respect each other space.
LAS: Oh. My gosh, I thought I was talking with Desiry.
RF: No. That was me.
Lifetime’s series “Marrying Millions,” which has returned for season two, on Wednesdays, at 10 pm ET/PT.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
