Ultimatum’s Chanel Watkins & Micah Hardeman Engaged After Leaving Show

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Chanel Watkins and Micah Hardeman didn’t need an ultimatum after all.

Almost a year after departing from season three of *The Ultimatum* early on, the couple announced they’re moving forward in their relationship with a major new commitment.

Chanel announced her engagement on Instagram on September 15th with a post featuring photos of Micah proposing. He got down on one knee surrounded by a romantic display of candles and roses shaped like a heart.

Finally, the reality star showed off her beautiful diamond ring. She held it up in front of a large bouquet of roses that had a ribbon asking, “Will you marry me?”

The couple’s early exit from *The Ultimatum* seems to stem from Chanel’s attention being primarily on Micah, rather than her assigned “trial spouse,” Dave Adams, during the first three episodes which were released on Netflix last December. Chanel was the one who initially issued the ultimatum.

By the fourth episode, she and Micah-who had been partnered with Mariah Zernick-had left the show, along with Dave and his original partner, Vanessa Hattaway. Their departure was simply explained with a title card.

Viewers learned that Dave, Vanessa, Micah, and Chanel had a secret meeting earlier that day. Later, cameras showed them packing their belongings and leaving quickly, bringing their time there to an unexpected end.

Despite surprising viewers with their exit, Micah and Chanel quickly reassured everyone they were still a happy couple, posting a sweet collection of photos on Instagram when the season first aired.

Chanel went on to shed some light on her decision.

She shared in a TikTok video on December 18th that she felt really uncomfortable with some of the things she was asked to do and certain conversations she had. She said she wasn’t told these things were optional until she announced she was leaving.

Ultimately, I couldn’t reconcile with how things were because it didn’t feel authentic to who I am. I realized that some of what was happening would likely be twisted, misinterpreted, and misrepresented to paint a false picture.

Although she pointed out that Micah shared similar feelings about his own situation, he later explained why they both chose not to participate in the reunion for season three of *The Ultimatum*.

He once shared on Instagram that once you’ve moved on from something, there’s no point in going back, particularly if the people involved weren’t truthful with you.

To see if more of your favorite Ultimatum couples are still together, keep reading…

Caleb and Mariah’s journey on the show took a complicated turn during their trial marriages. Caleb was paired with Aria De’Westbrooks, while Mariah had to continue hers alone after Micah Hardeman, her partner, left the show with three others. Despite rumors of a connection between Caleb and Aria, Caleb ultimately realized his heart belonged to Mariah and proposed when they were reunited.

Scotty proposed to his girlfriend, Aria, after three years together, and she happily accepted. While Scotty faced criticism this season, particularly after a difficult conversation with Zaina Sesay, both he and Aria felt ready to get married and start their lives together. Aria was visibly moved when Scotty asked her to be his wife, and she said yes.

At the reunion, Aria shared that she ended her engagement just one day after getting proposed to. They attempted to keep dating and living together, but ultimately it didn’t work out, she explained.

Sandy and Nick were another couple who quickly became a focus of attention, but their relationship faced immediate challenges when Sandy developed a connection with J.R. Warren, a competitor on the show.

Things got even more complicated when Nick, after his dance partner Vanessa Hattaway left the competition, showed up at Sandy and J.R.’s apartment following an emotional outburst. Despite everything, Sandy and J.R. did develop a connection – they kissed several times, and J.R. even called Sandy his “wife.”

Ultimately, Nick and Sandy split up in the final episode. Nick, who was the one who gave the ultimatum, explained to Sandy that he didn’t believe she was prepared for marriage.

Zaina and J.R. seemed happy to try dating again after their experiment with trial marriages.

Ultimately, J.R. and Sandy decided to end their relationship, agreeing they were better suited as friends. This decision was made before J.R. spoke with Zaina.

Chanel gave her boyfriend, Micah, an ultimatum, but she initially seemed to connect with another contestant, Dave Adams. Despite this, she left their apartment on their first night as a couple. It wasn’t just Chanel and Micah struggling, though-Dave and his girlfriend, Vanessa, also decided to end things and leave the experiment.

According to Netflix, the four cast members secretly got together away from filming to pack their belongings and leave, effectively ending their participation in the rest of the season.

Then, the couple got engaged in September 2025. 

Chanel announced her engagement on Instagram on September 15th, sharing photos of Micah proposing. He got down on one knee surrounded by a heart made of candles and roses, and she excitedly captioned the post, “I SAID YES!!!”

Finally, the reality star showed off her beautiful diamond ring, holding it up in front of a large bouquet of roses. The roses were tied with a ribbon asking, “Will you marry me?”

Similar to Chanel and Micah, Vanessa and Dave entered *The Ultimatum* hoping to figure out their relationship, but they split after only one night of being married to someone else. Vanessa has since explained why they chose to leave the show.

She explained to a fan on Instagram on December 4th that she needed to prioritize her well-being, adding that people were only seeing a small part of the full story.

However, their story did have a happy ending. Shortly after the reunion episode aired, the couple revealed they were engaged.

Okay, I’m *still* reeling from this! After just two episodes of *The Ultimatum* Season 2, I honestly didn’t think *anyone* would voluntarily leave – especially not like *this*. I mean, a pregnancy?! Seriously?! Brian and Lisa just completely blindsided everyone, including me, by announcing they’re expecting and just…bowing out before the Choice dinner. I was so invested in their journey, and now it’s just…over. It’s totally wild!

Brian and Lisa shared some wonderful news with TopMob News: they recently welcomed a baby boy! Lisa described it as a “really good” time, and gushed about how adorable their son is.

The couple has been enjoying the process of happily raising their son Mason. 

“Being parents together has been such a wonderful experience,” Lisa shared. She acknowledged that not everyone has that opportunity, and expressed how grateful she was for the peaceful and fulfilling journey they’ve had.

Still, there’s “no ring yet,” she acknowledged, or immediate plans for an engagement.

After seven years together, high school sweethearts James and Ryann are engaged! James proposed to Ryann, and they’re already planning a wedding that won’t be far off.

Ryann announced on the reunion special of *The Ultimatum* that she and her partner are getting married on September 30th.

James surprised Ryann with a second proposal during their mountain getaway, wanting a more private and heartfelt moment. Ryann said it felt genuine and completely unexpected, catching her off guard in a good way.

Following the show’s finale, James moved in with Ryann and her family, and they got married as they had planned. In April 2024, they shared the exciting news that they were expecting a baby, and in October 2024, they welcomed their son, Sunny James Morris.

Despite seeming a bit reserved, Kat and Alex are getting married! They announced their engagement and shared that their wedding will be on May 10, 2024, with a Save the Date card at their reunion.

Kat mentioned that Alex has been increasingly eager to start a family and put down roots – like buying a house together – since getting engaged. Alex confirmed they’re looking forward to the future, saying, “I’m excited.”

Trey confessed he’d grown feelings for Ryann while they were in a trial marriage, but he and Riah managed to resolve their problems and decided to get married after the experiment ended.

Riah mentioned at the reunion that she and her partner are considering a destination wedding in the spring of 2025. She wants everything to be just right, and feels like the date will arrive quickly, so she’s planning carefully to make it perfect.

Despite a challenging time after The Ultimatum ended, Trey and his partner have been working through issues caused by their busy work schedules. He explained that everyday life quickly presented new hurdles, and they’re still trying to find a rhythm that works for both of them.

Still, he said, their relationship is “night and day from what it was before the show.”

Fast-forward to January 2024, and the couple announced they welcomed their first baby together.

The entire cast was surprised when Roxanne, who is very practical and focused on business, said yes to Antonio’s proposal-but no one was more shocked than Roxanne herself.

She shared at the reunion that she’d done a lot of personal growth, especially regarding her relationships. She was surprised and happy to be in a place where she could say she was engaged, something she never imagined would happen.

Okay, so I’ve been following Roxanne and Antonio’s relationship, and there’s been some buzz about Roxanne not wearing her engagement ring! It’s not what you think – they’re definitely still together. She explained she just doesn’t love the idea of *having* to wear a ring when Antonio doesn’t feel the same pressure, and honestly, it felt a little possessive to her. She even joked she might just be a bit quirky! Antonio did admit it bothered him, so she promised to wear it more often. But don’t expect a wedding anytime soon – they’re both super focused on their careers right now, and that’s what’s important to them.

Roxanne admitted they haven’t reached their goals yet. Meanwhile, Antonio shared that he recently purchased a car wash in South Georgia and is planning to open two car customization businesses in Atlanta.

When Vanessa Lachey asked Roxanne if she’d consider marrying her partner immediately, Roxanne confessed that marriage wasn’t something she was currently thinking about.

They tied the knot in October 2024.

This family is going to need another cowboy hat.

Madlyn and Colby, who unexpectedly got married at the end of the show, were thrilled to welcome their daughter Josie in May 2022. They recently announced they’re expecting another baby!

Madlyn announced on Instagram in January 2023 that she and Colby are expecting another baby in September 2023. She expressed their excitement and gratitude, adding to the joy they already feel with their daughter, Josie.

She said, “I can’t imagine loving more than I already do, but I’m so excited to experience it!” And she’s thrilled Josephine will become a big sister.

Conrad Lloyd Kissinger was born in the fall.

Oh my gosh, after Josie was born, Madelyn talked to TopMob News and she was just *glowing*! She said being pregnant was honestly the best time of her life – she actually said she ‘really loved every minute!’ She felt so strong, like a total champion, and it seriously boosted her confidence. It wasn’t just about the baby, though; she said it made her love herself *and* Colby even more. She really felt like it helped her grow as a person and brought them even closer as a couple. It was just so sweet to hear her talk about it!

They shared in September 2024 that baby No. 3 is on the way.

Alexis and Hunter, who found love on the show and got engaged during filming, officially tied the knot in June 2022 in Palos Verdes, California.

Alexis shared highlights from the wedding on her Instagram Story, including pictures of the large wedding party – with ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen – and videos of the couple dancing at the reception. The band played popular songs like Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” and Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love.” After honeymooning in Greece – visiting Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens – the couple settled down in Los Angeles.

Shanique and Randall briefly split up for six months after Randall proposed on the show, but they’ve since gotten back together. They’re choosing to wait before getting re-engaged. “We’re still a couple,” Shanique told TopMob News. “We’re currently living in different cities, but we’re committed to making our relationship work and building toward a future together.”

After all their hard work, Randall proposed to Shanique this past July. He got down on one knee in front of a heart made of white flowers and a glowing “Marry me” sign.

In a word, “Yes!” Shanique captioned an Instagram post. “Today and all of our tomorrows.”

Despite some cast members questioning the sincerity of Nate’s proposal to Lauren during the reunion show, the couple married in a beautiful Colorado ceremony in October 2022. Lauren shared on Instagram that the wedding was “everything we could have asked for,” and expressed her gratitude to their vendors, family, and friends for making it a dream come true.

Since their wedding, the couple, still based in Austin, have been sharing pictures from trips to Turkey, Switzerland, and Japan on social media.

Although April’s journey on the show didn’t finish as she’d hoped, she still found a happy ending.

She welcomed her first baby with boyfriend Cody Cooper, she shared in August 2023.

April shared on Instagram that she and her partner welcomed their baby girl, nicknamed ‘IS HERTopMob,’ and posted photos from the hospital. She explained that they chose to keep the pregnancy and delivery private, and while it was difficult, she’s excited to finally share the news. She added that it’s been a challenging week, but they’re doing well.

April first shared during the 2022 reunion show that she was dating someone, but didn’t reveal his name at the time. She later told TopMob News that a new relationship unexpectedly blossomed. “I was planning a fun winter focused on myself, but then he came along and we’ve been together for six months,” she said, referring to her boyfriend, a real estate broker and vape entrepreneur from Texas.

I was so thrilled to hear that April and Cody are expanding their family! They announced back in May that they were expecting, and in August, they welcomed their sweet baby girl, Ava Miley Cooper. It’s such a joyful time for them!

Jake Cunningham ended his relationship with April to pursue a relationship with Rae Williams, but he recently shared during a reunion show that he’s currently single. Since then, he’s kept a low profile. However, Rae mentioned in an interview on the *Zachary Reality* podcast that the producers of the Netflix series *Perfect Match* had reached out to Jake about potentially appearing on the show.

He publicly revealed his relationship with Maritza Benitez in September 2024, sharing a post on Instagram calling her “The Queen.” Benitez reciprocated with a post of her own, saying, “The best things in life are better with you.”

At the reunion, I shared what’s been going on in my love life. I’ll admit, I gave things another shot with my ex, Zay Wilson, and even tried to make it work with my former ‘trial marriage’ partner, Jake, but unfortunately, neither panned out. Right now, I’m happily exploring a casual relationship with a woman, and honestly, I’m really focusing on understanding myself and my sexuality. Since everything that happened, I realized I needed to prioritize healing and some much-needed time alone to process it all. I’ve actually moved to Houston to start fresh and focus on my own well-being.

Rae has returned to Austin and is now working as a 9-1-1 operator and a bartender. She was invited to be on *Perfect Match*, but she declined because her ex, Zay, was already participating.

She explained on the *Zachary Reality* podcast that she and Zay simply didn’t mesh well. She believes if they had both been on season one together, it would have created a lot of drama because they struggled to get along.

Rae recently shared that she’s dating someone new in a TikTok post on July 25th. While she didn’t reveal who her boyfriend is, she playfully asked her followers if this officially confirmed their relationship with the caption, “Hard launch?”

A 4-1-1 to all the ladies: Zay still seems to be on the market. 

Following his breakup with Rae, Zay appeared on the first season of *Perfect Match*, a show bringing together singles from *Love Is Blind*, *Sexy Beasts*, and *The Circle*. Unfortunately, he didn’t find a lasting connection and left the show still single. Currently, he’s working as a model and travels between Austin and Los Angeles.

 

Xander and Vanessa, a couple featured on *The Ultimatum: Queer Love*, decided to break up after being together for four years. This happened because Xander began to develop feelings for Yoly Rojas while they were participating in the show’s trial marriage process.

“I wanted so much to give you everything,” Xander said to Vanessa. “I really thought I could, but I realize now that I can’t give you what you truly deserve.”

Although Vanessa and her ex discussed the possibility of getting back together someday, she shared during their reunion that they hadn’t spoken since their relationship ended.

Even though Yoly developed feelings for Xander over the three weeks they spent together, Mal remained fully committed to their relationship.

Mal turned to Yoly and said, “It’s always been you.” Then, he got down on one knee and proposed, asking, “Will you marry me? Will you do life with me?” Yoly happily accepted after a moment, playfully asking, “What took you so long?”

Yoly wasn’t sure if she’d done the right thing. She confessed, “I honestly don’t know how I’d react if Xander tried to win me back.”

As a lifestyle expert, I wasn’t entirely shocked to hear things didn’t last for Yoly and Mal after the show. While they left initially engaged, they actually revealed at the reunion that they’d split – and things got a little awkward trying to figure out *when* exactly that happened! It just goes to show, a connection on camera doesn’t always translate to long-term compatibility, and sometimes even defining the end of a relationship can be tricky.

Yoly worried that once the cameras stopped rolling, things would revert to how they were before, and that’s exactly what happened. They separated for a while, and during that time, his partner told him she didn’t see a future for them. He didn’t try to change her mind.

Okay, seriously, after watching everything unfold between Yoly and Xander, I’m just… completely seeing things differently now. It’s like I was blinded before! I actually heard Mal say to him, and it *destroyed* me, ‘You feel like a dangerous stranger to me.’ She was so hurt, and then she just laid it all out there: ‘I had your back so hard and all you did was make a complete fool out of me.’ Ugh, it was brutal. I feel so bad for her, and I’m honestly so angry at Xander right now!

Following Yoly’s engagement to Mal and Xander’s split from Vanessa, the two friends shared a heartfelt talk and confessed their feelings for each other.

“I can’t bear to see you leave,” Yoly said to Xander. “It’s not that I don’t love you-it’s just… it’s not about a lack of love.”

It became clear that their feelings for each other hadn’t faded, as they shared during a reunion that they’d attempted to get back together after Yoly’s engagement fell apart.

Xander and Yoly kept in touch, and they ran into each other at Coachella. While they both said nothing romantic happened at the festival, they later revealed they were planning a trip for Yoly to visit Xander in Hawaii. Yoly said she enjoyed spending time with him and was hoping to rekindle their connection.

Ultimately, they went their separate ways.

You know, I recently went through a shift in a relationship. We enjoyed a period of shared growth, but ultimately realized we needed to focus on our individual paths. For me, it was about prioritizing self-commitment and really working on the changes *I* wanted to make in my life. I realized that becoming the best version of myself – for my own sake – would also allow me to be a better partner down the road. It’s about putting in the work to show up as your best self, for everyone involved, starting with you.

Lexi was deeply hurt to learn that Rae and Vanessa had been physically intimate during their trial marriage. Despite this, they managed to reconcile and both proposed to each other in the end. The couple also announced they’re relocating to Philadelphia, as Rae has accepted a new job there.

During the reunion, the pair confirmed that they are still engaged.

Lexi reflected on the past year, calling it incredible. She mentioned a proposal, wonderful vacations, and their recent move back to California, declaring it the best year of her life.

Lexi and Rae were overjoyed, and Lexi playfully proposed getting married at the reunion if Rae agreed. Luckily, the reunion host, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, happened to be an ordained minister! And, as it turned out, Lexi and Rae had already set a wedding date.

After the reunion episode finished, a title card revealed some surprising news: Lexi and Rae had broken up and decided to cancel their wedding.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand how moving on can be incredibly empowering. Recently, Lexi, who was previously with Rae, publicly introduced her new relationship with photographer Kristin Zancanelli – or ‘Zanc’ as she’s known! She shared a sweet ‘hard launch’ post on TikTok in June 2023, telling Zanc she’d ‘never felt more alive,’ which is just lovely to see. It’s a beautiful reminder that new beginnings can bring so much joy.

The new relationship started during a difficult time. She shared on Instagram that she asked her best friend to take photos of her in her reunion dress. She was amazed by how much joy this woman brought into her life, even when she was struggling, and how happy she looked through her friend’s perspective.

First, Aussie gave Sam a heart-shaped stone, seemingly out of the blue. Then, to Sam’s surprise, Aussie presented a different rock and got down on one knee to propose.

At the reunion, the couple shared that they’re still planning to get married, but they’re taking their time with the wedding preparations.

Sam explained they were in a difficult holding pattern. They’d been struggling with how to explain the situation to others, finding it really awkward.

In the show’s finale, Mildred excitedly told Tiff after their engagement, “We’re crazy, but we’re crazy together!” However, at the reunion, her feelings had completely changed – she revealed they weren’t even speaking to each other anymore.

So what happened?

After getting engaged, they started living together, but quickly fell back into their previous patterns. Mildred explained, “We didn’t make any plans for the future, and we couldn’t even discuss the wedding – we had too many issues to resolve.”

Mildred called ending things with Tiff one of the most difficult decisions she’d ever made, but Tiff countered that *they* were the one who actually ended the engagement. Tiff explained that the relationship had been generally unhealthy, despite both of them trying to make it work.

Mildred explained that she was arrested after a fight with Tiff, whom she had thrown a pet gate at, prompting Tiff to call the police. Mildred said the police removed her engagement ring during the arrest, and she hasn’t worn it since. While she regrets her actions, she admitted there had been a lot of arguing between them.

After getting into a heated argument, Tiff walked off the set and chose not to return.

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2025-09-15 23:50