"The communication was very unhealthy" — The Ultimatum star Sandy Gallagher opens up about Nick's emotional volatility

Season 3 of The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On ended with its finale and reunion episodes on December 18, 2024. Sandy Gallagher spoke to People magazine about her experience on the show, her relationships, and her challenges. Looking back on her time with Nick Tramontin, Sandy said,

"The communication was very unhealthy. We're seeing the very tipping point of what was a lot of very unhealthy communication buildup."

The show put Sandy and Nick’s connection to the test through trial marriages. Sandy developed a strong connection with J.R. Warren, but later returned to Nick to explore their future together. Despite their efforts, unresolved issues made it clear that they could not continue as a couple, and they chose to end their relationship in the finale of The Ultimatum.

During the reunion, Nick talked about how the experience impacted him, including a struggle with alcohol after the show, which led Sandy to encourage him to get help.

“It’s really challenging having that deep soul connection and knowing they’re not the right partner for you,” Sandy said.

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Sandy's trial marriage experience in The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On

During her trial marriage with J.R. Warren, Sandy experienced emotional grounding that was absent in her relationship with Nick. “J.R. showed up a lot,” Sandy shared in the interview with People, noting that he provided her with emotional support that felt unfamiliar.

However, she also navigated new challenges with J.R.’s reserved nature.

“I actually had to pull the emotions out of J.R., which I’ve never had to do in a relationship,” she said

Nick’s emotional volatility remained a central challenge. Sandy recounted an off-camera incident where Nick repeatedly called her one night, describing it as a "unhealthy communication.” Nick later came to her apartment while intoxicated, which made her feel unsafe and disconnected from the process.

“I just knew it was a recipe for disaster,” she explained.

During the reunion episode of The Ultimatum, Nick apologized for his behavior, admitting that he felt scared and unsafe during that period.

“I reacted very poorly. I felt very unsafe and scared,” he shared.

He added that he appreciated Sandy’s encouragement to seek help post-show.

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Sandy’s decision to end the relationship and focus on moving forward post The Ultimatum

Sandy and Nick ultimately decided not to pursue an engagement, agreeing that unresolved issues in their relationship made such a step unwise. “There were a lot of things we did not get to work through,” Sandy said, pointing to Nick’s emotional volatility as a challenge.

“The decision had nothing to do with J.R. and everything to do with Nick,” she added.

The show expedited answers about their relationship, with Sandy acknowledging that it prevented years of potential uncertainty.

“I didn’t want to find myself two more years down the line going over the same issues,” she explained.

Despite the challenges, Sandy expressed gratitude for the clarity the process provided. Since the show, Sandy has focused on self-improvement and personal growth.

“I’ve been putting that energy back into myself to make myself the best person I can be,” she shared.

She added that she was not currently dating but was open to meeting someone when the time was right. Reflecting on the journey, she noted that there was much for both of them to learn and take away from the experience.

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The reunion episode of The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On is currently streaming on Netflix.