What did Perfect Match star Dom say about his relationship with Tolu Ekundare? Details explored

Perfect Match season 2 is currently streaming on Netflix and will drop the season finale on Friday, June 21, 2024. The season features well-known faces from across the streaming network's unscripted segment such as celebrities from Too Hot To Handle, The Circle, Dated and Related, The Mole, and more.

One such contestant, Dom Gabriel, who returned to season 2 after winning Perfect Match season 1, matched with Tolu Ekundare in the initial days of the show. The cast member opened up about his time on the Netflix show and his relationship with Ekundare while conversing with Elite Daily on June 14, 2024.

The Perfect Match star explained that his strategy differed from when he appeared in the previous season and didn't want to limit his options like in season 1. Dom added that he knew how Ekundare felt when the two ended things because he felt the same previously.

"I know how she felt because that's how I felt the first season, where I was very hyper-focused on one person. And then I got blindsided. I didn’t want to do that to her."

Dom added that he felt he put Tolu Ekundare in a "good position" to continue the show when he left her.

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"It's called Perfect Match" not "Loyalty Island": Dom explains his break up with Tolu Ekundare

Dom Gabriel, the winner of season 1, returned to the latest installment of the Netflix celebrity reality show and matched with Tolu Ekundare. Eventually, the two broke up and Tolu matched with Chris Hahn, which sent Dom packing. He opened up about his time on the show and explained that he wanted to explore other options.

The cast member said he didn't want to commit strongly to one person this time around, which was different than his strategy in season 1.

"Yeah, my mentality was to still have a good time and be respectful, but to do what the show's purpose is: to date. It's a dating show. So I came back to date around and try to find a perfect match. It's called Perfect Match. It's not called Loyalty Island."

Dom elaborated that although he and Tolu hit it off and were "vibing" he realized it was reaching a point where he felt he was repeating his Perfect Match season 1 patterns and wanted to be honest with her. He added that he became "distant" because he didn't want to hurt her.

The cast member said that he believed that his being distant gave Tolu the "perception" of his being "cold." Dom said he wanted to explore a connection with Alara Taneri but knew that it might send Tolu home and didn't want that to happen. The season 2 cast member was "trying to do the right thing."

During season 2, Tolu told the cameras that Dom was in his "villain era" and the male cast member was asked to chime in about the same. He said he knew The Trust alum was "really" into him and understood why she was upset. However, Dom added that he didn't think he was "malicious" towards her.

"When you're watching a show with all the dramatics and editing, it's easy to be like, "Oh, he's in his villain era." But in real-world terms, we had a great first date, and then we started living together in the villa. It was very quick, and I wanted to explore other options, and I told her that."

Dom added that he and Tolu ended their relationship in 48 hours and compared it to dating in real life and said they went on a date and tried to figure it out but it didn't work.

Dom returned to Tulu along with the rest of the eliminated contestants ahead of the season finale which is set to air on June 21, 2024, on Netflix.