It Wasn’t Like a Domino Effect”: Dave Opens Up About Why He and Vanessa Left The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Early

In reality TV, emotions run high, and the contestants’ relationships are often put to the ultimate test. This was certainly the case for Dave Adams and Vanessa Hattaway during their time on The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On season 3. The couple’s early exit from the show shocked many viewers, but Dave opened up in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE on December 17, 2024 about why they decided to leave before the finale.

The Emotional Struggles Leading to Their Departure

Dave, 34, and Vanessa, 30, entered The Ultimatum to strengthen their relationship. Vanessa had given Dave an ultimatum, asking him to either commit to marriage or move on. But as the show progressed, things took a different turn. Despite the original intention to use the experiment to resolve their issues, they faced emotional challenges that ultimately led to their early departure.

Dave explained that their exit wasn’t the result of one event but a series of emotional difficulties that grew over time. The dynamics between Vanessa and her trial partner, Nick Tramontin, further complicated the couple’s struggles. As tensions rose, Dave and Vanessa found themselves at a breaking point,

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Dave Reflects on the Decision

In the interview, Dave clarified that their decision to leave wasn’t as sudden as it might have seemed. He described it as a “domino effect,” where multiple factors contributed to their final choice to leave the show. He shared:

“It wasn’t like a domino effect… So everybody’s communicating one way or another.”

This statement underscores how the combination of their emotional struggles, the pressure of the show, and the complexities of their relationships led to a situation where leaving became their healthiest choice.

The Relationship Strain Between Vanessa and Nick

While the couple initially hoped the experiment would bring them closer together, Dave admitted that the time spent on the show revealed deeper issues that needed to be addressed outside of The Ultimatum’s pressure cooker environment. He pointed out that Vanessa and Nick’s emotional connection also played a role in their decision to step away. As the trial marriages unfolded, it became clear that these dynamics contributed to the strain on their relationship.

Moving Forward: A Step Towards Healing

Despite their early exit, Dave and Vanessa have expressed a desire to continue working on themselves and their personal journeys. Their decision to leave the show significantly prioritized their emotional well-being and finding a path that felt true to themselves, even if that meant stepping away from the experiment early. While it wasn’t the outcome they expected, both acknowledged that their experience on The Ultimatum was still an important learning process.

Dave and Vanessa’s early departure serves as a reminder that reality TV isn’t always a simple path to love and commitment—sometimes, the bravest decision is knowing when to walk away and focus on healing.