At a Glance
- Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann are guest-hosting the What’s the Reality? podcast while Amber Desiree “AD” Smith is on maternity leave
- Their special episode drops Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6 a.m. ET on YouTube and podcast platforms
- The couple shares how they met on All Star Shore, got engaged, and welcomed son Heath Orion in April 2024
- Why it matters: Fans get a front-row seat to the pair’s unfiltered takes on reality TV and their own love story
Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann are sliding into the hosting chair of What’s the Reality? while Amber Desiree “AD” Smith adjusts to life with her newborn. News Of Losangeles has an exclusive first look at the couple’s takeover episode, set to release on January 14 at 6 a.m. ET.
The Guest Hosts
In the trailer, Giannina beams, “We are so happy and honored to be your guest host.” Blake reassures listeners, “We’re just keeping the couch nice and warm for AD, so don’t worry, she will be back when she’s ready.”
Their chemistry is immediate. When Giannina threatens to put Blake “in the hot seat,” he admits, “I’m terrified, to be honest.” The banter sets the tone for an episode that promises both laughter and candid reflection.
From Competition Show to Engagement
The two trace their origin story back to All Star Shore, a competition series-not a dating show-where cast members from multiple reality franchises battled it out. “We were not even supposed to fall in love at all,” Blake explains. “Your plan, you weren’t gonna meet anybody, and I was the same way.”
Giannina confirms her mindset going in: “I didn’t want a boyfriend. I was done. I was like, ‘I’m gonna make out with everybody, I’m just gonna have the time of my life.'” Blake interjects, “She did,” prompting Giannina to tease, “Wanna talk about that?”
Their casual intentions shifted when Giannina landed a spot on Netflix’s Perfect Match, a dating series. Two months before filming, she met Blake. “That was actually a tipping point in our relationship,” he says. “I will never forget when you told me you’re going on Perfect Match. I was shocked. I was in complete shock, because I was like, [I had] just asked you to be my girlfriend.” She ultimately withdrew from the show.
Life After Reality TV
The couple now juggle engagement planning and parenthood after welcoming son Heath Orion in April 2024. They plan to weigh in on the latest Bachelor nation headlines, including the announcement that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul will lead the next Bachelorette season.
The trailer ends on a cliffhanger. “I haven’t really talked about this publicly, honestly. I haven’t,” Blake teases. “And it’s gonna make, you know, headlines and clickbait and all that fun stuff.” Viewers will have to tune in to learn the undisclosed topic.
What They Told News Of Losangeles
In an exclusive statement, the couple joke about their new gig: “A strong relationship thrives off keeping certain things private, so we’ve decided to invite everyone that’s listening and watching What’s the Reality? to hear us do the exact opposite.”
They add, “Knowing just how beautiful getting ready for a baby is, we’re honored to keep AD’s seat warm while she’s on maternity leave. While we’re new to doing this together, we’re no strangers to the hot seat and we’re beyond excited to also bring some of our love story into a special episode.”
Key Takeaways
- AD Smith remains on maternity leave; no official return date has been set
- Giannina and Blake’s episode will be available on YouTube and all major podcast apps
- The pair promise behind-the-scenes stories from All Star Shore and updates on their wedding planning
- A surprise revelation from Blake is teased but not revealed in the trailer
Fans can catch the full episode Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6 a.m. ET and subscribe to News Of Losangeles‘s newsletter for future updates.
