“Love On The Spectrum” Stars Pari And Tina Call It Quits
Two trains on different tracks: “Love on the Spectrum” celebs Pari Kim and Tina Zhu Xi Caruso announced their breakup on IG on April 24.
Featured Image: Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images
Fans of Love on the Spectrum are still recovering from this month’s news that Abbey Romeo and David Isaacman ended their five-year relationship. On Friday, everyone’s favorite transit aficionado Pari Kim took to Instagram to announce her breakup with Tina Zhu Xi Caruso: “A few people have been asking if me and Tina are still together,” Pari shared on Instagram Stories on April 24. “I just wanted to be honest and let you all know that we are just friends now, two trains on different tracks, but I wish her the best and a bright, T-riffic future!”
She added more nuance later, with another post: “No matter what media and comments may come out about this news, just know I spoke from my heart and handled this with grace. I hope everyone continues to lead with kindness and compassion! I have spoken my truth!”
Tina Zhu Xi Caruso confirmed the news on her feed, sharing a pic of the two dressed as “Wicked” characters Glinda and Elphaba. “We are like Glinda and Elphaba in the way we advocate for what we believe in. I’m the Elphaba and I can’t wait to show the world how I advocate.” She wrote that Pari will continue to advocate like Glenda. “I hope we can still advocate as friends for things we believe in like public transportation and disability advocacy.”
The two had met on Season 3 of the Netflix reality show Love on The Spectrum. Now in its 5th season, the Emmy Award-winning series follows the dating and relationship journeys of young people on the autism spectrum. Many explore dating for the first time, and all that can come with it – awkwardness, elation, heartache, and on occasion, the triumph of finding connection. The way the couples handle the process is frankly, instructive to neurotypical and neurodivergent alike: at the end of every date, people are clear with their prospect about whether they see things moving in the direction of romance versus potential friendship. People know where they stand. Courage, respect and kindness prevail.
Pari, who “love[s] the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority more than anything” (it’s also called the “T”), found sparks with Tina on their first blind date. While her relationship with her “T-Princess” may have reached its denouement, she knew that allowing cameras to follow the journey might prove encouraging to others.
“I knew this would be a good opportunity also to really get to tell my story and to inspire others and break barriers — it’s not like every day you get to see a queer autistic train lover out there,” she recently told the New York Times.
“Trains come and go to all different destinations,” Pari wrote on IG on April 24. “Some may come into each other’s routes and stations then diverge and go their own separate ways just like MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak. And that is okay. Both are still valid. Both serve their own purposes. Both will reach the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Image: Pari Kim and Tina Zhu Xi Caruso via Instagram
