“We Survived the Cameras, But Not the Silence”: Leslie Fhima Admits Late-Night Fights and Growing Distance Ended Her Paradise Romance With Gary Levingston

Bachelor in Paradise season 10 star Leslie Fhima revealed her relationship status with Gary Levingston after their shocking elimination from the show. When Gary arrived in Paradise, he asked Leslie to go on a date with him, and they had a wonderful time, dancing the night away.

Although Gary had a connection with Natascha Hardee, and he went on a fantastic date with Nancy Hulkower, he chose Leslie when it was his turn to give out a rose at the rose ceremony. Gary and Leslie seemed to be on their way to building their relationship, but then Gary made a big mistake.

During one of the Bachelor in Paradise season 10 compatibility challenges, Gary and Leslie were in the top 3, but Gary bet too many of his chips on his final question, and they ended up in the bottom 3 at the end of the game. Bailey Brown and Jeremy Simon had won the challenge, which allowed them to choose which couple would be eliminated.

Since the women were giving out the roses that week, Bailey had the power to send home one of the bottom 3 couples--Gary and Leslie, Kim Buike and Faith Martin, or Brian Autz and Parisa Shifteh. After much consideration, Bailey chose to eliminate Leslie and Gary, so their time in Costa Rica was through.

On the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast, Leslie gave an update on her relationship with Gary. She shared that he's currently one of her best friends, and they talk all the time, but she isn't sure if they'll be more than that because they haven't seen each other.

Leslie said, "We talk all the time. We talk. We were at the premiere together watching the show in L.A. Gary is, I can honestly say, right now, one of my best friends. I mean he is...I'll call him if I have a problem. He kind of talks me off the ledge a little bit. We're always there for each other. We have each other's back."

However, Leslie isn't certain about her romantic future with Gary. She explained, "I don't know--'cause we haven’t spent time together. We live in two separate cities--I don't know what it could be. All I know is that, for me, a big thing with any relationship, a romantic one for sure, is I want to be friends first. 'Cause I want to be with my best friend growing older."

Leslie added that she and Gary care very much about each other, saying, "So that is a huge thing for me, and I don’t know what it’s gonna be, but I know that we have special places in our hearts for each other and that's all I can say right now."

What Leslie & Gary’s Relationship Status Update Means

Leslie & Gary Are Best Friends

Although it's disappointing to hear that Leslie and Gary aren't dating after Bachelor in Paradise season 10, it's beautiful to know that they've become best friends. They shared an instant connection, and it was obvious that there was something special between them.

However, Leslie and Gary have encountered the same problem that other Golden couples, including Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist and Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple, have run into: how to make the logistics of their relationship work. It's very hard for the Golden contestants because most of them are unwilling to leave their families and relocate.

Although Joan and Chock are happy in their long-distance relationship, this issue was part of the reason that Gerry and Theresa ended up announcing their divorce after just three months of marriage. Hopefully, Leslie and Gary will be able to figure out how to make their relationship work because they seem so right for each other.

Our Take On Leslie’s Hesitancy To Continue Dating Gary

Leslie Most Likely Wants To Protect Her Heart

After having her heart broken as Gerry's runner-up during The Golden Bachelor, it's no wonder that Leslie is hesitant to continue dating Gary. She most likely wants to protect her heart if she's uncertain, which is completely understandable.

However, Leslie's statement about how she wants to be friends with her partner first is a good sign for her relationship with Gary. They definitely have a strong friendship, which will hopefully continue to grow into something more. Both Leslie and Gary deserve to have the love that they've been searching for, and it would be beautiful to see them find it in each other.