Chafic Yactine, the youngest male contestant on the Netflix dating show, stands out for more than just his age. Unlike many reality TV personalities, there's no arrogance or pretense about him; instead, he exudes a genuine happiness and gratitude for his experience on 'Love is Blind, Habibi,' now streaming on Netflix. The show's concept is straightforward: participants engage in daily conversations with members of the opposite sex without seeing their faces, aiming to forge deep, meaningful connections rather than superficial ones. This 'social experiment' is hosted by the celebrity couple Khaled Saqer and Elham Ali.
Chafic, who recently visited the Khaleej Times office, quickly emphasizes that the show is unscripted and authentic. 'I think Netflix did a great job because the show was a success and very genuine. There are always ups and downs in life and work, but the negative aspects don't bother me much,' he says with a laugh. Chafic and Dounia nearly got married at the end of the show but chose to stay together and see where their relationship would lead. Their decision has since led to a significant milestone—Chafic's proposal to Dounia. 'I wanted to make it special for her because she deserves the best,' he explains.
The Lebanese entrepreneur, who was born and raised in Senegal, shares his reasons for participating in the reality show. 'I heard about the show in early July, and it was filmed in August. I was the last to be cast, and initially, we all joined for exposure. But then, we lost control of the situation,' he admits. Despite the unconventional matchmaking, Chafic was always excited about the show's outcome. His family, though initially surprised, quickly embraced the idea when they learned it was an Arabic show produced in the UAE. 'They knew it would be classy and respectful, like the country itself,' he says.
Chafic is pleased with the show's outcome and is open to participating in other reality series, such as 'Dubai Bling.' 'I have friends like Ebraheem Al Samadi who are on the show, and they are very genuine. So why not?' he says, also mentioning his interest in 'Survivor.' Chafic, who stepped back from his import business to focus on modeling and social media, remains grounded despite his newfound fame. 'When you pretend to be someone else, there's always pressure to maintain that image. But I prefer to be myself,' he says.
Chafic is also deeply involved in charity work, a passion instilled in him from a young age. 'When I was 16, my mother and aunt took me to a hospital in Africa where children with cancer were treated. It was a life-changing experience,' he recalls. Since moving to Dubai, he has continued his charitable efforts, despite some negative feedback. 'I find peace in seeing others smile, and life is too short not to do what you love,' he says.
One of his cherished goals was to make Dounia's proposal unforgettable. He orchestrated a beach proposal at sunset, which she happily accepted. However, the couple hasn't set a wedding date yet. 'We have a lot to achieve together first. A wedding is a serious commitment, and we don't believe in divorce. We'll take our time to find the right moment,' he explains.
Chafic Yactine is far from a typical reality star—he's someone who knows his priorities and is determined to achieve them.
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