“She is making what she thinks is the right decision for her at the time, and I can’t be mad at her for that,” Chris Fox tells PEOPLE of Johnie Maraist initially choosing Izzy Zapata over him
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Love Is Blind‘s Christopher Fox seemingly found his happy ending with Johnie Maraist, but it certainly wasn’t an easy journey.
During the first few episodes of the Netflix hit, fans watched as Chris, 28, formed a connection in the pods with Johnie, 32. However, Johnie felt her connection with Izzy Zapata was stronger and decided to end things with Chris, claiming he felt like the “safer” option.
Chris was heartbroken over their breakup, but it wasn’t long before Johnie came back to him, asking for a second chance after Izzy, 31, ended things with her to pursue Stacy Snyder. Chris stood his ground and rejected Johnie’s offer — but by episode 7, it was revealed that the two ultimately rekindled their connection and decided to date outside of the pods.
Speaking to PEOPLE about why he gave Johnie a second chance, Chris says, “Through the experience, I fell in love with her and she’s an amazing person in and out.”
“When you give it your all, it’s going to hurt if you get rejected,” he admits. “Everyone there is trying to do what’s best for themselves, you’re trying to find your person. And she’s so smart. I’m not going to fault her for actually making the wrong decision, not going with me, but she is making what she thinks is the right decision for her at the time, and I can’t be mad at her for that. You just move on.”
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Courtesy of Netflix
In doing so, Chris notes that he hasn’t held a grudge against Johnie — or even joked about being her second choice.
“No, no, it’s no hard feelings. Like I said, we’re both there trying to figure out what’s right for us, and I trust her to make the right decisions for what she thinks is best,” he says.
Though there was no bad blood about their past, drama did arise when they attended the cast cocktail party in episode 7. During the gathering, Johnie and Izzy reconnecting for the first time since their breakup and rehashed everything that occurred. An explosive argument between both couples followed, as Stacy slammed Johnie for what she claimed were shady behaviors. Izzy also tried to warn Chris about Johnie’s bad intentions, claiming he was only trying to look out for his pal.
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Courtesy of Netflix
Despite the blowout fight, Chris says his perspective on Johnie did not change.
“When I love someone, that’s who I’m there for. And if you are trying to tell me something that I know isn’t true about the person I’m in love with, my partner, then I’m going to let you say your piece,” he says of Izzy’s claims. “I’m not a mad, angry person. I’m not going to fight with you, but I’m going to go back to Johnie and just know the truth with her.”
As for whether he felt Izzy’s intentions were genuine, or if he thinks his fellow castmate’s words were a result of lingering feelings, Chris sets the record straight.
“No, I think through the whole experience, the support from the guys in the lounge was really mind-blowing. It was very surprising,” he explains. “I felt so safe when I came back and after my heartbreak, I tried to gather myself in the pod and I’m crying a little bit and I thought I had figured it out. And I go back in there and I continue to express my emotion.”
“Everybody there is just so supportive. I think even Izzy is right there next to me supporting me,” he adds. “And we all really helped each other through the whole experience.”
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Monty Brinton/Netflix
Though he didn’t walk away from the show with a fiancée, Chris is proud of how everything unfolded and wouldn’t change a thing.
“I enjoyed every second of it. That might sound weird after hearing I go through a heartbreak, but it makes you grow as a person,” he notes. “Highs and lows, falling in love, heartbreak, it was all just an amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
