“Big Brother” season 24 winner Taylor Hale is opening up about her past relationship with fellow “Big Brother” houseguest Joseph Abdin—including the challenges of dating in the public eye.
During an appearance on “Big Brother” season 26 winner Chelsie Baham’s podcast, “The Diamond Podcast,” which premiered on March 17, Hale reflected on navigating a relationship that began on national television.
Hale said the intense scrutiny that comes with reality TV fame sometimes made the relationship difficult to manage.
“The way that a fandom will still relentlessly attack and degrade you, your partner, the relationship,” Hale said during the interview.
“I don’t want to say the fans broke us up,” she added, “but there was an aspect of like, okay, like this [expletive] is just exhausting.”
Hale and Abdin first met while competing on season 24 of “Big Brother” in 2022, where they formed a close relationship inside the house. Both players were members of “The Leftovers,” a dominant mid-season alliance that reshaped the trajectory of the game. Abdin was evicted during the season’s split-house twist, while Hale continued on and ultimately won the $750,000 grand prize, becoming the first Black woman to win the show.
Although their relationship remained mostly platonic during the season, the two began spending time together after the show ended. They confirmed they were dating later that year, according to People.
“My connection with Joseph has been undeniable, and I knew from the moment he kissed me on finale night that we’d find a way to be together,” Hale told People at the time. “His heart is bigger than the galaxy, and now we have the privilege of sharing our hearts with each other. I love him so much. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.“
CBSFans quickly embraced the couple, giving them the nickname “Jaylor.”
The pair occasionally shared glimpses of their relationship on social media. In December 2022, Hale commented on an Instagram photo celebrating their first month together, writing “One month down, forever to go,” People reported.
During their relationship, the couple also made a few public appearances together, including attending the 2023 Grammy Awards.
GettyHowever, the relationship lasted only a few months. In April 2023, Hale announced via Instagram Story that the pair had decided to end their romantic relationship while remaining supportive of one another.
“Joseph and I will continue to support each other enthusiastically, we encourage you to do the same, as you always have,” Hale wrote at the time, according to People. “Ain’t no love lost over here! We will always be part of each other’s lives. Whether platonic or romantic we are, and always will be, Jaylor.”
Taylor Hale Explains Why She Keeps Relationships Private
Hale said the experience ultimately changed how she approaches sharing her personal life publicly. Because her relationship with Abdin began on a nationally televised show, she said some viewers felt “entitled” to access the details of their relationship.
“Yes, our connection formed in the public and so people felt entitled to know every detail about it,” Hale told Baham. “We went back and forth of like, ‘How much do we share?’ And it got to a point where we’re like, ‘All right, nope. You lost privileges. No more.”
This situation also shaped how Hale said she approaches public relationships today—although she is not currently involved in one, she added.
“I would rather be misunderstood than the people around me be attacked on my behalf,” Hale said.
Taylor Hale Says Joseph Abdin Is Still Her ‘Best Friend’
Despite the breakup, Hale said she and Abdin remain extremely close.
“I learned a lot from dating Joseph,” she said during the podcast conversation. “And, like, and I love Joseph to death. He’s my best friend in the entire world—but in, like, the most straightforward, uncomplicated, like loving, happy relationship.”
The two have also appeared publicly together since their split. In one instance, the two were at the “Big Brother” season 25 premiere party in New York, according to People. She posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “It’s forever.”
The post sparked speculation among some fans about the status of their relationship. Hale expanded on this moment on Baham’s podcast.
She recalled defending Abdin on social media after some fans began questioning whether the former couple were being honest about their relationship.
“I remember I really popped off on Twitter sometime last year and that’s because, like, people were attacking Joseph …,” Hale said. “‘Oh, they’re lying about being a couple and friends. They’re just trying to scam us.'”
Hale said she eventually responded directly to the criticism.
“I was like, ‘Shut up. Everybody shut up and stop saying the things you’re saying about my best friend.'”
Hale said the experience ultimately reinforced how protective she remains of the people closest to her.
