Bret LaBelle, best known for his appearance on Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, has announced the end of his relationship with social media star Chris Stanley. The couple, whose 27-year age difference often sparked conversation online, had been dating since 2022.
The breakup was revealed in an Instagram post shared by LaBelle on Monday, April 28. The 51-year-old Boston police lieutenant wrote, “Sometimes love means letting go,” in a heartfelt caption alongside a photo carousel featuring the former couple.
“Chris and I have shared so many memories, laughter, and growth together, and I will always be grateful for that. While our paths are now going in different directions, the care and respect remain. Wishing him nothing but happiness, love, and success on his journey. Thank you for the memories.”
Reality TV and TikTok Collide
LaBelle first rose to fame on the 33rd season of CBS’s Survivor in 2016. Competing as part of the Gen X tribe, he advanced to the final five before being voted out on Day 37. He returned to reality TV in 2019 to compete on The Amazing Race 31 alongside fellow Survivor contestant Chris Hammons. The pair finished in sixth place.
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Stanley, 25, is a prominent gay content creator on TikTok, where he boasts more than 1 million followers and over 64 million likes. Known to fans as @stanchris, he also has a strong presence on YouTube (468,000 subscribers) and Instagram (368,000 followers).
Together, LaBelle and Stanley shared their lives publicly, frequently appearing in each other’s content and showcasing their relationship milestones—including a few uncomfortable public moments.
A Relationship That Sparked Headlines—and Judgment
In an August 2023 interview with The Advocate, LaBelle and Stanley opened up about how they met online during the later stages of the pandemic. LaBelle, then 49, reached out to Stanley after seeing his content. Stanley, who was 23 at the time, recalled watching Survivor afterward and being charmed by LaBelle’s personality on and off screen.
@stanchrissss showing my short boyfriend places he’s never seen before! #boyfriend #short #couple #funny #gaytiktok (ib: @GayFatFriend)
The couple addressed frequent questions and misconceptions about their dynamic, including confusion about whether they were father and son.
“Sometimes people make the outrageous claim that I was ‘groomed’ or something,” Stanley said. “But I was the one who pursued [LaBelle].”
The duo frequently brushed off external judgment. In one viral story reported by Page Six, Stanley described a Christmas tree shopping experience where a cashier assumed LaBelle was his father. Rather than correct her, LaBelle simply shook his head. “So I’m just like, ‘Yeah, yeah. That’s my dad,’” Stanley recalled.
Support From Fellow Reality Stars
Fans and friends from the reality TV world quickly expressed their support in the comments section of LaBelle’s announcement post. Big Brother 23 runner-up Derek Frazier wrote, “I love you both,” while Squid Game: The Challenge contestant Dash Katz added, “Love y’all.”
Despite the breakup, LaBelle’s message emphasized mutual respect and continued admiration. As both he and Stanley move forward, their fans remain hopeful they’ll continue to thrive—individually and online.
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