Entertainment
CouldBachelorstar-turned-relationship expert Nick Viall and his wife and co-host, Natalie Joy, actually be the perfect couple?
They sure think so.
Its impossible not to feel like a third wheel around newlyweds and new parents Nick Viall and Natalie Joy.
We do things together, we talk through things.
That team is up against a lot of scrutiny.
Theres the finger-wagging at their 18-year age difference.
(Nick and Nat are 44 and 26, respectively.)
Also: the Reddit threads devoted to speculating on their personal lives.
(More on that later.)
When we first started dating, I was very self-conscious about the age gap, says Viall.
But I didnt want to besoself-conscious about it that I didnt let [our relationship] happen.
When people say to me that Im [hated], it hurts my feelings.
Thats really helped us, you know?
[Especially] as new parents whats the best use of our energy?
When it comes to Joy, however, hes nothing but serious.
The words of affirmation come early and often.
Ive always secretly thought Natalie was the star, Viall says, leaning back in his chair.
The sleeves of his flannel are rolled up enough to expose the mosaic oftattoos on his inner forearm.
Shes always one of the most engaging people in the room, people are drawn to her.
I think Natalies aspirational.
Joy chimes in: Nick doesnt give himself enough credit.
Its like he finds the one word that everyone else is overlooking.
These two believe theyve each landed the best partner in the world,period.
This is what theyre selling on and off the podcast.
Why not listen to Nick and Natalie?
Just look where it got them.
Those were the first words Joy ever exchanged with Viall, DMing them to him over Instagram in 2019.
He sent [back] a photo that I was tagged in of me on the beach.
I think he said, Are you Jesus?
Because it looked like I was walking on water.
(Viall, who grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is the second oldest of 11 children.)
A Snow White beauty, Joy also dabbled in some local modeling and influencing.
(Take that, Fantasy Suite!)
But Viall wasnt ready to commit.
It was like, OK, well, you dont want to date me?
I still have to live my life.
[One time] he FaceTimed me while I was getting ready for a date.
He was like, Text me while youre there!
Viall says, squeezing Joys knee.
Natalie played it perfectly.
I mightve poked the bear a little bit.
Like, Thatsan interesting reaction for someone who doesnt want to date me.
But there was no If I dothis, then Ill get him to dothis.
It never went that deep, she says.
For Viall, though, it was checkmate.
We all love to play games, he says, smirking.
I remember just being very self-conscious about her moving across the country to livemylife, says Viall.
Joys first appearance on Vialls podcast came the following year, when she joined him for aBacheloretterecap.
Once pregnant and on leave from work in 2023, she became a regular guest host.
Then when River was born, Joy became an official co-host.
I think she brings an element of coolness to the show, Viall says.
I really respect her taste.
She knows whats trendy.
Im definitely the friend whos going to give you the tough advice the big brother, so to speak.
But I feel like Natalies a person I want to hang out with.
On the show, the couple often use their own history as a case study.
(See: their playful conversations aboutpostpartum sex logistics.)
We really said, Hey, its probably not the smartest choice for you to move in right away.
It definitely has its risks, but the alternatives are also not ideal as well, says Viall.
I believe in risk-taking.
Just acknowledge the risk youre taking.
Given that their marriage is a cornerstone of the podcast, why hold back now?
Having River, you realize whats important in life, [and its] protecting our family.
Thats why we dont give oxygen to any rumors about us, says Joy.
Then its going to be a headline.
Then Rivers going to see it one day.
Shes like, Wait.
And its like, none of it matters.
We know what the truth is.
We know what happens in our lives.
I want it to be theSportsCenterof reality TV and pop culture, Viall says.
Another way hes looking to level up?
What does he think of all the credit hes been getting?
This story just kind of reinforced that.
But to him, that kind of opining is just another day at the office.
Although Joy is a more measured,stabilizing presence on the podcast, shes well aware of her worth.
Him being the oldest, me being the youngest, I think it brings different perspectives.
But Ive always been the friend that my friends go to when they’re having trouble in these scenarios.
Ive lived a lot of life, to be the age that I am, Joy says.
And when Viall looks to the future of the show, he insists its Joy at the forefront.
Shortly after we got married, we needed to do a will.
Natalie was like, Yeah, what would I do?
Viall says, referring to an outcome where he dies first.
Then I was like, You would take over the show.
It was a moment where I was like, Yeah, its what you would do.
Two hours into our time together, Vialls assuredness doesnt surprise me.
Thats something that I hear all the time in my head with little things throughout life, Joy says.
Is this something Im going to care about 20 minutes from now or tomorrow?
Then its just not worth getting mad about and trying to prove youre right.
Its a fitting end to my time with who may be the worlds most confident couple.
When they cross the street to head back to the studio, I notice theyre still holding hands.
