“It sucks. It took me 47 years to find a relationship this good and for you, it’s your first. I’m gonna miss you, man.”
Listen to the podcast version of this story in our NEW PODCAST FORMAT! Featuring Mr. Whistle Bottom and Mr. Gudwood
Darlings, grab your mimosas and settle in, because we’ve got some piping hot tea straight from the reality TV tropics to the TikTok trenches. It seems that Survivor alum Bret LaBelle and his much-younger beau, TikTok sensation Chris Stanley (aka StanChris), have decided to vote each other off their respective islands. That’s right, after nearly four years of defying gravity—and a 27-year age gap that had tongues wagging from Dupont to Adams Morgan—the couple has called it quits. This split has more plot twists than a Real Housewives finale, and we’re here to unpack it all with the sass and shade you expect from District Drama.
A Love Story Born in the DMs
Let’s rewind to 2016, when Bret LaBelle, then a scrappy Boston police lieutenant, stole our hearts on Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X. Not only did he navigate the game with strategic finesse, but he also came out as gay in a confessional that had us all reaching for the tissues (Us Magazine).
Fast forward to 2021, during the height of the pandemic, when StanChris, a Gen Z social media maven with a TikTok following that could make Charli D’Amelio sweat, slid into Bret’s Instagram DMs. Apparently, Chris had been binge-watching Survivor, fell for Bret’s charm, and decided to shoot his shot (Advocate). And just like that, a modern queer love story was born—one that would soon have us all invested like we were watching a new season of Love Is Blind.
Their romance bloomed quietly at first, but by January 2023, they were ready to make it Instagram official. Bret shared cozy photos with Chris and friends, cementing their status as a couple (Us Magazine). In April 2023, Bret posted a swoon-worthy birthday tribute to Chris, gushing, “A very happy birthday to this amazing guy!! 🎈🎂😘” (Instagram). By May, they’d launched a joint Instagram account, @ChrisAndBret, serving up couple goals with every post, from tropical getaways to cozy nights in (Instagram). It was like watching a rom-com unfold in real time, complete with heart-eyes emojis and a sprinkle of public adoration.
The Age Gap That Kept Us Talking
Of course, no love story is complete without a little controversy, and for Bret and Chris, it was their 27-year age gap that kept the internet buzzing. At 51, Bret was old enough to have seen the original Survivor premiere, while 25-year-old StanChris was probably still mastering his ABCs when Richard Hatch was strutting around Borneo. The age difference led to some raised eyebrows and, frankly, some downright rude assumptions. Chris told The Advocate in August 2023, “Sometimes people think he’s actually my dad. Other people think I’m just with him for money” (Advocate). He even had to shut down wild claims of being “groomed,” clarifying, “I am the one who pursued him.”
The couple handled the scrutiny with humor, nowhere more evident than in December 2023, when they were mistaken for father and son while buying a Christmas tree. Chris recounted the cringeworthy moment in a TikTok video, explaining how a cashier got overly excited when he insisted on paying, thinking it was a sweet father-son moment (Us Magazine). Instead of getting mad, they laughed it off, proving they could take the shade and keep shining. If this had gone down on 17th Street, we’d all be in matching “Not My Dad” T-shirts by now, sipping rosé and cackling.
The Breakup Bombshell
Despite their knack for defying the haters, it seems even the strongest alliances can falter. On April 28, 2025, Bret dropped the bombshell on Instagram, announcing that he and Chris had parted ways. In a post that was equal parts classy and heartbreaking, he wrote, “Sometimes love means letting go. 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” (Out.com). Cue the Lord Huron soundtrack and a collective gasp from their fans.
Not one to let the narrative slip away, Chris followed up with a StanChris YouTube video, giving his side of the story with the earnestness of a Bachelor contestant at the final rose ceremony (YouTube). “We kind of just grew apart slowly,” he said, squashing any hopes of a juicy scandal. “Nothing really happened. We’re still on good terms.” He even shared a poignant message from Bret, who told him post-breakup, “It sucks. It took me 47 years to find a relationship this good and for you, it’s your first. I’m gonna miss you, man.” Honey, if that doesn’t hit you right in the feels, check your pulse.
Was This a Tribal Blindside?
Now, if this were a Survivor tribal council, I’d be whispering “blindside” faster than you can say “Jeff Probst.” But StanChris insists there was no backstabbing or hidden immunity idols involved—just two people realizing their torches were burning in different directions. Still, one can’t help but speculate. Was the age gap a factor, with Bret eyeing a quiet life while Chris was still chasing TikTok trends? Or was it something mundane, like a disagreement over who controls the Netflix queue? Whatever the reason, they’re keeping it classier than a Real Housewives reunion, and we have to respect that.
This breakup feels like the queer equivalent of a Bravo plot twist—shocking yet somehow inevitable. Their relationship was a reality show in its own right, with fans tuning in for every Instagram post and TikTok update. And let’s be real, in D.C., where drama is practically a food group, this would’ve been the talk of every brunch spot from Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse to The Dirty Goose. We’d be debating who gets custody of the @ChrisAndBret account and whether they’d still show up to Capital Pride arm-in-arm.
What’s Next for Our Reality TV Romeo and TikTok Juliet?
So, where do Bret and StanChris go from here? Chris, now 25 and living it up in Florida, is embracing the single life like he’s auditioning for Queer Eye (YouTube). He’s bought an apartment, is loving the solo vibes, and plans to return to weekly YouTube uploads. “It’s my first time living alone. I kind of love it,” he admitted, though he’s less thrilled about Florida summers. He even poked fun at his “twink death” at 25, joking about hitting the gym to keep the glow alive. If Troye Sivan can still carry the twink crown, so can StanChris, darling.
Bret, meanwhile, is back in Boston, likely focusing on his career and maybe dodging a few DMs from eager admirers. At 51, he’s still a catch, and we wouldn’t be surprised if he’s soon spotted with a new plus-one. But for now, both are keeping things cordial, with StanChris hinting they might even be friends again someday. “I’m sure eventually I could even get him back for another video in a year or something,” he mused. A reunion episode? We’re already subscribed.
The D.C. Dish
If this breakup had unfolded in the District, you know the tea would be spilling faster than a happy hour spill at Nellie’s. We’d have group chats lighting up, with everyone from U Street to Shaw weighing in on whether the age gap was the real culprit or if it was just a case of “wrong place, wrong time.” In a city where love stories are as common as Metro delays, Bret and Chris’s saga would’ve been the scandal of the season, complete with themed drag brunches and shady X posts. But since he’s not local, we’ll settle for virtual gossip sessions and a few choice memes.
What makes this split so fascinating isn’t just the celebrity factor—it’s the reminder that even the most picture-perfect relationships can hit a snag. Bret and StanChris showed us that love can thrive across generations, but sometimes, even the best alliances don’t make it to the final tribal council. And that’s okay. As Chris put it, “I love all the memories that I have with Bret. I don’t regret it at all.” Same, StanChris, same.
We have spoken with Chris who confirmed that he will be in the city for World Pride! Maybe him and the Senate Twink can do a Capital Exposé?
The Final Rose (or Tequila Shot)
In the end, while it’s a bummer to see a couple who brought so much joy to their fans go their separate ways, it’s also a testament to the fact that sometimes, love means knowing when to walk away. Bret and Chris are handling this with more grace than most reality TV stars could muster, and we’re rooting for them both to find their next great adventure—whether that’s a new romance, a solo journey, or a surprise Survivor return.
So, District Drama readers, what’s your take? Did this breakup catch you off guard like a Survivor immunity idol play, or did you see it coming from a mile away? And more importantly, should we send them a bouquet of roses or just a bottle of tequila and a Ring cam to catch any potential reconciliation drama? Spill your thoughts in the comments, and keep your eyes peeled for more juicy updates from your favorite D.C. gossip hub.
