MILF Manor stars Barby García Gutiérrez Almeida and Lannette West have candidly revealed the fear they felt courting men younger than their 27-year-old sons in front of the eyes of millions during the controversial TLC dating show.
The reality dating show made waves last year when it debuted with a group of cougars joined by their Gen Z kids looking for love.
This year’s twist sees a group of young singles, aged between 23 and 27, move into a mansion with a group of older single women, before they are later joined by their own parents.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, contestants Lannette West, 50, and Barby García Gutiérrez Almeida, 45, spoke about their discomfort and apprehension at coming face to face with men in their 20s.
Lannette West (left) and Barby García Gutiérrez Almeida have explained how they really felt about dating men younger than their 27-year-old sons in MILF Manor.
“I felt nervous because they’re about my son’s age, and that’s territory I don’t normally cross, so I was trying to tread carefully,” Barby said.
“But when you see attractive men who aren’t your own sons, it’s different, right?”
Lannette admitted that she was pleasantly surprised by how “nice” and “intelligent” the young people were, adding: “I was so impressed when they got off the boat that everything just got better and better.”
‘Not only are they incredibly handsome, but they are great people. They’re very friendly, intelligent and it was great to have the opportunity to get to know some of them a little better.’
However, some conversations with the young contestants left Barby feeling conflicted, especially because her dates began using phrases that her own son often blurts out.
The marketing executive admitted that her decision to participate in the program was somewhat “uncomfortable” for her son, even though he fully supported her “journey.”
She stated: ‘My son loves this trip for me, but it is not his trip. He is very supportive of what I am doing, but he is the opposite of me. He doesn’t want to be in front of the cameras.
‘This is not something he wants to do here. It is very discreet. He has a girlfriend…and also Mom continues to appear rampantly on national television.
But despite the support, Barby and Lannette’s children decided not to watch their mothers’ search for love on screen.
Lannette admitted that she felt incredibly nervous about how her friends and associates would perceive her when they tuned in.
“It was intimidating at times,” said the account director. “I was a little nervous about how I would be perceived by my family and the people I work with and for.”
The couple joined a new generation of cougars looking for love in the continuation of the first season of the controversial TLC series.
Lannette admitted, “I was a little nervous about how my family and the people I work with and for would perceive me.”
Barby stated that her loved ones felt the show was “very right for me” because “I live off the beaten path and do wild things as they are, just by nature.”
He continued: “But after a while, after a couple of days to get used to it, you forget the cameras are there.”
Barby said her loved ones knew the show was “very right for her,” adding, “I live off the beaten path and do wild things as they are, just by nature.”
Lannette added: “I think people who know me very well weren’t that surprised, but people who know me through people and work were quite surprised.”
Speaking about why they decided to sign up, both women said they had grown tired of the current “miserable” dating landscape.
“I was looking for a unique opportunity to find love because traditional ways haven’t worked for me,” Lannette admitted. ‘In fact, I think my selector is broken, frankly. I thought, let’s try it. Why not?’
Barby added: “I think dating in today’s world is just miserable with dating apps, disposable dates and swiping.” Nobody has the attention span anymore. So I thought we had tried everything. Why not do reality shows?
While entering the mansion to date a younger man, Lannette was “relieved” when the bachelor’s parents arrived at the villa.
“I was surprised,” he said. “I was very surprised and very relieved because there were age-appropriate men for me to date.”
While entering the mansion to date younger men, Lannette was “relieved” when the bachelors’ “age-appropriate” parents arrived to join the competition.
Barby, a former stripper turned marketing executive, admitted that her decision to participate was somewhat “uncomfortable” for her son, even though he fully supported her.
Barby stated, “He’s very supportive of what I’m doing… but he doesn’t want to be on camera… and then Mom keeps appearing rampantly on national television.”
The reality star admitted that the feelings were born from her fear of facing harsh criticism for participating in the show.
‘I thought maybe people wouldn’t judge me too harshly. With a little luck.
‘But I also like the fact that it increased our odds because there were six of us and ten men. Honestly, I was impressed with the parents’ initial inspection.’
Barby joked: “They’re very handsome.” They are so refined. And I think, as women our age, having an older man who is refined is a very important thing, it’s attractive.”
The other MILFs (an abbreviation for ‘mother I’d like to fuck’) who participated also included a 51-year-old twice-divorced woman, a 48-year-old makeup artist who recently lost her son, and a 59-year-old woman. Pilates instructor for one year.
The show sees the women taking part in a series of activities with young people and their parents to win dates with their favourites.
Explaining why she chose to participate in the series, Lannette stated, “I was looking for a unique opportunity to find love because traditional ways haven’t worked for me.”
Lannette confirmed that her son has so far decided not to watch the show.
Viewers in the US can watch MILF Manor 2 on TLC, while viewers in the UK and Ireland can stream it on Discovery+.
Reflecting on what they learned from the experience, Barby said, “That I still need therapy… A lot.”
Lannette added, “I have learned that I am still on my healing journey and that I have a long way to go.”
Barby then said: ‘What I also learn is that you’re not over the hill after 40. I never thought I’d be on this journey at 46 and life is still better, more interesting and more fun.
‘I learned that there is a different chapter all the time. And we are in our Golden Girls era. I mean that in the best way possible.’
Viewers in the US can watch MILF Manor 2 on TLC, while viewers in the UK and Ireland can stream it on Discovery+.