It didn't take long for the internet to come for Vanessa Papa.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love couples have just been introduced, and now that the season officially kicked off on Wednesday, May 24, fans have found pairs to root for...and other cast members to pick apart.
Vanessa, our outspoken wildcard, seems to have been pegged as the mean girl of the season, though we're only four episodes in. Everyone watching is starting to think back to Irina Solomonova and Micah Lussier's bad behavior in Love Is Blind season 4. Are you sensing the similarity? Twitter certainly has caught on!
So, what's happening, exactly, with Vanessa Papa? We'll break it down.
Who is Vanessa Papa from 'The Ultimatum: Queer Love'?
Vanessa Papa and her long-term girlfriend, Xander Boger, originally met through their high school boyfriends. Slowly, as their sexual identities began to shift, they gravitated toward one another. They've been together for several years, and Xander is ready to take the plunge—ready for marriage and kids.
Given that Vanessa, an influencer based in California, is a free spirit who claimed to not want marriage with anyone, Xander included, she was issued an ultimatum. She's not fazed by the challenge and even looks forward to meeting new people, seemingly while Xander suffers through the process.
Then, in a pleasant surprise to viewers, Xander actually finds herself compatible with Yoly Rojas, and seemingly giddy over their trial marriage. Though Vanessa had no problem mixing and mingling, she's positively infuriated when Xander finds another match and goes as far as to curse at her girlfriend under her breath while the whole cast is meeting with host JoAnna Garcia Swisher—something she's called out for by her peers.
Plus, tensions are particularly high between the two. Vanessa's not pleased that her girlfriend did not immediately come to her defense when the group first met. Upon the meet and greet, Vanessa had asked everyone who their number one pick was, annoying the cast with the insensitive question.
What happened between Vanessa Papa and Lexi Goldberg?
Vanessa originally hits it off with Lexi Goldberg, who issued an ultimatum to her girlfriend, Rae Chung. The two are laughing and enjoying one another's company, but given how serious Lexi is about marriage and settling down, everyone's on edge about her connection with Vanessa.
Then, on their final date together, things take a horrific turn—to the point of no return. When Vanessa reveals that she's not really interested in settling down, Lexi senses she's on the show for fame rather than love and isn't open to taking the experiment seriously. She goes from being smitten to referring to Vanessa as Voldemort. (Ouch!)
Then, seemingly out of spite, Vanessa opts to pair off with Rae, Lexi's girlfriend. Rae is definitely on edge but decides not to let everyone's opinion stand in her way. Was that a mistake?
We still have several weeks to go before we learn how things play out between the couples. Will Vanessa find a new appreciation for Xander, or will she opt for Rae? Considering the other women are hesitant to get too close to her, is it possible she leaves the experiment solo? Are we judging her before giving her time to redeem herself?
Fans react to Vanessa Papa from 'The Ultimatum':
Its giving same energy#TheUltimatum #TheUltimatumQueerLove pic.twitter.com/8GhhCdUo9XMay 24, 2023
Tell me y’all see it. If not by appearance, then by personality. #theultimatum #uql #theultimatumqueerlove pic.twitter.com/9YoFbhz3kTMay 24, 2023
All the women turning on Vanessa at the choice ceremony. #TheUltimatum pic.twitter.com/coWvm2Fj1PMay 25, 2023
Vamessa: *says something out of pocket Rae: #TheUltimatum #TheUltimatumQueerLove pic.twitter.com/VxUpw3Req5May 25, 2023
Watching #TheUltimatum and Vanessa’s energy is just so…off putting? Idk how else to describe it lolMay 25, 2023
I cannot with Vamessa sitting there like the joker with a Cheshire Cat grin, like, read the room, woman’s a straight up psychopath. #TheUltimatum #TheUltimatumQueerLove pic.twitter.com/OiD5CMjCLiMay 25, 2023
Xander deserves SO much more than Vanessa. She’s toxic as hell. #TheUltimatumMay 24, 2023
The Ultimatum: Queer Love released its first four episodes on Wednesday, May 24 on Netflix. Subsequent episodes will hit the streamer on Wednesdays through June 7.
