Love on the Spectrum‘s defended herself against critics who had negative things to say about her bringing up intimacy needs to ex-boyfriend on their first date.

“I’ve seen the comments, the reactions, and yes, even the memes. I hear you,” Dani, 30, said in a Thursday, April 17, TikTok video. “Some of you were confused or upset that I brought up intimacy on a first date, and honestly, I get why it might have seemed like a lot. But here’s the truth. It wasn’t about jumping into something right away.”

The DaniMation founder explained that she waited to be intimate with Adan, 27, for “over a year,” and she would have “kept waiting if [she] felt like there was still hope.”

“As someone on the autism spectrum, I’ve learned to be direct about what matters to me. That sometimes means diving into deeper topics earlier than most,” Dani explained. “I’m still learning how to say things the right way, but one thing I’ve always been is real. I don’t play games or pretend to be someone I’m not. I’ve worked hard to be proud of who I am.”

Dani informed her followers that a lot of people on the autism spectrum identify as asexual. Although she respects that decision for others, that is not what she’s looking for in a romantic partner.

“I didn’t bring it up to pressure anyone. I brought it up because I care, because I value communication, and I know how confusing things can get when people aren’t clear about their intentions,” the Netflix star continued. “I’ll be honest, I’m still learning how to say these things in the best way, and yeah, sometimes I don’t get it perfect, but I’m trying because I want to build real, meaningful relationships, build on love, respect and honesty.”

Dani concluded her message by sharing that she values honesty in a relationship and admitted she “missed some of [Adan’s] cues” about not wanting to have premarital sex.

“That’s on me. I take responsibility for that. Later in the conversation, when he said intimacy was OK with consent and protection, I truly thought we were on the same page,” she said. “Not because I expected anything to happen right away, but because I wanted clarity from the start.”

Dani and Adan met during a speed dating event on Love on the Spectrum season 1 and started dating the following season. The topic of intimacy was the biggest roadblock in their relationship because Adan strictly follows his religious beliefs, while Dani made it clear that it is her love language.

The couple couldn’t overcome the hurdle, leading Adan to break up with Dani during season 3.

“I didn’t break up with Adan,” Dani told Netflix’s Tudum in April. “He broke up with me. Or at least, that’s how it felt. Because for a year and a half, he let me believe we were on the same page, that we were building something real together. And then, just like that, he pulled the rug out from under me.”

Adan, for his part, told the outlet that “believing in God has been [his] strength” while being “ridiculed” and “picked on” as he grew up on the spectrum. Despite his split from Dani, Adan has “learned that love is magical and beautiful.”

“I am confident that I will meet other girls that I can date and build a strong and honest relationship with,” the public safety officer continued. “I do want to find love again. It happened once, it will happen again.”

While navigating the breakup, Dani crossed paths with a detective named , who respectfully pursued her. The two started dating in October 2024 and are still dating as of publication.