David Bettenburg

Overview

David Bettenburg, called Dave on Love Is Blind, joined the show’s Minneapolis cast for Season 8. He dated both Lauren O’Brien and Molly Mullaney during the pods phase before choosing to become engaged to O’Brien. Their relationship continued after they first met face-to-face, but ended before the weddings. The season therefore followed an engagement that did not reach an altar decision, rather than a marriage later ended after filming.

Netflix’s cast guide introduced Bettenburg as a medical device sales professional working in the aesthetics field. Although that work involved appearance, he said he wanted to look past superficial attraction when choosing a partner. His introduction also described a busy social life and a close family, including holiday gatherings with a large group of cousins. He hoped to find someone who could share that energy while also bringing a different perspective.

In the pods, his humor was an important part of how he connected with dates. Netflix’s account of the courtship described O’Brien responding to a softer side beneath his sarcasm. At the same time, he recognized similarities with Mullaney and took time to decide between those connections. His eventual proposal followed that period of uncertainty, making the choice between two promising relationships a central element of his early story on the show.

After the reunion, Bettenburg spoke to Netflix about wanting closure and reflecting on how he had handled the engagement. He described taking responsibility for not standing beside O’Brien and considering what he wanted from a future relationship. Fellow participant Ben Mezzenga also named him as an important friend and source of support after filming. These interviews add the perspective of the cast’s continuing friendships to the romantic storyline viewers saw during the season.

Sources: Netflix’s cast guide; Cosmopolitan’s cast guide; Netflix’s post-season interviews.

Television

2025 · Love Is Blind — Season 8 participant