As soon as the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority enthusiast Pari appeared on Love on the Spectrum to find her “Princess Charming”, we all fell in love with her.
Sure, all the stories of finding romance on the reality dating series are like an endearingly warm blanket in a time of turmoil, but Pari’s hits different. She has such a contagious positive outlook on life as she goes on her “T-ventures” (T is the nickname Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) with her Railfans — what she calls her group of fellow train enthusiasts.
In season 3 of Love on the Spectrum Pari explores her queerness confidently and lives her life in the most authentic way possible — and unapologetically. We also get to go on a journey with her as we see her romance with Tina flourish… and we even get to see their first kiss!
Read our interview with Pari as she talks about her relationship with Tina, where she gets her confidence from and how it feels representing the autistic and LGBTQ community on Love on the Spectrum.
How have things been with you and Tina since your episodes of Love on the Spectrum premiered?
Things have been going well with Tina and I since our episodes of Love on the Spectrum premiered. We are still together, and our love for each other is still burning bright and strong!
Have you and/or Tina met any of the other folks from the other episodes?
I don’t believe Tina has, but I know I have met all the main participants from this season back during the premiere of season 3 in Hollywood!
What have you learned about yourself by being on the show?
I have learned that I truly love dating girls and women, and it just feels right for me. I am very confident and open about my sexual orientation and am unapologetically queer and autistic!
What do you hope other people learn from the show?
I hope that other people learn that autism truly is a beautiful, diverse spectrum and that we all have our own stories to tell and share with the world. I hope they realize that we can shatter stereotypes and live successful and fulfilling lives, achieving our dreams despite our disability.
What have been some memorable fan reactions?
I find it so adorable when fans DM or comment on my Instagram and TikTok saying things like, “I want to ride the T with you, Pari!” or that their goal is to ride it just so they can meet me! That warms my heart so much!
There is one specific TikTok video where a lady wakes up and says, “Pari started following me! I could cry! She’s liking the videos, and she’s liking the comments! Oh my GODDD!” In the background, what sounds like either her partner or friend responds to her and says, “That’s amazing, babe!” I can’t stop watching that video on repeat. It makes me smile so much everytime I see it!
The fact that people get so excited when I follow or engage with their content on social media as if someone huge like Taylor Swift followed them makes me so flattered that they look up to me like that! I love that their life feels complete and that I am one of their idols and heroes!
What does it mean for you to be representing the LGBTQ community on a show like Love on the Spectrum?
It means so much to me that I get to represent the LGBTQ community on a show like this! I feel like queer positive representation is still very underrepresented and often hard to find within mainstream media and entertainment, so I truly hope my story will inspire others in the LGBTQ community to feel seen and heard and help them feel less afraid to be their true selves.
Where do you get your confidence from?
I get a lot of my confidence from just accepting who I am and being my positive, quirky, happy self. I know there’s haters and bullies, but I have to stay strong and just block them out because there’s always going to be so much more love and support than hate.
What advice do you have for young queer people who are struggling with their confidence during these tough times when LGBTQ rights are being attacked?
I want them to know that it’s okay to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, or any other identity under the LGBTQ umbrella. There is nothing wrong with who you are, and if some people can’t accept you for who you are or bully and harass you about it, then they aren’t worth your time and energy. Block those haters because they are just unhappy people who like to bring others down because they are miserable inside and don’t want to see you succeed, but defy your gravity and continue to shine and succeed anyway!
Love on the Spectrum is available on Netflix now.
