Vanessa Lachey has issued a plea to her followers amid criticism from Love Is Blind viewers about the live reunion episode.
Taking to Instagram, the NCIS actress, who hosts the Netflix dating show alongside her husband Nick Lachey, encouraged fans to "keep in mind" that "words have weight" and that "mental health should always be treated with respect".
In a post celebrating the end of filming for season four, Vanessa shared a photo from behind the scenes of the reunion episode, which was originally due to air on Sunday but was delayed due to technical difficulties.
She wrote in the caption: "Season 4 @loveisblindnetflix REUNION, That's A Wrap! For those of you who got to see it LIVE, Thank you for watching and those that didn't… it will be up by noon tomorrow!"
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She continued: "I want to take a moment, on this platform, to acknowledge the intense vulnerability that goes into our show (each season). I'm so proud of this cast and their willingness to put themselves out there. It wasn’t easy and this has been a LONG process to get to the reunion. Please keep in mind online (and in life) that 'words have weight'.
"What you say to someone you don't know (and don't know the whole story to) can have a lasting affect on them… in many different ways. Mental health should always be treated with respect. There's always help. @officialwondermind."
Ending the caption, she wrote: "Now let's show some Love to our three beautiful married couples and our four incredible singles ready to take on their next chapter. #LoveIsBlind #Seattle."
Vanessa's post comes after the star and her husband received criticism from viewers for their hosting style, with some calling them "awkward" and saying they were "picking sides" with the contestants.
Some viewers also took issue with Vanessa's line of questioning in the reunion episode, asking her to "stop" quizzing the cast about when she could expect the first "Love Is Blind baby".
Other fans rushed to the couple's defense, with one person tweeting: "Vanessa and Nick Lachey are such good hosts, they love the drama," while another added: "Nick and Vanessa were awesome as hosts!!! Love them as a couple and admire them."
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