5 Things to Know About TLC’s ’90 Day: Hunt for Love’ Breakout Star Elise Benson

Elise Benson burst onto the reality dating show scene with TLC’s 90 Day: Hunt for Love when it premiered in May — and she’s already made quite an impression!

In the all-new 90 Day Fiancé spinoff, singles and former TLC cast members — including Rob Warne, Colt Johnson, Cortney Reardanz, Tim Malcolm, Jeniffer Tarazona and Usman Umar — meet up at a luxurious resort in Mexico on their search for true love.

Though sparks immediately flew — and, eventually, fizzled — between Benson and Warne, she exclusively tells Star there’s so much more to her than what’s been shown on TV.

Here are just a few things you should know about the breakout 90 Day: Hunt for Love star.

Her Family Inspired Her to Find Love

Benson told Star that watching her parents – who have been “happily married” for 45 years after first meeting on a blind date – has pushed her on her own quest for love.

Along with her parents, she also credits her older brother, who is married and “has a little girl, with another baby on the way,” for giving her “so much hope” and inspiring her to “find the right person” and “have a family of my own someday.”

“I truly believe there’s someone out there for me and [I] want to be a mom more than anything,” Benson — who was previously engaged three times — said.

She’s Peaceful in Real Life

Behind closed doors, Benson shared that she’s much more “calm, relaxed and grounded” than she appeared to be in early episodes of the show.

“I get nervous and insecure in new situations, so sometimes I act louder or more outspoken than I actually feel inside,” she shared. “Once people get to know me, they see that there’s a lot more depth and vulnerability beneath the surface.”

As her 90 Day journey progresses, Benson would love for people to see her “caring, nurturing side” and her “true team-player spirit” — but there’s only so much time in one-hour episodes.

She Donates Her Time to Causes She’s Passionate About

Benson — who is from Massachusetts and now lives in Florida — also revealed that she loves giving “back to my community” in her spare time, especially when it comes to working with children.

“I was a coach for the Special Olympics, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” she revealed. “I absolutely love volunteering and giving my time because I feel incredibly fortunate and lucky, and it means a lot to be able to make a difference.”

She Doesn’t Like Being Described as ‘Wild’

Benson’s strong personality has shone through in the show — earning her praise from some, and criticism from others – but she doesn’t think it’d be “fair” to be labeled as “simply wild.”

“Often, that’s just the easiest way for people to describe a woman who has a strong, confident personality and isn’t afraid to speak her mind,” she explained. “There’s so much more depth and intention behind my actions than what that label suggests.”

‘90 Day: Hunt for Love’ Allowed Her to Self-Reflect

Benson described her time on the show as an “amazing experience” that taught her “so much about” herself and helped her to “grow in ways I didn’t see coming.”

“I learned how to let my guard down, how to communicate more openly and what I truly want – and don’t want – in a partner,” she said. “It gave me a lot of clarity around the kind of relationship I’m looking for and the values that really matter to me.”

“Most importantly, it helped me become more in tune with myself,” she added, “and what I need to feel loved, respected, and secure.”

Catch 90 Day: Hunt for Love on Mondays on TLC or watch it streaming on Discovery+ or HBO Max.