DEAR NATALIE: My sister’s fiancé is constantly asking me to give him advice on his relationship. I helped him pick out the ring, plan the engagement party and decide where they should honeymoon after the wedding. He even asks me questions about their sex life. I feel like sometimes he oversteps the line. I know he means well and really cares about her, but I don’t feel as though I should be as intimately involved in their relationship as I am. I am afraid to say anything to him for fear he will stop sharing with me. I don’t want to cut off communication, but I certainly don’t need to know about their bedroom problems, especially when she doesn’t even share that with me. What should I do? – I KNOW TOO MUCH

DEAR I KNOW TOO MUCH: This is too close for comfort. If he is having bedroom problems, he needs to address those with his fiancé and certainly not with you. The next time that he brings up intimacy issues, shut it down. Let him know that while you appreciate his desire to ask for support, you simply don’t feel comfortable being in the middle of something so personal. If he can’t handle that, then let him know you will tell your sister to join in the conversation so that she can hear from him directly. Maybe he finds it secretly titillating to share that information with you – which is gross. Maybe he genuinely is clueless about what to do. Either way, he should redirect those questions to her. If he can’t communicate with her now, then how will he ever be able to build a future with her? Open and honest communication isn’t always easy, but it is necessary if you want a relationship to go the distance. Remind him of this and tell him these boundaries are in everyone’s best interest. 

DEAR NATALIE: I read your recent advice about the bad date with a food influencer and need to share what I’ve been going through. My partner makes relationship content online and every time we have an argument, he posts about it as a “lesson for followers.” One time, I caught him recording me in the middle of an argument and realized he was live streaming. I don’t want to be a part of his ‘brand’ and find the whole thing to be gross. I love him but every time I tell him that this makes me uncomfortable, he reminds me that this issue is a “me” problem and not a “we” problem. What do I do with that? – ASKING FOR ADVICE 

DEAR ASKING FOR ADVICE: I don’t have the patience for people like this. Dump him. The idea that he would exploit you in your worst moments to build a following is a new level of disgusting. I wouldn’t be surprised if he baits you so he can start a fight and then use it for content. This is a giant red flag all the way around. Run – don’t walk – as fast as you can away from this man. Your partner should be your safe space and never a reason to have to look over your shoulder. 

Send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga:

asknatalieadvice@gmail.com.

Watch her NEW show with WQED: “Destination with Natalie Bencivenga” now streaming on YouTube.

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DEAR NATALIE: My fiancé has been spending a bit too much time with AI lately. He talks about this bot as if it is a real woman. He brings it up in conversation and asks me what I think of things it said. I actually caught him laughing the other day and said, “What is so funny?” His reply? “Oh, Lila (I changed its name) said something funny.” I told him that Lila wasn’t real. We got into a big argument. He said “she” listens better than I do. I have no idea what I am supposed to do. We are getting married next spring and if this bot keeps taking my place, then what am I here for? I told him that he needs therapy. He won’t go. Does he even care if I stay or leave? –CHEATING WITH A BOT

DEAR CHEATING WITH A BOT: Between this and the letters I receive about men’s porn addiction, it seems as though the internet is ruining romance and meaningful relationships. Lila isn’t fulfilling your fiancé’s emotional needs. Lila is reflecting back whatever he wants to hear so that he will keep engaging with it. It sounds as though you are trying to intervene, but what he needs is a harsh wake-up call. I would tell him that unless he wants to end up alone, he needs to cool it with the AI. If he can’t do that, you should call off the wedding. Normally, I am not one for ultimatums, but this is absolutely ridiculous. “Lila” won’t keep his bed warm at night or be there to lean on when he’s having a bad day, or belly laugh with him over his favorite comfort shows. It has its place for when some people may feel lonely, but it should not replace meaningful and complex human relationships. If he can’t handle a real person, you need to move on. 

DEAR NATALIE: I went on a date with someone I thought was just an overzealous “foodie” but he turned out to be an “influencer” who has a large Instagram following. The entire dinner was so embarrassing. He took me to a great restaurant, but proceeded to bring a ring light and asked me to help him film while we ate. I started making jokes about the absurdity of dating in 2025. He became offended and told me how this is his livelihood. But I had no idea that I was walking in on a date that was actually a content session. He wants to go out again after I apologized but I’m not sure. He seems nice but I don’t think I’m made for this kind of stuff. What should I do? Free meals are a definite perk, I will admit! –HUNGRY FOR LOVE

DEAR HUNGRY FOR LOVE: It sounds as though you were not expecting dinner AND a show. But I am also picking up that you seemed to have a little fun – maybe? He should have warned you that he was going to film content. Actually, he should not have done that at all on the date. I wonder if he did it in order to get the free meal because it was a first date? Perhaps he thought if the date’s a bust, at least money wasn’t wasted. Who knows. Clearly, you need to have a conversation and set up some healthy boundaries for next time. He shouldn’t be taking women out on “dates” that are just excuses for getting content for his reels. It’s not a good look, to say the least. If he won’t budge on this point, then try doing something other than going out to dinner to see if there is actual chemistry. You need a walk and talk to figure this out before you bother investing any more time into this situation.

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to

asknatalieadvice@gmail.com.

Watch her NEW show with WQED: “Destination with Natalie” Bencivenga now streaming on YouTube.

Watch her video series with Pennsylvania Capital Star, Week in Focus: www.penncapital-star.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram and TikTok @NatalieBencivenga

Subscribe to her newsletter on Substack: @nataliebefactsoverfear

DEAR NATALIE: I just learned that my aunt (who is in her mid-40s) has a popular OnlyFans account. I found out because my boyfriend has one and he saw my aunt. Now we are both freaked out. Isn’t she too old to be doing something like this? Should I tell her that I know? Should I tell my mom that her sister is making money from OnlyFans? I’m not sure what to do. I think the whole thing is really weird.

– NOT A FAN

DEAR NOT A FAN: The first thing I wanted to know when I read your letter was, why does your boyfriend have an account? Does that concern you? And as far as your aunt goes, stay out of her business – and her account. She’s old enough to do as she pleases. Your mom doesn’t need to know any of this, either. Then again, who knows? Maybe your aunt already told her, and if so, that’s between them. The real question is: Are you old enough to accept her choices or are you still in that stage of life where you think policing other people’s lives gives you a sense of superiority? 

DEAR NATALIE: My mom has been following me on TikTok recently and she didn’t realize that a lot of my content is about difficult mother-daughter relationships. I pull from my experiences with her and have grown quite a following. We haven’t had a great relationship for a long time, but now it is getting worse because she keeps going on my posts and “defending” herself. Should I talk to her about this? Whenever we see each other in person, she never brings it up. Should I block her? Not sure what to do but it proves my point of needing therapy. – MAYBE BLOCK MOM

DEAR MAYBE BLOCK MOM: I don’t know exactly what is going on between you and your mom, but if she has resorted to leaving messages on your videos, then clearly there are things that have been left unsaid between you. I would block her because it is obvious that you don’t want her looking at what you post. But you do need to talk to her about the fact that you know she has been leaving comments on your posts and that you want to clear the air about that. Expect her to be defensive about it (wouldn’t you be?) but also set clear boundaries. A fresh start is always possible, but she has to be willing to do her part, as well. If she becomes verbally abusive, you can always end the conversation. I hope in time you are both able to find some sense of peace with where your relationship lands.   

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to

asknatalieadvice@gmail.com. S

ubscribe to her newsletter on Substack: @FactsOverFearnatalieb

Watch her NEW show with WQED: “Destination with Natalie” Bencivenga now streaming on YouTube.

Watch her video series with Pennsylvania Capital-Star, “Week in Focus”: www.penncapital-star.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram and TikTok @NatalieBencivenga