Instagram For once and for all, age is only a number on Siesta Key!
When it comes to 27-year-old Madisson Hausburg's relationship with Ish Soto, 47, some viewers can't seem to get past the couple's 20-year age difference. Even after the reality star revealed on the season three reunion that she was engaged to her former producer, the critics couldn't stop asking questions.
But as a brand-new season kicks off Wednesday, May 12, Madisson continues to have the support of her co-stars who make it clear that this love story is worth celebrating.
"I just wish that people would be more open minded to it," Kelsey Owens exclusively shared with E! News. "Right off the bat, everyone was very judgmental and didn't give Madisson a chance to explain everything and didn't get to know Ish for what he is. Overtime, I've seen them one on one and the way he loves her is amazing. It's 100 percent real and I love seeing how happy she is."
If you ask co-star Juliette Porter, Madisson shouldn't have to spend any of her time responding to the critics. Instead, there is a wedding to plan and a promising future to look forward to.
"At this point in Madisson's life, people need to respect that she loves Ish and he loves her and that's what's going to happen so they should focus on other things other than the age difference," she argued. "I think age is just a number and if someone wants to be with someone, allow that to happen."
According to Madisson, this season will feature the couple attempting to plan their dream wedding. At the same time, there are other hurdles they must face head on as they tackle the next step of their relationship.
"There are other issues that aren't related to age, but because of this huge cloud of age difference, I feel like I can't bring up these other issues or people will go, ‘Oh, well you're not meant to be anyway,'" she explained. "Anyone else who has a boyfriend their own age can bring up all these issues and fight and they don't give us that chance."
The MTV reality star continued, "It is something in the back of my mind that I'm going to think about forever and I have to deal with it…I discovered this season if I open up about it, I have a lot more support than I realize. I always thought everyone was against my relationship so I pushed away to just this bubble with Ish."
Ultimately, Madisson and Ish's love story isn't the only romance taking center stage this season. Keep scrolling for an update on your favorite cast members' love lives before new episodes begin.
In season one and two, fans watched Juliette and Alex Kompothecras' roller coaster romance. But when kicking off season three, the college graduate has her eyes on Bachelor in Paradise star Robby Hayes. After the couple split, Juliette got another chance at love with Sam Logan. Ultimately, the pair broke up while season four.
In March 2022, Juliette confirmed she is happily dating Clark Drum. "He's calm, he doesn't have a huge ego, he supports me," she told E! News. "It's a give-and-take relationship. It's not just constantly me giving and I'm just happy and I feel like I'm at peace. I'm in a relationship that isn't taking something from me anymore."
Siesta Key's bad boy made some serious headlines in season three. The law school student recently welcomed his first child with girlfriend Alyssa Salerno. But before becoming a dad, Alex had to face the consequences of cheating on Alyssa with his ex Juliette Porter.
After not finding love in Bachelor Nation with Amanda Stanton and JoJo Fletcher, the Bachelor in Paradise alumna headed to Siesta Key where he dated Juliette Porter. Spoiler alert: She did not accept his final rose.
In March 2022, a source confirmed to E! News that Robby was dating Sarah Alkhoury.
This original cast member and lifestyle blogger chose to keep her romantic relationships on the private side. In the summer of 2021, however, Chloe confirmed on Instagram she was dating Christopher Long. In November of that same year, the couple announced their engagement and later got married in February 2022.
"He is the nicest, most genuine, real person you would ever meet," Chloe told E! News in March 2022. "I don't think there's one moment on the show where I would be nervous for anyone to see anything he did or said."
The supermodel started off season three single and ready to mingle. After a brief reconciliation with Garrett Miller, Kelsey revealed during the reunion that she has a new boyfriend named Max Strong. "Max and I have been dating for a minute now," she told E! News in May 2021. "He's more of a laid back person. When it comes to the show, he definitely likes to take a back seat. It's definitely not his world. He's opened up to it for me, so it's been great to have his support."
While fans rooted for Brandon and Madisson Hausburg to work out, both parties moved on after season two. The music artist had his eyes on Amanda Marie Miller. But once she started hanging with her ex, Brandon reconnected with Camilla. At the season three reunion, Brandon confessed to being unfaithful and having a kid.
After things didn't work out with Brandon Gomes, Madisson started season three off with a new love interest. "I'm dating our producer Ish. Do you remember him from season one?" she revealed to Chloe Trautman in the season three premiere. At the season three reunion, the aspiring actress revealed she was engaged and beginning to plan a wedding.
In October 2021, the couple would get married in Florida.
The fitness instructor started off season three hopeful that he could build his relationship with Cara Geswelli. Unfortunately, they ended things off on a rocky note. Later on in the season, Garrett gave things another chance with Kelsey Owens before things fizzled out. In season four, Garrett was happily dating Makenna Quesenberry. On Thanksgiving 2021, the couple announced their engagement.
While Cara started season three off by continuing to date Garrett Miller, their current relationship status is over. In fact, she made a dramatic exit from the MTV series halfway through the season. When season four returned in March 2022, she was dating Michael Wheary.
In season three of Siesta Key, Amanda and Brandon Gomes developed a fling in front of the cameras. There's just one problem: Cara's ex JJ Mizell entered the picture and complicated the situation. In season four, she briefly found love with Tate Sweatt️️️️️.
In season three, Jared continued to have his eyes on Kelsey Owens. To bad a visit from his ex-wife threw a curveball in his plans.
Siesta Key kicks off a new season Wednesday, May 12 at 8 p.m. only on MTV.