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Meet Patti Stanger's New Assistants!
Marisa Saks, David Cruz, and Justin Bird dish on love, matchmaking and their guilty pleasures.
When The Millionaire Matchmaker premieres tonight, Patti Stanger introduces us to her three new assistants. But what do they do when they aren't helping single people find love? Read on to find out who was a star baseball player, who's obsessed with crafting...and who one was once set up by Patti herself.
Marisa's not only a matchmaker, she was also a client.
Although she's mum on the current details of her love life, she was once set-up by Patti. "My grandma found an article in Allure magazine and showed my mom. She then called and spoke with Patti and it's all history from there."
Before matchmaking, figure skating was her passion.
"I had all my little rhinestone skating outfits, pink and purple skating guards with my name engraved in them - gloves, headpieces, hairbands," says the Ohio native. "Once I was skating so hard I ended up slicing my hand open on the toe pick of someone's ice skate blade. It was a bloody mess, ambulance, butterfly stitches, the works. I still have a faint scar on my left hand as a memoir of these days."
She studied Drama.
"I did a lot of print work and commercials growing up," Marisa tells the Dish. "I have always been in love with creative arts." Although she's got a steady gig with Patti these days, she sometimes considers what life would be like if she took more traditional route, maybe accounting? "At times I think, too bad I don't just love math. Everything would have probably been way easier. Not as exciting, but easier.
She loves to cuddle... with her dogs.
Marisa considered a career in veterinary medicine and now fosters rescue animals. She says dogs provide unconditional love and "no attitude or drama. Only cuddles and kisses." In fact she loves cuddling with her dogs so much that she admits, "I'm that girl that will sleep in the garage doggie bed with the dog if need be. Yes, that actually happened," she tells The Dish as she cuddled at home with her 12-year-old Rottweiler Bella.
She can't function without exercise.
"I'm addicted to spin class for the endorphin release," says Marisa. "I have to do something active to work up a sweat. Sometimes even something as simple as a 15 minute run outside just to free my mind."
Click to read about David Cruz and Justin Bird
David's the only new assistant in a long-term relationship and marriage is in the cards.
"Jonathan is the greatest thing to ever happen to my life!," he tells The Dish of his two year relationship. "One day he and I would love to get married. We both know that we are headed in that direction but there is no rush. We're working on getting a dog together - that will be the ultimate test. So if you see me with a dog one day, then I would keep an eye out for the ring!"
Growing up in Guam, he dreamed about being a "California Boy."
But now David, who moved to The Golden State after high school, misses the slower pace of home. "Now that I am an adult, I have a deep sense of wanting to reconnect with my roots," says David. "I hope that soon I can take a vacation and spend some time back on the island."
He has the "biggest sweet tooth in the world!"
"Next to being a Romance enthusiast - I consider myself a 'Baked Good Enthusiast!'" David confesses, "If you gave me the choice of a day at Magnolia Bakery or a day at the spa...I'd pick the bakery."
He's an avid crafter.
"I love creating things!" says David who bonds with his boyfriend over their shared hobby."He makes t-shirts and I make greeting cards and decorations. The holidays are always a fun time at our house. We get a bit out of control."
He was once on the show as a dater, and it changed his life.
"I absolutely think that appearing on Matchmaker was a defining moment of my life," David tells The Dish. "After the show, I was stopped by so many people who wanted to talk about relationships - sharing their most intimate challenges and experiences. There were some people who just had it all wrong. That's when I knew that I had to start taking matters into my own hands- and actually start setting people up!"
Click to read all about Justin Bird.
Baseball was his first love.
"My baseball career started at the age of 6," says Justin. "My dad played professional baseball for the Reds and Cardinals organization so it was in my DNA. I received a scholarship to go play baseball at Concordia University Irvine. More than anything I miss the competition aspect as well as the camaraderie among my teammates. It was a very special time in my life I will never forget."
He's already proven his matchmaking skills.
Although he's new to the profession, Justin's always enjoyed helping others find love. "It all started in high school where I took a liking to it after a few of my friends linked up together and stayed together. The first couple I set up was my friend Brett with a girl named Jamie. They tied the knot this year."
He's a jet-setter.
"I love to travel internationally and nationally," says Justin. "Anytime I have the chance to visit a new city or revisit an old city I take the opportunity. It’s enjoyable to immerse yourself in the culture, food, and lifestyle of different countries.
He won't rest until he finds the perfect Bloody Mary.
"They're one of my guilty pleasures," says Justin. "I'm still in search for the best around. I’ve tried many around the states. I just cant seem to get enough.
He's a country boy at heart.
Although he loves to bodysurf and hike, the life-long Californian shares, "I love country music, country concerts, southern food, southern women, fishing, boots, flannels, hats. I like it all."
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