‘Before the 90 Days’: Cortney Reardanz Reveals Advice She Gave Newbie Elise Benson

Rebecca Perlmutter •February 21, 2026, 3:00 pm
Elise Benson and Cortney Reardanz 90 Day: Hunt for Love
TLC

What To Know

  • Cortney Reardanz and Elise Benson met on Season 1 of 90 Day: Hunt for Love.
  • Elise is returning to the franchise with her long-distance boyfriend on Season 8 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days.
  • Cortney revealed to Swooon what advice she gave Elise before the season.

After a whirlwind summer at a TLC singles retreat, 90 Day Fiancé stars Cortney Reardanz and Elise Benson are bonded for life. Now that Elise is finally appearing on Season 8 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Cortney revealed to Swooon what advice she gave to her 90 Day bestie ahead of her season.

While Cortney and Elise met on 90 Day: Hunt for Love, Cortney made her first appearance in the franchise back in 2017 on Season 1 of Before the 90 Days. While she’s currently exploring her connection with fellow alum Colt Johnson on 90 Day: The Single Life, Cortney revealed that she looked back at her relationship with Antonio Millón to warn Elise about what might be in store.

“I was like, you’re probably gonna fall in love because you’re going to another country, you’re fully dependent on this person,” Cortney explained. This season, Elise is traveling to meet her boyfriend, Joshua Lawson, for the first time in his home country of Australia. They are the last couple to join the season’s cast, which includes fan-favorite couples like Forrest and Sheena, as well as Lisa and Daniel.

Elise Benson on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days

TLC

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“It’s hard to explain to somebody who hasn’t gone through it,” Cortney confessed. According to the Season 1 alum, Elise told her, “Yeah, I’m probably gonna fall in love with this guy. He’s so hot.” Cortney’s advice? “Just make sure he’s not homeless, and he has a job.”

Looking back at her time on the show, Cortney explained, “I did [Before the 90 Days] almost 10 years ago, so I wasn’t prepared for social media. Even within the past 10 years, social media has changed so much. The fan base can be kind of harsh sometimes or super judgy. I think she experienced a lot of that from Hunt for Love.”

Now that Elise is leading her own love story in the franchise, Cortney told her, “Now is your time to shine, and everybody can meet your family and friends and see the real you.”

90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Season 8, Sundays at 8/7c, TLC