Ariana Biermann and Liam Obergfoll confirmed they are not dating.
The “Next Gen: NYC” stars set the record straight Tuesday night at the outlet’s second-annual “Virtual Reali-Tea” Awards, where Biermann, 24, walked the carpet alongside Obergfoll, 29, and castmate Shai Fruchter. “We are not dating,” Biermann told reporters at the Edison Ballroom event, though she made clear she enjoys the fan enthusiasm around the pair.
“I love that, I think it’s very sweet. Liam’s an incredible guy and I’ve always said that. It’s been awesome,” she said. Obergfoll, standing close by, echoed the sentiment. “I love the support,” he added. “I’m a fan of her.”
The actor spent the evening cheering on Biermann as she took home the “Breakout Star” award, staying by her side throughout the show sponsored by Tri-State Cadillac, CoverGirl, Philo and Kahlúa.
Their close friendship first sparked romance rumors after they met at co-star Emira D’Spain’s birthday party early in Season 2. Biermann was newly single at the time, having recently ended her nearly nine-year relationship with Hudson McLeroy. She and Obergfoll began going on dates, and he even helped her move into her new apartment.
The connection deepened during a cast ski trip when Obergfoll confessed his love for Biermann and introduced her to his family. But before anything could become official, their castmate Charlie Zakkour intervened. Zakkour, 31, had harbored feelings for Biermann since Season 1 and began pursuing her just as she and Obergfoll were getting close.
Biermann found herself caught between the two men and ultimately stepped back from Obergfoll to explore things with Zakkour. The two hooked up in the Season 2 finale, though the fling quickly fizzled. By the reunion, Biermann and Zakkour were on bad terms.
On Tuesday, Biermann addressed where things stand with the crypto trader. “We’re in a fine place, but there’s definitely some tension from me and I’m a little bit irritated by his comments, yet again,” she said.
She also accused Zakkour of deliberately making negative remarks about her in what appeared to be a hot-mic moment after reunion filming wrapped. “It was not chill,” Biermann continued. “We had just had a whole conversation about it, the apology was had and then to watch [him] turn around, call me a bitch, and say that too is not my vibe.”
She has no intention of clearing the air with him. “I don’t have enough energy to give him anymore. God bless him,” she concluded.
Obergfoll backed her up on Zakkour’s pattern of behavior. “The problem with him is that he apologizes after everything and he keeps doing it over and over again. So what’s the point?” he said.
Despite the Season 2 romantic complications, Biermann and Obergfoll have maintained their friendship without crossing back into dating territory. Their comfortable dynamic at the awards show made clear they remain close even without a romantic label.
The full 2026 VRT Awards ceremony will be available to stream free on Philo’s ad-supported platform starting Oct. 9.