Buenos Aires Herald 
Content note: this story contains details of alleged gender-based violence that some readers may find disturbing
Emily Ceco, a former participant on Netflix’s “Love is Blind: Argentina,” revealed bruises on her face and accused co-star and husband Santiago Martínez of gender-based violence in an online interview that went viral on Thursday.
Ceco confirmed to the Herald that she reported Martínez last Tuesday to the public prosecutor in General Rodríguez, Buenos Aires Province, but the court has not yet called her to testify.
A 25-year-old journalism student, Ceco appeared on El ejército de la mañana, a show on Bondi Live streaming channel, where she revealed a bruised and swollen left eye, and described an alleged beating at the hands of 30-year-old Martínez.
“This is how my face looks. I went through a lot. I kept begging Santiago to stop hitting me,” she said in tears. According to Ceco, she went out to a sex-themed theater show with her family as a bachelorette celebration, since she and Martínez were about to hold their church wedding ceremony. She alleges that when Martínez learned how she had spent the evening, he violently attacked her between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning.
Later that day, one of El ejército de la mañana hosts shared a copy of Ceco’s report to prosecutors. In it, Ceco says Martínez started hitting her in the head, before pushing her to the bed to strangle her. “Two hours ago you weren’t crying, I don’t believe your crocodile tears,” Martínez is reported to have said.
Martínez could not be contacted for comment, and has not publicly responded to the allegations, which have been widely reported in the Argentine press.
During the Netflix show, which aired last year, Emily and Santiago were the first couple of participants to get engaged. In the show, Ceco revealed she had been previously involved with a violent partner and was trying to find a healthier relationship.
Several scenes of the reality show had already sparked viewer criticism of Martínez, particularly one in which he was seen abruptly taking away Ceco’s plate because he believed she was eating too much.
Ceco says she decided to speak out about the alleged attack on Thursday to raise awareness among gender violence victims.
Love is Blind: Argentina
The Argentine version of Netflix’s popular dating show was released in 2024, and soon became the top show on Netflix Argentina.
Hosted by comedian Dario Barassi and influencer Wanda Nara, the show features single people who want to find love and choose a spouse without seeing their future partner. For four weeks they enjoy romantic trips, move in together, plan their wedding, and try to add a physical connection to the emotional bond they have built.
The Herald has contacted Netflix for comment.
