Vinny Guadagnino’s winner in Double Shot at Love Season 3 (2021) was Akielia “AK” Rucker, a 28-year-old travel nurse and former college basketball player from Moberly, Missouri.
She stood out early on, earning Vinny’s first kiss in Episode 2 and winning over his mother, Paula, with her calm, mature demeanor and long‑term mindset—qualities that contrasted well with some of the season’s more dramatic contestants.
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Who Is Double Shot at Love Season 3 Winner Akielia “AK” Rucker?
- Travel nurse & model: AK balances a career in healthcare with modeling gigs—she even showcased her nursing pride on TikTok with a dance in scrubs .
- Former college athlete: She played basketball at Webster University in 2011–12, which became a memorable moment when she beat Vinny in a skills challenge on the show.
- Reality TV alum: Aside from Double Shot at Love, AK appeared on MTV’s Wild ‘N’ Out in Seasons 15–17, leveraging her vibrant personality and performance skills.
Finale & Decision
At the end of Season 3, Vinny narrowed it down to three finalists: AK, Emily “Peachy” Piccinonno, and Erika DeVito.
He eliminated Erika first, then sent Peachy home, ultimately offering AK a “small shot at love” outside the house, which she accepted.
AK’s win was influenced by several factors:
- Family approval: Vinny’s mother responded warmly to AK’s grounded personality and serious intentions .
- Personal dynamic: Although viewers debated the chemistry, Vinny felt a unique possible long-term connection with AK.
After the Show: Relationship Status
Despite what appeared to be a promising connection, Vinny and AK did not stay together:
- Vinny confirmed in an Instagram Story: “The finale you watched was filmed seven months ago…We are not in a relationship, but I now consider her a friend because she’s cool AF”.
- Again in January 2022, he told Hollywood Life: “We are no longer together…I did remain friends with Akielia after the show, but once you’re in the real world…things are a little different. We just were better off as friends”.
Public & Fan Reaction
- Fans were divided. Several expressed disappointment, with one on Reddit stating: “He went for the relationship that he knew would fail because he didn’t want to actually find someone…He chose the easy get out option.”
- Another fan added: “Vinny always going for a certain type…he treated it as a paycheck.”
These remarks highlight the mixed reception to Vinny’s decision, with some feeling AK was more of a strategic choice than a heartfelt connection.
In Summary
- Winner: Akielia “AK” Rucker – travel nurse, former college basketball player, Wild ‘N’ Out alum.
- Why she won: Emotional intelligence, family appeal, balance of personality traits.
- Post-show: The couple did not last; they remained friends according to Vinny.
- Fan sentiment: Split—some supported the choice, others saw it as misguided or strategic.
Honey Double Shot at Love Instagram/Honey from Double Shot at Love Instagram (ItsHoneyBae)
If you are looking for the Instagram account of Honey Nguyen from Double Shot at Love Season 3, you can find it at @ItsHoneyBAE.
Hanh “Honey” Nguyen made her reality TV debut as a contestant on Season 3 of MTV’s Double Shot at Love, which aired in 2021.
This season featured Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino as the sole bachelor seeking a romantic connection among a group of women, with the help of his best friend DJ Pauly D and Pauly’s then-girlfriend Nikki Hall, who served as both co-hosts and mentors.
Double Shot at Love with DJ Pauly D and Vinny, also referred to simply as Double Shot at Love, is an American reality television show featuring DJ Pauly D and Vinny Guadagnino from Jersey Shore.
The first season, a dating game show spin-off of the original Shot at Love series starring Tila Tequila and the Ikki Twins, premiered on MTV on April 11, 2019. That season featured 20 females competing for the attention and affection of both Pauly and Vinny.
The second season, dubbed Vegas Ex-scape, premiered on June 11, 2020 and featured six contestants from the first season, plus three additional male cast members, who move into Pauly and Vinny’s suite at The LINQ Hotel in Las Vegas, while working at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub.
The series was renewed for a third season on April 13, 2021.
It reverted to the first season’s dating show format, with Pauly and Nikki guiding Vinny on the search for his perfect match.
The third season of Double Shot at Love premiered on September 16, 2021.
Photo credits: Yahoo.com, MTV