Bravo Star Whitney Fransway Sets the Record Straight on Kenny Martin’s ‘Spark’ Comment

If you’ve been keeping up with In the City, Bravo’s hit Summer House spinoff, you already know Whitney Fransway made the boldest move of the season: packing up 14 years of L.A. life to cross the country for Kenny Martin after less than a year of dating. Then came the moment that had fans clutching their phones, Martin admitting on camera that he wasn’t sure there was “a spark,” with Fransway sitting right there. 

On We Met At Acme, she finally unpacks what that comment was really about, gets candid about where the engagement conversation stands now, and dishes on trading Bachelor Nation for the Bravo universe.

Here are some of the highlights from the conversation, adapted from the episode.

That ‘spark’ comment on the show, how did it feel watching it back?

“I think it’s hard, especially in a new group when people are trying to get to know everyone and then like something gets told in the wrong context. Kenny and I had definitely talked—he was lacking a spark for the future working out. So, it was definitely taken out of context in that way just because of the year he had with losing his mom, losing a couple really long-term relationships, and not having talked to his dad or communicated with his dad in 25 years. So it was kind of like anyone that he’s loved so deeply, he’s lost. So I think he kind of, especially after losing a parent, was a little pessimistic that like I can have my happy ending.”

So you two had actually already talked about it before it aired?

“That’s something that we’ve communicated from the beginning, but then hearing people talk about it and then having so much newness at once, I definitely started to be like, okay, I think I know what happened here, but I also just need to talk like Kenny. And get this clarified. So ultimately, it did bring us closer because it’s really pushed us to have these conversations even deeper.”

Bravo fans are intense. Did you get people in your DMs telling you that you deserved better?

“You know, I think we’ve all dated those guys. We’re like, oh, they’re going to change for me…And it’s like they don’t unless they are really making steps to figure it out. And that’s why I kind of had to just let go of that thought and support him in the moment and know that hopefully he was going to get there, but it would be a risk.”

You moved cross-country before any ring. Where’s the engagement conversation now?

“I think we’re very much on the same page now. I think it took him a little longer to catch up to like where my feelings were…We want to get engaged this year and I think that’ll happen…He’s 41 and I’m 35. So I think, you know, we talk about, oh, maybe we want to have two kids by the time I’m 40. Like stuff like that without an exact plan. But just knowing kind of the next step is engagement in my eyes.”

You guys met on Raya, right? What’s that story?

“We met on Raya and it wasn’t until like six months later, we met in person when I was spending time in New York…Before we connected in person, I wasn’t even sure that I was going to reach out and tell him that I was in New York. We kind of fell off like talking, to be honest…It was kind of at the end of my trip and I decided to DM him and I’m like, hey, I’m in New York…We got drinks and then I think from there I extended my trip a little longer and we went on a few dates and that’s kind of how it started.”

You’re a Bachelor alum, Nick Viall’s season. How different is filming Bravo versus ‘The Bachelor’?

“I just think the difference is we didn’t have our phone in Bachelor, right? You’re really in this bubble and you’re just talking about love, you’re talking about relationships, you’re talking about exes, you’re talking about things that really make you you…And then in the city, it’s more, oh my gosh, we’re living our life and we’re sharing all sides of us and it’s not just relationship—it’s career, it’s friendship, it’s personal life…like we’re letting the world in a little bit more.”

Were you nervous to do reality TV again after seeing how Bachelor edits can go?

“I was definitely hesitant at the beginning. I was like, I don’t think so. Like relationship and reality and like—I don’t know, it’s just scary and Bravo and drama and all the things…I think you can kind of see how producers can manipulate or cut your wording differently and so it made me a little nervous.”

Are you still close with anyone from your ‘Bachelor’ days?

“I’m actually seeing one of my best friends, Rachel Lindsay, tonight. I’m still close with a few girls from the show…The Bachelor‘s so interesting. You’re in this bubble. They take away your phone. You’re talking about relationships and you have girl time all day long…You really create a strong bond with the girls.”

Any advice for someone scared to take a big risk for love?

“I think just, like this sounds so silly, but just believe in yourself and be confident and like know that you’re deserving and you’re worthy of the love and relationship that you want. And I think what energy you put out there, you’re going to attract back.”

Listen to the full episode on We Met At Acme, available wherever you listen to podcasts.

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