Aline Fernandes, the ex-girlfriend of former Big Brother Brasil contestant Gustavo Benedeti, known as Gustavo Cowboy, has made serious allegations against him, claiming he exhibited toxic behavior during their short relationship. In a revealing post on her social media and in an interview with Fábia Oliveira of Metrópoles, Aline detailed instances of emotional manipulation, possible infidelity, and even shared that Gustavo slept in the same bed as a male friend.
"I didn’t know Gustavo before; we were introduced by mutual friends. Initially, he seemed sweet and charming, but it was all an act," Aline explained. She recounted that throughout their three-month relationship, she received numerous messages about Gustavo's past with another former Big Brother contestant, Key Alves. Despite not following the show since the season featuring Grazi Massafera, Aline noted that she was inundated with information about Gustavo's previous romance, which began to take a toll on her mental health.
"During our time together, he began treating me poorly. He had frequent mood swings and would often criticize me over trivial things," Aline shared. She recalled how Gustavo would make her feel responsible for their problems, saying, "He would say, 'You know why we’re like this? Because you haven’t evolved.' He had a list of things I needed to change to make him happy, from how I ate to how I closed doors. I started to realize how emotionally dependent I had become on him, and it was a horrible feeling," she added.
After their breakup, Aline discovered that Gustavo had been living with another man and even shared a bed with him. "He lived with a guy. After news about us broke, a pastor called me to talk. The guy helped him with everything at home, and they slept in the same bed. Gustavo claimed that the guy had 'mixed things up,' but how can you sleep in the same bed with someone and not think they might get confused? He acts innocent while using people," Aline stated.
In a shocking turn of events, Aline believes she was betrayed by Gustavo. "We last saw each other on April 8, and less than 20 days later, he publicly announced a new relationship on social media. I can’t fathom how he had time to meet someone new, fall for them, and start dating in such a short span. He definitely cheated on me," she asserted.
Currently, Gustavo is in a relationship with businesswoman Amanda Melo. Aline suspects that Gustavo's interest in Amanda may be linked to her professional aspirations, as he had previously expressed a desire to collaborate on a project aimed at empowering women. "He wanted to end our relationship and said, 'Let’s keep the business.' I told him, 'I never want to see your face again.' He seemed convinced that the project would be a huge success," Aline recalled.
Furthermore, Aline pointed out that Gustavo's motivations for pursuing her were likely tied to her family background. She is the sister of Pastor André Fernandes, the leader of Igreja Lagoinha Alphaville, which has a congregation of around 20,000 members. "I believe he was drawn to me because of my brother’s influence in the religious community," she explained.
In her social media posts, Aline expressed her anger and disappointment over Gustavo’s actions, particularly his swift transition to a new relationship. "I spent three months with this guy and wasn’t going to expose anything, but I received countless messages about his character, and I couldn’t ignore them anymore. On April 8, he was still with me, and less than 20 days later, he’s flaunting his new relationship online," she lamented.
Aline's revelations have sparked conversations about emotional abuse and manipulation in relationships, particularly in the context of social media where such behaviors can often be overlooked or dismissed. She emphasized the importance of recognizing unhealthy patterns and seeking help, stating, "I finally realized I need to address my emotional dependency and seek professional help to ensure I never allow myself to be treated this way again."
Gustavo Benedeti, who gained fame as a contestant on Big Brother Brasil 23, where he was known for his "agroboy" persona, has not publicly responded to Aline's allegations. He was the sixth contestant eliminated from the season, leaving the house with a significant 71.78% of the vote in a highly competitive elimination round.
As this story unfolds, it raises critical questions about the nature of relationships in the public eye and the responsibilities of influencers to maintain integrity in their personal lives. Aline's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of emotional manipulation and the importance of self-worth in romantic relationships.
