Xanthi Perdikomatis Talks 'Perfect Match,' Contrasts With 'The Circle,' and More (EXCLUSIVE)

Get ready to rock your hottest bikinis because the messiest mix-and-match dating show is making a comeback! Yes, you heard it right — Perfect Match is returning for another wild season, and this time, a (mostly) fresh batch of singles from other Netflix reality shows are stepping up for their chance at finding true love.

Among the star-studded lineup of reality TV stars is Xanthi Perdikomatis, who rose to fame on Season 5 of Netflix's reality competition show The Circle. In an exclusive interview with Distractify, Xanthi spilled all the juicy details about her experience on the hit dating show and shared insights on what makes Perfect Match stand out from The Circle.

Check out our Q&A below. (Editor's note: This interview has been edited for clarity.)

Distractify: Were there any particular individuals you were excited or curious to potentially meet once you arrived for filming?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: Before arriving at the house, I was curious to see who was going to be there, so I tried my best to keep an open mind. I decided I wasn't going to have any expectations on who'd potentially enter the house since I hadn't met many of the cast prior to the show… I didn't want to set myself up for any disappointments. However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for a tall, hot, bad boy to sweep me off my feet!

Distractify: How did your experience on Perfect Match influence your views on love, relationships, and the dating world?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: My experience on Perfect Match honestly made me more grateful for the genuine relationships I have grown with people in real life. I am not one to settle for anything less than MAGICAL, and Perfect Match really showed me how important it was to share the same values and morals with my partner. I don't want anything superficial or just for the cameras; so I found dating someone who isn't really in the limelight works better for me. I've also realized that dating is competitive — on and off camera! So, if I like someone, I'm going for it. It's fun making the first move sometimes."

Distractify: What qualities were you looking for in a potential partner during your time on the show?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: While on the show, I was looking for something easy and natural. I wanted a safe space that could make me feel a sense of home during all the chaos. I like a man who knows what he wants, sets his eye on the prize, and goes for it. Although the point of the show is to date and get to know all the participants in the villa, I wasn't looking for someone who was looking at everyone and anyone. I am more traditional when it comes to dating, and I knew participating in the show that there would be a possibility of not everyone coming in with the right intentions. I wanted [authenticity].

Distractify: What can you tease about finding love on Season 2 of Perfect Match?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: Love comes in many different flavors, and Perfect Match serves the full menu!

Distractify: Without giving away too much, is there anyone you wish you had matched with that you didn't get to?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: I would say I worked with what I got, LOL.

Distractify: What helped you maintain your confidence and your values while filming?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: My family and reputation [are] very important to me. So, I made it a point to constantly remind myself that although this experience is very real, so is the outside world and what comes after this. I tried my best not to get caught up with all the emotions, take a step back, and see things for what they were. I constantly thought to myself, "Take your time." Things definitely got tough, but I know who I am and what I represent, and I wasn't willing to shift my morals and boundaries for the camera or anyone.

Distractify: What was it like on the days when you weren't sure if you would get a match?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: On recoupling days, the tensions are always high! You never really know where someone's head is at, so, of course, your mind is spinning throughout the day. Everyone is either trying to give their partners time to think or squeezing their way in to make sure they aren't getting replaced. Dating is competitive! However, I am a big believer in what is meant for me will be for me. So with that, I took those days to relax, sit back, and watch."

Distractify: Aside from romantic connections, what other types of relationships did you form? Did you find yourself offering advice, forging friendships, or networking with others?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: Aside from the romantic connections, I made some great friendships! We definitely created a little girl band while in the house, which gave us all a ton of support when needed. It was important for me to gain friendships and beautiful connections while on the show. Dating is tough, and sometimes I just need my girl chat! As for the men, I think they needed more advice than anything!

Distractify: How has your dating life been since your time on the show?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: Before filming Perfect Match, I wasn't really big on the whole dating game or even dating multiple people at once. However, after my experience, I think it's important to check out all your options and see what's out there! I am more open to exploring and trying new things with different people, but my values and morals are always the same. Overall, I'd say my dating life is pretty busy after the show!

Distractify: Looking beyond the show, what are your aspirations and hopes for both your romantic life and personal growth in the years ahead?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: At the moment, I am so happy in life. I have a great family, group of friends, and support system. If someone were to come into my life at the moment, they would definitely have to add to my happiness and join in on the crazy! We are just getting started, and I'm loving the woman I'm turning into every day. I'm looking forward to more success in my entertainment career, learning new things, and enjoying all the unexpected things life has to offer with my loved ones! Life is short, so we do what we want!

Distractify: How did filming Perfect Match compare to being on The Circle?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: Perfect Match was a totally different experience than The Circle! I went from being isolated in a room and talking to a screen, to living in a house full of different personalities ready to pounce on each other! In The Circle, I was struggling to keep my strategy as my main focus and keep my heart out of the game. But while filming Perfect Match, I was doing my best to stick to my heart and not get too much into my head. The competitive aspect of Perfect Match definitely made me feel a little more at home, but working with people you don't really know is a challenge in itself.

Distractify: What was it like building relationships on Perfect Match versus The Circle?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: On The Circle, it took a bit more time to solidify your relationships, given the fact that you were only speaking through a screen, but once I had gained my alliances, I felt safe. On Perfect Match, you're immediately put in a house with people you don't really know and potentially have to live with for the next few weeks. So, you almost find yourself immediately gaining relationships with these people. I felt like I got a new boyfriend and a new best friend all in a few hours! Relationships got close very fast… but so did my trust issues with both the men and women on Perfect Match.

Distractify: If given the chance, would you rather film The Circle or Perfect Match again?

Xanthi Perdikomatis: If given the chance under the same circumstances, I would probably film The Circle again. The Circle feels like my reality TV home! It started my career in TV, gave me a beautiful group of friends I will always cherish, and I just had a ton of fun while filming! It was truly one of the best experiences I ever had.

Season 2 of Perfect Match premieres on Friday, June 7, only on Netflix.