Too Hot To Handle: Why Nathan May Be The 3rd ‘Lana-Redeemed’ Bad Boy

Netflix’s Too Hot To Handle returned with a third season a few weeks ago, and most fans think that the drama is unreal, including the way that Nathan Soan Mngomezulu went from bad boy to ideal boyfriend. From the meaningless connections to the green light-worthy moments, the new season brings a ton of excitement. Also, there are some things that just never change. In the new season of Too Hot To Handle, fans get to watch Lana redeem another bad boy. With a backstory and personality similar to season 1’s Harry Jowsey and season 2’s Cam Holmes, Nathan Soan Mngomezulu seems to be Lana’s redeemed star of the season. 

Too Hot To Handle, the reality dating show which started in 2020, takes egotistical commitment-phobic singles on a trip to paradise, and helps them to form meaningful relationships. However, some contestants have more trouble letting go of their player ways than others. A lot of men from the show are used to juggling multiple women, but love (and Lana) can often make them change their ways. The biggest redemption stories feature periods of introspection followed by emotional growth. While most cast members connect with the essence of the retreat, some are destined to have more dramatic journeys than others. 

Nathan Soan Mngomezulu was the third cast member introduced in Too Hot To Handle season 3, and his bad-boy aura shone through from the start. He confirmed it in his introductory reel by claiming his identity as an “international playboy.” While Too Hot To Handle helps contestants as they try and build (and maintain) monogamous relationships (and Nathan did stay with his day-one partner, Holly Scarfone) he pretty much disregarded the other part of the retreat, about sexual abstinence and practicing restraint. Nathan and Holly broke Lana’s rules and cost the group the entire prize fund, leaving them with $0 at one memorable point in the show. However, Lana saw the potential for growth after eliminating Nathan, and she decided to give him a second chance. 

The resident rule-breaker and “certified international lover” agreed to participate in a one-on-one workshop with mentor Brenden Durell. Through the workshop, Nathan learned the true meaning of prioritizing an emotional connection over a physical connection. He let go of the restrictions he had put in place mentally. After completing the workshop, Nathan returned to the villa, but he faced one more challenge. Nathan and Holly had to spend a night in the super-romantic Too Hot To Handle suite without breaking the rules. The challenge was to prove that he could apply what he had learned, and win back $90,000 in prize money. Despite Holly trying to seduce him all night, Nathan passed with flying colors. 

Nathan’s redemption arc started when he felt remorseful over his actions after the elimination, and it peaked when he confessed his love for Holly. Just like Harry, who paired up with Francesca Farago in season 1, and Cam, who found love with his leading lady Emily Miller in season 2, Nathan is yet another bad boy who has caught the Lana bug on Too Hot To Handle. Although he and Holly are currently not in a relationship, Nathan exhibited growth and emotional maturity towards the end of the season. That has placed him firmly in the Lana-redeemed bad boys’ hall of fame. Nathan went from having “flown across different countries, on a plane, just to go have sex with different girls” to becoming the first contestant to drop the L-bomb in Too Hot To Handle season 3.