The Drew Barrymore Show has come under fire for hosting a wedding between a high school physics teacher and his alleged former student as outraged viewers slam producers for promoting their relationship.
Drew and her team threw Dan, 36, and Selina, 25, from Connecticut, an on-air ceremony on Friday’s show after they were forced to cancel their wedding due to COVID-19. The two have been together for seven years, and Selina claimed that they ‘met several years ago in school through mutual friends.’
The segment would have made for a heartwarming story, but when the wedding was promoted on Instagram and YouTube, commenters alleged that Selina was Dan’s 17-year-old student when they met at school.
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Saying ‘I do’: Drew Barrymore and her team threw Dan, 36, and Selina, 25, from Connecticut, a ceremony on Friday’s show after they had to cancel their wedding due to COVID-19
Rumors: Some viewers have alleged that Dan was Selina’s high school teacher when they started dating, and now The Drew Barrymore Show is facing backlash
‘It would be a great story if it was actually true. They met “in school” because she was his student. The mutual friends was the physics class he taught,’ one YouTuber user claimed.
Another added: ‘”We met in school through mutual friends” is a very creative way of saying your relationship started when he was your teacher in high school. Could CBS not find a couple whose relationship didn’t begin completely inappropriately?’
‘Ok but it wasn’t mutual friends,’ someone else commented. ‘He was her teacher when she was still in high school.’
Age gap: Dan and Selina, who are 11 years apart, shared on the show that they have been together for seven years
What she says: Selina claimed they ‘met several years ago in school through mutual friends’
Looking back: ‘I knew she was special from day one,’ Dan said in the video he and his bride filmed for The Drew Barrymore Show
Outrage: When footage of their wedding was shared on YouTube, commenters slammed their relationship and the show for marrying them
There is currently no evidence that proves Dan was Selina’s teacher when they started dating, but he did work at the high school where she graduated from in 2013.
‘I knew she was special from day one,’ Dan said in the video he and his bride filmed for The Drew Barrymore Show.
‘I admire him and I see just a positive future for us and for the world because he makes a really awesome impact on a lot of people, especially me,’ Selina gushed of her groom.
Shocked: When the couple sat down with Drew on Friday’s show, Dan surprised Selina by asking her if she wanted to get married right then and there
Planning: After Selina agreed, Drew revealed that she had been planning the on-air wedding with Dan and their families. She even had Selina’s wedding gown waiting in the studio
Wedding guests: The couple’s family and friends watched the ceremony via video chat
Serious claims: A photo of the couple that was shared on The Drew Barrymore Show’s Instagram page faced similar allegations and backlash
Selina was working as a pediatric nurse at a children’s hospital in Connecticut when COVID-19 hit.
With Dan’s support, she volunteered to work on the front lines at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital from April to July, and they went months without seeing each other.
The couple made the decision to postpone their wedding until next year.
‘Danny was awesome,’ she said. ‘I feel like there’s so much to say, but I think you can already tell we both really love each other.’
Husband and wife: Dan and Selina shared a kiss after the emotional ceremony
Allegations: There is currently no evidence that proves Dan was Selina’s teacher when they started dating, but he did work at the high school where she graduated from in 2013
Celebration: Drew toasted the couple with some bubbly at the end of the segment
When the couple sat down with Drew on Friday’s show, Dan surprised Selina by asking her if she wanted to get married right then and there.
‘I feel like we’ve waited long enough,’ he said. ‘What if we just got married today?’
After Selina agreed, Drew revealed that she had been planning the on-air wedding with Dan and their families, including the bride’s parents, Fatima and Francisco.
Later in the show, the couple changed into their wedding clothes for the ceremony that was performed by Dan’s sister while their family and friends watched via video chat.
DailyMail.com has reached out to spokespeople for Drew and CBS for comment.