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Off Campus star Mika Abdalla and ex-fiancé Jake Short are speaking out exclusively to Us Weekly regarding a controversial resurfaced podcast clip that’s been making waves online following their split.
“We’ve seen a conversation around clips of us together when we were in a relationship, and people making harmful and inaccurate assumptions about our dynamic,” read the joint statement from Abdalla, 26, and Short, 29, about the resurfaced conversation from a 2024 episode of “The Sit and Chat” podcast. (In the video, Short made a joke in reference to Abdalla that some social media users have since dubbed controversial online.)
The former couple noted to Us that they “were in a loving, respectful relationship for five years” and “it’s hurtful to see playful moments dissected in a way that does not reflect the respect and love we had and still have for each other.”
The exes put on a united front just days after Us broke the news of their split after five years together. In a statement to Us, a rep for Abdalla said, “Because of the immense curiosity about Mika’s personal life and in light of numerous erroneous reports, I can clarify that Mika and Jake are no longer in a relationship.”
The spokesperson noted that Abdalla and Short continue “to support each other as friends,” adding, “I’d ask that Mika’s and Jake’s privacy be respected at this time.”
The former couple started dating after they met on the set of Sex Appeal in 2021, even getting engaged before parting ways. Abdalla,
has since been focused on her career following her breakout role on Prime Video’s Off Campus.
Based on the Off Campus book series by Elle Kennedy, the show, which premiered in May, follows an elite ice hockey team — and the women in their lives — as they “grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging deep friendships and enduring bonds while navigating the complexities that come with transitioning into adulthood,” read the official synopsis.
Season 1 is centered around the “sexy and fun ‘opposites attract’ romance between quiet songwriter, Hannah and Briar University’s all-star hockey athlete, Garrett.”
Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli led the first season, with Allie and Dean (Stephen Kalyn) being next in line. Before production kicked off on season 2, Abdalla spoke to Us about the support for the show.
“Since the cast was announced, I feel like there’s been theories circulating online, and it’s been really interesting to read it,” she shared about the book to TV show changes. “I for sure think people are going to be at least surprised.”
Abdalla specifically addressed the surprise introduction of Hunter Davenport (Charlie Evans) — despite him not being linked to Allie in Kennedy’s version of the story.
“It was really important to have that scene to slow down what was happening between Allie and Dean. I want to see them kind of go. I want to see them really separate,” Abdalla hinted. “Allie just got out of a long-term relationship. She can’t do what she always does. … I really like the edition of the Hunter story line drama. They need to grow as individuals. And so I really want to see Ali and Dean grow separately in season 2.”
The actress was thrilled to see what would come next for Allie and Dean.
Abdalla expressed excitement at the chance to explore more of the fictional couple’s relationship.
“I’m just really looking forward to digging deeper into who Allie and Dean are. They both kind of have these fronts, these personas that are hard to kind of crack through. They are kind of stereotypes of themselves, if that makes sense,” she told Us. “But in the books, there’s so much beneath the surface of Dean and there’s so much beneath the surface of Allie.”
Abdalla continued: “When it is time for our season, I’m excited to dig emotionally into that a little bit more. [We] see Allie and Dean as their exteriors a lot in season 1. And while that is fun, and they are super fun characters to play, I think as actors, selfishly, both of us are really excited to like, get psychological.”
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