John Cena and Nikki Bella left fans in total shock when they announced their split last week [1]. The two documented their different views on marriage [2] and eventual engagement [3] on the reality series Total Bellas, and it looks like we'll be seeing even more from the couple on the upcoming season. Following the news of their split, Nikki's sister Brie Bella opened up to People about the emotional breakup and how it will all unfold on season three of the show, which premieres May 20.
Brie praised her sister for her "Wonder Woman strength" and talked about why it was so difficult to watch Nikki go through this [4]. "I really had to take a step back and allow it and that was really hard on me because it's my twin," Brie said. "I want to protect her from everything. This has been the hardest season to film for me because all I want to do is protect her and keep everyone away, but this is what we do."
"I have to give a lot of credit to John and Nicole," she added. "They really opened up their lives and they really wanted to close the curtain and be like, 'This is it, we're done.' My sister is really great with her fans in a way where she lets them connect with her. She lets them like go, 'My life isn't perfect and isn't easy' and lets them see the playbook of her life."
That playbook will include "some very personal conversations" that even Brie "was mind blown about." Season three of the show will "see where they're at today and see that unravel." After six years as a couple, we're still hopeful that John and Nikki could get back together [6], but until then, we'll just gush over their cutest photos [7] and hope that their filmed breakup isn't too tear-jerking.