Summary
- Nathaniel appeared on TLC's My Strange Addiction, revealing his romantic and sexual attraction to his car, Chase, due to objectophilia.
- Nathaniel's story went viral online, sparking both mockery and empathy, while viewers questioned the reality of the show.
- In a 2023 follow-up, Nathaniel lost Chase in an accident, but has since moved on with a new car, Lex, maintaining his unique attraction to vehicles.
TLC’s My Strange Addiction has given viewers a peek inside the lives of people with uncommon interests. Some people are addicted to ingesting materials that aren’t healthy for human consumption. Others have an interest that extends beyond what is considered acceptable in society.
Such is the case with Nathaniel, who gave viewers a peek inside life with his car, who he named Chase.
Nathaniel’s attraction to Chase went further than most, with the reality star admitting he had a romantic and sexual interest in the car. His appearance on the show caused Nathaniel to go viral online. Fans became invested in Nathaniel's story, as they have with other TLC stars. Ten years later, Nathaniel appeared on My Strange Addiction again and gave viewers an update on his life today.
Nathaniel Introduced Viewers To His Car, Chase, And His Very Interesting 'Addiction'
When Nathaniel first appeared on My Strange Addiction, he introduced viewers to his car, which he named Chase.
However, Nathaniel revealed that his feelings about Chase ran a lot deeper than most. According to Nathaniel, he had a romantic and sexual attraction to Chase.
"I'd say it was love at first sight," Nathaniel said. "His body, his interior, and everything together seemed to just fit. I just felt an instant connection."
Kim, Nathaniel's roommate, then shared her thoughts about his interest in Chase.
"My initial reaction was, I was kind of shocked," Kim shared. "It was kind of weird, because it was just hard to understand."
The show then explained to viewers that Nathaniel has objectophilia. The show defines this as "when a person develops a strong emotional and sexual relationship with an inanimate object."
"Honestly, I don't know why I feel the way I do," Nathaniel said. "But I just absolutely love Chase. We always have such a good time together. He likes a lot of the same music I do."
- Nathaniel then revealed that the two of them have a favorite song. That song, according to Nathaniel, was "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon.
- Nathaniel said that he even bought gifts for Chase, "how you would buy something for your fiancé or wife."
- He also said that as a date, the two would often go to "the lookout area."
Nathaniel also discussed his sexual moments with Chase.
"What we do most often is, I like to lean over his fender and across his hood," Nathaniel explained, "and press up against him and rub against him like that."
He added, "One of his more bold positions is for me to be underneath him. He really likes it. It's very special to make love to Chase."
Kim then spoke about her fears and worries about Nathaniel.
"I am worried for my friend, because it's not normal," she said. "You may have people that don't understand and make fun of you."
It was then revealed that Nathaniel rarely let anyone else drive Chase and didn't let him out of his sight for more than 24 hours.
"There have been times it brought tears to my eyes, because I wasn't with him," Nathaniel revealed. "At work, his picture is on my desktop, so I see his face all the time."
Nathaniel admitted that he had a hard time handling any issues Chase might encounter.
"It really bothers me when he gets dinged or scratched," Nathaniel said. "If something were to happen to Chase, my heart would just stop."
Nathaniel's Segment Went Viral Online And Viewers Reacted To His Car 'Addiction'
Following the airing of Nathaniel's segment on My Strange Addiction, he became the subject of various online memes and reaction videos on YouTube. His story went viral and Nathaniel's interest in cars led to many people making fun of him, much like his roommate Kim feared.
"If he gets an uber, is it cheating?" one person wrote on YouTube. Another wrote, "This is what happens when you don't have enough Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars as a kid."
Other people weren't so comfortable with Nathaniel's interest in Chase.
"i watched the show for 6 seconds and it was enough internet for me for this month," someone posed. Another commented, "Wtf did I just watch I’m traumatized." A third user wrote, "Him kissing the car made me sick."
However, beyond Nathaniel's segment, viewers have flooded Reddit with posts questioning the reality of this reality show.
One user began a thread by posting, "I mean obviously its scripted, but is it 100% fake? Like do they fake the addiction too ? I mean theres an episode where a girl is addicted to eating sand or another one where a girl drinks human blood, you cant fake that stuff right?! I mean who would eat sand just to be in the show and from what ive heard the payment isnt that great."
"I think the people are either real or based on real people, but the show exaggerates their addiction," someone replied.
They added, "I have to think that people with these addictions feel a sense of shame and wouldn't want to be on national TV about it. Unless the producers are really awful and promise treatment if they come on national television."
Nathaniel Made A Return To 'My Strange Addiction' And Gave Viewers An Update
Nathaniel's story made such an impression on viewers, they were still talking about it a decade later. Therefore, it only made sense that TLC would bring Nathaniel back for a follow-up episode in 2023.
However, it wouldn't begin with good news. Unfortunately, Chase was destroyed in an accident during a routine check-up.
"Unfortunately, Chase is no longer a part of my life," Nathaniel said. "I still think about it a lot, and it just breaks my heart that he's not here. I just feel like he deserved better."
Nathaniel then showed cameras a bedroom where he keeps a lot of Chase's "momentous." This included a blanket filled with pictures of Nathaniel with Chase.
"The bedroom is a special place and I felt like that was the perfect place for him," Nathaniel said.
During the clip, it becomes clear that Nathaniel was genuinely heartbroken over losing Chase.
"You look back, and you just don't realize the things you take for granted until it's too late," Nathaniel said as he began to tear up.
Nathaniel's emotions weren't lost on viewers, who shared their thoughts in the YouTube comments.
"The sadness and voice breaks when talking about chase," one user wrote. "Any doubt that this wasn't real left my body."
"Poor guy," another wrote. "It’s easy to laugh and cringe at him loving a car, but it really goes to show he really loved that car. It wasn’t fake. I feel for him. He really had an emotional connection with that car."
Someone else wrote, "As weird as this is, it could be a lot worse. He's not hurting anyone, especially kids."
However, Nathaniel reveals that while he misses Chase, he has moved on. He introduced viewers to his latest car, which he named Lex.
"The feel of her," he said when asked what he loved about her. "The smoothness of her driving, the feel of her seats. Stuff like that, I mean that’s the stuff I pay attention to, and you know I’m just excited to be in her presence."
When asked why he decided Chase was male and Lex was female, he said it was due to “her lights” and “curved appeal.” Nathaniel went on to say that Lex had “cute little cheeks,” beautiful taillights and headlights, as well as a “cute butt.”
Nathaniel seemed very happy with this new addition to what he called his “family.”
“ I just can’t imagine life without her,” Nathaniel said.
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