‘Things that matter are family’: Reality TV star back in US after Iran attacks | Opinion
Bayleigh Dayton, a former reality television contestant, entrepreneur and Miss Missouri USA beauty pageant winner from Lee’s Summit, lives in Dubai with husband Chris Williams and the couple’s two small children, ages 2 and 3.
Last month, the family’s relatively peaceful life in the United Arab Emirates was upended after the U.S. attack on Iran and subsequent counterattacks. When Iran began launching drones and missiles toward neighboring Middle East countries, Williams was on a business trip in New York.
Because the U.S. embassy in the UAE instructed U.S. government employees and citizens to stay put, Dayton, her children and the family’s two nannies were forced to hunker down while Williams was stateside. Dayton said the strikes on Dubai and Williams’ absence were a tumultuous couple of weeks for the family.
“We were all just shocked,” she said.
Middle East attacks
I asked Dayton to describe what it was like to be in a country that was under attack. She said the sounds of the attacks, which included a big thud and shaking houses and windows, could be heard throughout Dubai, often in the middle of the night.
She said Williams hated being separated from their family, but because the airspace was closed, it was impossible for him to return to Dubai or for them to leave.
The family was stuck sheltering in place for about 10 days, with the airspace opening and closing as the airport was attacked. According to Dayton, the U.S. government was unable to assist them in leaving. They secured an international flight to Dallas by contacting Emirates airline and using their gold tier status, which granted them early access to tickets.
On the day the family left, Dayton said she packed for the 2 a.m. flight within a few hours. She expressed sadness about leaving “their beautiful home in Dubai,” she said.
Reality TV stars relocate to Dubai
Dayton and Williams have been married for seven years. Williams was known as “Swaggy” on the reality show “Big Brother,” which is where the couple met. I watched several episodes that Dayton and Williams appeared in. Their chemistry and connection on the show was obvious to me, so I wasn’t all that surprised when the news of their relationship and subsequent engagement and marriage started making the rounds on social media.
In addition to “Big Brother,” the couple has participated in shows such as “The Challenge” on MTV, “Big Brother: All-Stars” and “Say Yes to the Dress.”
Following their reality TV career, the couple established their own finance and trading company and relocated in 2023 to Dubai, where their youngest child was born. Dayton, 32, described living in Dubai as an amazing experience.
“It is a utopian melting pot that is very modern,” she said.
Coming home
After escaping Dubai, the family eventually reunited with WiIlliams in Dallas and purchased a home there “because it is close to Kansas City,” she said.
They hope to return to Dubai after the summer if the conflict subsides.
“We have been in the United States for about four weeks and plan to visit Kansas City for about a week to see family,” Dayton said.
On Thursday, Dayton, Williams and their children traveled to Kansas City to visit Dayton’s parents and siblings. Dayton’s family is a tight-knit bunch who once appeared on “Family Feud” and won more than $21,000. I can’t imagine the ordeal any of them have gone through since the U.S. war with Iran began. I am sure hugs, kisses and tears were plentiful during the recent reunion.
During our interview, Dayton said the last couple of months has provided a change in her perspective on how little control people truly have and “that the things that matter are family and people, not plans or events,” she said.
“No matter what level of status or money or that you have, nobody is expected to be uprooted from their home or having to pay two different mortgages on two different sides of the world,” she said. “It just really sucks and I’m really sad. Even though I love America, I was excited to have my home there and experience that with my kids for a while.”
