A woman who admits to having an affair with Karl Lenz talks about Hillsong's former pastor

The woman, who claims to be in a relationship with former Hillsong pastor Karl Lenz, discussed their alleged affair on MTV's Ex on the Beach.

Lenz was released from Hillsong Church in November 2020 for "moral failure," then church founder Brian Houston said in a statement. The next day, Lenz stated that he had been "unfaithful" in his marriage; less than two weeks later, a woman named Ranin Karim identified herself as her lover in an interview with Vanity Fair.

Karim revealed more details about his alleged relationship with Lenz in the fifth season of the premiere of MTV's reality show, which aired Thursday. Karim said people knew her as a former priest's mistress when she was introduced: "I don't like being recommended as a mistress; I'm more of a mystery woman."

"I've been in toxic relationships. A lot of guys will sell you dreams. You know I'm broke. I don't need to buy dreams anymore," she added.

Also, in the episode, fellow racer David Barta asks Karim about their past relationship when the players return to their homes from a boat trip. "I have a relationship with the Reverend Karl Lenz," Karim replied. "We've been in a relationship for about five months."

- Oh, with..., and he's like married and stuff? asked Barta, whose father was a Baptist. "C---."

Karim replied, "I think 17 years, so yes."

Barta later told the camera, "Ranin must have had the darkest storyline in the past. I was pretty embarrassed to see my dad was a priest for 20 years. Like, "Hey, my dad's a minister." - Oh, I just had an affair with him. Amazing. "