“Love Is Blind” became a global phenomenon when it premiered in Feb. 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic began. The concept was simple but bold: a group of singles looking for real love and commitment date each other through a wall, forming connections based only on conversation, not looks. After 10 days, they decide whether to get engaged without ever seeing each other. Once engaged, the couples meet face-to-face, move in together, meet families and must decide whether to marry within four weeks. The show, now spanning more than a dozen countries, captured audiences. This season, however, love didn’t seem so blind after all because no one got married.
A Reunion Full of Revelations
The reunion episode, intended to offer closure, quickly turned into a mix of drama and awkward tension. Instead of heartfelt reflection, it felt more like a stage show where emotions ran high, and old conflicts resurfaced in front of the cameras.
The biggest surprise came early when Megan Walerius announced she had recently given birth to a baby with a new partner outside the show. Her former fiancé, Jordan Keltner, congratulated her and appeared to be on good terms with the news.
Meanwhile, Kacie McIntosh and Patrick Suzuki apologized to each other for how they handled their breakup. McIntosh returned her engagement ring, saying she “couldn’t quite get there” emotionally after meeting Suzuki in person. It was later revealed that she dated fellow cast member Joe Ferrucci for about six weeks after filming ended.
That revelation created tension. Madison Maidenberg accused McIntosh and Ferrucci of forming a connection while she was still engaged to Ferrucci. She also confronted him for making hurtful comments about her body. “Your words carry weight,” she said, describing how his remarks affected her confidence after the show. Ferrucci apologized, and Maidenberg accepted it.
Regrets, Rebounds and Closure
Nick Amato was called out for making similar remarks to other women. After watching the show back, he admitted regret, describing the pods as “an intense experience” that felt like “a race to find ‘the one.’” Annie Lancaster reflected that she felt she was “forcing” their relationship from the start.
Anton Yarosh criticized his former partner, Ali Lima, for what he called “nasty work” after overhearing her conversations with friends. He said he “didn’t appreciate the way it went down” and revealed he is now in a year-long relationship with someone new. Lima accused Yarosh of acting differently on and off camera, saying he “switched up” once filming ended.
Another couple, Kalybriah Haskin and Edmond Harvey, confronted their issues as well. Haskin accused Harvey of being dismissive and emotionally manipulative off-camera. Both apologized and found closure. “I would have never found a woman like you if it wasn’t for this experience,” Harvey said, ending the conversation with a hug.
The reunion wrapped on a lighter note with a cake and birthday song for Keltner.
Fans React
Many viewers were disappointed by how few couples made it to the altar. Some blamed conflicting lifestyles and finances, while others questioned whether contestants joined the show for fame instead of love. According to West Word, for the first time in the show’s history, zero couples got married during the Denver-based season nine. Walerius and Keltner broke up before their wedding day. And while two couples made it to the altar — Lima and Yarosh, and Haskin and Harvey— both brides ultimately rejected the grooms.
“I would say this was the worst season out of all of them,” said Ava Sanchez, a junior. “The point of the show is to create lasting couples, and this season couldn’t even accomplish that.”
Despite the drama, the experiment continues to fascinate audiences around the world. “Love Is Blind” was designed to prove that emotional connection can outlast physical attraction, but this season showed that love, no matter how it starts, still needs to survive in the real world.