In the world of Tinder and Hinge where first-impressions reign supreme, many feel as though personality takes the backseat when entering the dating pool. Enter the reality dating show “Love is Blind,” which gets rid of the distractions by asking contestants to find their match sight unseen. After just 10 days of conversation, contestants must choose a partner based on their voice alone. Then, the—hopefully—happy couples are whisked off to meet the rest of their fellow contestants face-to-face on a luxury beach resort, with some wondering if their partner was really the best choice. But the real challenge begins once they return to the real world, as partners meet family members, reveal red flags and consider the possibility of a breakup more seriously. But if they do make it to the finish line, the couple is rewarded with a beautiful wedding and a happily ever after.
This past month, “Love is Blind” returned for its sixth season, promising another round of emotional rollercoasters and faceless connections, courtesy of the iconic isolation pods. And the contestants didn’t fail to deliver on the drama—with gold wine glasses in hand, this season’s contestants gave audience members love to root for and villains to jeer at. And, in typical “Love is Blind” fashion, we watched as couples shared their real lives together until they had to decide: Is love really blind?
This season’s contestants had all the classic tropes: the divorcée, the pretty girl, the muscular guy, the nerd, the one that has never been in a long-term relationship … the list goes on. Although a refreshing new perspective came from the single mom, Jess, who navigated love in the pods in a different way.
But as all fans know, love is only a fraction of the “Love is Blind” equation, and this season it felt like that fraction got even smaller. Contestants were faced with love triangles, cheating scares and emotional turmoil at every turn, with, shockingly, only one pair ending the season with “I do’s” at the altar.
One of the most memorable couples, Kenneth Gorham, a middle school principal, and Brittany Mills, a senior client partner, was one of the first to get engaged in the pods, bonding over their shared values and similar personalities. However, after leaving the pods it became clear that the two had different expectations for their future, with Kenneth being much too career-oriented for Brittany. The first to fold to real-world expectations, the pair decided to break off the engagement, prioritizing honesty over forced compatibility—a prime example of their maturity.
Jeramey Lutinski and Laura Dadisman faced troubles after their big reveal as well, but this time their relationship was tested by another contestant, Sarah Ann Bick. In the pods, Jeramey and Sarah Ann had a very close connection, and even after choosing Laura, Sarah Ann and Jeramey stayed in contact. In the real world, one late night conversation Jeramey had in a bar parking lot with Sarah Ann had Laura questioning Jeramey’s commitment to their relationship. Unlike Kenneth and Brittany, Jeramey and Laura’s incompatibility was clear from the start, and their breakup shortly after did not come as much of a surprise.
Yet another couple that was unable to make it to the altar despite hitting it off in the pods were Chelsea Blackwell and Jimmy Presnell. As soon as they met face-to-face, it was evident that Jimmy felt blindsided by Chelsea’s description of herself after she famously stated that she looked like Megan Fox. But Jessica Vestal, Jimmy’s other strong suitor in the pods, seemed to steal Jimmy’s heart with both the personality and physical qualities he was looking for. Later in the real world, Jimmy continued to struggle with his decision to propose to Chelsea, constantly mocking her insecurities and need for attention. Just days before the wedding, Jimmy unsurprisingly called things off, and I think we can all agree it was for the best.
Clay Gravesande and AD Smith’s failed relationship was probably the hardest to watch. However, AD and Clay’s connection seemed promising. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, and Clay’s vulnerability about his upbringing resonated well with AD. But their troubles began in the real world when AD expressed concerns about Clay’s work-life balance, often feeling sidelined by his budding career. Clay’s family also played a role in the growing disconnect, with Clay’s mother questioning AD’s suitability as a lifelong partner. With AD being left alone at the altar, their story leaves a special lesson for all viewers: Even the strongest connections require open communication, understanding and a willingness to address concerns.
In the midst of romantic tribulations and disappointment, one couple made it to the end: Johnny McIntyre and Amy Cortés. From the pods it was evident that communication was their strong suit, and it only served to benefit them as they navigated the uncertainty of normal life together. Their genuine connection was unwavering, and their kiss at the altar was just the heartfelt moment audience members needed to round out an otherwise dramatic season.
“Love is Blind” season six is exactly what it sets out to be: over-the-top reality TV at its finest. Couples prove time and again that love is rarely found blind, but as audience members it’s hard not to want to believe in the premise. Even knowing that nearly all these couples will fall apart in their pursuit of marriage, we come back for entertainment and the hope that modern romance isn’t just superficial. So, if you’re looking for a quick dose of reality TV drama, season six might be a decent binge. But if you seek genuine emotional connections, I would swipe left on this one.