This season of Love Is Blind has been a rollercoaster of red flags, staged breakups (or so fans think!), and some seriously old-school takes on relationships. Get ready for the finale, because it's going to be a bumpy ride!

TL;DR
  • Multiple engagements imploded before the weddings, leaving fans wondering about authenticity and ring drama.
  • Controversial topics like "traditional values" and LGBTQ+ discussions sparked major online debate among viewers.
  • The remaining couples are heading to the altar (or close to it) with major doubts, and some serious spoilers suggest no one says "I do."

Alright, fellow Love Is Blind addicts, can we all agree that Season 9, set in Denver, has been… a lot? From the jump, folks online have been calling this batch of episodes "the scariest" and a "million red flags." And honestly? They're not wrong. This season has given us everything from cringe-worthy breakups caught on camera to deep dives into societal shifts and some serious questions about what "love is blind" really means today.

We've witnessed proposals, honeymoon highs, awkward apartment living, and the inevitable pre-wedding jitters. But this time around, those jitters turned into full-blown existential crises and heated arguments, leading to a mass exodus from the altar. Let's break down all the drama, the unanswered questions, and what we think is going to happen in the highly anticipated finale and reunion.

The Relationship Rundown: Which Couples Called It Quits Before the Finale?

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If you thought the pods were just for finding love, this season proved they're also excellent for brewing controversy. We've seen more couples hit the skids than ever, and some exits have left us all scratching our heads.

Nick Amato and Annie Lancaster's Suspicious Split and Texts That Sparked Rumors

Remember Nick and Annie? They seemed like a solid match after connecting over shared values in the pods. But their journey hit a wall in Episode 10 when Nick decided he was "unhappy" and couldn't marry Annie. This breakup got extra spicy because fans caught a glimpse of Annie's phone mid-discussion. Her texts read: "Hi, 90 percent sure no wedding" and she was typing "Currently filming, Nick wo..." when the camera cut away. This little peek had the internet buzzing that their breakup was totally staged, or at least re-enacted for the cameras.

Adding to Nick's controversy, he also stirred up a huge debate earlier in the season with some problematic comments about LGBTQ+ children, questioning if it was a "fad." He later apologized on Instagram, blaming editing for how his words came across, but the damage was done.

Joe Ferrucci and Madison Maidenberg's Messy Farewell, and the Ring Aftermath

Madison and Joe's relationship was on thin ice from early on (some even gave them a 10% chance!). Despite Joe reassuring Madison's family he was "all in," he had a complete meltdown during a suit fitting, leading him to pull the plug. Madison was left with no real answers as to why, and Joe admitted he had "no answers" himself.

The aftermath? Madison confirmed on the Love to See It podcast that she kept the engagement ring, saying there was "no question about where the ring goes at this point," given Joe's last-minute dumping. It even got messier post-show, with reports suggesting they dated after filming and are now slating each other in interviews.

Patrick Suzuki and Kacie McIntosh's Ring Battle and Authenticity Questions

Another pair who couldn't make it to the altar was Patrick and Kacie. Their split led to a classic Love Is Blind dilemma: who keeps the ring? Patrick reportedly asked for his back, and Kacie allegedly stopped talking to him. Kacie also fueled speculation about the show's authenticity by liking comments online questioning if it was "real."

The Last Couples Standing... For Now: What the Spoilers Suggest for the Altar

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As we head into the finale, only three couples remain, desperately hoping to say "I do." But if reality TV reporter Rikkii Wise's spoilers are anything to go by, don't get your hopes up for any happy endings this time around.

Megan Walerius and Jordan Keltner Face Lifestyle Hurdles

Megan ("Sparkle Megan") and Jordan seemed sweet, but their differences emerged quickly. Megan, an entrepreneur, desired traditional gender roles in her marriage, wanting her man to be "the provider," which clashed with Jordan's life as a single dad. Episode 11 left them in limbo, struggling to reconcile her upper-class lifestyle with his daily exhaustion.

Spoiler Alert (from Rikkii Wise): It's reported that Megan and Jordan won't even make it to the wedding day, breaking up during that difficult conversation. This lines up with how absent they've been from wedding day footage in trailers.

Oh, and let's not forget Jordan's viral moment: making a morning smoothie of chicken and Crystal Light. Because, why not?

Ali Lima and Anton Yarosh Battle Drinking Habits and Traditional Values

Ali and Anton's journey has been marked by tension over Anton's drinking habits, with Ali expressing significant "concern." Ali also echoed Megan's desire for traditional gender roles, stating she wants to care for her husband and children, letting her husband provide. This is a bit contradictory to her stated ambition as a nurse pursuing further education and her desire for a private bank account.

Spoiler Alert (from Rikkii Wise): Apparently, Ali and Anton do make it to the altar, but Ali will say "no," leaving Anton to potentially say "yes" alone. The trailer showed Ali breaking down in tears in a wedding dress, which seems to confirm this heartbreaking outcome.

Kalybriah Haskim and Edmond Harvey's Mountainous Meltdown

Kalybriah and Edmond started strong, but a scenic snowmobiling trip quickly devolved into a fight. Edmond also had a memorable "nice guy" meltdown that many viewers found overflowing with misogyny, fueling the season's reputation for uncomfortable moments.

Spoiler Alert (from Rikkii Wise): Kalybriah and Edmond are also said to make it to the altar, but Kalybriah will ultimately decide not to go through with the wedding.

Beyond the Pods: How Season 9 Reflected Bigger Cultural Conversations

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This season of Love Is Blind wasn't just about finding love; it became a mirror reflecting some pretty intense societal trends, especially around "traditional values." Teen Vogue even published an op-ed examining how the "trad wife" obsession crept into the show.

Creator Chris Coelen once said the show aims to "tap into what big themes are, in terms of where we are, as a society or a culture." And Season 9 definitely delivered on that, albeit in a "hard to watch" way. The rising conservatism among young people, particularly the embrace of traditional gender roles by some women (like Megan and Ali), was a prominent, and often alarming, theme. This desire to cede power to men and return to more conventional family structures sparked a lot of discussion.

As Teen Vogue features director Brittney McNamara put it, the season is a "reflection of many parts of our culture right now, particularly the push toward 'traditional' values that many think young people are particularly immune to." When you combine this with controversies like Nick's comments on LGBTQ+ kids and Edmond's "nice guy" rant, it's clear this season resonated on a deeper, and sometimes unsettling, level.

The Creator Speaks on Engagement Rings!

"We supply them with the rings, and at that point, those rings are theirs. They never have to give them back if things don't work out. They're their rings."

Chris Coelen, Love Is Blind Creator (via Entertainment Weekly)

The Great Ring Debate: Who Actually Pays and Who Gets to Keep the Bling?

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Every season, the post-breakup ring drama becomes a hot topic. Luckily, Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelen cleared the air for Season 9. He confirmed that the show covers the cost of the engagement rings, which typically range from $3,500 to $5,000. And here's the kicker: once a couple gets engaged, "those rings are theirs." If things don't work out, they don't have to give them back to the show. So, whether it's Madison keeping her ring or Patrick asking for Kacie's back, it's ultimately up to the individuals what happens to the bling, not the production.

What's Next for Love Is Blind Season 9: Finale and Reunion Details

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So, after all this drama, what's left? The remaining couples are heading into their final moments on screen, making the ultimate decision. Will anyone actually say "I do" and find their forever love sight unseen? Based on the spoilers floating around, it seems unlikely, making this potentially the first season with no successful marriages.

The highly anticipated Love Is Blind Season 9 finale is set to premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, October 22. Make sure you clear your schedule, because you won't want to miss how these stories conclude!

And of course, we'll get to hear all the tea, the apologies, and the accusations when the cast reunites with hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey. The Love Is Blind Season 9 reunion will go live on Netflix the following week, on October 29.

This season has certainly been a wild ride, pushing the boundaries of the "social experiment" and giving us plenty to talk (and debate) about. Get your snacks ready, because the final episodes are sure to be as unhinged as the rest of the season!

Love Is Blind Season 9 Frequently Asked Questions Love Is Blind Season 9: Unpacking the Wildest, Most Controversial Season Yet image 8 When is the Love Is Blind Season 9 finale? The finale for Love Is Blind Season 9 premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, October 22. When is the Love Is Blind Season 9 reunion? The reunion episode will be available on Netflix on October 29, the week after the finale. Who pays for the engagement rings on Love Is Blind? The show (Netflix) covers the cost of the engagement rings, which typically range from $3,500 to $5,000. Once given, the rings belong to the contestants. What happened to Nick and Annie on Love Is Blind Season 9? Nick Amato and Annie Lancaster broke off their engagement in Episode 10 of Season 9. Fans suspect their breakup was staged or re-enacted for cameras due to texts Annie sent during the discussion. Sources Love Is Blind Season 9: Unpacking the Wildest, Most Controversial Season Yet image 9
  • Us Weekly
  • The Denver Post
  • The Tab
  • Teen Vogue
  • BuddyTV
  • Bustle
  • The US Sun
  • The Ringer / Bachelor Party Podcast