Love Is Blind ’s Matthew Debuts Romance, Why He Skipped Reunion
Originally appeared on E! Online
Matthew Duliba is looking ahead.
In the time since his time on Love is Blind wrapped, the season six cast member has often been candid about certain aspects of the show. And while he was absent from the reunion, he gave a glimpse into what he was up to that day—and it included a new special someone.
"This is Vanesa, my gf," Matthew wrote over a selfie of the two during a recent Instagram Q&A. "This picture was taken the same day as the reunion. We went to the Charlotte FC soccer game with friends."
As for why he opted to not join his fellow costars, Matthew explained, "Not going back into a situation where they maintain editing."
And when another fan asked if financial advisor understood the risk of being on reality TV before opting into the show, he chalked it up to not being fully aware of all that went into the editing process.
"I didn't think they could cut and paste sentences," the 37-year-old noted, "if I would've known that, I wouldn't have done it."
Love Is Blind Season 6 Reunion: First Look Photos
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Matthew has previously expressed his frustrations over the way be felt his story to be portrayed on the Netflix show—during which viewers saw him give almost identical declarations of love to contestants Amber "AD" Smith and Amber Grant.
On a Feb. 14 post from the show's official account, which showed some of his scenes, Matthew commented, "There was many misrepresentations and falsehoods created in my opinion to smear my character."
Though Love is Blind isn't where Matthew found his happily ever after, some of his fellow season six contestants did tie the knot onscreen. To see where more of your favorite LIB couples ended up, keep reading.
Chelsea Blackwell and Jimmy Presnell: Not Together
After one or two (or a few) fights throughout the season, Chelsea and Jimmy appeared to finally put their disagreements behind them during an amusement park date set right before their wedding.
However, Jimmy made it clear that he was ready for their rollercoaster ride to end, breaking off his engagement to a teary-eyed Chelsea—who was stunned at his decision.
"I love you to death and I want a relationship with you,” Jimmy told Chelsea on their date, “and it want it work so bad—but I don’t want to go to the altar. I can’t.”
As he explained, “We’re condensing it down to one argument, but it’s been like five or six really big issues that really hit home and hurt my feelings.” (One being that Chelsea revealed Jimmy’s secret about his past relationship with his female friend.)
And after yet another back-and-forth between the two over their respective ties with exes, Chelsea left for good in tears: “I was so hopeful for us.”
The pair were both single during the March 2024 reunion.
Clay Gravesande and AD Smith: Not Together
While Clay expressed his hesitation to getting married due to his own outlook on his father’s infidelity, AD reassured him that they would prevail as a couple and all seemed to be well between the two.
But once faced with the task of saying I do to forever at the altar, Clay said I don’t instead, telling AD that it wouldn’t be “responsible” of him to get married knowing he wasn’t ready.
Cue the shock.
“I’m going to put the work in for you,” he told AD, “and we’ll go through this together. I don’t care what nobody says; I know fully I’m not ready for marriage and you deserve the best. And if I’m not ready to give you 100 percent, I won’t go there with you when I’m not ready…I can’t say yes right now.”
It was a revelation that made AD declare through tears that the relationship was a waste of her “f--king time.”
As for Clay, he also revealed that financial—and emotional—ties played a big part in him walking away. “I looked at myself in the mirror and said, ‘Am I a husband?’” he admitted, “and the answer was no. Am I deeply in love? The answer was no.’”
During the reunion, Clay expressed that he made a mistake and wanted to date AD, but she played coy on if she'd ever consider getting back together.
AD confessed that she did go on a couple dates with costar Matthew Duliba after filming wrapped, but they are not together.
Amy Cortés and Johnny McIntyre: Married
The only season six couple who did say yes to forever? Amy and Johnny, who not only celebrated their new beginning with a gorgeous ceremony, but also seamlessly merged their families into one, with Amy’s dad sweetly telling Johnny’s sister that he feels like he has “multiple daughters” now.
As for Johnny, he too declared at his reception that his father-in-law was his “new dad.”
They were still married during the reunion episode.
Brittany Mills and Kenneth Gorham: Not Together
Though their romance started off strong, Brittany and Kenneth’s relationship fizzled out once they returned to the real world.
As Brittany told Life & Style, “I think that it really took a different turn when we got back to Charlotte and got back home. And I think that our in the pods we were very, very passionate and very intense. And then coming back home, that intensity kind of died down a bit.”
The former fiancés remain friends, with Brittany saying at the reunion, "Although we are no longer in a relationship together, the bond that we have is going to last for an eternity."
Laura Dadisman and Jeramey Lutinski: Not Together
Laura and Jeramey’s engagement came to a fiery end once Laura learned her fiancé had reconnected with another pod mate, Sarah Ann Bick, during a night out. After their tense confrontation, Laura told Jeramey to kick rocks.
But instead of that, he went off to ride jet skis with Sarah Ann.
During the reunion in March 2024, Jeramey revealed he has been dating Sarah Ann off-and-on for a year—ever since filming the show—and they now live together.
Laura is dating someone else, who she did not identify at the reunion.
Izzy Zapata Jr. and Stacy Snyder: Not Together
While the season five couple seemed to have worked their way through various issues—including Izzy’s early connection with Johnie Maraist and Stacy’s high expectations about her lifestyle and plateware (no paper plates, please!)—Stacy cited Izzy's dishonesty about his credit history as a major reason she chose not to get married.
Despite not saying “I do” at the altar, however, Stacy still wanted to remain in a relationship with the devastated Izzy.
"We’re at different spots,” he told her. "It really breaks my heart."
As for Stacy, she was thankful to Izzy for opening her up "emotionally," but she didn't feel 100 percent about their future. "Fairly certain isn't good enough for me to say yes for the rest of my life," she explained.
Izzy is now dating surgical assistant Shelby Webb.
Milton Johnson and Lydia Gonzalez: Still Married
Season five's sole success story came from arguably its most unlikely pairing.
After getting off to a rocky start after it was revealed Lydia was in a relationship with Milton's pod-friend Uche Okoroha before the show began, the geology-loving pair were the only ones to make it through the experiment still in a relationship.
"Getting married is a dream come true," Lydia said. "I feel so, so happy. I got everything I need right here. It feels like home, it feels safe."
Ever the analytical engineer, Milton said, "All of the data points led me to: this is the right decision."
Paul Peden and Micah Lussier: Not Together
Opposites seemed to attract all season for this pair...until they got to the altar. Sensing Paul's hesitation, Micah asked him to give his answer first and it was a pass on marriage for Paul.
"I literally feel like a disaster," Micah said. "If Paul would have wanted to marry me, I 100 percent would have said 'I do.'"
At the reunion, Paul apologized for his comment in a confessional about not being able to see Micah as a mother.
"I think I phrased that really unfairly toward her," Paul explained. "I think the better way to phrase that would be that I can't see us as parents."
While the duo briefly reconciled after filming, they ultimately weren't able to make their relationship work, with Paul explaining they broke up for good when he visited Micah in Arizona.
In After the Altar, Paul revealed he was dating a new woman who enjoyed traveling and his cooking skills. He eventually went Instagram official with eyelash beautician Geneva Dunham.
Kwame Appiah and Chelsea Griffin: Still Married
Despite Kwame's mother refusing to attend the wedding and his arguably inappropriate conversations with Micah, whom he also connected with in the pods, Kwame and Chelsea were one of the three couples to exchange vows at the end of season four.
During the reunion, Chelsea revealed she has since met her husband's mom and Kwame offered an apology to his wife and her family for his behavior, saying his talks with Micah were "not the best representation."
The couple is living in Seattle with their beloved dog Rocky.
Zack Goytowski and Bliss Poureetezadi: Still Married
Sure, they say love is blind, but occasionally it needs a little bit of time—or proposing to another woman—to realize you made the wrong choice. Which is what happened when Zack initially got engaged to Irina Solomonova, only for the couple to break up during their trip to Mexico.
After asking Bliss for a second chance, the pair defied the odds (and Bliss' dad's wishes) and both said "I do" at the altar. (And, no, they did not sit it out, enjoying that all important first turn around the dance floor to Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance," the song that bonded them in the pods.)
After the finale aired, Zack shared a photo of the couple on Instagram with the caption "Eternal Bliss."
The couple shared in November 2023 that they are expecting their first baby.
Brett Brown and Tiffany Pennywell: Still Married
Come on, not since season one's Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed has an LIB pairing seemed so meant to be!
The oldest couple in the experiment—Tiffany was 36 and Brett was 37—exchanged vows, even though Brett had a sartorial emergency when his pants did not fit properly on their wedding day. (Shout out to seamstress Lucia, you're a real one!)
Since filming wrapped, Tiffany and Brett moved to Portland and are still perfect! Phew!
Raven Ross and Sikiru "SK" Alagbada: Not Together
After SK said "I don't" at their wedding, he and Raven seemingly parted ways.
However, when the cameras stopped rolling, the former flames reunited, revealing they were dating again during the season three reunion special.
But a month later, the couple announced that "we have decided to go our separate ways" amid allegations that SK had been unfaithful. In a joint statement shared on social media in November, SK and Raven said, "Due to on-going legal proceedings surrounding these allegations, we cannot provide additional details and ask that you please respect our privacy during this hard time. Thank you for following our love story and believing in us."
Jackie Bonds and Marshall Glaze: Not Together
Fans watched with dismay as Jackie chose to give Josh Demas, the other man she connected with in the pods, a second chance, meeting up with him before ending her engagement to Marshall.
However, during the reunion, Jackie set the record straight on the timeline of events. "I broke up with Marshall before I met Josh at the coffee shop," she said. "It looks like I'm a cheater. I am not a cheater."
Jackie then addressed the end of her relationship with Marshall, saying she "can take accountability" for her words and actions. "We just weren't meant to be."
As for her romance with Josh? They were still dating and living together in After the Altar, but Jackie announced during a September 2023 Instagram Live that they had broken up.
As for Marshall, he told E! that he briefly connected with fellow contestant Kacia Clark after the show. "We tried," Marshall explained, "But I wanted to just distance myself from all of that from that experience."
In After the Altar, Marshall revealed he's been dating girlfriend Dr. Chay Barnes for one year and wants to spend forever with her. They got engaged in December 2023.
Nancy Rodriguez and Bartise Bowden: Not Together
Nancy and Bartise had one of Love Is Blind's more explosive weddings, but not because of the bride or groom.
While Nancy was ready to get married in the season three finale episode, Bartise revealed he was not so confident in their relationship. The update did not sit well with Nancy's family, who unapologetically sounded off on Bartise.
Despite the drama, Bartise and Nancy have maintained an on-again, off-again friendship. "We've gone from being friends to being acquaintances," he told E!, "to being completely no communication back to friends."
And in April 2023, Bartisse, who appeared on Perfect Match, announced the arrival of his son, Hayden, though he hasn't publicly shared the identity of the little one's mom.
Several months later, he debuted his new romance with Cait Vanderberry on Instagram.
Nancy has also entered a new relationship, but has yet to publicly reveal her boyfriend's identity.
Alexa Alfia and Brennon Lemieux: Still Married
During the season finale, viewers watched as Alexa and Brennon got married in front of their loved ones.
In heartwarming vows, Alexa gushed, "You make me laugh, you make me think and, more than anything else, you make me happy."
The lovers announced in January 2024 that they are expecting their first baby.
Zanab Jaffrey and Cole Barnett: Not Together
Well, we can't say we're surprised by this breakup.
The two never seemed to be on the same page during their courtship, resulting in several skirmishes. Though Zanab and Cole made it to the wedding altar, Zanab declared, "You have disrespected me. You have insulted me. You have critiqued me. And for what it is worth, you have single-handedly shattered my self-confidence."
Cole later reflected on their tumultuous relationship.
"We were going through all these bumps, but we were working through things and finding smoother waters," he told E! News. "And so I was hoping that we would at least be able to continue after the wedding if we didn't get married on that day."
Colleen Reed and Matt Bolton: Still Married
Colleen and Matt successfully exchanged vows in the season three finale.
Despite the highs and lows they faced during their courtship, the pair felt confident in their relationship and happily said "I do."
On why she ultimately chose to go through with the wedding, Colleen told E! News, "As soon as I saw him cry and snort, I was like, 'That's my man.' So I knew that I was going to say yes as soon as I saw him."
And for those wondering, Colleen confirmed, "A year-and-a-half later, we're very, very happy."
Mallory Zapata and Salvador Perez: Not Together
During the season finale, Sal wasn't able to say, "I do."
In an E! News interview, he revealed that he was single after filming.
"Dating in the future now?" he said. "I don't even know the approach. I think the best approach is stay off the dating apps."
Deepti Vempati and Shake Chatterjee: Not Together
As we know, Deepti and Shake's time on the show did not end with a happily ever after.
While Deepti revealed to E! News that she is now single, her brother and Shake have been feuding on Instagram."'Shake', bruh, you're a loser," Deepti's brother Sunny and his partner Hina Merchant Vempati wrote in a joint Instagram. "You minimized my sister's life by making some awful and cringeworthy comments about her."
They continued, urging Shake to "stay the f--k away" from their sister.
Looks like Shake will be heading to his Nobu reservation alone!
Shayne Jansen and Natalie Lee: Not Together
Though Natalie and Shayne's time on the show didn't end with the exchanging of vows, Natalie told E! the "love stories" we saw on the show were "completely genuine."
"It's not reality TV," Natalie shared. "It's our real lives, real feelings, and our real relationships."
Which is why Natalie was so hurt when Shayne allegedly agreed to star on the spinoff series Perfect Match while they were attempting to make their relationship work post-failed nuptials.
"He texted me numerous times he wanted to leave midway through filming because he still had feelings for me after we saw each other for [the] first time since our breakup at the reunion show taping," she revealed on Instagram, adding that she "encouraged him to continue filming."
And when production for Perfect Match had wrapped, Natalie said she met up with Shayne but "ultimately told him we shouldn't reconcile."
Shayne, meanwhile, briefly dated Too Hot to Handle alum Chloe Veitch after they connected on Perfect Match.
Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl: Not Together
Danielle filed for divorce from Nick at a Chicago court on Aug. 15, 2022, more than a year after they married on the finale.
Iyanna McNeely and Jarrette Jones: Not Together
The two announced on Aug. 17, 2022 in a joint statement on Instagram, "After much thought, we're saddened to share that we have separated and will begin the process of divorcing. While we have love for each other, our lives are going in different directions, and that's okay. Coming to this decision was far from easy and we will always wish each other the absolute best."
Kyle Abrams and Deepti: Not Together
While the pair confirmed their friendship had blossomed into a romance in the After the Altar spinoff, which debuted in September 2022, Kyle announced just days later that they had split in the time since the special was filmed.
And in April, Kyle proposed to his girlfriend Tania Leanos, whom he did not meet in a pod.
Cameron and Lauren: Still Married
The pod squad's most solid and seemingly content couple, of course, made it official at the altar, both going through with the marriage (despite some early hesitation on Lauren's part).
In December 2019, both Cam and Lauren posted vacation photos from Cancun, though they didn't tag each other or post photos of one another. They also happen to be wearing the same pair of sunglasses, so…
But also, Lauren revealed in an interview with Elite Daily that they are still together. "Oh my God. We're so happy," she gushed. "It's just, like, every day we learn more and more about each other, and we honestly fall more and more in love with each other."
Cameron posted a photo from their wedding day, simply captioning the pic, "The happiest day of my life."
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