The fifth season of Love Is Blind premiered on Netflix on September 22, 2023, and concluded on October 13, 2023, with a reunion episode released on October 15, 2023. The season followed singles from Houston, Texas.[1]
Season summary
Couples
Married
Still together
Relationship notes
Lydia Arleen Velez Gonzalez & James "Milton" Johnson IV
Yes
Yes
Confirmed at the reunion that they are still married.[2]
Stacy Snyder & Izzy Zapata
No
No
Split on their wedding day after Izzy said yes but Stacy said no. As of February 2024, Stacy is in a relationship and Izzy is said to appear in Season 2 of Perfect Match.
Taylor Rue & Jared "JP" Pierce
No
No
Got engaged in the pods but broke up at the end of the Mexico trip. As of February 2024, JP and Taylor are both in relationships.[3]
Participants
All the participants lived in Houston at the time of filming.
Project Manager for Commercial and Retail Development
Aaliyah Cosby
29
ICU Travel Nurse
Uche Okoroha
34
Lawyer and Entrepreneur
Carter Wall
30
Construction
Connor Moore
31
Geoscientist
Efrain Batista
27
Software Sales
Enoch Culliver
27
Financial Advisor
Erica Anthony
27
Marketing Manager
Ernesto Solorzano Jr
32
Supply Chain Manager
Estefania Garcia
30
Teacher and Dancer
Jarred Gibson
34
University Director
Josh Simmons
32
Sales Representative
Justice Currey
28
Personal Trainer
Linda Obi
30
Talent Acquisition Recruiter
Maris Prakonekham
30
HR Specialist
Mayra Cardenas
25
Minister
Miriam Amah
32
Scientist
Paige Tillman
32
Stylist
Robert Martinez
30
Special Education Teacher
Renee Poche
32
Veterinarian
Shondra
32
Flight Attendant
Episodes
Love Is Blind season 5 episodes
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Original release date
Week 1
60
1
"So, You're a Recent Cheater?"
September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
61
2
"Can I Talk to You for Real?"
September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
62
3
"Blindsided"
September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
63
4
"She's Gone...?"
September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
Week 2
64
5
"Don't Give Up on Me"
September 29, 2023 (2023-09-29)
65
6
"Going Home"
September 29, 2023 (2023-09-29)
66
7
"First Class Love"
September 29, 2023 (2023-09-29)
Week 3
67
8
"Love Is a Battlefield"
October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06)
68
9
"Love on the Rocks"
October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06)
Week 4
69
10
"Big, Big Love"
October 13, 2023 (2023-10-13)
Special
70
11
"The Reunion"
October 15, 2023 (2023-10-15)
Unaired engagements and alleged sexual assault
In addition to the three engagements shown on the season, three additional couples got engaged in the pods:
Renee Poche and Carter Wall got engaged in the pods and traveled to Mexico with the other couples, and cameras followed their relationship up to the altar, but the couple did not wed, and they later ended their relationship. According to Poche, she said "no" at the altar.[4] In an interview with PopSugar, Poche divulged that producers told her the story was cut due to limited airtime available and Wall's behavior towards her, but elaborated: "I really don't know the real reason, [...] I have my own opinions on why and likely what happened, [...] I don't know if I should get into it. I will eventually, but not now."[4]
Paige Tillman and Josh Simmons got engaged in the pods, but producers chose not to film their relationship further. The couple returned to Houston and continued their relationship, though they ultimately decided to end their relationship and did not get married.[5]
An additional couple got engaged in the pods and participated in the Mexico trip, but was never shown. The female contestant filed a lawsuit against Love Is Blind production companies Kinetic Content and Delirium TV, alleging that her fiancé sexually assaulted her during the trip. She said that her fiancé "forcefully groped her, exposed himself in the nude, and repeatedly made sexual contact over her express objections" and that producers prevented her from leaving and forced her to film a final scene. The production companies denied the claims and called them "meritless." All footage of the couple was cut and their names were omitted from the cast list.[6]
Reception
Season 5 of Love is Blind was among Netflix's Top 10 series worldwide during its premiere week of September 18–24, 2023, and remained in the top 10 the following week.[7][8]
Critics of the show noted the high level of emotional conflict in the season's story lines and remarked on the show's ability to stay fresh by focusing on a different group of people each season.[9][10][11]