Love is Blind Season 9: Who were the first two people to leave the pods?

Love is Blind Season 9 delivered an early shock when two contestants unexpectedly abandoned the experiment without warning. Anna and Blake both walked away from the pods, leaving their romantic connections confused and hurt. Their sudden departures created the season's first major drama, with Patrick discovering Anna had vanished before their scheduled date, while Megan W faced similar disappointment when Blake failed to appear.

Love is Blind's format relies on contestants forming deep emotional bonds through conversation alone, speaking through walls in isolated pods before ever seeing each other. Engagement comes before first meetings, testing whether love can truly be blind. However, the intense pressure and vulnerability required sometimes prove too much for participants.

Anna initially connected with both Blake and Patrick, while Blake juggled conversations with Anna, Megan W, and Kait. What started as promising connections ultimately crumbled under the weight of personal doubts and family concerns. Both contestants have since opened up about their reasons for leaving and whether they regret how they handled their exits from the Denver-based experiment.

Why did Anna and Blake exit from Love is Blind Season 9?

Anna entered the Love is Blind pods hoping to find her future partner, but remained realistic about the outcome. She bonded with Blake over shared humor and his genuine demeanor, appreciating his kindness and authenticity compared to other contestants who seemed performative.

Her connection with Patrick developed more slowly on Love is Blind. She initially dismissed him as "bro-y" after hearing him say, "Let's send it, boys," through the pod speakers. Eventually, deeper conversations revealed common ground; both were children of immigrants, sharing specific cultural experiences that created understanding without explicit discussion.

These vulnerable exchanges became Anna's breaking point. Discussing intimate family topics felt overwhelming when she realized millions would eventually watch. Her parents, unfamiliar with reality television and facing language barriers, struggled to understand where she had gone. They worried she'd been kidnapped when producers confiscated her phone.

The guilt mounted. Anna questioned her presence in the Love is Blind experiment, feeling she'd taken a spot from someone who might actually find love. The night she left, she was emotionally exhausted, eyes swollen from crying. Producers offered her the chance to explain her departure to Patrick face-to-face, but she declined. Standing there without makeup, wearing pajamas, she simply wanted off camera.

Looking back, Anna acknowledges the awkwardness of ghosting Patrick but stands by her choice. She doesn't believe their connection was strong enough for marriage.

Blake learned of Anna's departure without anger, only concern. He clarifies they hadn't discussed engagement and weren't close to that milestone. While they'd formed a friendship, he respects her decision.

Blake was simultaneously developing bonds with Megan W and Kait. Despite multiple connections, he gradually accepted that proposals weren't forthcoming. His practical nature led him to conclude the experiment wouldn't work for him.

He decided to leave shortly after Anna, though he insists her exit didn't influence his choice. Blake admits feeling "horrible" about not telling Megan W directly. In the moment, he focused exclusively on his emotional state, believing departure was the right move. He didn't consider the impact on someone expecting him in the pod.

Did they have any regrets?

Blake now recognizes his mistake. He understands the trust implicit in pod dating on Love is Blind, knowing someone waits on the other side, experiencing identical nerves and anticipation. He regrets not being there to "metaphorically catch" Megan W during that vulnerable moment.

His reflection highlights a central tension in Love is Blind: balancing personal well-being against responsibilities to others in the experiment. While both Anna and Blake prioritized their mental health, their methods left emotional collateral damage.

The early exits set a precedent for Love is Blind Season 9, demonstrating that not every participant completes the journey and sometimes, the experiment itself becomes too intense to continue.

Trending

Love Is Blind is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback