Spoiler Warning: Spoilers for Love Is Blind Season 6 follow. Love is in the air, and for some, it’s a leap of faith taken in the dark, quite literally. On Feb. 14, Love Is Blind aired its sixth season, which will challenge 30 new hopeful singles to find love in the most unexpected way: without laying eyes on each other. Participants “date” in speaker pods which only allows the participants to hear each other’s voices. As the season progresses, dates extend to thirty minutes, allowing participants to select whom they want to talk to and for how long.
Season 6 features many hopeful singles, but two people who instantly caught my eye were AD and Clay. Both are real estate brokers who are as similar as they are different, making them a duo I thought were totally worth investing in. AD, a former New England Patriots cheerleader, didn’t go on LIB for superficial small talk. She’s looking a soulmate who’s empathetic, ready to commit, and respects her proud identity as a Black woman. Clay, with his self-described “huge ego” and a touch of vulnerability, was seeking someone who could ride the rollercoaster of life with him without trying to change his true self.
Now, I have a real soft spot for an unconventional romance, much like any avid reality TV enthusiast. AD, who prides herself on being assertive, and Clay, the epitome of laid-back, seemed like a recipe for disaster. At first glance, you’d expect their story to become just another tale of dating gone wrong, shared over cocktails during a girls’ night out. Yet, against all odds, they tried to make it work. Surprising, isn’t it?
Against all odds — and there were several — AD and Clay’s love saga on Love Is Blind was a lot.
AD started Season 6 crushing on Matthew, the senior financial advisor who’s all talk and no walk. While getting to know Matthew, AD began talking to Clay, but grappled with his shallowness. Initially, AD was all about Matthew. Paired with his “stone cold” demeanor and AD’s determination to unlock Matthew’s softer side, the pair were close to leaving the show together. However, Matthew quickly showed his true colors as all talk and no substance, pushing AD away when it was revealed that he’d been smooth-talking another woman, Amber.
Then there was Clay, who at first seemed more interested in AD’s appearance than anything else. AD wasn’t having it, though. Firm in her belief that a relationship shouldn’t be built on physical looks alone, she put her foot down, declaring in the pods, “I personally don’t want to sell myself based off my physical attributes.”
During episode two, Matthew broke things off with AD and leaves the show. Despite this unfortunate turn of events, AD continued building her connection with Clay and the two made it official with a proposal. This turned Clay from a self-proclaimed bachelor to a devoted partner, proving that sometimes, love thrives even with overcoming differences.
As the season continued, both AD and Clay seemed invested in growing their relationship. To me, it appeared as though they were both pretty serious about getting married at the end. However, Clay’s insecurities about whether he could be faithful to AD came into play when he revealed to her that he’d never had that example growing up.
Nevertheless, AD supported him but soon found herself questioning if Clay was as invested in their relationship as she was due to his dedication to his job. But after talking with both their families and getting some advice, Clay and AD were willing to keep their relationship going.
After AD’s wedding dress fitting and Clay expressing his excitement to start a new chapter with her, the couple affirmed each other that they were ready to tie the knot while on their final date before heading to the altar.
On their wedding day, everything seemed to be going smoothly at first. AD couldn’t keep the smile off of her face as she got ready to walk down the aisle. Clay also seemed excited and looked ready to say “I do.”
“This is the biggest decision I’m going to have to make, but I’m ready for it,” Clay said with a smile in episode 12. “She’s my best friend. I could ride with her till the wheels fall off.”
But after talking with his father, who had previously been unfaithful to Clay’s mother, ahead of the ceremony, things don’t pan out at the wedding as many of us thought it would.
At the altar, AD and Clay couldn’t stop smiling and talking to each other. From the looks of it, it seemed like they were definitely going to become man and wife. But after AD said “I do,” Clay dropped a major bomb.
“AD, I love you. I don’t think it’s responsible for me to say, ‘I do.’ But I want you to know I’m rocking with you… I know fully I’m not ready for marriage,” he said.
Of course, AD was shocked but left the altar with her head held high like the baddie she is.
Back in the bridal suite, Clay told AD that he’s not rejecting her and wanted to continue their relationship. But AD wasn’t buying it and said she was “done.”
I knew Clay was a walking red flag but I didn’t think he would do my girl AD dirty like that. But AD is a strong woman and it’s only a matter of time before she finds someone who’ will cherish her’s deserving of her.