Watch the 'Love is Blind' reunion and see its shocking moments: A makeup, and a near breakup
Spoiler alert: This recap includes spoilers of Netflix's "Love is Blind" reunion special. (Warning: special includes NSFW language).
Would you expect a "Love is Blind" reunion wouldn't offer jaw-dropping moments? That just doesn't seem fitting for a show where contestants proposed just days after meeting their partners – and without ever seeing their faces.
On February 18, the 12 participants who got engaged during the show, taped in fall 2018 reunited in front of a very bright purple curtain. And in the special, released early Thursday on Netflix’s YouTube channel, we finally got to see Vanessa and Nick Lachey do some actual hosting; learn which couples are together today; and see Amber call out Jessica for her "fake" behavior.
The reunion's most shocking moments:
'Love is Blind': All your post-finale burning questions for Jessica and Mark, answered
'Love is Blind' couples: Who got married and who broke up on the addictive Netflix show?
Surprise! Damian and Giannina are 'so together'
Although they parted ways on their "wedding" day, Damian and Giannina are a couple once more. "We are so together," she says. "Like, every single day waking up next to each other and going to the gym together. I don’t want to lose this."
Giannina respects Damian's decision not to wed, though "it hurt so much" at the time.
"I feel like where we are now, it’s so right for us, where we can just date," she says, but reveals the two don't live together.
Damian says he has no regrets about his decision, and that Giannina's "I do" caught him by surprise.
"That was the hardest decision I probably ever made in my life, honestly," he says, "and I would stick by it again, because of where we are now."
Amber reveals she thought about divorcing Barnett
Although the couple remains together, Amber confesses she thought about ending their marriage.
"I know there was one point where we almost broke (up) because we had such expectations out of what we wanted out of a husband and wife," she says. She adds that her gig as a cocktail waitress made Barnett "so uncomfortable" that she stopped working, which strained their union when he had to support her financially. Amber says both became used to their single status, and evolving to behave like a spouse took some time.
"I, at one point, had actually called about potentially getting the divorce lawyer," she says. "I was like, 'This isn't working.' "
But they've been able to make it work.
"We stopped trying to force what we expected on each other," explains Barnett, "and once that happened – I don't know, it's just nothing but really good things since then."
Yes, the couples who wed on the show are still married
Like Amber and Barnett, Lauren and Cameron also said "I do," and life for the two is "really, really good," according to the bride. The proud parents of a dog now can't help but gush over their partners.
"He teaches me stuff every day," says Lauren. "He's so lovin', he's so genuine."
Cameron echoes his wife. "Lauren's an amazing woman, obviously, we all know that," he says. "Just being with her changed me in many ways."
Lauren says they would have children "one day," which Cameron says will come "hopefully soon."
As for the other participants, who were engaged on the show but did not exchange vows – former couple Mark and Jessica, exes Diamond and Carlton and Kelly (formerly engaged to Kenny) – they are single.
Netflix's dating show 'Love is Blind' will capture your attention, if not your heart
A 'Bachelor' for seniors is in the works from ABC. Here's why that's a fantastic idea
Carlton drops to one knee – again!
Things have been rough for Carlton and Diamond following the fiery demise of their relationship, in which a drink and engagement ring were hurled. Both were targets of online criticism and say they've received death threats.
Diamond says she would likely be unable to get over the disrespect shown during their breakup.
"It's disappointing that there is a line drawn, because my sole purpose of coming here today – as much as I didn't want to – I wanted to make it clear that I am here for you," says Carlton, who still views his proposal as "the happiest day" of his life.
Walking over to his ex with the ring he fished out of the pool, now safely back in its box, Carlton cautions Diamond he isn't proposing marriage a second time. Instead, he got on a knee to apologize "at eye level."
"I hope that you take this ring again as, like, a significant piece of our friendship and the start of something beautiful without any type of... plan of action," he says.
"I accept your apology, and I do forgive you," Diamond says, extending her arms for an embrace.
Amber slams Jessica as 'sheisty'
Amber unleashed her wrath on Jessica, who she accused of continuing to pursue Barnett after their engagement. "To see her throwing herself at him in Mexico, (turns to look directly at Jessica) (expletive), you’re sheisty. You’re so fake," Amber says. "Coming to my face like we were cool. You are so fake.”
Amber adds that it's her hope Jessica grows by seeing herself onscreen.
"You were engaged to another man that you were leading on,” Amber says, referencing Jessica's acceptance of Mark's proposal. "(Barnett) was engaged. He made his choice."
Jessica admits that she owed both partners an "I'm sorry."
"I do definitely owe a major apology to you, Amber and to Barnett," she says. "I super respect them both, I respect their relationship, and it definitely was not good of me to ever question that."
For Amber, Jessica's lack of honesty pushed her over the edge. "The fact that she was going behind my back, with me in the same room, saying these things, like, 'Are you sure this is what you want?' Yeah, that bothered me, because if you still have feelings for my husband, and you're engaged to my friend, the least you can do is be honest with everybody else about where you are at."
Ultimately, Amber says she can "accept the intent" behind Jessica's apology, but isn't "fully there yet."
'The Bachelor' recap: Peter picks final two; 'Women Tell All' addresses online harassment, racism
Next 'Bachelorette' revealed!: 'Bachelor' nation alum Clare Crawley is Season 16's lead
Jessica admits to 'drinking too much'
Seeing herself on camera has been eye-opening for Jessica.
"It’s tough, because watching it back, it was obvious that I was working through some things," she says. "I still don’t really like the person that I saw and the things that played out.
"Obviously, I was really uncomfortable, and I was drinking too much and that was really disturbing to see play out," she continues, "and some of the comments that I made that were derogatory... that certainly wasn't fair to Mark, who's a fantastic person."
In an interview with USA TODAY, Jessica expressed regret for "any time that I hurt" Mark. "I don’t regret being honest and truthful, but I think in some moments when I was feeling frustrated or stuck and uncomfortable, I see that I definitely could’ve been softer," she says.
Kenny has 'the best girlfriend for me'
In contrast to the Kenny who was so upset he requested not to be filmed after his unsuccessful wedding day, reunion Kenny "could not be doing better."
He credited the show with helping him find his current partner. "It allowed me to open myself up, to truly be vulnerable, and I have the best girlfriend for me," he says.
Kelly is single, following a relationship with a best friend who was present for her walk down the aisle with Kenny. And she's happy for her former fiancé.
"I did love you. I was not in love with you, as we've mentioned, but I did love you, and I wanted to continue our journey of dating and getting to know one another," she says. "And that didn't happen, and it's water under the bridge now, and I’m so happy for you and your relationship. But, I think I just needed time."
'The Bachelor' Season 24: Meet the contestants still standing
What to do if you experience harassment on dating apps
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch 'Love is Blind' reunion: Most shocking moments