The engagement that began with laughter in the pods and led to painful public disagreements has come to an end. Joe Ferrucci and Madison Maidenberg, one of the engaged couples from Love Is Blind Season 9, are not together anymore. Their relationship, which was tested by issues of attraction and communication, ultimately did not survive the transition from the experiment to real life.
A Rocky Path After the Pods
Joe, a 29-year-old sales professional, and Madison, a 28-year-old UX/UI designer, initially connected over fun, light-hearted conversations about future dates involving karaoke and 7-Eleven snacks. Their bond deepened when Madison shared her personal struggle with a degenerative eye condition, and Joe reassured her of his support. This emotional connection led to an engagement, but their relationship faced immediate challenges after their first face-to-face meeting.
The couple’s troubles became public during their post-engagement trip to Mexico. During a pool party with the other contestants, Joe drank excessively, leading to an argument in their hotel room. Madison revealed that after cameras were turned off, she was so upset by his behavior that she made him get his own room for the night. She described feeling “so disappointed and so genuinely hurt” by his actions, which she found dismissive.
Another significant strain came from Joe’s comments about physical attraction. In a confessional, he stated that Madison was not his “usual type,” as he typically preferred “thinner women.” These remarks were broadcast on the show, opening the door for public scrutiny of Madison’s appearance.
Lasting Impact and the Final Split
In the weeks following the show’s filming, the emotional toll of these events became clear. In an interview, Madison disclosed that Joe’s comments about her body had a severe effect on her mental health.
“Honestly, from that comment, I kind of developed an eating disorder moving forward,” Madison shared on The Viall Files podcast. She credited her recovery to a “great therapist” and stated she is “healthy now” mentally.
She also described hearing his comments as her “worst case scenario,” explaining that it shifted the focus of their relationship from their emotional connection to her appearance. While the exact timing of their final breakup is not publicly confirmed, both individuals have spoken about the relationship in the past tense, indicating they have parted ways. Public records from Denver County also show no marriage license was filed for the couple.
Joe has expressed regret for his behavior, stating he felt “not great” about watching his own comments on the show and that he never wanted to make anyone feel that way. He acknowledged that his remarks, while intended to be an honest account of his dating history, came off poorly.
Despite the end of their romantic relationship, the two still follow each other on Instagram, though this may be a procedural move to avoid spoiling the show’s outcome before the finale airs.
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