After a fairytale connection in the pods, Ali Lima and Anton Yarosh from Love Is Blind Season 9 hit a major roadblock when Ali discovered her fiancé’s recent party-centric lifestyle, causing her to seriously doubt their compatibility.
The couple, who were the first to get engaged this season, appeared to have a perfect relationship built on their shared experiences as immigrants and their common life goals. However, their return to the real world in Denver introduced challenges that tested their bond. During a meeting with Anton’s friends, Ali learned details about his past that directly contradicted the image he had presented to her, making her question if he was truly ready for marriage.
A Meeting With Friends Reveals the Truth
The trouble began in episode 8, titled “Stripping the Veil,” when Anton introduced Ali to his best friend, Joe, and Joe’s partner, Melissa. The casual gathering took an awkward turn when Joe began recalling wild times he and Anton shared. Anton tried to stop his friend from sharing more, but the damage was done, and Ali was left stunned by stories she had never heard before.
The conversation took a more serious turn when Melissa and Ali stepped away to the bathroom. Melissa asked about bachelor party plans and whether a visit to a strip club was possible. She then revealed a key piece of information, telling Ali:
“Anton likes strip clubs, and he goes with Joseph.”
Ali’s position was firm and immediate. She stated, “I don’t like that.” Melissa added that Anton had been deeply involved in Denver’s party scene but had stopped since beginning his relationship with Ali. However, this clarification did little to ease Ali’s concerns, as she learned this lifestyle was a very recent part of his life.
Ali’s Trust and Perspective Are Shaken
The revelations from his friends completely shifted Ali’s perspective. She explained in a confessional that Anton had previously portrayed his friend Joe as the sole “party guy” in their friendship. The new information painted a very different picture.
“The way that Anton was sharing things with me was very much like, ‘Joe’s the party guy.’ Joe’s the one that wants to be out all the time. He’s the one that’s wild,” Ali shared. “But from what Melissa shared with me, it was very much like they were in that life together.”
Ali also expressed her general discomfort with the party culture in Denver, telling Melissa she was considering a move to Florida to avoid being surrounded by that scene. The fact that Anton had been living this lifestyle just months before joining the experiment made his sudden transformation seem questionable to her.
Friends Expressed Doubts About Anton’s Readiness for Marriage
During the same meeting, both of Anton’s friends expressed their skepticism about him settling down. While the women were talking privately, Joe questioned Anton about his feelings. Anton called Ali an “amazing person” and said he would be the “happiest man on earth” if she agreed to marry him at the altar.
Despite this, Joe admitted he never expected the relationship to last, confessing to Anton, “I give you two weeks.” He explained he thought Anton would return home quickly after the experiment failed. Melissa shared a similar sentiment with Ali, saying she couldn’t believe Anton was getting married. When Ali directly asked if Anton seemed like the marriage type, Melissa bluntly answered, “To be honest, no.”
A Look at Ali and Anton’s Journey on the Show
Nurse Ali and transportation manager Anton, both 29, connected instantly in the pods. They bonded over being immigrants—she is from Brazil and he is from Russia—and both learned English at age eight after moving to the U.S. They also shared being children of divorce and a desire to build a healthy family. Their connection was so strong that Anton became the first person to propose in Season 9.
After their engagement, the couple faced minor disagreements, including a discussion about the cost of her engagement ring, which Anton revealed was $5,000. Ali suggested that $10,000 would have been a more reasonable amount, stating, “It’s an act of love. It’s an act of your appreciation for the future mother of your children.”
What This Means for the Couple’s Future
Ali left the gathering with serious reservations about her relationship. She told producers she felt “really hesitant” to believe Anton was ready to settle down as he had claimed. The timing of his party lifestyle was her biggest concern, as it had been a active part of his life just months before he joined the show.
The couple now faces a critical test as they approach their wedding day. Ali must decide whether Anton’s change is genuine or if he was simply telling her what she wanted to hear during their time in the pods. With the final episodes of the season yet to be released, fans are waiting to see if this previously solid pair can overcome this major hurdle.
Also Read: Love Is Blind Season 9: Which Denver Couples Got Engaged and Who Is Still Together?
