What’s the Reality? — Love Is Blind’s Ali & Madison: Season 9 Girl Chat

Podcast: What’s the Reality?
Host: Amber Desiree (AD)
Guests: Ally & Madison (Love Is Blind Season 9)
Date: November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid, laughter-filled "girl chat," Amber Desiree sits down with Ally and Madison from Love Is Blind Season 9. The trio dish on life post-filming, behind-the-scenes experiences, love found (and lost), unfounded rumors, the realities of dating on TV, and personal growth. Both women are deeply reflective and unfiltered, discussing everything from being edited on reality TV, to the challenges of sharing personal health battles, to holding fast to self-worth after heartbreak.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life After Love Is Blind

Timestamps: 01:06 – 02:42

• Ally is pursuing her degree, working in dermatology, and embracing a healthier lifestyle and routine. She mentions feeling “different” and credits her new job, sleep schedule, and self-care.
• Madison is president of the Colorado Foundation Fighting Blindness chapter, still a UX/UI designer, and “happily single.” She humorously invites others to “set me up with your brothers” (02:44).

“It kind of feels like a chapter is kind of closing, and I’m feeling a lot of clarity... just peace.” — Madison (01:15)

“It’s nice to actually be able to, like, talk openly about everything now... instead of just our own little group.” — Ally (01:24)

2. The Casting Process

Timestamps: 02:50 – 04:00

• Ally: Both applied and was approached by casting managers; friends encouraged her.
• Madison: Learned about casting from a guy she was talking to—ironically, after she messaged casting, they never spoke again.

“He’s probably... like, ‘I sent her the DMs’—sharing that story to be honest.” — AD/Ally (04:03)

3. Watching Themselves on TV & Editing

Timestamps: 04:15 – 07:00

• Both describe surreal feelings seeing themselves on screen; Ally skips some scenes.
• They acknowledge editing but agree Love Is Blind captured the “essence” of their experiences, even if context was sometimes missing.

“There was never a point that I was watching and being like ‘I got a bad edit.’ … Ultimately, you got exactly what was coming from that situation.” — Madison (06:15)

“Blame it on the edit, huh? Babe, you almost said it and it only goes so far.” — Ally (06:55)

4. Connections In the Pods

Timestamps: 07:10 – 08:53

• Ally wished viewers saw more of her and Anton’s serious conversations on values and lifestyles (ethics, money, etc.).
• She also had an un-aired connection with Patrick, as did Madison, leading to some behind-the-scenes tension.

5. The Reveal & Cultural Traditions

Timestamps: 08:58 – 11:16

• Ally was happy with Anton at the reveal. She explains the engagement ring moment (placed on her right hand, following Brazilian customs), which may have confused viewers.
• Discusses a memorable “head tilt” moment where Anton, after the reveal, didn’t look back as she expected.

6. Finances & Lifestyle Disagreements

Timestamps: 11:32 – 14:50

• Though finances were discussed in the pods, Ally clarifies Anton didn’t buy her $5K engagement ring—it was provided by Netflix.
• Ally explains her comments about wanting a bigger ring were lighthearted, part of trying to connect and joke.
• She candidly addresses concerns about Anton’s drinking habits and unhealthy lifestyle, which became a sticking point for her.

“It wasn’t a negotiable for me… absolutely not. Like, that wasn’t a negotiable for me. And he obviously found that out.” — Ally (14:23)

7. Wedding Day & Decision at the Altar

Timestamps: 15:06 – 17:21

• Ally’s sisters’ support was critical (“If she wouldn’t have been there, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with the wedding.” — 15:21).
• She told Anton a week prior she didn’t see herself saying yes; the lack of comfort at the altar made her final decision.

“That altar moment should have been, like, a comfort and, like, a wave of just... calmness, and it wasn’t. And that really was, like, my no.” — Ally (16:00)

8. Family Reactions & The “Cold-Hearted” Moment

Timestamps: 17:21 – 19:28

• Ally recounts a hurtful moment where an Anton family friend called her "a cold-hearted [bleep]" and Anton’s group cheered with champagne as she left the altar in tears.

“For Anton to allow that to happen too… seeing how distraught I was leaving the altar… that was just vile.” — Ally (18:54)

9. On Anton’s “Icks”

Timestamps: 21:58 – 22:47

• Ally lightheartedly discusses some “icks”—flip-flops, Anton’s walk, and leaving his glasses atop his head at the reveal. Both agree nervousness was likely the cause.

10. Madison’s Journey With Retinitis Pigmentosa

Timestamps: 23:15 – 27:58

• Madison opens up about sharing her vision-loss diagnosis on national TV, describing initial shame, fear, and later receiving hundreds of messages of support after her story aired.
• She explains how her sight issues have impacted her dating life, including being mistaken for drunk and navigating dimly-lit venues.

“Monsters are scarier in the dark. As soon as you can learn about it, shed light on it, it gets a lot less scary.” — Madison (23:38)

“It’s an invisible disability... people are like, ‘you’re not blind?’ I’m like, no, I’m not, but I’m blinding.” — Madison (27:43)

11. Madison & Joe: In the Pods, Revel, and Mexico

Timestamps: 28:02 – 36:12

• In the pods, Joe “climbed the ranks” due to his consistency and pursuit.
• At the reveal, their connection felt off; Joe acted awkward and distant.
• After hurtful comments by Joe about Madison’s body surfaced, she struggled deeply and developed an eating disorder during filming (“I accept his apology just so that it no longer poisons me.” — 30:31).

12. Mexico Pool Party & the Aftermath

Timestamps: 33:22 – 36:12

• Madison describes being ignored and rejected bids for affection at the pool party.
• Details her own side of the infamous post-nap argument, citing Joe’s preoccupation with how he was being filmed.

13. Joe’s Tux Fitting Breakdown & Breakup

Timestamps: 36:28 – 38:50

• Madison was shocked and disturbed by Joe’s meltdown at the tux fitting, both in the way he treated friends and strangers.
• Joe never offered clear reasons for ending things. Madison believes the real issue wasn’t her body but deeper commitment and personal issues.
• Madison reflects on her own part in the dynamic, and whether Joe was ever ready for marriage.

“I dodged a bullet.” — Madison (37:17)

14. Reunion Reflections & Closure

Timestamps: 39:02 – 41:13

• Both women describe the reunion as “intense” but ultimately cathartic. Madison details her panic attack and eventual decision that she won’t get answers from Joe, but accepts her own closure.

15. Post-Show Drama: Casey, Rumors, Makeout, and More

Timestamps: 44:21 – 49:45

• Madison discusses learning of Joe and Casey’s post-show involvement, emphasizing that Casey owed her nothing but Joe did.
• Recounts the confrontation with Casey at a pool party, her reactions, and aftermath, including an awkward post-breakup makeout with Joe.
• Madison is candid about wanting clarity but ultimately following her gut in letting go.

16. Addressing Anton’s Drinking and Strip Club Rumors

Timestamps: 51:13 – 54:44

• Ally reflects on why she and Anton never fully discussed strip-club rumors.
• She feels that Anton’s drinking was a lifestyle issue, not just TV stress.
• Anton’s lack of deep conversations and passivity ultimately made Ally realize he wasn’t the right partner for her.

17. Growth, Takeaways, and Moving Forward

Timestamps: 57:08 – 60:34

• Madison would listen to her intuition sooner, not get “pulled out of character.”
• Ally wishes more serious conversations had happened on camera for context.
• Both now feel at peace and look forward to the future, with Madison embracing self-love and Ally embracing decisiveness.

"Being able to love myself in my entirety... I found love for myself." — Madison (59:39)

"Being comfortable with knowing what you want. Sometimes it's just not your match." — Ally (60:09)

18. On Love Is Blind Season 9’s Legacy

• Both acknowledge that while no marriages resulted, Denver isn’t to blame—every city has its own “mess.”

Most Memorable Quotes

• "Monsters are scarier in the dark. As soon as you can learn about it, shed light on it, it gets a lot less scary." — Madison (23:38)
• “I accept his apology just so that it no longer poisons me.” — Madison (30:31)
• "For Anton to allow that to happen too… seeing how distraught I was leaving the altar… that was just vile." — Ally (18:54)
• "Being able to love myself in my entirety... I found love for myself." — Madison (59:39)
• "Blame it on the edit, huh? Babe, you almost said it and it only goes so far." — Ally (06:55)

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• [01:06] — Life after filming & newfound routines
• [04:15] — Watching yourself on reality TV, editing, and “bad edits”
• [07:10] — Missing context in on-air relationships
• [09:03] — The reveal, Brazilian engagement customs, and what viewers missed
• [14:23] — Ally on Anton’s drinking as a dealbreaker
• [23:15] — Madison on sharing her vision loss diagnosis publicly
• [30:31] — Managing the fallout of Joe’s comments and finally accepting apology
• [36:28] — Madison on Joe’s tux fitting meltdown: “deeply disturbing on a character level”
• [44:29] — Madison’s reaction to Joe/Casey post-show
• [57:17] — Both women’s lessons learned: intuition and speaking up

Tone & Dynamic

The episode is candid, raw, heartfelt, and peppered with humor (especially from Madison). The women balance serious reflections on trauma, disability, and heartbreak with classic reality TV shade and relatable “girl chat” energy, offering a wealth of tea for fans and thoughtful perspective for anyone navigating life in the spotlight.

In Summary

This episode is a deeply personal and honest look at what happens when reality TV meets real life. Ally and Madison bring warmth, laughter, and wisdom, turning the drama of Love Is Blind Season 9 into lessons about self-trust, boundaries, and the power of sharing your story. A must-listen for fans and anyone interested in the unfiltered human side of reality dating shows.