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Ali and Anton’s Love Is Blind journey: can their bond survive?
Latino presence in Love Is Blind: from Giannina to Ali Lima
Love Is Blind Season 9 has finally arrived on Netflix, and while the show has been praised in the past for providing Latine representation, much like Season 8, this latest installment feels thin in that regard. This stands out even more when considering that Netflix has already expanded the franchise with three Latin American versions like Love Is Blind: Brazil, Love Is Blind: Mexico, and Love Is Blind: Argentina, demonstrating just how impactful representation can be in connecting with audiences across cultures.
The first six episodes of Season 9, set in Denver, Colorado, have already given viewers drama, love stories, and plenty of the signature twists that keep fans coming back. For those new to the format, the premise is simple but daring: singles date and build connections without ever seeing each other. At the end of ten days, they must decide if they want to commit to marriage. If they do, only then do they meet face-to-face and have four weeks to test if love is truly blind before deciding whether to say “I do” or walk away.
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Previous Latine contestants have been a vital part of the show’s DNA: Monica (Season 8), Marissa and Nick (Season 7), Amy (Season 6), Izzy and Lydia (Season 5), Jackie (Season 4), Nancy (Season 3), Mallory and Salvador (Season 2), and Giannina (Season 1). Season 9, however, highlights just one notable Latine contestant: Ali Lima.
Meet Ali Lima
Ali, 29, is a nurse originally from Brazil. A first-generation immigrant, she’s proud of having built a life in the U.S. after learning English as a child. Ali has made it clear she’s looking for a partner who matches her ambition and discipline, someone she can grow with while balancing her demanding career and pursuit of another degree. “I’m looking for a leader, somebody that inspires me to be a better person and somebody that I can do the same for,” she explains. Her standards are high, but so is her determination.
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Ali also admits she’s had her share of challenges in the dating scene. “Dating in Denver, I’ve encountered a lot of boys who aren’t ready to grow up, and I’m only in the market for men,” she says. For her, ego is a dealbreaker, and she makes it clear that her future partner will need to step up both emotionally and practically. Yes, that means taking the lead on household chores.
Ali & Anton: A Love Story in the Pods
Spoilers ahead: Ali’s story has quickly become one of the central narratives of Season 9 thanks to her bond with fellow 29-year-old Anton Yarosh, a transportation and logistics manager. Their connection began almost instantly in the pods, sparked by shared immigrant experiences: Ali moved to the U.S. from Brazil at 8, while Anton arrived from Russia at the same age. Both know the struggles of growing up with names that were often mispronounced, and both are children of divorce determined to build a healthier family dynamic for their own future kids.
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Their similarities and openness with each other made them one of the season’s strongest couples early on. Ali was the first to admit she was falling in love, and Anton not only reciprocated but also revealed he had dreamt of their life together. He soon became the first man in Season 9 to propose, a moment Ali took as fate when she woke up at 5:55 a.m. on the big day. Meeting in person only deepened their connection, with Anton immediately overwhelmed by Ali’s presence: “She’s stunning…it’s shocking how good she looks.”
Of course, no Love Is Blind journey is without obstacles. While in Baja, Mexico, Ali teased Anton about kissing with his eyes open, to which he responded that he just wanted to admire her while kissing. A more serious moment came when Anton casually mentioned that he spent $5,000 on her engagement ring, prompting Ali to say she thought he should have spent at least $10,000, a hint at possible financial differences between the two.
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Questions about intimacy also emerged. While other women in the cast discussed the physical spark with their partners, Ali kept quiet, only noting that she “couldn’t wait” to be with Anton. Later, it was revealed she was on her period during their trip, which explained some of the restraint.
What’s Next for Ali and Anton?
As the couples return to Denver to test their relationships in the real world, Ali and Anton’s journey will be one to watch. With four more episodes yet to come, only time will tell if Ali and Anton’s bond is strong enough to withstand the pressures of the real world, or if Love Is Blind will prove, once again, that it takes more than blind faith to make love last.
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Three new episodes will arrive on Netflix on October 8th, with the next two releasing on October 15th and the grand finale on October 22nd.
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