The eighth season of Love Is Blind, which premiered on Netflix on February 14, 2025, delivered a fresh batch of drama and genuine connection from the bustling metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. The season quickly became one of the most talked-about installments, not just for the emotional breakthroughs in the pods but for the shocking controversies and surprising post-show twists that unfolded in the months following the finale in March 2025.
As of today, December 13, 2025, the dust has settled on the Minneapolis experiment, revealing that while four couples made it out of the pods engaged, only a single pair actually tied the knot at the altar. This deep dive will break down the full cast, the major couples, the explosive drama that rocked the season, and the current relationship status of the singles who risked it all for a blind connection.
The Complete Love Is Blind Season 8 Minneapolis Cast & Biographical Profiles
The Minneapolis-St. Paul season featured a total of 32 singles, the largest "pod squad" to date, ranging in age from 26 to 43, all hoping to find their lifelong partner without ever seeing them. Here is a detailed look at the key cast members and engaged couples who defined the season, along with their ages and occupations at the time of filming:
- Taylor Haag, 32: Colonoscopy Nurse. She became one half of the only couple to successfully marry in the season finale.
- Daniel Hastings, 31: Financial Analyst. He married Taylor, but their journey was immediately plagued by a pre-show drama allegation.
- Joey Leveille, 35: Project Manager. He was the first to get engaged, but his journey took a surprising turn after the show aired.
- Monica Danus, 28: Marketing Coordinator. She got engaged to Joey but was faced with a difficult realization once they left the pods.
- Ben Mezzenga, 30: Sales Executive. His engagement was fraught with tension, and he later became the center of a major social media scandal.
- Sara Carton, 29: Oncology Nurse. She accepted a proposal from Ben, but their relationship was short-lived and ended in controversy.
- Virginia Miller, 27: HR Specialist. She formed a strong connection with Devin in the pods.
- Devin Buckley, 33: Real Estate Broker. He proposed to Virginia, and they were one of the four couples to make it to the altar.
- Lauren O'Brien, 30: Teacher. She was part of the fifth couple who got engaged (to Dave Bettenburg), but they broke up before the wedding.
- Dave Bettenburg, 31: Engineer. He and Lauren were the only engaged couple who didn't make it to the altar.
- Molly, 30: Executive Assistant.
- Meg, 31: Oncology Nurse.
- Tiera, 34: Marketing Strategist.
- Amanda, 43: District Retail Manager.
- Brad Morgan, 36: Physician.
The sheer number of participants and the diverse range of Minneapolis-based careers—from healthcare professionals like Colonoscopy Nurses and Oncology Nurses to roles in finance and real estate—highlighted the unique dating landscape of the Twin Cities.
The Explosive Drama and Controversies That Rocked Season 8
While the season had its share of heartwarming moments, it was quickly overshadowed by a series of high-profile controversies, particularly involving the cast's social media activity and pre-show connections.
The Taylor and Daniel Instagram Allegation
The most shocking drama centered on Taylor Haag and Daniel Hastings, the season's only married couple. In one of the most dramatic moments of the season, Taylor confronted Daniel, alleging that he had followed her on Instagram before they even entered the pods. This allegation threatened to completely undermine the core premise of the experiment, which relies on the singles being complete strangers.
Daniel denied the accusation, suggesting he may have matched with her on a dating app like Tinder or followed her briefly but had no memory of it. However, the revelation cast a permanent shadow over their relationship, creating a major talking point about the authenticity of the "blind" process in an era of hyper-connected social media.
Ben Mezzenga's Viral TikTok Scandal
Sales Executive Ben Mezzenga’s relationship with Sara Carton was already tumultuous, but it was completely derailed by a viral TikTok video that surfaced shortly after the first batch of episodes dropped. The video, posted by a woman claiming to be Ben's ex-girlfriend, alleged that Ben was on the show purely for fame and that he was not a genuine participant in the experiment.
Sara later alluded to the "appalling details" she discovered about Ben, which put the TikTok accusations into perspective and led to the couple's eventual split before the wedding. This scandal, along with others, prompted co-host Vanessa Lachey to comment on the difficulties of casting in smaller, more connected cities like Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Who Got Married and The Shocking Post-Show Relationship Twist
The season culminated in four couples reaching the altar, a number that left fans hopeful for a high marriage success rate. However, the Minneapolis season proved to be one of the most challenging in the show's history.
The Only Couple to Say "I Do"
Out of the four couples who made it to the wedding day, only Taylor Haag and Daniel Hastings said "I do." Despite the Instagram drama and the intense scrutiny from the public and their families, the Colonoscopy Nurse and the Financial Analyst chose to commit to each other. Their marriage was confirmed by state records, solidifying them as the sole success story of the Minneapolis experiment.
The other three couples—Joey and Monica, Ben and Sara, and Virginia and Devin—all ended at the altar, with various reasons ranging from unresolvable differences to last-minute cold feet.
The Unforeseen Post-Show Romance: Joey and Sara
Perhaps the most satisfying and surprising twist of the entire season was the post-show relationship that blossomed between two of the cast members who had originally been engaged to other people.
Joey Leveille and Sara Carton, who had been engaged to Monica and Ben, respectively, confirmed in a social media announcement in mid-July 2025 that they were officially dating. This development sent a wave of excitement through the fan base, as it proved that even when the original experiment fails, genuine connections can still be found within the "pod squad" community. Their relationship, which formed after the cameras stopped rolling, is a testament to the fact that love is indeed blind, even if it takes a second try with a familiar face from the same dating pool.
The journey of the Love Is Blind Season 8 cast from Minneapolis-St. Paul will continue to be a subject of intense interest, as fans eagerly await updates on Taylor and Daniel's marriage and the unexpected romance between Joey and Sara.
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