From Altar Runaway To Baby Bliss: Where Are Giannina Gibelli And Damian Powers Now?

The tumultuous, on-again, off-again relationship between Damian Powers and Giannina Gibelli was arguably the most dramatic storyline of Love Is Blind Season 1. Their journey, which featured a shocking runaway bride moment and an intense reconciliation, captured the attention of millions and cemented their status as reality TV icons. As of late 2025, their fiery romance is definitively over, and both have moved on to completely separate—and in one case, surprisingly domestic—lives, proving that sometimes, the end of a dramatic reality TV romance is just the beginning of a real-life love story.

The couple’s dynamic, characterized by Giannina's passionate intensity and Damian's reserved approach, ultimately proved unsustainable, leading to a permanent split following the After the Altar special. The final straw involved a controversial appearance by a fellow reality star that sealed the fate of the Love Is Blind season 1 pair. Today, Giannina Gibelli has found happiness and stability with a different reality TV star, welcoming a new baby, while Damian Powers has also continued his reality TV career on other dating shows, seeking his own new beginning.

The Tumultuous Timeline of Damian Powers and Giannina Gibelli's Love Story

To truly understand where they are now, one must revisit the chaotic but compelling journey of Damian and Giannina, a couple who defined the high-stakes drama of the Netflix experiment. Their relationship was a rollercoaster from the moment they met in the pods to their final public appearance.

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Giannina Gibelli: Biography Profile

• Full Name: Giannina Milady Gibelli
• Nickname: Gigi
• Age (as of 2025): Early 30s (Born 1993)
• Occupation on LIB: Small Business Owner/Retail Consultant
• Reality TV Appearances: Love Is Blind (Season 1), Love Is Blind: After the Altar, All Star Shore.
• Current Status: Engaged to Blake Horstmann, mother to son Heath.

Damian Powers: Biography Profile

• Full Name: Damian Powers
• Age (as of 2025): Early 30s (Born 1992)
• Occupation on LIB: General Manager
• Reality TV Appearances: Love Is Blind (Season 1), Love Is Blind: After the Altar, Perfect Match (Season 1).
• Current Status: Single (as of his last public appearance on Perfect Match).

The Pods to the Altar: A Dramatic History

The Connection in the Pods: Giannina and Damian formed a strong emotional bond in the pods, leading to a quick engagement. Their initial connection was intense, but cracks began to show early on as they struggled to bridge their communication styles and differing levels of emotional expression.

The Wedding Day Disaster: The defining moment of their relationship came at the altar. When Giannina said "I do," Damian delivered the shocking "I don't," stating they needed more time to work on their relationship. This led to Giannina famously running out of the venue in her wedding dress, falling, and having an emotional confrontation with Damian that became instantly viral.

The Post-Show Reconciliation: In a twist that surprised many viewers, the couple revealed at the reunion that they were still dating, having decided to continue their relationship off-camera despite the altar fiasco. They spent the next two years trying to make their unconventional romance work, often appearing together at events and on social media.

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The Francesca Farago Scandal and the Final Breakup

The nail in the coffin for the Damian and Giannina relationship came during the filming of the Love Is Blind: After the Altar special. The special was intended to catch up with the Season 1 cast, but it instead highlighted the deep-seated issues that still plagued the couple.

The 'After the Altar' Drama: The special featured a significant amount of tension between the couple. The ultimate confrontation occurred when Damian brought Francesca Farago—a star from the Netflix dating show Too Hot To Handle—as his date to a cast anniversary party.

A Public Humiliation: While Damian insisted that his relationship with Francesca was platonic, it was revealed that they had been photographed holding hands prior to the event, sparking rumors of infidelity. Giannina later spoke out, stating that Damian's decision to bring Francesca was a deliberate attempt to "humiliate" her on camera. This public spectacle and the lack of respect shown to Giannina finally pushed her to end the relationship for good.

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The Official Split: The couple broke up shortly after the filming of the special, with Giannina confirming to Entertainment Tonight that she was "officially single" and had found "peace" away from the volatile relationship. She stated that she had finally broken up with him the night of the incident, feeling "free" from the toxicity.

Where Are Damian Powers and Giannina Gibelli Now?

In a true testament to moving on, both Damian and Giannina have embarked on entirely new chapters in their lives, with Giannina's update being particularly heartwarming for fans who followed her dramatic journey.

Giannina Gibelli: Engaged, Baby, and Bliss

A New Love Story: Giannina found love with another familiar face from the reality TV universe: Blake Horstmann, a former contestant on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. The couple met while filming the reality series All Star Shore. Their romance quickly became serious, and they made their relationship Instagram official after months of dating.

Engagement and Baby: In a huge step away from her dramatic past, Giannina and Blake announced their engagement. The good news continued when they revealed they were expecting their first child. In a recent update, the couple welcomed their son, Heath, a beautiful milestone that has brought Giannina Gibelli the stability and happiness she sought.

Wedding Plans: As of late 2025, Giannina and Blake are actively planning their wedding. Giannina has spoken about wanting a non-traditional, unique ceremony, a stark contrast to her near-wedding on Love Is Blind. Their journey from reality TV acquaintances to engaged parents has been a major success story, showcasing a genuine, lasting connection.

Damian Powers: Reality TV and The Search for Love

Post-Giannina Reality TV: After the definitive split from Giannina, Damian Powers continued his quest for love on another Netflix show, Perfect Match (Season 1). His appearance was notable as he again pursued Francesca Farago, the same person who caused the friction in his relationship with Giannina.

The 'Perfect Match' Outcome: On Perfect Match, Damian and Francesca coupled up, but their relationship was short-lived. In the finale, Damian asked Francesca to be his girlfriend, but she tearfully declined, stating she couldn't see them working out in the real world. This marked another public rejection for Damian, solidifying his single status after the show.

Current Endeavors: While Damian’s love life remains out of the spotlight following his Perfect Match appearance, he has been reported to be "thriving" and has successfully transitioned from his previous general manager role, capitalizing on his reality TV fame. Like many of his co-stars, he continues to work as a public figure and influencer, focusing on his career and personal growth.

Ultimately, the saga of Damian and Giannina serves as a perfect example of the unpredictable nature of reality TV relationships. Their dramatic, passionate, and ultimately toxic coupling ended, allowing both individuals to pursue different paths. While Damian continues to navigate the world of reality television, Giannina has found her "happily ever after" with a new partner, a baby, and a wedding on the horizon, proving that the risk of finding love in the pods was worth the eventual heartbreak.