The couple, who met and fell in love on season 3 of the hit Netflix reality show Love Is Blind, have announced the end of their nearly four-year marriage in a heartfelt joint statement. While their relationship captured hearts with a dramatic proposal in the pods and a romantic wedding finale, Colleen Reed and Matt Bolton now reveal they have quietly separated and are choosing to move forward on separate paths. Emphasizing mutual respect and gratitude for the journey they shared, the two say the decision was not made lightly, and they are navigating this transition with care, reflection, and privacy.
A reality TV romance comes to an end
Love may be blind — but even the most heartfelt beginnings don’t always guarantee a happy ending. Colleen Reed and Matt Bolton, one of the standout couples from season 3 of Netflix’s Love Is Blind, have announced their decision to end their marriage after nearly four years together. The pair, who wed in the season finale aired in 2022 but filmed in 2021, shared the news in a joint Instagram statement on May 23. “We wanted to share something personal, and this is not easy to do,” they wrote. “But after nearly four years together, we’ve decided to end our marriage and move forward on our own paths.”
Their message revealed that the split has been in motion for some time: “We’ve been separated for some time now and have been doing our best to work through everything privately and with care.”
A thoughtful goodbye
Colleen and Matt’s post struck a note of gratitude and mutual respect as they reflected on their journey. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, not one we made lightly,” the statement read. “It came with a lot of thought and it’s been an emotional process for both of us.”
The couple acknowledged the unusual way they came into each other’s lives. “We met in the most unique and unexpected way, and we’ll always be grateful for the love and memories we’ve shared,” they said. “There’s not one thing we would change, and we continue to have deep respect and care for one another.”
They concluded by thanking fans for their support and asking for “compassion” during their transition. The announcement, while heartfelt, didn’t come as a complete surprise to some viewers who have followed the couple’s ups and downs since the show aired.
From love pods to lifelong vows
Colleen, a ballet dancer and PR professional, and Matt, a charter sales executive, were among the couples who fell in love sight unseen in the show’s famous “pods.” Their connection was emotional and instant, culminating in a teary proposal and, eventually, a televised wedding.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Once they exited the bubble of the pods and faced real-world dynamics, tensions began to rise. Their relationship endured heated arguments over Colleen’s flirty conversations with fellow castmate Cole Barnett and her desire to maintain a social lifestyle — something Matt found difficult to accept. Despite the conflict, they exchanged vows during the finale. Alongside Alexa and Brennon Lemieux, they were one of only two couples from that season to officially tie the knot.
Behind-the-scenes struggles
In post-show interviews, Matt and Colleen were candid about the challenges they faced — both during and after filming. Speaking to PEOPLE in November 2022, Matt admitted he had reservations about continuing the relationship at certain points, confessing that he was “looking for an out.”
“Obviously there were a lot of conversations that you guys didn’t see,” he said at the time. “I’m glad that we did go through those little stir-ups though because it allowed us to learn how we handle certain things.” He added that when he saw Colleen walking down the aisle, he realized, “We’ve got too much potential. We are meant for each other. So we just had to do it. Can’t pass it up.”
Still, the couple’s union remained under scrutiny. Viewers pointed out Colleen’s visibly anxious body language during the reunion episode, sparking speculation that she wasn’t truly comfortable in the relationship.
In a statement to Cosmopolitan, Colleen addressed the online commentary. “At that point, I was not prepared for the gravity of strangers critiquing my profession that I am incredibly proud of, my character, and tearing down my body/physical traits,” she shared. She also noted she felt “embarrassed” about watching her earlier conversations with Cole air on television.
Navigating life after reality TV
Adding to the doubts, fans noted that Matt and Colleen weren’t living together even after saying “I do.” On the Out of the Pods podcast hosted by fellow Love Is Blind alums Deepti Vempati and Natalie Lee, Colleen explained that they wanted to ease into shared domestic life. “To kind of adapt to living with someone, it takes a while,” she said. “It takes a second, and both of us didn’t want to rush changing that, all of a sudden expediting that for other people.”
Eventually, they did take the next step. In June 2023, they moved in together and later marked their third wedding anniversary in July 2024. But even with milestones reached, cracks beneath the surface appeared too significant to ignore.
While the breakup may be disappointing to fans rooting for their love story, both Colleen and Matt appear committed to ending things with maturity and grace. Their message conveyed not only heartbreak but also a sense of closure and growth.
An ending, not a failure
Not all love stories last forever — especially when they begin under the watchful eye of millions. But in a culture of public breakups and explosive reality TV fallouts, Colleen and Matt’s quiet dignity in parting ways is perhaps its own kind of success. As they step away from their marriage, they do so with kindness, introspection, and the lessons learned from a love that once felt like fate — even if it didn’t last a lifetime.
