Reality TV is a wild ride, isn't it? One minute you're watching people swap spit in a villa, and the next, you're deeply invested in whether two strangers actually made it to the altar. If you followed the first season of Netflix's Perfect Match, you definitely have thoughts on Joey Sasso and Kariselle Snow. They were the "it" couple. The day ones. The pair that made everyone else look like they were just playing house. But since the cameras stopped rolling, the big question remains: did Joey and Kariselle get married?
The short answer? No. They didn't.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a heartbreaker for fans who watched Joey drop to one knee in the season finale. It felt real. It looked real. But as we've learned from years of The Bachelor and Love is Blind, an onscreen proposal is often just the beginning of a very messy end. In the world of reality stardom, the "happily ever after" usually hits a wall once the NDAs expire and the social media filters fade.
The Whirlwind Romance of Perfect Match Season 1
Joey Sasso wasn't a stranger to our screens. We knew him from The Circle—the loud, charismatic guy from Rochester who won the whole thing by just being a "real one." Then came Kariselle Snow, the blunt, beautiful powerhouse from Sexy Beasts. When they saw each other on Perfect Match, it wasn't a "nice to meet you" moment. It was a "here we go again" moment.
They had a history. Long before Netflix put them in a tropical mansion, Joey and Kariselle had been on and off for years. This gave them a massive advantage in a show designed to test compatibility. While other contestants were busy trying to figure out each other's last names, Joey and Kariselle were already arguing like a married couple. It was messy, it was loud, but it felt authentic.
- They shared a deep, pre-existing bond.
- Joey struggled with commitment issues throughout their history.
- Kariselle was vocal about wanting a serious future.
The climax of the season was undeniably their engagement. After weeks of proving they were the strongest duo in the house, Joey popped the question. Kariselle said yes. The confetti flew, the other contestants cheered, and for a second, it felt like reality TV had finally produced a genuine success story.
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Why the Engagement Fell Apart
So, if they were so "perfect," what happened? Life happened.
After the show wrapped filming in early 2022, the couple had to keep their relationship a secret for a long time. That’s standard for Netflix. You can’t go out to dinner or post photos on Instagram because you’ll spoil the ending for millions of viewers. That kind of pressure is a pressure cooker for a relationship that was already rocky.
Joey has been fairly open about the split in various interviews. He’s mentioned that once they got back to the real world, the same issues that plagued them before the show started to resurface. It turns out that winning a trophy for being the most compatible couple doesn't actually solve the fundamental problems of two people with different life trajectories. They weren't just characters on a screen; they were two people trying to figure out if they could actually live together without a production crew filming their every move.
The breakup wasn't immediate, but by the time the finale actually aired on Netflix, the engagement was already over. They had to sit there and watch themselves get engaged while knowing they weren't even speaking anymore. Imagine how jarring that is. You’re at home on your couch, watching your younger self promise forever to someone you’ve already deleted from your contacts.
The Reality of Post-Show Relationships
We see this pattern constantly. The "Winner’s Curse" in reality dating is very real. When you’re in a bubble—no phones, no jobs, unlimited cocktails, and a beautiful view—falling in love is easy. It’s the "vacation effect." Everyone is the best version of themselves on vacation.
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Once Joey and Kariselle returned to their respective lives, the logistics kicked in. Joey is a hustler in the entertainment space, always moving, always working on the next project. Kariselle has her own career and ambitions. Balancing those two worlds without the "game" aspect of the show proved to be too much.
People often ask if it was all for show. Was it scripted? Probably not in the way people think. Producers don't hand you a script, but the environment is designed to force a narrative. When you’re told you’re the "perfect match" every day, you start to believe it. You start to perform the role of the perfect couple.
Where are Joey and Kariselle now?
Joey Sasso has stayed busy. He’s leaned heavily into his brand as a reality TV veteran and actor. If you follow him on social media, you see he’s still the same high-energy guy we met on The Circle. He hasn't jumped into another high-profile public relationship since Kariselle, choosing instead to focus on his career and his sobriety, which he has been very vocal about.
Kariselle, on the other hand, has continued her journey as a singer and influencer. She’s moved on, though the shadow of Perfect Match lingers in her comments section. It’s a tough spot to be in—half the internet wants to know if you’re still with your ex, and the other half is judging you for the breakup.
Lessons from the Joey and Kariselle Breakup
If there’s anything to learn from the saga of did Joey and Kariselle get married, it’s that history doesn't always guarantee a future. Sometimes, getting back with an ex for the third or fourth time just confirms why you broke up in the first place.
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- History isn't always a foundation. Just because you've known someone for years doesn't mean you're meant to spend the rest of your life with them. Sometimes, it just means you’re comfortable.
- Public pressure is a romance killer. Trying to maintain a relationship while the world watches and judges every move is nearly impossible for even the strongest couples.
- Engagement isn't a fix. You can't put a ring on a problem and expect it to go away. If the trust or the timing isn't right, a diamond won't change that.
They weren't the only ones, either. If you look at the rest of the Perfect Match Season 1 cast, almost none of them stayed together. Dom and Georgia? Over. Shayne and Chloe? Done. It seems the show is better at creating entertainment than it is at creating marriages.
The Bottom Line on the Sasso-Snow Engagement
Despite the heartbreaking end to their televised engagement, both Joey and Kariselle seem to be doing well. There’s no bad blood—at least not publicly. They’ve both acknowledged that they have a lot of love for each other, but love isn't always enough to make a marriage work.
The fans who were rooting for them can take comfort in the fact that they were, for a moment, genuinely happy. They provided one of the most emotional arcs in recent reality TV history. But no, no wedding bells ever rang. There was no white dress, no Rochester reception, and no Netflix special featuring their nuptials.
If you're looking for the next step in following their journey, your best bet is to keep an eye on their individual projects. Joey is constantly teasing new appearances, and Kariselle's music career is worth a follow. They’ve closed the chapter on their relationship, and it’s time for fans to do the same.
Actionable Insights for Reality TV Fans:
- Check the Timeline: Always look at the filming dates versus the air dates. Most reality couples have broken up before the first episode even hits your screen.
- Follow Individual Socials: Couples often stop following each other or delete photos weeks before an official breakup announcement.
- Manage Expectations: Reality TV is 90% entertainment and 10% reality. Enjoy the drama, but don't buy the wedding gift until they actually post the certificate.