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It’s been over seven years since they said "I do" in front of a camera crew and a Santa Claus statue in a Georgia attic. Yeah, you read that right. Most fans remember the high-octane drama of Love Is Blind Season 1—the debt conversations, the Jessica Batten love triangle, and that explosive reunion—but Matt and Amber Barnett have quietly become the show's most resilient success story.
They aren't just reality TV survivors. They’re parents now.
In April 2025, the couple welcomed a baby girl, a milestone that felt like a long time coming for anyone following their journey from the pods to real-world chaos. For a couple that nearly broke up over "expectations" in their first year of marriage, reaching the seven-year mark is no small feat. Honestly, if you only know them from the Netflix edits, you’re missing the actual story of how they made a "messy" foundation work.
The Reality of the Barnett Baby Era
When Amber Barnett (formerly Amber Pike) announced she was pregnant on Lauren and Cameron’s podcast, The Love Seat, in late 2024, it broke the corner of the internet dedicated to LIB. She joked that Matt "knocked her up" during summer break. It was classic Amber: blunt, unfiltered, and slightly chaotic.
But the pregnancy wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
Amber was open on Instagram about her struggle with Hyperemesis Gravidarum—severe morning sickness that basically floors you. She also had a major scare in January 2025 with preterm labor symptoms, which left the couple "freaking out" before their daughter finally arrived in April. Matt, who was once the "frat boy" of the pods, has fully embraced the "girl dad" life.
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Life in 2026: More Than Just Reality Stars
- The Move: They finally ditched the apartment life with roommates that caused so much tension in the After the Altar special.
- Career Shifts: Amber went back to school for certifications before the baby arrived, wanting to establish a career outside of the "influencer" bubble.
- The Relationship Dynamic: They’ve traded the wild nights out for what Amber calls "adventure stories at holiday parties."
Why the Debt Controversy Was Mostly TV Magic
Everyone remembers "The Debt Talk." You know, the one where Amber revealed she had $20,000 in student loans and a penchant for makeup. It painted her as a "gold digger" and Matt as the victim who had to sell his house to save her.
Except, that's not exactly what happened.
In various interviews and podcast appearances, the couple has clarified that the show's narrative was heavily skewed. Matt did sell his house, but it was largely to pay off his own student loans and consolidate their lives while living in a more affordable space. Amber wasn't just sitting around; she was working as a cocktail waitress and eventually pivoted into her own professional pursuits.
The idea that he "bought" her was a great storyline for 2020, but in 2026, it looks more like two young people in their 20s navigating the same financial garbage every other millennial faces. They just happened to do it with a microphone clipped to their shirts.
The Secret to the Barnett Longevity
Why did Matt and Amber Barnett last while almost every other LIB couple crashed and burned?
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It’s probably because they’re both "stubborn assholes," to use Matt’s own words. They didn't try to be the "perfect" couple like Lauren and Cameron. They fought. They almost got a divorce lawyer in their first year. Amber has been incredibly candid about the fact that they had to stop "forcing" their expectations of what a husband or wife should be on one another.
They chose to be "deliberate and intentional" instead of just being "blind."
They also mostly stepped away from the reality TV grind. While some former LIB stars jump from Perfect Match to The Traitors, the Barnetts have stayed relatively low-key in Atlanta. They focus on their dog, Koda, their new daughter, and their actual marriage.
Key Milestones You Might Have Missed
- November 2025: They celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary.
- The Book: They co-authored Leap of Faith back in 2021, which gave a lot of the "unaired" context about their early struggles.
- The Friendship: They remain tight with Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton, proving that some pod bonds are actually real.
Navigating the Public Eye
It hasn't all been sunshine and baby photos. Amber has dealt with a massive amount of online hate over the years. People called her manipulative; they criticized her "aggressive" personality.
Nuance is hard to find on social media.
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If you look at their 2026 updates, you see a couple that has leaned into each other because the world outside was often quite loud and mean. They’ve grown up. Matt isn't the indecisive guy who was torn between three women anymore, and Amber isn't just the "wild girl" from the tank. They are a family.
Actionable Insights for LIB Fans
If you’re looking to keep up with the Barnetts without falling for clickbait, here is the best way to do it:
- Follow the Source: Skip the gossip blogs and watch Amber’s Instagram stories. She’s the one who usually gives the real, unpolished updates on motherhood and their daily life.
- Check "The Love Seat" Podcast: This is where they feel most comfortable sharing long-form updates because they’re talking to friends (Lauren and Cameron) rather than a production team looking for a "hook."
- Ignore the "Selling the House" Tropes: Understand that reality TV edits finances to create villains. Their current lifestyle in 2026 shows a much more balanced financial partnership than the 2020 episodes suggested.
The Barnetts proved that you can start in a "pod" and end up in a real, messy, beautiful life—provided you're willing to do the work after the cameras stop rolling.