Watching Taylor Rue and Jared "JP" Pierce in the pods was actually sweet. They were the first couple to get engaged in Season 5. They had the "sugar butt" nicknames. They seemed like a lock. But then they actually met, and everything went south immediately. It was painful to watch.
Honestly, the "reveal" is usually the high point of the show. For Taylor and JP, it was the beginning of a slow-motion car crash. Taylor showed up looking like a literal bride—full glam, lashes, the whole thing. JP looked like he’d seen a ghost. He barely spoke. He just stood there with this frozen, awkward smile that felt more like a grimace.
The Mexico Disaster: Why Taylor and JP Didn't Work
When they got to Mexico, things got worse. Taylor was basically doing a one-woman show trying to keep the conversation alive. JP would just stare. It wasn't just "quiet guy" energy; it was a total shutdown.
The breaking point happened when JP finally opened his mouth and said something that left everyone—fans and Taylor alike—totally floored. He told her she looked "fake" at the reveal. He blamed her makeup and fake eyelashes for his inability to communicate. Basically, he said she looked like a different person and it turned him off.
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Taylor's reaction was valid. She was hurt. She spent hours getting ready for him, and he used it as an excuse for being a wall of silence.
- The Makeup "Excuse": JP claimed the "caked-up" face made him uncomfortable.
- The Silence: He barely spoke for days, leaving Taylor to carry the emotional weight.
- The Wardrobe: Fans couldn't help but notice JP’s constant American flag attire while he was critiquing Taylor’s fashion choices.
Was it Really About the Makeup?
Most people don't think so. It felt like a "cop-out." Taylor herself mentioned in interviews later that she felt there was something deeper going on. Maybe he was intimidated? Maybe the cameras were too much? Whatever it was, the makeup comment felt like a way to shift the blame onto her instead of admitting he was just overwhelmed or not feeling it.
Taylor eventually realized she couldn't move in with someone who wouldn't talk to her. She gave the ring back in Mexico and left. It was probably the smartest move anyone made that entire season.
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Where is Taylor Rue Now?
Since the show aired, Taylor has been living her best life. She didn't let the "makeup-gate" drama ruin her confidence. On her social media, she's still rocking the lashes and the glam whenever she feels like it. She’s also been open about how the experience taught her what she won't put up with in a relationship.
She went back to her life in Houston. She's been focused on her career and her family. At the reunion, she held her ground. She didn't let JP's "I was just nervous" excuses fly. She called out the fact that he was "negging" her.
Key Takeaways from Taylor's Journey
If you're following Taylor’s story, there are a few things to keep in mind about why she’s become a fan favorite:
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- She Knew Her Worth: She didn't wait until the wedding day to say "no." She saw the red flags in Mexico and bailed.
- She Refused to Change: Despite JP’s comments, she stayed true to how she wants to present herself.
- She Communicated Clearly: Throughout the awkwardness, she was the only one trying to bridge the gap.
If you are looking to apply the lessons from Taylor’s Season 5 experience to your own dating life, start by paying attention to "selective silence." If a partner only communicates when things are perfect, they aren't ready for the "real world" part of a relationship. Don't be afraid to walk away early if the person you met in the "pods" (or on the apps) doesn't show up in person.
To see more of Taylor’s post-show life, you can follow her on Instagram, where she frequently shares updates on her travels and her "natural" and "glam" looks alike. She’s proven that being "fake" has nothing to do with what’s on your face and everything to do with how you treat people.