Reality TV is usually where romance goes to die. You see these couples crying in the rain, screaming about Instagram DMs, and eventually deleting every trace of each other from their grids about three months after the reunion airs. But Zack Goytowski and Bliss Poureetezadi didn't follow the script.
They shouldn't have worked. Honestly, the way their story started on Love Is Blind Season 4 was a total train wreck. Zack initially picked the "villain" of the season, Irina Solomonova, while Bliss was sent home in tears. It was awkward. It was painful to watch. Most people thought Zack had blown his one shot at a real connection, and usually, in the world of Netflix dating shows, that’s the end of the road.
But it wasn't.
What happened next became one of the most unique trajectories in the franchise’s history. Instead of fading into the background, Zack and Bliss became the first couple to ever get married after one partner had already been dumped in the pods. Years later, they aren't just still together; they’ve expanded their family, proving that the "second choice" can actually be the right choice all along.
The Messy Reality of Zack and Bliss in the Pods
Zack Goytowski entered the pods as a criminal defense attorney with a dry sense of humor and a deeply emotional backstory. He was looking for someone who could see past his eccentricities. Bliss Poureetezadi, a program manager, seemed like the perfect match from day one. They bonded over shared values and, famously, Lee Ann Womack’s "I Hope You Dance."
Then came the mistake.
Zack got into his own head. He felt Bliss’s family might judge him, and he let his insecurities drive him toward Irina. We all saw the results of that during the trip to Mexico. It was a disaster. The chemistry was non-existent, the vibes were rancid, and Zack looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole.
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He broke it off with Irina before the trip even ended. That’s a move we rarely see. Most contestants just suffer through the filming schedule to get the "Blue Checkmark" on Instagram. Zack didn't. He went back to Seattle and asked Bliss for a second chance over a plate of takeout.
It took guts. Bliss could have easily told him to get lost, and honestly, many viewers thought she should. But she didn't. She saw the sincerity in his apology. She recognized that humans make mistakes when they're under the pressure of a ticking clock and a dozen cameras.
Why Zack and Bliss Defied the Reality TV Curse
So, why are they still together when so many other Love Is Blind couples have filed for divorce? It comes down to intellectual compatibility and a shared sense of "weirdness." Zack is famously quirky—he sings off-key, he has a very specific sense of humor, and he’s incredibly intense about his passions. Bliss doesn't just tolerate that; she loves it.
They also didn't rush the "real life" part. After the cameras stopped rolling, they focused on blending their lives in Seattle.
They also had to deal with the public's perception. Being the "second choice" is a heavy label to carry in a marriage. Bliss addressed this head-on in interviews, explaining that she never felt like a backup. To her, the pod experience was an vacuum-sealed environment where people are prone to making errors. Once they were in the real world, the hierarchy of who was picked first didn't matter. What mattered was who showed up at 7:00 AM on a Tuesday.
Navigating the Challenges of Fame and Family
Life after the show wasn't just about red carpets. Zack and Bliss have been remarkably transparent about the ups and downs. Zack has spoken openly about his upbringing and the loss of his mother, and Bliss has been his rock through those emotional journeys.
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One of the biggest hurdles any reality couple faces is the transition from "characters" to "people."
They managed this by leaning into their professional lives. Zack continued his work in law, and Bliss remained focused on her career. They didn't become full-time "influencers" in the way many of their castmates did. This groundedness is likely the secret sauce. When your entire identity and income aren't tied to being a "TV Couple," there’s less pressure to perform happiness for the cameras.
The arrival of their first child, Galileo Artemis Goytowski, in 2024, marked a new chapter. Bringing a baby into a marriage that started on a soundstage in LA is a wild concept, but they’ve handled it with a lot of grace. They’ve shared the joys of parenthood without over-exploiting their daughter for engagement, which is a fine line to walk in 2026.
The Logistics of a Post-Show Marriage
People always ask: How do you actually make a marriage work when you met through a wall?
Zack and Bliss have mentioned in several podcasts and social updates that they prioritize communication over everything. Zack’s background in law probably helps—he’s trained to argue points logically, but in a marriage, you have to learn to "lose" an argument to win the relationship.
- Radical Honesty: They didn't hide the messiness of the Irina situation. They talked it to death until it wasn't a "thing" anymore.
- Family Integration: Zack worked hard to win over Bliss's father, who was notoriously skeptical during the filming of Season 4.
- Shared Values: They both have a deep sense of faith and a commitment to personal growth.
It’s also worth noting that they live in Seattle, away from the constant hustle of the LA or NYC influencer scenes. This allows them to have a "normal" life where they can walk their dog and go to the grocery store without being a spectacle. They’ve built a community that isn't just other reality stars.
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Lessons We Can Learn from Their Relationship
What Zack and Bliss prove is that the beginning of a relationship doesn't have to be perfect to lead to a "happily ever after." In fact, sometimes the messiest starts lead to the most resilient bonds because you've already seen each other at your worst. You've already navigated a public embarrassment. You've already forgiven a massive mistake.
Most people think a soulmate is someone who gets everything right the first time. Zack and Bliss suggest that a soulmate is actually the person who is willing to come back, admit they were wrong, and do the work to fix it.
How to Apply the Zack and Bliss Approach to Your Own Life
If you're looking for a long-term partner, or trying to save a relationship that feels a bit rocky, consider these takeaways from their journey:
- Look past the "spark": Zack initially chased a certain vibe with Irina, but it was hollow. Bliss offered substance. Choose substance every single time.
- Forgiveness is a superpower: Bliss’s ability to forgive Zack for his initial choice is what saved their future. If you can’t move past a mistake, the relationship is already dead.
- Own your weirdness: Zack’s "nerdy" traits were a turn-off to the wrong person but a magnet for the right one. Stop trying to be "cool" and start being yourself.
- Ignore the peanut gallery: If Zack and Bliss had listened to social media comments in 2023, they never would have walked down the aisle. Trust your gut, not the comments section.
Ultimately, Zack and Bliss aren't just a success story for Love Is Blind. They are a case study in human resilience and the power of second chances. They showed us that even in a world of scripted drama and edited clips, something real can actually grow if the people involved are willing to be honest.
To keep up with their journey, you can follow their updates on social media where they frequently share glimpses into their life as new parents. If you are struggling with a "second choice" dynamic in your own life, remember that the order in which someone enters your life matters far less than how they treat you once they are there. Focus on the present actions rather than the past mistakes, and build your foundation on shared values rather than a perfect "meet-cute."