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Jackie Bonds ended her Love Is Blind season 4 as one of the most controversial cast members in the series’ history. Over the last few years, Netflix’s Love Is Blind has managed to captivate viewers thanks mainly to its unique plot that places emotional connection before physical attraction. The show introduced the purpose-built pods, where the contestants get to know each other via speakers. They only get to see each other when they decide to get engaged. A commitment is quickly followed by an arranged wedding, where they can either say “I do” or walk away.
Jackie’s Love Is Blind Season 4 Stint
The pods’ stage of Love Is Blind season 4 produced several dramatic moments that were capped off by the highest number of love triangles. At the end of the stipulated 10-day period, the 30 contestants that started the season had been trimmed down to five couples. More importantly, the pods’ stage saw the emergence of a few stars who had charmed the viewers with their personalities.
One of the fan-favorites from the pods was Jackie Bonds, who was involved in one of the most intriguing love triangles on the show. However, Jackie impressed viewers with how she handled herself, eventually picking Marshall Glaze over Josh Demas. On top of that, Jackie’s vulnerability and kind disposition at the pods made her an easy fan-favorite at the time.
Initially, Jackie and Marshall seemed like a perfect Love Is Blind couple. But their relationship began to unravel once they returned from their Mexico trip. Surprisingly, Jackie was the instigator of their relationship’s unnecessary drama. Her capitulation into a villainous character further stunned the fanbase and continued until the season ended.
Jackie Wanted Toxic Love From Marshall
They began living together soon after Jackie and Marshall returned to Seattle from their Mexico honeymoon trip. This was when Jackie began her dissent into villain territory by constantly stirring up trouble in her relationship. One major issue with Marshall was that she felt they didn’t have enough sex.
In one particular Love Is Blind episode, Jackie accused Marshall of not being a “man” and told him to “boss up.” This led to a massive fight between the two, and Marshall left their shared space to have a few days to himself to “decompress.” Upon his return, Jackie remained angry that the argument failed to make Marshall more assertive, causing more problems.
She clarified that she wanted him to be more aggressive and switch things up. However, when Marshall attempted to explain their lack of intimacy, an angry Jackie shut him down and reiterated her demand for him to be more aggressive. Their arguments quickly showed that Jackie was not feeling Marshall’s kind, slow-burning approach to love.
During episode 8, Jackie confirmed this as she arrived at Chelsea Griffin’s birthday party without Marshall. She then mentioned wanting a toxic type of love to Brett Brown. Also, things became more apparent when Josh came to the party and hailed himself as “Mr. Steal your Girl,” which thrilled Jackie. She further sent a strong message as she gravitated towards Josh throughout the party while giving Marshall the cold shoulder.
Jackie Played Marshall
Despite the embarrassing drama with Jackie’s ex, Josh, Marshall still desired to mend his relationship with her. After the party, he sought to speak with Jackie about their relationship.
Jackie rejected all his attempts to communicate and seemed to derive pleasure from his pain and uncertainty regarding their relationship. She had the opportunity to end things with him at that moment but didn’t. Instead, she gave him the false hope that they might still walk down the aisle together. Despite their hurdles, Marshall never looked doubtful about their future prospects. However, Jackie knew she wouldn’t stick around long but pretended she cared.
However, Jackie’s most controversial decision would come in Love Is Blind Season 4, episode 10. Under the pretense of attending a dress fitting, Jackie deceived Marshall and intended to abandon him for another man. TLC cameras caught up with Jackie as she met with Josh at a cafe, where they discussed their future together. Until then, Marshall believed there was still hope for him and Jackie.
Jakie Refused To Return the Engagement Ring
Jackie’s betrayal cut deeper for Marshall because while he was getting his tux fittings, Jackie was with Josh. Marshall discovered from Brett Brown that Jackie had skipped her dress fitting, which Brett learned from his wife, Tiffany Pennywell. When Marshall got home, Jackie was already there, waiting to discuss what had happened with him.
Jackie was blunt, explaining to Marshall that she was no longer interested in the relationship. While Marshall was visibly upset, he calmly asked her to return the engagement ring, but she refused. After Jackie refused to return the engagement ring, a visibly upset Marshall left her with some parting shots. He said,
“Every time you look at that thing, whatever you do with it, I want you to be reminded that you passed up on something great.”
Jackie’s refusal to return the ring further earned her some backlash from Love Is Blind fans. During the reunion, Marshall’s revelation that he wanted the ring back as a symbol of his love worsened Jackie’s situation. He went on to say that he picked out the ring specifically to represent his love for her. However, he didn’t think she deserved to have it after what transpired.
Jackie Refused To Show Up At The Love Is Blind Season 4 Reunion
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The relationship between the trio of Jackie, Marshall, and Josh created the most significant controversy of Love Is Blind season 4. Their relationship made fans eagerly anticipate seeing them at the reunion. Viewers expected hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey to grill Jackie for answers about her behavior during the show.
Days before the reunion, Jackie allegedly sent disparaging texts about Marshall, raising questions about his sexuality. Most Love Is Blind fans felt the text was homophobic and very mean to say about an ex. Simply put, Love Is Blind fans needed answers from Jackie, and the reunion was the perfect place for that.
However, fans were disappointed when they discovered that Jackie and her now-boyfriend Josh were not present at the reunion. Instead, the two appeared in the season 4 reunion in a pre-recorded segment. Jackie later explained her absence from the reunion via an Instagram story. She claimed that Netflix prevented her from coming to keep her safe due to death threats she had received.
Ironically, Irina Solomonova, another cast member who received a lot of heat from fans, showed up at the reunion. Many of the show’s fans wondered why Netflix didn’t extend the same courtesy to Irina. They then concluded that Jackie’s excuse for missing the showpiece was flimsy.
While Irina got a shot at redemption, Jackie’s absence robbed her of a last opportunity to redeem her image with fans. Vanessa also made matters worse by favoring Jackie during the recorded segment and attacking Marshall in the reunion. All this has made Jackie the undisputed Love Is Blind season 4 villain, trumping Irina. Although she displayed some questionable behaviors, Jackie’s antics were part of what made Love Is Blind Season 4 successful.