Matthew Duliba’s pursuit of both Amber Grant and Amber "AD" Desiree led to one of the most controversial departures in Love Is Blind history. After his identical promises to both women were exposed during a lounge conversation, Amber Grant exited the experiment, followed shortly by Matthew, ending their televised journey before the engagement phase.
The Dynamic of the Season 6 Love Triangle
In the sixth season of Netflix's hit reality series Love Is Blind, the social experiment took an unexpected turn when Matthew Duliba, a senior financial advisor from Charlotte, North Carolina, found himself at the center of a complex emotional web. Matthew’s approach to the pods was unconventional from the start, marked by a stoic demeanor and a literal notebook of questions that he used to vet his potential partners. However, his story became defined not by his meticulous nature, but by his simultaneous and identical "deep" connections with two different women: Amber Grant and Amber "AD" Desiree.
The tension between these three participants created a narrative arc that explored the limits of the show’s "blind" premise. While the pods are designed to foster unique, individual connections, the shared living quarters for the men and women often lead to "information sharing" that can dismantle a participant's strategy. For Matthew, the realization that his private conversations were being compared in real-time led to a swift and dramatic exit from the show, leaving viewers and his fellow cast members stunned.
Matthew Duliba’s Unconventional Pod Strategy
From his first appearance, Matthew was framed as a polarizing figure. Unlike many participants who lead with vulnerability, Matthew was guarded, often walking out of dates if he felt his time was being wasted or if the conversation didn't meet his specific criteria. This behavior initially intrigued AD, a real estate broker and former professional cheerleader, who appreciated his "alpha" energy and directness.
Matthew's strategy appeared to be based on efficiency and security. He sought a partner who would fit into his structured life, but his execution of this search was flawed. He began feeding both AD and Amber Grant the exact same lines of sentimentality. He told both women that he wanted to leave the show with them, that he was "all in," and most significantly, he discussed the specific step of asking their respective fathers for permission to marry them. In the vacuum of the pods, these statements seemed like profound breakthroughs for a man who was otherwise closed off.
The "Double Promise" Scandal and Its Exposure
The house of cards collapsed during a candid conversation in the women’s lounge. AD and Amber Grant, who had become friendly, began discussing their leading man. As they shared the specifics of their progress with Matthew, the realization hit that he was not providing a unique experience to either of them. Instead, he was using a "script" that hit all the right emotional notes but lacked individual sincerity.
Amber Grant, a medical device sales representative, was particularly devastated. She had reached a point of high emotional investment, believing she had found a rare connection with Matthew. Hearing AD recount the same romantic promises—nearly word-for-word—shattered the trust necessary for the experiment to function. The betrayal felt particularly acute because Matthew had positioned himself as a man of high integrity who didn't "play games."
The Emotional Fallout for Amber Grant
Amber Grant’s reaction was one of immediate withdrawal. In a show that requires participants to lean into the process, the discovery of Matthew's double-dealing made the process feel fraudulent. She chose to leave the experiment voluntarily, citing a loss of faith in the connection and the environment. Her departure was a somber moment, as she was well-liked by the other women and had been genuinely seeking a life partner.
AD’s Confrontation and Matthew’s Exit
Following Amber Grant's departure, AD confronted Matthew about his behavior. The conversation was one of the most tense moments of the season. Rather than offering a traditional apology or attempting to salvage his relationship with AD, Matthew’s response was focused on the logistical and reputational fallout.
In a moment that became an instant meme and a point of much discussion, Matthew realized that his standing in the pods was compromised. Upon learning that Amber Grant had left because of his actions, he famously stated that he needed to "go get Amber." He walked out of the experiment, effectively dumping AD in the process and ending his time on Love Is Blind.
Comparison of Matthew's Interactions with AD vs. Amber Grant
| Feature of Connection | Interaction with Amber "AD" Desiree | Interaction with Amber Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Impression | Intrigued by his "bad boy" and direct persona. | Connected over shared values and his perceived sincerity. |
| Key Promise | Claimed he was ready to leave the show with her. | Claimed he was ready to leave the show with her. |
| Family Mention | Discussed asking her father for her hand in marriage. | Discussed asking her father for her hand in marriage. |
| Conflict Point | Discovered he was saying the same things to Amber G. | Discovered he was saying the same things to AD. |
| Matthew’s Resolution | He told her he was leaving to find Amber G. | He chose to follow her after she quit the show. |
| Final Outcome | AD stayed and engaged with Clay Gravesande. | Left the show immediately and returned to private life. |
The "Villain" Edit vs. Reality
In the aftermath of the season's airing in early 2024, Matthew Duliba was largely labeled as the "villain" of the pods. Critics pointed to his "robotic" behavior and his apparent manipulation of two women as evidence of insincerity. However, as is common with reality TV, the question of the "edit" vs. reality arose.
Matthew later suggested in various social media comments and limited interviews that the show did not portray the full extent of his conversations. He argued that he was genuinely torn and that his departure was an attempt to take accountability outside of the cameras. Despite these claims, the consensus among the cast—including AD—was that his behavior was a breach of the unspoken "code of honesty" that makes the pods work. By 2026, Matthew has largely retreated from the public eye, opting not to capitalize on his "reality TV fame" in the way many of his peers have.
AD’s Journey After Matthew
While Matthew and Amber Grant faded from the narrative, AD remained a central figure of Season 6. Her resilience after the Matthew situation was a testament to her character. She eventually found a deep connection with Clay Gravesande. While their relationship was fraught with its own set of challenges—culminating in a "no" at the altar—AD emerged as a fan favorite.
Her experience with Matthew served as an early warning sign for her journey. It highlighted her tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt, a trait that she eventually had to reconcile with her own self-worth. By 2026, AD has utilized her platform to advocate for self-love and has seen significant success in her real estate career and media presence.
The Lasting Impact on Love Is Blind Dynamics
The Matthew and "Two Ambers" incident changed how future participants approached the lounge environment. It reinforced the idea that "the walls have ears," not just in terms of production, but in terms of the community within the living quarters. The exposure of Matthew's identical scripts acted as a cautionary tale for future "players" who might try to use the same romantic blueprint for multiple people.
Furthermore, it sparked a broader conversation about mental health and personality types on reality TV. Some fans argued that Matthew’s behavior was indicative of social anxiety or a neurodivergent approach to dating that didn't translate well to the high-pressure environment of Love Is Blind. Others maintained that it was a clear case of emotional manipulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Matthew and Amber Grant date after the show?
While Matthew expressed a desire to "go get Amber" upon his exit, there was never any official confirmation that the two formed a lasting relationship outside of the experiment. Amber Grant has maintained a very low profile since the show aired, and Matthew has not posted any updates suggesting they are together. Most reports indicate that they went their separate ways shortly after the cameras stopped rolling.
Why did Amber Grant leave Love Is Blind so abruptly?
Amber Grant left because she felt the authenticity of her connection with Matthew was completely compromised. Discovering that he had used the exact same sentimental milestones—such as the conversation about her father—with AD made her feel like a "fallback" option or a participant in a scripted interaction rather than a genuine romance. She chose her self-respect over the potential for more screen time.
Was Matthew Duliba invited to the Season 6 reunion?
Matthew was notably absent from the Season 6 reunion. His absence was discussed briefly, with the cast reflecting on his departure. Usually, participants who leave the show early or under controversial circumstances are either not invited back or choose to decline the invitation to avoid further public scrutiny. Matthew appears to have chosen the latter, distancing himself from the franchise entirely.
What did AD say about Matthew after the show aired?
AD has been relatively gracious but firm in her assessment. In interviews following the season, she admitted to being "blindsided" by the depth of his conversations with the other Amber. She expressed that while she initially felt a spark, the revelation of his "double-talk" was a major red flag that she was glad to have discovered before moving forward.
Is Matthew Duliba still a Financial Advisor in 2026?
According to professional networking sites and public records as of 2026, Matthew has continued his career in the financial sector. He has largely avoided the "influencer" path taken by many reality TV alumni, suggesting that he returned to his professional life in Charlotte and prefers to keep his personal and professional life separate from his brief stint on Netflix.
Summary of the Amber and Matthew Conflict
The saga of Amber and Matthew on Love Is Blind remains a standout moment in the series for its raw portrayal of how quickly trust can be eroded in the pods. Matthew’s attempt to hedge his bets by offering the same high-level commitments to two women simultaneously backfired, leading to the voluntary exit of a promising contestant and his own unceremonious departure. For AD, it was a hurdle on the way to a more complex relationship with Clay, while for Amber Grant, it was a definitive end to her televised search for love.
For those watching Love Is Blind or participating in similar social experiments, the Matthew/Amber/AD triangle serves as a definitive lesson: in an environment built on the power of words, the lack of original, sincere communication is eventually exposed.
Next Action: To understand the full scope of AD's journey, viewers should watch the later episodes of Season 6 to see how her experience with Matthew shaped her subsequent relationship with Clay Gravesande and her ultimate decision at the altar.
