Love Is Blind is bringing its seventh season to the nation’s capital.
In 12 episodes, couples will get engaged, live together, and plan their weddings, all while facing the challenges of real-life relationships. Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, the show asks if love can really overcome looks.
Several cast members have strong Virginia connections. From tech professionals to nonprofit workers, here’s a look at the locals who represent the Commonwealth in the quest for love.
The first six episodes of Love Is Blind season 7 will be available on Netflix on October 2.
Bohdan Olinares
Bohdan, 36, is a Ukrainian refugee and former Marine. He has worked in Virginia for companies like F5 and Dominion Energy. Proudly living the “American dream,” he is committed to fulfilling his parents’ hopes after moving to the U.S. After a five-year marriage, Bohdan knows he wants a partner who appreciates his background and is open to new experiences. He emphasizes that he seeks someone adventurous. “If you’re just eating chicken nuggets all day, then I don’t want it,” he said.
Garrett Josemans
Garrett, 33, lives in Fredericksburg and works as a quantum physicist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren. He holds a master’s in physics from George Mason University and a bachelor’s from Longwood University. While successful in his career, he struggles with dating, admitting he hasn’t put in much effort to meet women. Now, he’s ready to focus on finding a long-term relationship and is open to an outdoorsy and confident partner.
Leo Braudy
Leo, 31, grew up in Alexandria and runs his family’s art dealing business, founded by his grandparents. He balances his professional life with a passion for yoga and meditation, showcasing a spiritual side that may surprise others. Leo is seeking a partner who shares his deeper vibe and appreciates his humor. While he usually prefers “girly girls,” he’s ready to break from his typical type to pursue more meaningful connections during his time on Love Is Blind.
Nick Dorka
Nick, 29, is a former “all-American” William & Mary football player and James Madison High School alumnus who is now focused on his real estate career and investing in his happiness. Living in Vienna and working for Long & Foster in McLean, Nick is now ready to find the perfect wife. “I’m the perfect version of myself right now, and the next step in this journey is to find the perfect wife,” he said.
While he doesn’t have a specific physical type, he values ambition and confidence in a partner, wanting someone who complements his life rather than relies on him. “I want someone who’s going to provide value to my life, and I want to do the same for them,” he explained.
Ramses Prashad
Ramses, 35, lives in Arlington and works as a program associate at a nonprofit focused on justice reform. After feeling misunderstood in past relationships, he now prioritizes being seen and accepted for who he is. Ramses values vulnerability and seeks a partner who reciprocates emotional depth. Having previously been married, he reflects on his first marriage as a necessary separation due to growing apart. Now, he’s healed and ready to find a partner with a clearer vision of what he desires in a relationship.
Raymond Pottebaum
Raymond, 33, has lived in Alexandria for the past few years as a corporate strategy fellow at Core4ce in Reston. A “self-made military man,” he’s ready to settle down after a history of short-term living arrangements and long-distance relationships. Ray seeks a lifelong partner who can appreciate his complex personality. “I just want people to know that I’m a complex human being,” he said, adding that he is proud of his multiracial background. He holds degrees from Oxford and Yale. He also connects his childhood passion for musical theater to his military experience, noting how skills like stage presence and choreography translate to his command presence and discipline.
Stephen Richardson
Stephen, 34, lives in Centreville and works as an electrician at VarcoMac in Chantilly. Outgoing and fun, he has struggled to maintain long-term relationships and is eager to find a lasting partnership. A former Marine, Stephen has spent the past year focusing on self-improvement and understands his worth, refusing to settle in love. He seeks an emotionally intelligent partner who complements his energy, stating, “My type is a woman who wants you, but doesn’t need you.” Tired of the DC dating scene, he hopes to connect over laughter and shared interests, like a Lord of the Rings movie marathon.
Tim Godbee
Tim, 33, lives in Ballston and works as a senior digital content strategist at ICF after previously serving as the digital media lead for the U.S. Air Force. An old soul at heart, he has always desired marriage, though he says his friends joke about his dating life resembling a reality show. Despite the humor, Tim is determined to find his soulmate, valuing family and marriage above all else. He seeks a “confident and graceful Black woman who appreciates direct communication,” stating that his past partners often struggled to fully understand him. Tim prides himself on being clear and transparent, emphasizing he won’t tell “a beautiful lie.”
Tyler Francis
Tyler, 34, lives in Arlington and works as an account executive for Temporary Wall Systems Northern Virginia. A tenderhearted former military man, he enjoys humor and has historically dated jokesters but is now ready to find love seriously after struggling in the DC dating scene. His last relationship ended because his ex “didn’t have her life together,” prompting him to seek a self-assured partner who matches his energy. He also hopes to find someone who shares his passion for horses, as he says he hopes to one day “gallop off into the sunset with his soulmate.”
Alexandra Byrd
Alexandra, 33, graduated from VCU in 2013 with a degree in fashion. She describes herself as easy to talk to, with a heart “made of gold,” but has faced challenges in love. Her two longest relationships ended dramatically. One was due to dishonesty about her ex’s sexual orientation and the other because of infidelity. Alexandra acknowledges her past tendency to attract partners who didn’t prioritize her well-being, but she remains optimistic about finding love on Love Is Blind, particularly with a compassionate, confident, “tall and fine” gentleman.
Ally Dawson
Ally, 31, who went to high school in Fairfax County, is a master aesthetician who studied at the American Vocational Institute. While she typically likes “tall teddy bear men with Southern charm,” she’s looking for someone with empathy and strong communication skills. After experiencing too many unfulfilling situationships, she’s ready for a serious commitment. Ally values her diverse background and seeks a partner who enjoys cultural exploration and trying new foods, ideally a fellow Potterhead.
Ashley Adionser
Ashley, 32, is the marketing director for Campaigns & Elections in Arlington and lives in Fairfax. She’s looking for a partner who will protect her heart as much as she protects others, having faced challenges with honesty and communication in past relationships. Now ready for something genuine, Ashley seeks a faith-driven man who appreciates her humor and values trust. “The key to my heart is being able to be soft with a man who I can trust with my heart,” she said.
Dylan Maddox
Dylan, 30, is a VCU art history graduate and current Baltimore real estate agent. She embraces her quirky personality and creative passions, including painting and woodworking. After a tumultuous dating history, she’s focused on self-love and is looking for a motivated and fun partner in the Love Is Blind pods, ideally someone who can teach her how to ride a bike.
Hannah Jiles
Hannah, 27, works in medical device sales in Alexandria and is known for her unfiltered honesty, which she feels comes from a kind place. After three years of being single, she’s ready to jump back into dating and let someone else take charge. Hannah seeks an ambitious partner who matches her communication style and is open to being a dog dad to her pet, Luna.
Monica Davis
Monica, 37, a Virginia Tech marketing graduate, currently lives in Ashburn. While she has a lively personality and often seems extroverted, she is also sensitive and seeks a meaningful connection. After facing challenges in her love life, including “forgiving a cheater,” she prioritizes emotional safety in her next relationship. Monica aims to find her ideal partner and start a family, all while being a role model for her four younger sisters, who are her closest friends.
Morgan Moore
Morgan, 33, lives in Arlington, works in sales, and is a former pageant queen. She’s still part of the Miss Arlington Scholarship Program as the director of contestant relations. She’s seeking a partner who appreciates her intelligence and kindness. Frustrated with the superficial nature of modern dating, she finds that many men lack the emotional depth she desires. Determined not to settle, Morgan encourages men to seek therapy. She’s focused on finding a genuine partner ready for an emotionally committed relationship. She will not entertain any guy who isn’t willing to engage fully from the beginning.
Feature image of Love Is Blind courtesy Netflix
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