- Warning: Spoilers ahead for the first seven episodes of "Love Is Blind" season 5.
- JP and Taylor were the first couple to meet outside of the pods.
- Their romance fizzled during the Mexico couples getaway, but there were some major red flags before that.
In an unpredictable season of Netflix's "Love Is Blind," couple Jared "JP" Pierce and Taylor Rue seemed like they'd fit into a neat arc. The two quickly bonded in the pods, and were the first couple to meet face-to-face this season after Taylor accepted a proposal from JP.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.Unfortunately, sparks didn't exactly fly between the two once they met IRL. But the couple seemed like they'd be able to work through their obstacles and make it to the altar — at least, until they arrived in Mexico for their couples vacation with the other engaged cast members.
From there, things between Taylor and JP steadily devolved. But in our opinion, the relationship had shown plenty of red flags even before they left the pods.
Here are seven red flags in Taylor and JP's relationship that suggest they were doomed from the start.
They came up with really weird pet names for one another.
Look, every couple has their idiosyncrasies, especially when it comes to language and pet names — it's actually a proven linguistic phenomenon referred to as "familects."
But something about JP and Taylor's pet names for one another — "sugar" or "sugar butt" — was just off. Maybe it's because using their special nicknames in conversation seemed like more of an obligation than a genuine joy, or maybe it's just because "sugar butt" is a weird AF thing to call someone you've never met face to face.
Either way, this was one of the first indicators that something about their relationship was just off.
JP's penchant for flag clothing quickly grew old.
JP seemed to be sporting some sort of American flag-patterned clothing item or accessory in almost every scene he was in. During one particularly emotional conversation with Taylor in the pods, he even uses a small American flag (that he inexplicably brought into the pod date with him) to wipe his eyes after he tears up.
We're all for men being vulnerable with their partner, let's be clear. But the patriotic outfits JP wore on this season of "Love Is Blind" just made us more and more uncomfortable with each new flag-adorned t-shirt or pair of shorts.
Taylor claimed that she didn't know "what color" JP was before the reveal.
The point of "Love Is Blind," obviously, is to fall in love with someone without ever meeting them face to face. However, certain things should definitely be discussed in the pods, such as a partner's upbringing and family. And as we've learned in recent years, talking openly about race and someone's struggles with racism is a key part of unlearning antiracist behaviors and centering BIPOC (Black and Indigenous people of color's) experiences.
That's why Taylor's comment about not knowing "what color" JP is came off as a massive red flag. Why wouldn't you want to discuss your partner's lived experience — either as a BIPOC or non-BIPOC — before accepting a proposal? A relationship that's not built on mutual trust, vulnerability, and understanding isn't destined to go far.
Taylor clearly wasn't physically attracted to JP when they first met.
In a confessional interview, Taylor revealed that she normally wouldn't have gone for JP in real life, because of the gap in his teeth. However, she assured producers that looks don't matter to her anymore — which is as damning an indictment of someone's physical appearance as we've ever heard.
JP's kissing style was beyond awkward.
JP, for his part, seemed elated to finally be face-to-face with Taylor. So much so, in fact, that he kept pressing awkward, closed-mouth little kisses on her even though she was clearly still processing things.
The whole interaction between the two was just awkward, especially since Taylor didn't seem as initially attracted to JP as he was to her.
The fact that JP went silent during their vacation was a clear indicator things were going south.
Needless to say, your new fiancé should definitely want to talk to you during a romantic beach vacation, and JP's silence was LOUD.
Taylor clearly realized that something was wrong, but for whatever reason, JP refused to open up and actually communicate...
...until he told Taylor that he didn't like how much makeup she wore.
I can't believe I'm typing this in the year of our lord 2023, but no one should feel entitled to comment on their partner's makeup choices or demand that their partner present in a certain way, least of all an American flag-obsessed man.
Taylor has every right to wear as much (or as little!) makeup as she chooses, and JP just should have been flattered that she wanted to look good for him, end of story.
This was the cherry on top of a whole host of red flags, and the most egregious one by far. Men, please do everyone a favor and keep any comment about your partner's appearance — that's not a glowing compliment, that is — to yourselves.
Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.
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