Why Did Love Is Blind's Monica Look Drastically Different At The Season 8 Reunion?

One individual stood out among the members of the Love is Blind cast from Season 8 who took part in the reunion show. Among them was Monica Danus, who looked very different from what viewers had seen in earlier episodes.

Love is Blind fans immediately noticed the change in Monica's appearance and began speculating about why. Monica, who had fallen in love with and became engaged to Joey Levelle during Season 8, stunned viewers to such an extent that theories about plastic surgery immediately began to circulate.

Monica's fresh look was just one of the shocking things about her and her relationship with Joey that came to light during the reunion. They were candid and open when the Minneapolis, Minnesota, cast from Love is Blind Season 8 talked about their experiences one year after the show ended. Here's more about Monica's revelations and what she's been up to since Love is Blind.

Monica Danus Got A Glamorous Makeover Before The Love Is Blind Season 8 Reunion Show

When Monica Danus walked out onto the stage at the beginning of the Love is Blind Season 8 reunion show, she was unrecognizable. Wearing a stunning long, off-the-shoulder, red dress, Monica's overall look was something viewers had not seen in earlier episodes.

Redditors immediately put out theories about Monica's appearance. Some of the comments were not kind, with remarks about her "horrible" spray tan and "too much bronzer," while others simply thought it was all makeup. Additional assertions that she had plastic surgery and teeth whitening were all discussed, too.

The truth behind Monica's appearance was her professional makeup, hairstyle, and wardrobe styling. As was the case for all the Love is Blind cast, Monica was dressed up much more than they had been at any time during the show.

Fans Learned During The Love is Blind Season 8 Reunion That Monica And Joey's Relationship Was Very Different From What They Saw On The Show

When it came time for Monica Danus to talk about her relationship with Joey Levelle at the reunion of Love is Blind Season 8, she explained why she ultimately said "no" at the altar. She recounted,

"Throughout everything, I would constantly be checking in with Joey, [asking], ‘Where are you at? How are you feeling about this? If you were to be standing at the altar today, what would your answer be?’... The standard answer I would get from him is, ‘I’m just gathering information, and I won’t know until the very end how I feel. I don’t have an answer yet. I’m just gathering information.'"

It was this lack of certainty that Joey was ready to get married that influenced her own decision when it came time to get married. She continued,

"In the back of my mind, I was holding on to some sort of hope… [thinking] he really was waiting 'till the last moment to gather his information and make a decision... I was waiting for some sign to indicate that maybe he would say yes. That would’ve changed my answer. If he went first, and said yes, I probably would’ve said yes."

One additional aspect of their relationship that was an issue was Joey's lack of physical contact with Monica. Monica said,

Joey acknowledged this was the case but also noted that Monica's sister and her standoffish behavior didn't incentivize him to show that kind of vulnerability.

Monica And Joey Went From The "Friend Zone" To Being "Humans On This Earth Together" After Their Failed Engagement On Love Is Blind

As residents of the "friend zone," there was still some potential for a relationship after they didn't get married or, at the very least, a friendship between Monica and Joey. This didn't come to fruition, however. After not getting married, Joey and Monica were on reasonably good terms but, shortly before the reunion, the latter cut off ties.

Joey wasn't entirely sure what happened, but at the Love is Blind Season 8 reunion, Monica talked about how he'd contacted artist and fellow Love is Blind cast member Madison Errichiello while they were engaged. Madison, who was present at the reunion, was in the middle of several of the failed couples, but there was no clear romantic link established between her and Joey.

For her part, Monica had moved on from Joey entirely by the time of the reunion. Perhaps her fresh appearance was a reflection of how she was focused on her life as a single woman in Minneapolis, as far removed from Joey and their experience as possible.

From her perspective, she and Joey are "humans on this earth together." Joey seemed to echo this sentiment and wished Monica nothing but the best in the future.