Tom and Maria had major chemistry in the Love is Blind UK pods, with their attraction only growing when they first met one another in person. Though by far the most PDA of the pod squad at the first meeting stage, the vibes between the PR consultant and makeup artist were apparent even before they got to physically meet each another.
While Tash seemed to complicate things for a hot minute, ultimately Tom and Maria ended up getting engaged and thus the meme-worthy red lipstick moment was born.
But after the pair's differences in traditional values came to light and following that unexpected wedding day twist, we can't help but wonder: are Tom and Maria still together after Love is Blind UK? Here's everything we know about life for the couple since leaving the Netflix show.
And it tells us a lot about who's still going strong.
Tom and Maria's Love Is Blind UK journey
38-year-old Tom and 30-year-old Maria bonded over their shared sense of humour in the Love is Blind UK pods, with Maria expressing that she wanted to find someone who she could share jokes with in 60 years time. Meanwhile, top of Tom's list was someone who's confident and has a clear sense of identity. Tick, tick.
In the pods Maria explained that dating is largely frowned upon in the religious Moroccan community she grew up in, though after the loss of her “role model” father in 2020 she was ready to put herself first. And we're glad she did, because the pair had a strong connection despite their different upbringings, with the two bonding over the loss of their father figures after Tom explained that his dad left him at a young age.
While Tom had also been speaking to 32-year-old careers co-ordinator Tash, in the end he deemed his connection with Maria to be stronger.
In touching moments through Love is Blind UK, Tom explained why he chose Maria over Tash, saying “I genuinely feel like I’m most myself with you.”
Clearly, the feeling was mutual, with Maria assuring him with “Tom, I have never pictured my life with someone until I met you. I have never felt like this with anyone. You are absolutely amazing, I have never felt so sure about anyone.”
So far, so good!
The first inkling that things might not be straightforward for the couple came when Tom and Maria found themselves disagreeing over traditional values, with Tom stating he didn't want a “stay at home wife” after the two began discussing what married life might look like for them. Maria assured him that she didn't want to stop working though would naturally like to spend time with their children in the early stages of their kids' lives, with Tom agreeing and the two seeming to get back on track.
After an emotional proposal, the pair met in person and the two were both clearly very physically attracted to each other. Several embraces and red lipstick kisses later, Tom and Maria went on the Corfu trip.
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On the retreat, Tom and Maria seemed to go from strength to strength, solidifying their emotional and physical bonds on the trip.
Back in London, however, things took a more strained tone, with their differences becoming much more apparent. Tom admitted that he had been judgemental over Maria's job as a makeup artist.
“I was a little bit judgemental when I first heard what you did. I can be a bit judgy at times,” he explained.
It became clear that the two were also not on the same page when it came to Maria's more traditional values. After Maria expressed that Tom didn't pay for their breakfast one day, she explained that in the initial courting phase it's considered standard for men to do so, and her mum would be horrified if she learned otherwise. The money issue came up again when Maria explained that she didn't want to be responsible for paying half of Tom’s mortgage.
Add in the whole group reunion where Tom was clearly surprised when meeting Tash, and the fact that she literally told him that she loved him, and there's a lot of uncertainty over whether Tom and Maria are still together.
While Tom was struggling to come to terms with Maria's more traditional views, after they met each other's families things seemed to be going well again for the pair, with Maria's mum and sister both giving him their seal of approval, with Maria adding that her late father would have also loved Tom.
Maria and Tom's Love is Blind UK wedding
As their wedding day approached, the couple seemed to have got to a good place despite their differences. Tom told Maria
“I am really lucky. I see your beauty and every part of you. I do feel like we are closer to marriage now than we ever have been. You’ve been an amazing match for me. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.”
But despite their clear connection and love for one another, when it came time to walk down the aisle Tom ultimately said “I don't”. Ooft.
Explaining his reasoning, Tom told Maria “I love you. I just feel like right now is not the right time for me. We’ve had some differences in values and I haven’t had enough time to really understand how those differences will affect our life day-to-day.”
Visibly shocked, Maria responded with “I absolutely can’t believe this. I wanted to get married. I wanted to be a wife. I feel incredibly sad that I didn’t get the ending that I always sort of pictured for myself. But I know it probably wasn’t the right time for both of us.”
In the follow-up interview after leaving Maria at the altar, Tom added “It was far harder saying no to Maria at the altar than I ever envisaged. She's someone that I'll always love and respect. But if Maria and I had children, my concern would be if I had a boy, she would teach him to pay for most things, when my lad would be dating for the first time.”
He explained, "If I had a little girl, I wouldn't want that little girl to expect that the guy pays for everything. I would want to raise that little girl to be a strong, independent woman that contributes herself. I don't think we had enough time to address those things."
So were they able to reconcile their differences and are Tom and Maria still together after Love is Blind UK?
Are Tom and Maria from Love Is Blind UK still together now?
While nothing has been confirmed, the pair do still follow one another on Instagram which is always a positive sign, with Tom having liked a post of Maria's on August 4. You can see said picture below:
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Taking to Instagram Stories on August 14 (the day the second instalment of LIB UK episodes dropped), Maria responded to a fan who asked whether she had any regrets from her time on the show.
"I try not to live with regrets. Obviously, all the episodes have come out today, and I knew that was when things were going to get stickier. And you do kind of think, 'Could I have done that a bit differently?' But I just have to remember I was acting and behaving on what was happening and going on at that time. I'm trying not to, but in these types of situations it's hard."
Likewise, when asked if she would change anything about her time on Love is Blind UK, Maria said “I try to think everything happens the way it was supposed to,” before adding The only thing I would say is I would've tried to enjoy it a bit more. I got a bit bogged down as it went on, and I got inside my own head a bit too much. So I would've tried to enjoy it a bit more. Get out of my own head a little bit more."
So are Tom and Maria still together? It's hard to say right now, but given the fundamental differences the two have expressed, it could go either way. All we can say is roll on the Love is Blind UK reunion!
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