‘Love Is Blind’ alum Matt Barnett addresses backlash over GoFundMe

“Love Is Blind” alum Matt Barnett has addressed the backlash he received over a GoFundMe he set up to finance his family dog’s surgery.

In response to countless comments slamming his decision to ask for money, the season 1 star of the Netflix hit promised skeptical fans that despite his reality stardom, he “wouldn’t ask for help if it wasn’t needed.”

“Thank you everyone who is donating. It really means a lot to me and my family,” Barnett wrote in an Instagram comment Friday. “I do have a platform, and most people who are in need don’t, so any money raised that goes above the cost to take care of my dog, I will forward to others that need it.”

Earlier in the day, Barnett said he was notified last Saturday that the life of his family’s dog, Bandit, depended on emergency gallbladder surgery — which ultimately put “an extreme financial burden” on his recently retired parents and their “fixed income.”

“I hate even the thought of asking for help, but this one hurts,” he said.

Almost immediately, fans criticized Barnett for being a celebrity and asking “regular hard-working people” for money.

“This is in bad taste and you should remove this. If you want to help your parents then you should but don’t ask for money from others who are less fortunate than you,” wrote one commenter.

Others suggested Barnett foot the bill himself and just accept the fact that it’s “part of being a pet owner.”

“Good thing y’all don’t have kids, they’re expensive AF,” quipped another.

Meanwhile, some condemned Barnett and his wife, fellow “Love Is Blind” alum Amber Pike, for flaunting a wealthy lifestyle but seemingly not having the funds to pay for the life-saving surgery.

“I would never dream of living the lives you guys live with expensive trips and vehicles and still ask for money,” read one comment.

Some, however, came to Barnett’s defense.

“Y’all do realize before ‘Love Is Blind’ everyone on that show was just normal people who lead normal lives,” argued one fan, whose comment has received over 700 likes. “Not everyone from season 1 found a lot of fame or endorsements like other cast members did. Either donate or keep scrolling.”

As of Saturday afternoon, Barnett’s GoFundMe had raised nearly $9,000 of its $16,700 goal.

In an update on his Instagram Story, Barnett shared a video of Bandit at the vet, saying they were “blessed to still have this little guy with us” and thanking the medical team for helping to save his life.