When it comes to reality shows, Love is Blind might actually be one of the realest of them all, and with season 2’s After the Altar releasing shortly on Netflix, fans will get to see exactly what’s been going on since the show ended. Case in point is that, in the first season, producers set up for five engagements and ended up with eight, having to cut a few from the show. Creator Chris Coelen even told Entertainment Weekly that his main worry about the first season was that the meetings in the pods would not result in anyone deciding to take the plunge, ruining the concept altogether.
There are likely some moments that are scripted, filmed again for more dramatic effect, or even cast members who play things up for the camera to keep the suspense going. But by and large, countless report suggest that Love is Blind is about as real as it can be. With that said, a bit of digging reveals some interesting elements that cast and crew aren’t entirely “real” about.
It Doesn’t Show The Whole Story
While this isn’t necessarily fake, it does gloss over the fact that there are other relationships made that aren’t shown or highlighted. For example, Rory Newbrough, one of the cast members from season one, told People that the leads of the show told him they had more engagements than expected and had to leave some of the couple stories out of the show.
Thus, while the show made it look like only the couples who proceeded to go to Mexico were the ones who linked up, there were actually several others. Newbrough had proposed to Danielle Drouin and Westley Baer to Lexie Skipper.
Some Moments Are Contrived To Build Suspense
Kenny and Kelly from season 1 were one of the more popular couples who seemed to jive really well. Their families got along well, too. However, according to The Tab, the couple had agreed not to go through the wedding long before the altar scene was filmed. Nonetheless, they had to go through with it to build suspense.
Kenny confirmed on his Instagram that they broke up weeks before the ceremony. Nonetheless, he admits that their “emotions in response to the stress and exhaustion of filming (and of that particular moment) were very much real.” It’s moves like this that make Love is Blind one of the most drama-filled reality TV shows on Netflix right now.
Some People Are Let Go Halfway Through The Pods Portion
According to E News, some cast members are let go halfway through the 10-day pod period. The decision was made, said Coelen, to focus on the people who were really connecting.
It’s not fake, per se, but this means that cast members who might have been able to connect down the road with others didn’t get that chance to explore more potential mates. While they spent hours talking to one another in the pods, getting to know everything about each other, sometimes it takes one special moment to bring two people together who might have been better suited for one another. And some did not get that chance.
Some Cast Members Tried To Quit
One of the most controversial couples and dramatic storylines of season one was that of Jessica and Mark. It seemed that Jessica was not really into Mark and, what’s more, feeling regret over not being chosen by Barnett, with whom she felt she shared a deeper connection. When they all met in person, it was obvious she also had more of a physical attraction to Barnett than Mark.
Jessica revealed to Entertainment Weekly that she tried to quit. “I definitely had some conversations and attempted to leave,” she said, “but I wasn’t able to.”
Cast Members Are Given Talking Points
While none of the dialogue is scripted, Sal from season 2 – one of the cast members on Love is Blind that fans believe deserved better – confirmed to E News that the cast members are given “talking points” and “questions” they can explore with others in the pods. This, however, is simply to help them along if there’s a lull in the conversation or people get nervous.
Thus, if it appears as though the cast members all have a gift for gab, this might not necessarily be the case. Though they weren’t mandated to use the talking points or ask the questions, in some cases, they might have been doing just that. “It was good if there was a lull in conversation,” said Kyle, also from season 2. “You just refer to the little notebook and you can drum up conversation.”
The Initial Dates Are Very Short
One of the most frequently asked questions about Love is Blind is how long the dates in the pods are. While the show might make it seem like cast members have been chatting in the pods for hours, in the beginning, each “date” is only about 10 minutes long, according to TV Insider. It’s just clever editing and implications that make it sound like the cast members have had more time to pour their hearts out to one another.
Once the cast has been whittled down, however, and the initial sparks begin to fly, cast members do have the opportunity to talk to as many people as they want for as long as they want. But in the beginning, the situation is more akin to speed dating behind a wall.
Season 1 Cast Did Not Sleep In That Swanky Building
The show makes it appear as though the cast members sleep in a swanky hotel once they are out of the pods and the dates are over. Indeed, they are seen in a lovely room complete with furniture, a bar and kitchen, and more where they talk with one another. But in reality, season 1 cast member Kenny told Refinery29 that they slept in trailers on what he described as correctional facility beds. He claimed the design was meant to “strip [us] down from our comfort level.”
Reportedly, by season 2 – which included some of the favorite cast members on Love is Blind, according to Reddit – cast members were set up in hotel rooms for the first 10 days of dating in the pods. Nonetheless, this explains why so many cast members supposedly often dozed off in the very cushy pods during their dates.
The Couples Pay For Their Own Weddings
Even though the wedding takes place as part of the show itself, and there’s no guarantee that both parties will actually go through with it, according to a production rep that spoke to Women’s Health Magazine, the couples actually have to pay for their own weddings. Given that, and the fact that it is indeed a legally binding ceremony, the couples really need to think things through before going through with the “I dos.”
The rep did say production supplies “some of the basics,” but if the couple wants anything over and above that, it’s on their dime. “It’s up to them as to how to spend their money.”
