Disclaimer 1: Before you read any further, be warned: this is an opinion piece involving a reality television dating show called Love Is Blind. So if you think reality TV is mindless garbage that burns your eyes as well as your brain cells, or you only watch “serious” fare like Succession and Yellowstone, then this is not the story for you. Please exit stage left, lest you feel the need to mutter: “Who?” and “Is this news?”
Disclaimer 2: There are spoilers for Love Is Blind, of course. Read on at your own risk… of spoilers.
Up until Monday morning, US reality television show Love Is Blind was having one of its best seasons ever. The Netflix series, now in its 4th year, had taken its simple premise — can you fall in love with someone without seeing what they look like? — and delivered exactly what we demanded: a genuine couple who we could emotionally invest in… and bucketloads of drama.
This season delivered on both counts. There was the sublime coupledom of Tiffany and Brett, who are, in the wise words of Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle, “MFEO” — Made For Each Other. As for the drama, well. Between Irina and Micah’s mean girl behaviour, Irina and Zach’s awkward romance, Micah’s very inappropriate friend Shelby, Kwame and Micah’s unfinished business, and Marshall and Jackie’s fiery ending, there was drama galore. We gorged on it all until we were full.
Up until Monday morning, US reality television show Love Is Blind was having one of its best seasons ever. The Netflix series, now in its 4th year, had taken its simple premise — can you fall in love with someone without seeing what they look like? – and delivered exactly what we demanded: a genuine couple who we could emotionally invest in… and bucketloads of drama.
This season delivered on both counts. There was the sublime coupledom of Tiffany and Brett, who are, in the wise words of Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle, “MFEO” — Made For Each Other. As for the drama, well. Between Irina and Micah’s mean girl behaviour, Irina and Zach’s awkward romance, Micah’s very inappropriate friend Shelby, Kwame and Micah’s unfinished business, and Marshall and Jackie’s fiery ending, there was drama galore. We gorged on it all until we were full.
So the much-touted live reunion on Monday, where all the contestants came together a year after saying “I Do” or “I Don’t” at the altar, should have been the cherry on top of a perfectly baked cake. Sadly, Netflix couldn’t stick the landing. Due to technical difficulties, the streaming giant was hours late in broadcasting live, and ultimately only a handful of people could actually access the episode. In the end, the “live” reunion was released several hours later and Netflix was forced to apologise for the mishap.
Believe it or not, that’s not even close to the worst thing to happen on the reunion episode. In excruciating scenes, Vanessa Lachey, who co-hosts the reality show with husband Nick, poked and prodded at each of the three remaining married couples, questioning them about their baby plans.
“Aunty Vanessa is still hoping for that Love is Blind baby.”
“What are you all thinking on the baby timeline?”
“I need to know, who’s going to give me our first Love Is Blind baby?”
Once would have been forgivable; a slip of the tongue or possible nerves from the delayed broadcast. Twice was grating. Three times was appalling. By the forth mention of babies, it was plain that Vanessa truly did not understand that we don’t ask people about when they’re having children because 1) some people have fertility issues and either cannot have kids or are struggling to have them 2) some choose not to have children — and that’s perfectly fine, and most importantly 3) it’s just none of your goddamned business.
Unsurprisingly, social media erupted in fury and the hashtag #VanessaIsBlind began trending. Aside from the baby questions, many people were frustrated with Vanessa’s penchant of interrupting the contestants when they were speaking, likening their relationships to her relationship with Nick, playing favourites, going easy on Jackie even though she had treated Marshall badly and questioning Marshall and Paul harshly. A petition to have the Lacheys fired from the show has garnered more than 16,000 signatures and Vanessa has closed comments on her last Love Is Blind Instagram post, deleting the more than 5,000 negative comments.
While I personally don’t think Vanessa — or Nick — should be cancelled or fired from the series over her baby queries — after all, who amongst us hasn’t said stupid things? — I do think there is a great opportunity here for learning. It’s obvious that Vanessa was not acting out of malice but rather of ignorance. She should face the situation head on, acknowledge her wrongdoing and apologise.
The worst thing she could do now is turn a blind eye.
Love Is Blind seasons 1- 4 are available to stream on Netflix.
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