‘Love Is Blind’s Fame Problem Has Taken On a New Form in Season 8
Love Is Blind contestants seeking fame over love has been a growing problem in recent seasons of Netflix’s reality dating show – from cast members whose behavior on the show suggests they likely weren’t there for the “right reasons,” like Stephen Richardson and Hannah Jiles last season, to those more blatantly looking for fame, like Nick Dorka, whose journal entry about his aspiration of becoming “the most famous person ever” on Love Is Blind was exposed at the Season 7 Reunion. In Season 8, however, it appears that Love Is Blind’s fame problem has taken on a new form, with people both inside and outside the cast seemingly standing to gain something from the show’s popularity.
Since Season 1 – when Jessica Batten drew attention to the show with her generally messy behavior – Love Is Blind has emphasized drama between couples, and it’s become clear that a near surefire way to rack up screen time on the show is to be involved in some. The bulk of this season’s drama has involved people outside the cast, suggesting that the fame problem will only be further exacerbated as the show continues.
‘Love Is Blind’ Season 8 Has Stood Out for Drama Surrounding People Outside the Cast
The first suggestion that the Love Is Blind fame problem had spread beyond the Season 8 cast was Dave Bettenburg and Lauren O’Brien’s conflict about a friend-with-benefits Lauren had just before coming on the show. The conflict stemmed from the fact that Dave had mutual friends with Lauren’s FWB, who claimed that things were more serious between him and Lauren than she was letting on. In Episode 9, titled “The EX-Files,” Dave met Lauren’s friends for the first time, who defended Lauren’s side of the story by telling Dave that this person was exaggerating his relationship with Lauren because he’s the type of guy who just “wants to be on TV.”
This wasn’t the only time in Season 8 that someone outside the show’s cast made waves on the show itself. Ben Mezzenga and Sara Carton faced a similar conflict when Sara came across a viral TikTok of a woman crying about a man featured on the show (presumably Ben) claiming he had mistreated her, and other women, in the past. The video was posted by TikTok user @hopeyoufindyourdad, a Minneapolis local named Andra Bergoff. Whether it was her intention or not, the video caused such a stir online (with nearly 4 million views and counting) that it actually made its way onto the show, with Ben and Sara having a tense conversation about its contents. Ben told Sara that the woman in the video was “overreacting” and “making things up.” Andra has since made a second TikTok (one with just as many views), claiming that the man she referenced in her first video joined the show solely looking for fame. While fans will likely never know the full truth of the situation, it seems that at least someone here is looking to capitalize on Love Is Blind screen time.
There have also been much more serious allegations about Alex Brown – who left the pods single but returned for a cast reunion at a local bar and will be featured on the Reunion Episode – circulating online. While there are no official complaints or charges filed against Alex, these allegations have caused a flurry on social media. Instagram user @storytimewithrikkii, whose page is dedicated to “reality TV recaps, tea, news, and storytimes,” compiled these allegations into two reels. Whether or not these allegations are true, these reels have garnered over 300k views each, and viewers are now speculating whether these rumors will be brought up at the Reunion.
It Seems The ‘Love Is Blind’ Fame Problem Is Here To Stay
Image via Netflix
The fact that people outside the cast, like Lauren’s FWB and Andra Bergoff, were central to some of Season 8’s storylines reflects Love Is Blind’s emphasis on drama, which sends the message – not only to those on the cast but now to those outside of it – that if you stir up enough drama, there’s a chance you’ll be featured on the show. While we can’t claim to know people’s true motivations, it seems that every season there’s at least someone (often multiple someones) who stands to gain something from the show’s popularity. What started as people joining the show looking for fame may have expanded to people outside the show hoping for the same thing. It remains to be seen just how much this will affect the show in seasons to come.
