Deconstructing Dating & Desirability in “Pop the Balloon or Find Love”
Dating shows have become incredibly popular across generations, from “The Bachelorette” to “Love is Blind.” Major networks and streaming platforms have capitalized on our cultural fascination with relationships and romance to create content that attracts millions of viewers. However, many of these shows have faced criticism for their lack of diverse representation. For instance, the current season of “The Bachelorette” features its first Asian woman to lead the series, only a few seasons after featuring its first Black Bachelorette.
Despite this lack of representation, I’ve noticed a trend on my social media feeds: dating shows that target Black audiences are becoming more popular on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. This popularity is primarily because content creators have responded to the need for more diversity in dating shows by creating web series representing their communities. Specifically, I came across a viral series called “Pop the Balloon or Find Love” on YouTube, hosted by Arlette Amuli.
