Love is blind…as long as you are conventionally attractive.
Vanessa Lachey, who co-hosts the popular Netflix dating reality series “Love Is Blind“, gave a terrible response when asked about the lack of body diversity in the show.
Some contestants feel “insecure,” which prevents them from forging a stronger connection with potential matches, Lachey told Insider.
“All their lives they’ve been so insecure about themselves because of this crazy sweeping generation we’re in and this catfishing world we’re in, that they’re so afraid of be themselves,” Lachey said of contestants who might not believe they fit conventional beauty standards.
‘Love Is Blind’ has yet to highlight a plus-size contestant who is visibly disabled or over the age of 40 – which seems odd since the show’s concept is to fall in love with someone’s personality. one rather than his physical appearance.
The popular show is divided into a few phases. The first is a two-week “pod” period in which contestants “meet” in “pods,” or two separate rooms, and talk to each other through a wall. If the two forge a deep connection, they get engaged and meet face to face for the first time. The show then focuses on how the engaged couples make their way down the aisle.
The plus-size contestants were selected by casting and are featured in the preliminary stage of the show. In the show’s two seasons, however, none of these plus-size contestants, who are initially cast as potential love matches, have had their “pod” dates with other contestants featured in the show. They also had very little airtime to talk about themselves during confessionals. It is therefore not known why these candidates never arrive at the engagement stage and are part of the main cast of the series.
But Lachey also has a theory for that.
“I wonder if they really don’t have enough time in those two weeks to find themselves, A, and then be themselves and then find that spouse,” Lachey said.
There have been cast members on the show who have shared stories of major weight loss, although by the time they are featured on the show they have what most would consider smaller bodies.
Season 2’s Danielle Ruhl has often been portrayed on the show as insecure, and her lack of confidence stems from the fact that she was once plus-sized.
Abhishek “Shake” Chatterjee got engaged to Deepti Vempati in season 2. During one of their “pod dates”, Vempati shared with Chatterjee that she is taller. After the couple got engaged and met, the show featured Chatterjee speaking regularly about the fact that he was not physically attracted to Vempati.
Not all blame can be placed on “Love Is Blind” for presenting a lack of body diversity – although the very premise of the show is that love shouldn’t be superficial. It’s very rare that people who don’t exactly fit traditional beauty standards are featured on dating shows. Even the popular “Bachelor” franchise has been called out for its lack of racially diverse applicants. But Emmy nominated competition series “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” features loads of talented, multi-dimensional plus-size contestants. While they’re not necessarily looking for love, Lizzo’s show does a great job of showcasing plus-size, confident people.
The Huffington Gt