Netflix’s newest attempt at a live dating experiment, Pop the Balloon Live, aired its debut episode, and viewers had some feelings. What was meant to be a fun, flirty, real-time journey to love turned into a PR mess, as longtime fans of the original YouTube series were left wondering: where are the Black contestants?
The original Pop the Balloon or Find Love, created by married duo Arlette Amuli and Bolia “BM” Matundu, was a bonafide hit in the Black community, racking up millions of views with its raw, hilarious, and unapologetically Black vibe. So when Netflix scooped up the rights for a reimagined version, people were cautiously excited. Amuli and Matundu were still involved as executive producers and actress-comedian Yvonne Orji (of Insecure fame) was tapped to host. Sounds promising, right?
Well… not exactly.
Almost immediately, viewers noticed something off. The cast didn’t look like the one they fell in love with on YouTube. While the OG series featured a broad spectrum of Black love, different shades, personalities, hair textures, and energies. The Netflix version, not so much. Out of the five male suitors, only two were Black. And among the women? Just two Black contestants in a sea of others.
For a show that many considered “unofficially Black,” the shift felt more like a whitewash. Subtle or not, fans picked up on the vibe: this was curated for the mainstream, not the culture that built it.
And it wasn’t just the casting.
Social media users quickly picked apart the chaotic energy of the live format. Orji’s jokes got lost in the noise, contestants were talking over each other, and the whole thing had a nervous, over-produced feel. The spontaneity that made the original show sparkle was gone.
Instead, many viewers complained it felt like a typical reality show audition reel, complete with former TV personalities and filtered facades.
To be fair, there were still glimmers of potential. Some daters (we see you, Mr. Orange Silk Shirt) felt genuine. And Orji? She did her best to keep the show afloat. So yes, props where it’s due.
The only thing I liked about the Pop the balloon live on Netflix is when I saw Arlette & BM. I’ll continue watching on YouTube
— Lashay (@ymcbyi) April 11, 2025#poptheballoonlive #poptheballoonnetflix pic.twitter.com/yCDJYZvpnc
Still, the core issue remains. Netflix may have bought the rights, but it seems like they left behind the soul.
There’s still time for Pop the Balloon Live to course-correct. Feedback is pouring in. Viewers are vocal. And if Netflix is listening (really listening), they might still have a chance to rebuild that trust.
For now, the balloon has popped for Pop the Balloon Live.
