In 2020, Netflix has solidified its place as a reality show juggernaut. Between The Circle and Love is Blind, viewers have gotten to know several fascinating and complex human beings – some of whom even fell in love or found a romantic connection while on these shows.
Unfortunately, audiences didn’t find it that easy to cheer for all the couples formed on these Netflix reality shows. While some of those connections seemed genuine and worthwhile, others felt forced and cringeworthy. Keep reading to find out which reality TV couples were loved by Netflix viewers, and which ones were better off apart.
10 LOVED: Lauren & Cameron
From the very first episode of Love is Blind, it became clear to anyone watching that Lauren and Cameron were meant to be together. On social media, viewers actively expressed their love for the couple, hoping that they would actually get married on the show.
Thankfully, fans did get to see Lauren and Cameron saying “I do” in the end, and the couple seems stronger than ever after the show (they’re planning to have a baby soon!). Unsurprisingly, some fans are now urging Netflix to cast Lauren and Cameron as the hosts of Love is Blind season 2.
9 HATED: Jessica & Mark
When it comes to Jessica’s interest in Barnett, there was a lot of back and forth. On the Love is Blind reunion, Jessica called her behavior “cringeworthy,” justifying that she was “drinking too much” during the taping of the show.
Nonetheless, one thing was clear from Jessica’s behavior on the season: she just wasn’t interested in Mark at all. Consequently, it was very hard for viewers to watch Jessica leading on Mark (despite finding every excuse to dislike him) and Mark trying to make it work with Jessica (despite the dozens of red flags).
8 LOVED: Joey & Miranda
At first, it seemed like The Circle US was going to paint Joey as the average superficial guy who flirts with all the girls and spends most of his day working out. However, as the season went on, Joey began to show a lot of authenticity, compassion, and likability – winning over not only the other players on The Circle, but also the viewers.
One of the most significant turning points in Joey’s journey on The Circle was when he made a connection with Miranda. Then, when the latter was eliminated, she decided to visit Joey’s apartment, where they shared a kiss and made plans to go on a date. Ultimately, there’s no denying that the romantic and deeply personal connection between Joey and Miranda resonated with a lot of fans.
7 HATED: Diamond & Carlton
The problems that exist between Diamond and Carlton run much deeper than what was shown on Love is Blind, making it hard for anyone to judge one or the other for everything that was said and done by them on the season. Regardless of whose on-screen behavior is deemed better or worse, it is pretty unanimous among fans that this pairing was wrong in every way.
As it stands, Diamond still believes that Carlton was not on the show “for the right reasons,” and that his marriage proposal was never genuine. Carlton, on the other hand, has made several attempts to win Diamond over, despite being blocked by her on Instagram.
6 LOVED: Giannina & Damian
It was captivating to watch the dynamic between Giannina and Damian on Love is Blind, given that they seemed like such polar opposites. Damian was calm, careful, steady. Giannina was passionate, unguarded, sensitive.
It was evident that Giannina and Damian would end up clashing several times, but fans still rooted for this opposites-attract storyline until the very end. Despite the fact that the couple did not go through with marrying on the show, Giannina and Damian are still very much dating after the first season of Love is Blind aired.
5 HATED: Marina & “Lucas” (Loma)
Marina (who played as herself) and Loma (who played as Lucas) were two of the most exciting characters on the first season of The Circle Brazil. However, it was certainly cringeworthy to watch the unfolding of their quote-unquote romantic connection.
Because fans never got to see the bond between Marina and Loma/Lucas growing, it was odd watching Marina protect her ‘romantic partner’ at all costs, then cry really hard when Lucas was blocked from The Circle. Marina’s full emotional investment in this connection was also never actually matched by Loma, making matters even more awkward.
4 LOVED: Lorayne & Akel
There’s no better example of “putting your money where your mouth is” than when Lorayne defended Akel at all costs against JP’s attempts to block him on The Circle Brazil. Unfortunately, the romantic connection between Lorayne and Akel was perceived as fake by many of the players, and it ultimately got them both eliminated.
Still, fans found it very endearing to see Lorayne protecting Akel so fiercely. Then, when he was eliminated and visited her apartment, they shared a kiss that seemed very genuine. In the midst of so many strategic friendships and fake relationships, there was something that rang very true about Akel and Lorayne’s connection on The Circle Brazil.
3 HATED: Kelly & Kenny
Fans may have been initially distracted by the trainwreck that was Jessica and Mark’s relationship on Love is Blind, but it didn’t take very long for viewers to realize that there was something not quite right about the pairing of Kelly and Kenny.
Despite the fact that Kelly was always communicative and polite with Kenny, it was always hard for fans to believe that she was actually fully on board with marrying him. All the stars seemed to align for Kenny, but Kelly demonstrated several times that she was never attracted to him or enthusiastic about their marriage, which made it very hard for fans to like their pairing.
2 LOVED: Amber & Barnett
The love shared between Amber and Barnett on Love is Blind was constantly doubted by audiences, their family members, and even other contestants on the show. However, there was something about Amber’s certainty regarding their relationship that kept drawing in more and more fans. What’s more, Barnett did not shy away from confronting his family members when they questioned his feelings for her.
In the end, Amber and Barnett did get married, and they are still together. While it was certainly a bumpy ride for fans to get on this couple’s side, there is ultimately nothing but love for these two people who managed to find a real connection through the Love is Blind experiment.
1 HATED: “Rebecca” (Seaburn) & “Adam” (Alex)
Seaburn and Alex are both straight men who had girlfriends in real life but decided to use fake profiles (declaring themselves as ‘single’) on The Circle US. These two had so much in common, right!?
There’s no way around it: Adam/Alex’s attempt to sway Rebecca/Seaburn was absolutely cringeworthy and a total failure. They went on a private date, a giant teddy bear was exchanged, and several messages were sent back and forth – but nothing could convince fans that this fake coupling was entertaining or worth the watch.
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