The pods are designed to be acoustically isolated, ensuring contestants communicate solely through speaker systems.
There aren’t any producers inside the pods on Netflix’s reality show. Originally, the plan was to make the pods soundproof on certain sides while allowing sound to come through the light-up wall. However, this setup caused sound to bleed from one pod to another. In order to ensure complete privacy for the contestants, the decision was made to make the entire pod soundproof. The contestants then communicated with each other through speakers. According to co-creator and executive producer Chris Coelen, there are no producers or anyone else inside the pods besides the two individuals talking to each other. They rely solely on the small speaker located in the front wall to hear one another. Additionally, the cast members have the option to bring their own engagement ring or choose from a limited number of options provided.
The participants in the competition have the option to select from a variety of ring styles. Coelen, the executive producer of the show, mentioned to Variety that there are about 10 to 12 different styles and colors of rings available for the male contestants. Additionally, if they desire, they can even bring their own ring from home. Furthermore, Coelen revealed that women also have the opportunity to propose on the show; however, so far, no female contestant has chosen to take this route. It is worth noting that the show is usually recorded one to two years before it is broadcasted to the audience.
Couples participating in the show “Love Is Blind” must maintain secrecy about their relationship status until the final episode is broadcasted on Netflix. Despite having just 38 days to build a connection, get engaged, and tie the knot, these couples had to wait for more than a year before their journey was televised and their relationships made public.
In an interview with Refinery29, contestant Damian Powers revealed that filming for the series had concluded in November of 2018, even though it aired in February 2020. As a result, those couples who stayed together had to keep their marriages hidden from the public eye, especially on social media, to avoid spoiling the show’s ending.
When the second season was produced in 2021 and eventually aired in 2022, the producers maintained a hands-off approach when it came to planning the contestants’ romantic outings.
Unless, of course, you consider the concept of placing them in pods and determining when they can interact. This unique approach was taken by Netflix in their reality dating show. According to Coelen, the show’s creator, the contestants had a much greater say in their relationships compared to other heavily edited shows of the same genre. The intention was to give the contestants the ability to shape their experiences within the constraints of the pod system.
Coelen explained in an interview with Oprah magazine in 2020, “If a contestant expressed a desire to have a dinner of lasagna with another person, we would provide them with lasagna.” The idea was to fulfill their requests while still adhering to the rules of the show, which strictly prohibited physical contact and visual interactions. The production team wanted the participants to have full control over their decisions and ultimately determine their own destinies.
Furthermore, the contestants were not provided with cue cards or predetermined talking points. Coelen revealed in an interview with Variety, “They were never prompted by producers to discuss specific topics or guided in any way. They had the freedom to do and say what they wanted.”
This approach allowed for a more authentic and natural experience for the contestants, allowing them to genuinely explore connections and build relationships without external interference.