Netflix's popular dating experiment Love Is Blind is back for its eighth season this Valentine's Day. This time the pods are landing in Minneapolis Minnesota bringing a fresh batch of singles looking for love without seeing each other. But some locals are questioning if the show's premise can truly work in the Twin Cities.
Season 8 of Love Is Blind features 32 singles from Minneapolis and surrounding areas eager to test if love is truly blind. As in past seasons participants will date in isolated pods and only meet face-to-face if they get engaged. This season filmed around a year ago includes locations in California Honduras and of course Minneapolis. Fans in Minnesota have been eagerly awaiting the premiere since production was spotted in the area forming online groups and planning watch parties.
MPR News recently spoke with two Season 8 participants Vanessa Boreland and Kylie Schuelke. Boreland a 31-year-old media planner and Schuelke a 28-year-old medical student shared their reasons for joining the show and their experiences with dating in Minnesota.
Boreland mentioned her mother encouraged her to apply stating “try anything besides the apps because obviously it's not working.” She described Minneapolis dating as challenging because “everybody knows each other and there’s really just not a lot of options.” Schuelke added that Minnesota dating can be “respectful” but sometimes lacks upfront directness which intrigued her about the pod experience where “we’re jumping right in we’re asking the tough questions.”
Both Boreland and Schuelke had positive experiences in the pods. Schuelke rated it “10 out of 10 would recommend” praising the chance to meet “16 great eligible bachelors potential husbands.” Boreland also enjoyed it but noted the difficulty of missing physical connection. Regarding Minnesota representation on the show Boreland is “really cool to get some Minneapolis representation on a really popular television show.” Schuelke hopes viewers will see “how great and uplifting Minnesotans truly are.”
However not everyone in Minneapolis is convinced Love Is Blind will work seamlessly in their city. An article from The Cut highlights concerns from Minneapolis locals who believe the dating pool is too small and interconnected. TikTok user @leah_bergy stated “Minneapolis is a big little town. Everyone knows everyone here… I find it really hard to believe that they found a cast who doesn’t know each other at all or at least has no mutual friends.” She even claimed to have dated two men in the cast.
Other TikTok users like @angiebaby310 and @hopeyoufindyourdad have also voiced worries about the casting and the potential for drama given Minneapolis’ close-knit social scene. This small-town dynamic is explicitly addressed in the Season 8 trailer with one contestant noting a man seemed "familiar" upon meeting after the pods and another confronting a man about a "girl on TikTok who’s crying."
What The Minneapolis Setting Means For Love Is Blind Season 8
Will Small Town Connections Expose The Show's Blind Dating Premise?
The central question surrounding Love Is Blind Season 8 is whether Minneapolis's unique dating environment will enhance or hinder the show's core concept. The premise relies on singles forming genuine connections sight unseen. However if cast members are already acquainted or share mutual friends the experiment's integrity could be tested. The show's trailer itself hints at this tension suggesting producers are aware of and possibly leaning into the potential for pre-existing relationships and local gossip to impact the pod dynamics.
The interconnectedness of Minneapolis could lead to increased drama and unexpected twists. Secrets past relationships and rumors could surface more easily in this smaller dating pool adding layers of complexity not seen in previous seasons set in larger more anonymous cities. This could make for compelling television as viewers watch to see if love can truly overcome not just physical appearances but also pre-existing social networks and local reputations.
Our Take On Love Is Blind Season 8's Minneapolis Experiment
Season 8 Promises Fresh Drama As Small Town Dating Meets Reality TV
Love Is Blind Season 8 heading to Minneapolis is an intriguing move. While past seasons have delivered drama and successful couples the Minneapolis setting introduces a wildcard. The concerns raised by locals about the city's tight-knit dating scene are valid and add an extra layer of anticipation. Will the show's premise hold up under the scrutiny of a smaller more interconnected community or will the Twin Cities dating dynamics expose the limitations of blind love?
Regardless of whether the experiment succeeds in Minneapolis Season 8 is poised to be different. The potential for cast members to have pre-existing connections combined with the already present reality TV drama creates a unique scenario. Viewers can expect a season filled with both genuine attempts at connection and the added spice of small-town social dynamics playing out on a global stage. Love Is Blind Season 8 premieres on Netflix this Valentine's Day and it will be interesting to see if love truly is blind even in the Mini Apple.
Source: mprnews.org people.com usatoday.com thecut.com