The Secrets to Getting Cast on ‘Love Is Blind,’ According to the Show’s CD

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Photo Source: Greg Gayne/Netflix

Netflix’s reality dating show “Love Is Blind” is back! Part 1 of Season 7 debuts Oct. 2, and new episodes drop each week until the finale on Oct. 23. This season promises to shed more light on the age-old question: Is love truly blind? And luckily, the hit series won’t be losing steam anytime soon; it’s currently casting in several different locations, including Atlanta, Miami, Columbus, Ohio, and the New England area. 

So, what makes this show so popular? The secret ingredient is the talent. For each season, the casting team, led by CD Donna A. Driscoll, thoroughly reviews thousands of applicants with the help of open calls, background checks, and a 300-question compatibility questionnaire, all to find the right people worthy of this experiment. 

The show’s experiment, as it’s called, involves contestants getting to know each other while in individual pods. They don’t see their potential love interest in person until they’ve established real feelings and someone ultimately proposes. With such a unique concept, we wanted to understand exactly what goes into finding the perfect people to take part. Here, we sit down with Driscoll for insight into the casting process and advice for those hoping to get on an upcoming season.

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These key factors outweigh looks when casting “Love Is Blind.”

Driscoll is a seasoned casting director who not only finds talent for “Love Is Blind” but numerous other Netflix reality hits like “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On,” “The Ultimatum: Queer Love,” and “Perfect Match.” However, she explains that the casting process for “Love Is Blind” is much different than other dating or relationship shows. 

“One of the unorthodox things about the ‘Love Is Blind’ cast is that the look of the cast isn't at the forefront of my mind whenever we’re finding [talent],” shares Driscoll. Instead, she says her team prioritizes “everyday people” over influencers and models, and focuses on finding talent who are “authentic” and have a “readiness for marriage.” 

“The main thing that we’re always looking for are [real] people who have everything going for them in their life; they’re just missing that one piece. And so the intention of why they want to participate in the experiment is a huge factor,” she explains, adding that they’re searching for people who “want to find the love of their life more than they want to be on Netflix.”

Being yourself is the best thing you can do during the audition process.

Everyone knows that what makes great reality TV is the drama; but Driscoll says it’s important for applicants not to get hung up on trying to be over the top or a big character during their audition. She advises being “dialed into who you are, comfortable in your skin, and most of all…comfortable being vulnerable.”

“The experiment itself is so loud that if you put people who are authentic, who are willing to be vulnerable, into this pod, that [entertaining aspect] is going to happen naturally,” Driscoll says. “It’s not like casting for a game show where you’re looking for a really big, outgoing character. It’s more about authenticity at the end of the day.” 

Of all the “Love Is Blind” seasons, this contestant’s audition stands out the most. 

Driscoll still remembers Season 6 contestant AD Smith’s audition vividly. “She’s a force of nature; there’s no question,” says Driscoll. “The minute I saw her interview, there was something so charming about her. She wears her heart on her sleeve, but also has a really good sense of who she is. She’s confident, really open to sharing her life story, charismatic, and stunning. So, obviously, she stood out.”

These are red flags for the “Love Is Blind” casting team.

Love is Blind

Courtesy Netflix

Reality TV provides a launching pad for everyday people to become household names. But when casting a dating show with marriage on the line, Driscoll and her team must weed out the applicants who don’t seem sincere and just hope to get famous. Here, she shares the red flags the casting team looks out for. 

1. When someone says they’ll make a great villain: “It’s our biggest pet peeve when we hear somebody say, ‘I’ll make really great television,’ or, ‘I'll be the villain.’ We’re not looking for that. We are looking for you to be you.”

2. Asking how famous the show will make them: “Of course, that’s an obvious [red flag].”

3. Those who aren’t serious about settling down and making the most of the experiment: “We do get people asking if [they] have to be single, or saying that they’re ready [for marriage] but giving us all the signs that they’re not ready. Because I’ll be honest: The casting process for a relationship show that ends in marriage isn’t for the faint of heart. And so, by process, it usually weeds out the people who aren’t very serious about settling down.”

Does acting experience help or hurt your chances of getting cast on “Love Is Blind”?

According to Driscoll, an acting background “definitely doesn’t disqualify anybody,” but her team is “not looking for people who are trying to be actors and act during the experiment.” 

“At the end of the day, we read every application; we consider every application. And the intention behind the application is what’s the most important for us,” the CD says. “If we do end up vetting somebody over the phone, the truth will be revealed about what that intention is.”

How big of a role does compatibility play in casting “Love Is Blind”?

Along with finding contestants who are genuine and ready for the “Love Is Blind” experiment, Driscoll says the questionnaire is a vital step in the casting process as it helps ensure compatibility within the final ensemble. 

“When [our applicants] do this compatibility step, they’re actually preparing themselves and thinking about all the questions they might want to potentially ask in the pods to their partner. So it’s like they’re mentally preparing when they’re filling out the [Q&A]. And it’s important for that reason; but when we put the ensemble together, it’s also really important for everybody to realize and know that every one that is in the pods put in that same effort [by filling out the Q&A].” 

Despite its importance during the casting process, Driscoll says the questionnaire isn’t the driving force for who ends up with one another on the show.

“The main thing that we want is for there to be a yes at the altar, or a yes in the pod or someone is proposed to. We are all invested into the love story,” says Driscoll. “We are always hoping and kind of thinking about people that could potentially be compatible with one another. But then there’s always kismet that really plays the biggest role and kind of takes over where we leave.”

 

The best audition advice for getting cast on “Love Is Blind”

Love is Blind

Courtesy Netflix

1. You don’t need a huge social media presence. “I actually get really excited when somebody isn’t present on social media, because it shows me that [gaining followers] isn’t [their goal] at the end of the show,” says Driscoll. “There’s almost like an innocence around it when somebody isn’t on social media, and it makes [them] more interesting. 

“But also, at the same time, I love social media and being able to see the lives that people are living. You know, you can see how full their life is. You can see all the people in their orbit. You can see if they love to travel and how they express themselves through fashion. All of these things are so fascinating to me, too. So it’s not imperative to have social media to be a part of the ‘Love Is Blind’ experiment; it doesn’t hurt you, and it doesn’t help you. It’s just kind of there as a tool.”

2. Have fun with the conversation every time you speak to someone on the casting team. “All of these shows receive tons of applications and you’re the person getting the phone call. Have fun with that moment. It’s a bucket-list moment that thousands of people around the world have been waiting for. So just talk to the casting associate like you’d be talking to your friends.” 

3. Don’t let your nerves get in the way. “We aren’t going to ask you any trick questions. We’re talking about you, and you’re the professional when it comes to you. You’re the pro, and you’re the author of your story. So just have confidence and be willing to share [your story].”  

 

Where to find “Love Is Blind” casting calls

“Love Is Blind” is actively seeking talent for multiple upcoming seasons. For those who feel ready to find love on the series, you can complete an application on the show’s website today. Just remember that you must live in the city where the season is filming to be considered.

If you’re interested in joining another reality show, you can also check out our roundup of similar gigs, or keep an eye on our main casting call section for new opportunities as they arise.

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