Social media has taken center stage in the latest season of Netflix's "Love Is Blind," playing a significant role in the unfolding drama. The creator of the show, Chris Coelen, emphasized their commitment to documenting the real-life experiences and challenges faced by the contestants. This season, a TikTok video has stirred controversy, affecting the relationship between Ben and Sara. The first nine episodes of Season 8 are currently streaming on Netflix, with episodes 10-12 scheduled for release on Friday, February 28, and the finale on Friday, March 7.
A TikTok video posted by user Andra Berghoff, though not naming Ben directly, contained enough information to identify him. The video addressed past interactions with Ben, whom she had met on Tinder over four years ago. Despite never having "hooked up" with the woman, Ben confirmed that the video was indeed about him. This revelation led to a confrontation with Sara, his current partner on the show.
Chris Coelen, the show's executive producer, stated that they remain impartial regarding the TikTok user's intentions.
"I don't know anything about the person who posted the video and I don't know anything about it other than what we documented," – Chris Coelen
The inclusion of this social media incident in the show reflects its impact on Ben and Sara's relationship. According to Coelen, it was essential to incorporate this development as it was a significant part of their lives during filming.
"We live in a world that ever increasingly is that this social media stuff creeps into people's lives," – Chris Coelen
The episode documented Sara's discovery of the video and her subsequent conversation with Ben about it. The couple discussed how to handle the situation and whether it would affect their relationship moving forward.
"All I know is what we documented, so we see her discover it, and then we see Sara and Ben talk about it, and we see them deal with it and decide what they're going to do about it, if anything." – Chris Coelen
This development underscores "Love Is Blind's" dedication to portraying genuine life events and conflicts that contestants face. As social media continues to influence personal lives, its impact is increasingly evident in reality television narratives.
