Shoot Your Shot: Here's How to Secure a Spot on the Viral 'Pop the Balloon' Dating Show!

The Breakdown: The "Pop the Balloon or Find Love" dating show took the internet by storm following its release. It has now made its debut on Netflix, and fans are dying to shoot their shot—but it may not be easy to secure a spot on the show.

The dating game isn’t easy — this is especially true for contestants on dating game shows.

The viral internet show "Pop the Balloon or Find Love" hosts a new lineup of singles who are looking for love in every episode. They’re given the choice — put a pin in their bright red balloon or find love. While the show has its success stories, not everyone has been lucky enough to find a match.

Since its inception, the YouTube dating game has accumulated millions of views and viral moments and created a plethora of spinoffs. The show even caught the eye of a popular streaming platform.

The show went live on Netflix on Thursday, April 10, with host Yvonne Orji. Following the show’s premiere, viewers are eager to find out how to shoot their shot. So, how do you apply to be on the Pop the Balloon Live dating show?

As of this writing, Netflix has yet to announce how potential contestants can shoot their shot to get on Netflix's Pop the Balloon Live.

Applying to be on the YouTube show is easy enough, though. Hopeful romantics can fill out a casting form that asks for details on the applicant’s personal information — from religious beliefs to occupation — and dating preferences.

There’s also a section that asks about the applicant’s hobbies and interests and a prompt that asks for a full-body photo.

Many have imitated the format that husband and wife duo Arlette Amuli and Bolia Matundu created when they started "Pop the Balloon," but they are the true originators. In an interview with ESSENCE, Arlette shared that she and her partner were inspired by shows like 90 Day Fiancé and Married at First Sight.

Arlette launched her YouTube page in 2018, however, it wasn’t until December of 2023 that she uploaded the first episode of Pop the Balloon.

As of this writing, the video has surpassed three million views, and there’s no doubt that the show’s influence will continue to grow with the release of the Netflix series. As Arlette and Bolia continue to help singles find love, their relationship is stronger than ever.

“It’s just easier when you know each other so well,” Bolia said of working with his wife and business partner.

He added: “We give each other signals and stuff like that. I think this is all much easier when you build that type of relationship creatively. We read each other’s minds.”

While the YouTube show highlights Black singles, the Netflix series is inclusive to all races. According to Arlette and Bolia, episodes of Pop the Balloon will still air on YouTube in addition to the live show and maintain its mission of championing Black love.