Are Love is Blind contestants paid to be on the show? Everything to know about the Netflix series
WHILE the show's contestants go on reality TV looking to meet their soulmates sight unseen, they often find out the hard way whether love truly is blind.
Love is Blind's sixth season premiered on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, with hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey returning to guide couples through the pods, the real world, and the drama, all the way to the altar.
Are Love is Blind contestants paid to be on the show?
Hosted by Nick Lachey and his wife Vanessa, the reality show follows 30 men and women brave enough to look for love in the ultimate blind speed-dating style.
Unlike other reality shows, the contestants on Love is Blind are truly there to find love rather than make money.
That means the only "prize" at the end of the season is – you guessed it – true love.
However, that doesn't mean contestants walk away empty-handed.
Contestants are reportedly paid a flat rate for their appearance on the show.
That flat rate comes out to about $1,000 a week, or up to $8,000 for contestants who make it to the altar.
These figures are from the show's second season, so it's likely that these "salaries" have increased over the years.
The show takes about two months to film, which includes the contestants spending around 10 days in separate pods.
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A select few couples then move on to an all-expenses paid romantic vacation in Mexico.
Couples then move in with one another and resume their "normal" lives, balancing their new relationships with work, family, friends, and hobbies, all while planning their upcoming nuptials.
What do the winners of Love is Blind get?
Love is Blind differs from other reality shows by putting love on a pedestal.
Unlike other competition shows, which may include a hefty cash prize, ";winning" Love is Blind means marrying your true soulmate.
Contestants "embark on the journey of a lifetime" and "discover whether their physical connections in the real world can match the emotional bonds they formed in the pods," as reported by .
However, coupled-up-contestants who do make it to the altar do end up receiving a few perks.
Men who propose on the show are given a handful of rings to choose from but are allowed to use their own money for embellishments or a ring of their choice.
Another perk is a romantic getaway to Mexico, which all newly-engaged couples get to go on.
Couples who survive the tropical vacation then move to the "real world" to balance their everyday lives before the pods with their newfound partner.
Love is Blind production representatives even revealed that most couples pay out of pocket for their dream wedding, as shown in the season finale.
Production reportedly supplies the "basics," including the venue, food, and music.
“Of course production supplies some of the basics, but because these are their real weddings, it’s up to them as to how to spend their money,” reps told .
Contestants reportedly have a set budget for additional marriage expenses, like wedding and bridesmaid dresses, tuxes for the groom and his groomsmen, and decor.
"If there's anything over and above what we would normally do then [the couples] are most certainly welcome to do that," Love is Blind creator Chris Coelen revealed to .
"It's hard to book a wedding venue two weeks out so we, ahead of time, make sure we have a really nice venue that can accommodate the weddings," he said.
"We don't know how many weddings there are going to be, so we have it booked for a period of time," he added.
"It's a little scary but it makes it fun!"
"Lots of people will want to do something—a certain type of food or cake—and we try to do that, within reason," he added.
How can I watch Love is Blind?
Love is Blind is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Instead of dropping the entire season all at once, the streamer has decided to continue its popular "mini-binge" formula for the hit reality series.
Love is Blind season six will have 12 episodes total.
The first six episodes are available beginning on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2024.
Episodes seven, eight, and nine will air on Wednesday, February 21.
Episodes 10 and 11 will air on Wednesday, February 28.
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The season six finale, episode 12, will air on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
It's unclear when or if Netflix plans to air a live or taped reunion special, as it has for the last few seasons.