Netflix’s hit dating reality show, Love Is Blind, is back for another season, drawing viewers in with its unique premise of finding love sight unseen. As fans eagerly watch the latest season unfold, a burning question often arises: how much does Love Is Blind pay its contestants? Unlike competition-based reality shows, Love Is Blind offers no grand cash prize, focusing instead on the pursuit of love. However, participants aren’t entirely unpaid for their time on the show.
Reports indicate that Love Is Blind contestants do receive a weekly stipend. According to legal documents from a 2022 lawsuit filed by season two participant Jeremy Hartwell, and reported by Variety, cast members are paid approximately $1,000 per week. This payment can total up to $8,000 over the filming period. Hartwell’s lawsuit contested this amount, alleging that it fell short of California’s minimum wage laws, considering the extensive hours contestants supposedly worked – sometimes up to 20 hours weekly. The lawsuit further claimed “inhumane working conditions,” citing sleep deprivation, isolation, limited food, and encouraged alcohol consumption by producers, which allegedly manipulated the cast’s mental state.
Love Is Blind contestants are paid ,000 per week up to eight weeks (MONTY BRINTON/NETFLIX)
Love Is Blind contestants’ weekly earnings are approximately $1,000 for a maximum of eight weeks of filming.
Kinetic Content, the production company behind Love Is Blind, has refuted these allegations, stating Hartwell’s claims have “no merit”.
Beyond the weekly pay, it’s important to understand that the $1,000 per week is considered a flat rate, and contestants are also responsible for covering some of their own expenses. Season one participants revealed to Women’s Health that while production covers “basics” for weddings, the couples themselves often bear a significant portion of the wedding costs. A production representative clarified, “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.”
These “basics” provided by production typically include the wedding venue, food, and music. However, any upgrades or additions beyond this standard are the financial responsibility of the engaged couples. Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelen explained to Newsweek that the show covers the weddings within a certain scope, but couples are welcome to spend extra if they desire more elaborate celebrations.
To streamline logistics, wedding ceremonies often occur at the same pre-booked venue. For instance, season three weddings were all filmed at the Lone Star Mansion in Fort Worth, Texas. Coelen mentioned that securing wedding venues in advance is necessary due to the unpredictable number of weddings each season might feature.
Engagement rings are another expense handled by the show. Men are presented with a selection of rings to choose from when proposing. However, similar to wedding costs, contestants have the option to invest their own money to personalize or upgrade the provided ring.
The cost of engagement rings is covered by the show (COURTESY OF NETFLIX)
Love Is Blind covers the cost of basic engagement rings for contestants.
Furthermore, Love Is Blind production covers the cost of the apartments shared by couples after leaving the pods, providing a space for them to navigate their newly formed relationships in the real world. However, contestants are responsible for their personal appearance expenses. Colleen Reed from season three revealed to Vice that she spent approximately $4,000 on hair, makeup, and wardrobe during her time on the show.
In summary, while Love Is Blind contestants receive around $1,000 per week for their participation, it’s not a lavish payday. It is more akin to compensation for their time commitment during filming. Contestants should also be prepared to manage personal expenses like wardrobe and potentially contribute to wedding costs, making the pursuit of love on Love Is Blind an investment of both time and personal finances. Season four of Love Is Blind premiered on March 24th, continuing to explore the question of whether love truly is blind, with new couples navigating the pods and the real world.
