July 11, 2025
What is โ€˜Pop the Balloonโ€™? Viral YouTube Dating Series Headed to Netflix


โ€œPop the Balloonโ€ is headed to Netflix and adding a special twist to shake up the format.ย 

In case you arenโ€™t familiar, โ€œPop the Balloon or Find Loveโ€ became a viral hit in December 2023 when co-creator Arlette Amuli posted the first video of the dating series to her YouTube account. The episode introduced viewers to a single man looking for love and multiple contestants. If the contestants were attracted to the suitor and were intrigued by what he had to say, they would continue to get to know him. But, if they werenโ€™t interested, they would instantly (and loudly) pop their red balloon and explain why it wasnโ€™t a perfect match.ย 

Since then, Amuli has uploaded 50 episodes of the digital series, featuring both men and women as leads. Each video has accumulated over 1 million views as fans canโ€™t get enough of the uncomfortable interactions, and react to the contestantsโ€™ decisions in the comments.ย ย 

Soon, more viewers will be introduced to the popular show. Netflix announced in March that a โ€œreimagined versionโ€ of โ€œPop the Balloonโ€ would debut on the streaming platform.ย 

The streamer revealed that the speed-dating series will be live and include โ€œeven higher stakes, fresh twists and celebrity surprises.โ€

Netflixโ€™s โ€œPop the Balloon Liveโ€ will arrive on April 10, along with a new host, โ€œInsecureโ€ star Yvonne Orji. Read on to learn more about the updated version of the series and how to tune in.

What is โ€˜Pop the Balloon Liveโ€™?

โ€œPop the Balloon Live,โ€ similar to the original show, will introduce viewers to a new group of singles and mystery daters every week.ย 

In addition to the live element, the Netflix version will also have more twists like celebrity contestants. Netflix has revealed that reality stars like โ€œThe Challengeโ€ vet Johnny Bananas, โ€œToo Hot to Handleโ€ Season 2 cast member Chase DeMoor, โ€œTeen Momโ€ alum Farrah Abraham and โ€œThe Ultimatum: Marry or Move onโ€ Season 2 contestant Zaina Sesay will all make appearances on โ€œPop the Balloon Live.โ€ย 

New executive producer Matt Sharp teased that the upcoming series will push โ€œthe boundaries of connection, chemistry and unpredictability.โ€ย 

How to watch Netflixโ€™s โ€˜Pop the Balloon Liveโ€™

The first episode of โ€œPop the Balloon Liveโ€ will be released on Thursday, April 10 on Netflix.

The show will stream live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and following episodes will stream every Thursday at the same time.ย 

Who is hosting โ€˜Pop the Balloon Liveโ€™?

Netflix revealed that actor Yvonne Orji will host โ€œPop the Balloon Live.โ€ The โ€œVacation Friendsโ€ star already has hosting experience from leading the 2022 Max dating series โ€œMy Mom, Your Dad.โ€ย 

Yvonne Orji
Yvonne Orji attends the 19th Annual L’Orรฉal Paris Women Of Worth Celebration at NeueHouse Hollywood on Nov. 21, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Maya Dehlin Spach / FilmMagic

Speaking about taking over the hosting duties for โ€œPop the Balloon Live,โ€ Oriji said in a statement, โ€œAfter playing the โ€˜unlucky in loveโ€™ Molly Carter for five seasons on โ€˜Insecure,โ€™ I know a thing or two about looking for love in a hopeless place.โ€

She added, โ€œHopefully the singles on โ€˜Pop The Balloon Liveโ€™ will have much more success. As host, Iโ€™m looking forward to striking that delicate balance of heart and humor for our daters and the Netflix audience at home.โ€

The YouTube version is (and will still be) hosted by Amuli, who serves as executive producer of the Netflix show along with co-creator and husband Bolia Matundu.

Amuli and Matundu addressed the show expanding to Netflix in a video shared on her YouTube channel April 1.ย 

โ€œNow I know a lot of you are wondering, โ€˜So what happens to our YouTube version?โ€™ I can assure you that everything will stay the same,โ€ Matundu said.ย 

He shared that he will continue to produce the YouTube episodes while Amuli hosts.ย 

Amuli chimed in and said, โ€œExactly, so yโ€™all make sure you stay tuning in every Wednesday. OK, โ€˜Pop the Balloonโ€™ Wednesday is still a thing.โ€

She said nothing is changing about the flagship internet series and they are simply having โ€œanother additionโ€ to the franchise by partnering with Netflix.ย 

Amuli described working with the streaming giant as a โ€œhuge dealโ€ and a โ€œhuge blessingโ€ and said she and her husband are looking forward to the collaboration.ย 

โ€œWe just ask for you guys to support both of our ventures,โ€ she continued. โ€œWe honestly canโ€™t wait to see where this is going to go.โ€ย 

Matundu also thanked their fans for supporting them over the years.ย 

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