It was a carnival of blankets, gold cups, halter tops, birth control, and EpiPens—and it directed all eyes, for once, toward us
The first season of Netflix’s Love is Blind aired in the early days of the pandemic, which granted the series automatic viewership. But in the seasons that followed, the show made few waves in the pop-culture zeitgeist.
Then came Season 6. In September 2022, producers dropped a casting call for Charlotte singles on social media. Thirty Queen City singles emerged and were introduced to the world in January with full glam, single-shot photos against a soft purple background on screens everywhere. Charlotte sure looked the part.
The show poetically debuted with the first six episodes on Valentine’s Day. We watched our local singles huddled under blankets in voice-only dating pods. The early standouts: hot single mom and EpiPen ambassador Jess; mulleted Trevor; too-wise-for-this A.D.; too-sweet-for-this Brittany; still-got-some-growing-up-to-do Chelsea; future Snapped story Laura; deer-in-headlights Jimmy; something-ain’t-right-here Jeramey; and he-could-be-a-problem Clay. Matthew, who ran out in Episode 2, vexed viewers nationwide, but Charlotte women recognized him as the embodiment of a regimented, emotionally inept banker bro. We know him all too well.
The show created immediate buzz around town. But would it translate beyond our Southern metropolis?
Oh, yes. Season 6 was the most-watched of the series and the most-watched show across all streaming platforms in March, period. Kim Kardashian told her 360 million followers she couldn’t stop watching. Travis Kelce ranted on his podcast about Chelsea’s neediness (does this mean Taylor was watching?!). Gwyneth Paltrow and Bradley Cooper confessed their viewership. Megan Fox said people stopped her at Oscar parties to ask about the Chelsea comparison.
All those eyes on the show meant Charlotte shared in the big-girl spotlight. The cameras followed the cast to Margaux’s, Queen Park Social, The Goodyear House, Rosie’s Wine Garden, Carowinds, Fahrenheit, Camp North End, the Whitewater Center, The Royal Tot, and Queen City Grounds. And though it was never filmed, Lost & Found was referenced a few dozen times when Laura went full Judge Judy on Jeramey, skewering him over his night out at the now-shuttered South End hot spot.
You might argue that Amy and Johnny, the only couple to marry, came out on top. But let’s be real. Charlotte was the winner here. Now, let’s get to work on a Real Housewives franchise.