If you’ve spent any time on social media over the last few years, chances are you’ve come across the YouTube dating show, “Pop the Balloon or Find Love.”
The concept is simple. Singles each hold a red balloon while a potential match stands in front of them. If someone loses interest, whether because of looks, values, lifestyle, or something said, they pop their balloon to show they’re out. Sometimes, a contestant is rejected just for their shoes, or a balloon is popped before anyone even speaks. These moments have sparked online debates about modern dating and whether Black relationships face impossible standards.
These moments have helped the independently made show become a global hit. But creators Bolia “BM” Matundu and Arlette Amuli say the viral clips don’t tell the whole story.
“We wanted to make a version that’s meaningful,” Matundu tells CNN. “Real people. Real intentions.”
Matundu, who was born in Kinshasa and raised in London, and Amuli, who is from Arizona with Congolese roots, launched Pop the Balloon or Find Love on YouTube in December 2023. They never intended it to be a show about rejection. Instead, they wanted to share a different story, one they feel is harder to find online now.
