If you had predicted at the start of the latest series of Love is Blind that a male contestant would voluntarily compare himself to Andrew Tate on camera, you might have been dismissed as ‘delulu’. The Netflix reality show, now in its tenth US series with numerous international spin-offs, has seen a shift in cast and tone over time. Initially, participants entered without expectations, offering raw human behaviour. Now, many are fame-seekers looking to become influencers, while others are hyper-aware of public perception, often presenting a polished facade.
This season, however, saw men brazenly revealing their true selves without apparent fear of consequences. Chris, a 33-year-old account executive, matched with Jess, a 38-year-old doctor. After a promising start in the ‘pods’ and an engagement, the couple seemed destined for the altar. But suddenly, Chris told Jess he was used to dating women who did ‘Crossfit and s***’ or ‘f***ing pilates every day’, implying her physique was not up to his standards. Jess responded with grace: ‘If my body isn’t good enough for you, I’m never going to be like, “Oh please, still love me.” That’s not what I’m here for.’
Chris’s behaviour escalated post-breakup. He created an Instagram account with paid bot followers, visited a strip club and posted photos online. At a cast mixer, he loudly claimed Jess was the worst sex he had ever had, insulted her body, hit on other women, and boasted about taking them to the Four Seasons. He also called a male friend ‘submissive’, saying his partner needed an ‘alpha’ to take charge. Finally, he declared, ‘I’m Andrew Tate, apparently.’
This incident highlights the influence of the ‘manosphere’—a network of online communities promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny. Figures like Andrew Tate have popularised degrading attitudes towards women, encouraging men to view relationships as power struggles. The show’s exposure of such behaviour underscores the dangers single women face in modern dating, where entitlement and disrespect can be masked by charm until it is too late.
