The popular reality television programs “Love is Blind” and “Selling Sunset” were all produced by Netflix. This list can now include “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.” According to Deadline, the drama, which dethroned “Bridgerton” for the top place, shot up to Netflix’s top 10 most watched shows after its 2022 release.
Each couple in “The Ultimatum” had one member who was ready to get married and one who wasn’t. This put their relationships to the test. Before they could really start the experiment of dating someone else, one of the couples, Hunter and Alexis, decided to get engaged. Alexis explained to US Weekly why she decided to join the show. In light of the fact that it was a wonderful event for us, she continued, “Not only will we get to watch it back, but we’ll get to share it with our kids one day.” The couples had a lot of incredible experiences, but there was also a lot of conflict.
Chaos resulted from participants on the show starting to feel things for people other than their relationship. People started to wonder if the show was real because of the intense drama between the couples and the arguments that occurred. According to ScreenRant, various reality shows have been staged. So it makes sense why people began to question whether these relationships were real. Do they truly care for one another? And was “The Ultimatum” generally scripted?
The Ultimatum is authentic
Drama in reality shows is renowned for entertaining viewers. The unorthodox way that “The Ultimatum” put relationships to the test was no different. Despite how fascinating the show was, many believed it was contrived. Producer Chris Coleen, speaking to E! News, dispelled those rumors.
Many producers from Netflix’s “Love is Blind” worked on “The Ultimatum,” according to The Cinemaholic. Both programs focus on romantic relationships and the search for love. One of the candidates’ siblings reportedly refuted claims that “Love is Blind” was scripted, according to Life&Style. Melissa Cuevas, whose brother appeared on the show, used social media to respond to fan inquiries and denied that the program had ever been fabricated.
Similar efforts have been made by the creators of “The Ultimatum” to maintain the authenticity of their program. E! News claims that Coleen and her team producers use social media to find new cast members for the program. “We obviously do everything that typical casting teams do in terms of being out there on social media, but also, we really do try to delve deep into the community and talk to people and go out to the community groups and bars and anyplace you can go in this period,” he said. Coleen stated that the selection procedure assesses whether the couples are true to the premise of the program. To properly confirm the couples are credible, producers interview the possible partners and even chat with their loved ones.
Contestants claim producers surprised them on The Ultimatum
A reality program needs drama, heartbreak, and disputes to keep viewers interested, and “The Ultimatum” offered all three. There were some startling surprises, as some candidates from the show have disclosed in their experiences.
Jake Cunningham, who was involved in a love triangle on the show, claimed he was unaware that an ultimatum would even be given. But [it wasn’t] until the first interviews that we actually learned, ‘Hey there’s an ultimatum to be made,’ according to Cunningham, who spoke to Buzzfeed. And that really shocked us! Many of us were completely unaware of the ultimatum or the connection between marriage and the show. Another couple, Nathan Ruggles and Lauren Pounds, admitted on a podcast that they, too, had no idea what the show was about. (Source: TikTok.) The pair claims that Ruggles was actually chosen by the producers to deliver the ultimatum.
“The Ultimatum,” like many reality television programs, attempted to counsel couples on what to say and how to behave. Randall Griffin and Madlyn Ballatori were one of the couples trying out a new kind of connection. Griffin appeared in a post that Ballatori uploaded on Instagram posing as a producer. Let’s chat more about your affection, he gestured. Let’s get it done. Not so much with your ex as with the one you currently have. Reality shows are ultimately just reality shows. There are genuine moments and ones that may seem a touch shady.
