Netflix's Love Is Blind is set to return for its eighth season taking place in Minneapolis Minnesota with a new group of singles seeking love in the pods. This season introduces 32 individuals 16 men and 16 women from the Twin Cities area eager to test if connection can truly be blind. The format remains familiar participants date in isolated pods only meeting face-to-face if they get engaged. Following engagements couples navigate honeymoons and real life in Minneapolis before deciding on marriage at the altar.
Season 8 filmed around a year prior in California for pods Honduras for vacation and Minneapolis for hometown segments has already generated local anticipation. Fans actively tracked production forming online groups and sharing speculations about recognizable Minnesota locations and dating dynamics. Watch parties and themed events are scheduled around the Twin Cities to celebrate the premiere.
Two participants Vanessa Boreland and Kylie Schuelke spoke about their experiences on Love Is Blind. Boreland a 31-year-old media planner and classically trained ballerina from Minneapolis and Schuelke a 28-year-old medical student from Chanhassen shared their motivations for joining the show and their perspectives on Minnesota dating.
Why Minnesota Singles Joined Love Is Blind Season 8
Vanessa Boreland And Kylie Schuelke Sought Different Approach To Dating
Boreland explained her mother encouraged her to apply stating "My mom actually started filling out the application for me because she was that adamant I needed to go try and do this." Feeling like the last single among her friends and experiencing dating app fatigue Boreland sought a different path to find a relationship. She added "She wanted to sign me up for like a matchmaking service. She was like ‘try anything besides the apps because obviously it's not working.’"
Schuelke cited her demanding schedule as a medical student as a key reason for joining. "I am a medical student so I don’t really have time to date. The idea of just being able to find my husband in like six weeks was perfect. Let's do it. Game on." The accelerated nature of Love Is Blind appealed to her time constraints and desire to quickly find a meaningful connection.
Minnesota Dating Scene Compared To Love Is Blind Pods
Challenges And Unique Aspects Of Dating In Minneapolis Highlighted
Both Boreland and Schuelke discussed the distinct characteristics of dating in Minnesota. Boreland mentioned the close-knit nature of the cities and the tendency for people to form relationships early. "I would say it was absolutely challenging trying to organically meet people even like friends of friends or just going out. I feel like because of the way the cities are and they’re so small and everybody knows each other and there’s really just not a lot of options." She described a perceived pattern "You know people start dating in high school and they just get married. That’s a very Minnesotan thing to do." This she suggested makes meeting new people in typical settings difficult.
Schuelke pointed out a contrast between Minnesota dating culture and the pod environment. "One thing about Minnesota dating life compared to the pods is everyone’s nice and wants to be respectful of your comfort zones. And I feel like it kind of creates this sort of — this lag this stall." She preferred the directness of the pods where "we’re jumping right in we’re asking the tough questions and we’re doing kind of everything all at once in a very short time frame." Schuelke appreciated the accelerated and upfront communication in the pods finding it a welcome departure from Minnesota's perhaps more cautious dating approach.
Dating In The Pods Experience Described By Cast Members
Fun Challenging And Intensely Emotional Journey Revealed
Reflecting on her pod experience Boreland rated it positively. "I had a lot of fun. I really did. I would give it like a seven an eight. I mean maybe some days it was a 10." The primary challenge she noted was the absence of physical touch. "I think the hardest part is just like that physical connection you would have with somebody once you’ve dated for a while ... you want to be able to you know do everything you do in a real relationship. So hold hands like hug each other and like be next to each other and so it starts to get difficult when you can't do that."
Schuelke enthusiastically endorsed pod dating. "Oh my goodness dating in the pods is actually so fun. Like 10 out of 10 would recommend. I had a blast." She emphasized the opportunity to connect with multiple potential partners quickly. "Like we got to meet 16 great eligible bachelors potential husbands. It was just so fun to get to meet everybody be in the pods forming connections." Schuelke also highlighted the camaraderie among the women in the lounges. "Lounge life is so much fun and I have 15 new best friends that we really went through a unique experience. It was difficult fun tough. All of the emotions but it truly was an amazing experience and it was something that was so great to get to experience with some amazing uplifting beautiful women."
Learnings And Expectations For Love Is Blind Season 8
Intentional Dating Minnesota Representation And Surprises Teased
Boreland shared what she gained from the Love Is Blind experience. "I think I learned a bit more about like my values and what I value in a relationship and maybe just — things that are considered to be like dating norms don't necessarily have to be." She emphasized intentionality in dating. "I think I’ve realized how intentional dating can be and I think that’s something that we sometimes miss I guess a little bit in the real world. I feel like we’re Minnesota Nice so we sometimes skirt around some of those big conversations and those big questions." Boreland advocated for directness in dating suggesting "I think that I’d want to challenge people to just when you’re dating date with intention. I mean there’s no too soon time to go on a date. I mean get to know the person but really like dive right in there and let’s not waste any more time."
Both Boreland and Schuelke expressed excitement for the season's release. Boreland anticipated seeing Minnesota portrayed on a popular platform. "I am personally excited. I think it will be just really cool to get some Minneapolis representation on a really popular television show." Schuelke looked forward to viewers seeing the cast's stories and the Minnesota spirit. "I am so excited for the show to come out. I'm so excited for everybody to see it. I'm so excited for the cast to be able to open up about their stories."
Schuelke who hadn't watched Love Is Blind before filming mentioned her surprise at the rapid development of connections and the iconic gold cups. "I didn’t watch the show before going on which looking back I probably should have so I would have known what was going on a little bit more. So everything was a surprise for me but I think the biggest surprise for me was how quickly connections can form." About the cups she added "Another surprise was those gold cups that you always see. We really do use the gold cups. It’s not like placed there for editing. We drink out of those cups. They’re not real but I mean they’re really special. And I did actually get a real cup out of the experience. I don’t think I was supposed to. So sorry production! But I took one of those with me."
Boreland hinted at relatable Minnesota personalities in the cast. "People may be a little surprised with some of the Minnesotans they see ... but I also think there will be some very much like ‘this is absolutely a stereotypical Midwestern Minnesota person.’" Schuelke hoped the show would highlight Minnesotans' positive qualities. "I really hope that everyone gets to see how great and uplifting Minnesotans truly are because I think that’s something unique about Minnesota. It’s something that I love and why I’m still here even though it’s freezing."
Our Take On Love Is Blind Season 8 Minneapolis Preview
Season Promises Heartfelt Midwest Stories And Unique Relationship Dynamics
Love Is Blind Season 8 setting in Minneapolis suggests a season marked by distinct Midwest sensibilities. Nick and Vanessa Lachey hosts of the show noted this difference. Nick stated "I think this season is different because it is the Midwest. I think as we've said before every season takes on the personality of the city that it's based in. Minneapolis being in the Midwest I think there's a certain heartfelt-ness to this season that maybe we haven't seen in others. There's a certain sensitivity to everybody in the pods this season." Vanessa elaborated on the impact of Minneapolis culture. "With Minnesota it's really interesting because they're all there wanting to find love but they definitely have had a harder time relating to issues. So you see a lot more pod time on season 8 pod episodes because there's a lot of differences people need to work out. Whether they're fundamental issues and beliefs or just getting along or confused about this one or that one person-wise it's a different season for that aspect."
The insights from Boreland and Schuelke coupled with the Lacheys' observations point towards a season of Love Is Blind that may offer a unique flavor. The focus on Minnesota dating culture the emphasis on intentional connection and the "heartfelt-ness" described by hosts suggest Season 8 will present both familiar Love Is Blind drama and fresh relationship journeys rooted in the Midwest.