Latest news with #PopTheBalloon
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Reality icon Johnny Bananas addresses racism backlash over 'misleading' Netflix edit
Johnny Bananas, the MTV reality veteran, has responded to accusations that he made a racist comment during his appearance on the Netflix live dating show Pop the Balloon. The incident, which aired in April, sparked controversy after viewers believed a joke he made was directed at a Black contestant. In an interview with Bananas, 42, stated that a close-up camera angle made it appear he was addressing the wrong contestant. According to Bananas, Netflix has since updated the streaming version of the episode with a wider camera angle that clearly shows which contestant he was addressing. 'They corrected the error and the footage as it lives now accurately shows who I was actually speaking to,' Bananas told 'Now it's clear to anyone who watches the Pop the Balloon episode that the comment I made was directed towards a white contestant.' has reached out to Netflix for comment but has not received a response. Bananas further stated, 'I want to be absolutely clear... anyone who knows me, knows my heart and my character, and they know that I'm not a racist and would never make any sort of racist comment towards anyone.' The moment in question involved Bananas moving down a line of contestants, jokingly commenting on their toes as a quirky dating preference. He stopped at one contestant and said, 'You look like you sleep from a tree hanging upside down.' In response to the backlash on Twitter— where one user posted, 'That's so racist @netflix' —Bananas shared a photo from the scene along with a message clarifying his remarks. He wrote that he was referring to the 'WHITE girl whose toes were hanging over her shoes who is literally dressed like a tree,' and criticized what he described as a 'false narrative' around the incident. Bananas told that the exchange was meant to be playful banter, noting the live format encouraged a back-and-forth dynamic among contestants. 'There was a fun, kind of back-and-forth with multiple contestants on the stage. Insults were flying around,' he said. 'I was getting made fun of for my age, the way I dressed. And I was just firing quips because the show was live.' In response to the backlash on Twitter— where one user posted, 'That's so racist @netflix' —Bananas shared a photo from the scene along with a message clarifying his remarks Despite this, Bananas acknowledged that the backlash affected him and apologized for any hurt caused by the incident. 'The damage has already been done,' he said. 'While the correction has been made, the record has to be set straight.' Bananas, who has appeared on more than two dozen seasons of MTV's The Challenge as well as shows like House of Villains, Love Island, and the latest U.S. version of The Traitors, expressed surprise at the accusations given his long career in reality television. 'It's kind of crazy that after 19 years of being on TV and all the media training I've had, and the diverse groups of individuals I've filmed with, that I would do something as dumb and as insensitive as making a blatantly racist comment on live national television,' he said. Bananas also shared that the controversy has led to significant online criticism, including death threats. He attributed the incident primarily to the camera angle and editing rather than intent. 'I think none of this would have happened if it wasn't for this camera angle and the way it was edited,' he said. 'I don't think this was an edit done to intentionally try to harm me.' 'If this could change one person's mind who was truly hurt by what happened, if one person can be convinced that I'm not what they might have thought based on that edit, then that means the world to me,' he concluded He added that he supports accountability when it is warranted but felt this situation was a misrepresentation. 'Accountability has to be based on truth,' Bananas said. 'What happened here wasn't accountability. It was a rush to outrage fueled by a misrepresentation of something that should not have aired the way it did.' Bananas concluded by expressing hope that the clarification will help address any misunderstandings. 'If this could change one person's mind who was truly hurt by what happened, if one person can be convinced that I'm not what they might have thought based on that edit, then that means the world to me.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Yvonne Orji Addresses ‘Pop The Balloon' Backlash, Comparisons To OG Host Arlette, And More
Yvonne Orji is filling some big shoes as the new host of Netflix's Pop The Balloon Live! — an adaptation of the popular YouTube series originally hosted by creator, Arlette Amuli. However, as the actress and comedian revealed in a recent conversation with VIBE, the transition didn't come without its hesitations, moments of deep self-reflection, and, unfortunately, backlash from the public. When Netflix first approached Orji about the possibility of hosting the show, she wasn't immediately sold. 'What's funny is I had seen some of the clips, and obviously we had seen Dave Chappelle do it on SNL,' she said, revealing her initial curiosity. 'But when Netflix approached me, I went back and did my research. I was like, 'okay, so what's the show really about?'' After watching more of the show's concept and format, the Insecure star became intrigued by its mix of live-action, unpredictability, and its appeal. 'I got very interested in what it was that made people fall in love with it,' she admitted. However, once she dove deeper into the world of Pop The Balloon, it didn't take long for her to realize what she was getting into. Orji quickly found herself facing the challenge of maintaining her brand —which revolves around joy, love, and kindness — while managing the high-stakes of live TV. 'I had asked all the questions of like, 'Hey, what's the tone of this show?'' she recalled, revealing her concern about keeping the show in line with her core values. 'I'm very specific with the things I say yes to.' But, it wasn't just about doing the show; it was about making sure she could be herself. 'Everyone involved is like, 'We want this to be a place where people can find connection.' But we also have to be realistic knowing that anything can happen,' Orji shared. This meant that she would have to tap into her quick-thinking skills, to handle whatever the live format threw her way. Coming into an already-established space, Orji admitted that she knew she'd be stepping into a cult-classic social series previously dominated by Amuli, the beloved original host of the show. But rather than worry about being compared to her predecessor, the Nigerian-born actress and comedian took a more self-assured approach. 'What Cardi B say? 'I'm my own competition. I'm competing with myself,'' she laughed, dismissing any concern about filling someone else's shoes. For her, it's clear that Pop The Balloon needed a host with a distinct style, especially given the shift to a live format. 'We're two different people with two different styles,' she explained. 'Arlette and BM have been able to do something absolutely brilliant. But the Netflix show is live, and they needed someone who could think on their feet, who could bring levity.' With a background in comedy, Orji fit the bill perfectly. In fact, she embraces the difference in their styles rather than feeling any pressure to mimic Arlette's success. 'This is not a replica of that show,' she asserted. 'It's an adaptation. And once you add the live element, it's a completely different show.' Pretty much, Orji's focus for the live format isn't to recreate what's been done before, but making the experience her own while staying true to the essence of the show. A true realest, Orji admitted that she saw all of the backlash that followed the show's premiere on Thursday (April 10), and couldn't help but to understand what some of the viewers felt. 'That's not the show I signed up for,' she confided, referring to some of the chaotic moments viewers witnessed in the premiere. 'We want people looking for connection and authenticity. It's huge for me because what are we doing if we're not being authentic and true to ourselves?' 'Just watched #poptheballoonnetflix and honestly WTF was @netflix thinking!? Yall took a perfectly good, relatable show OVER produced and gentrified tf out of it. Nobody involved was trying to make connections they all were trying to make MOMENTS even the host. Disappointed,' one viewer wrote on X. Another person echoed those sentiments with, 'Part of the reason Arlette's version of Pop The Balloon worked was bc 99% of the contestants were just regular black folks… Not fake influencers with thousands of followers. They gentrified the hell out this show. Netflix will pay for their sins.' Orji's perspective was made clear that as an unscripted show, she plans to steer clear of sensationalism. Viewers have shown that they crave the dramatic and viral moments that have happened on the YouTube series, such as a man telling a young woman her face was 'too wrinkly' for him to date, or a woman dismissing an eligible bachelor because he 'looked like he reads a lot of books.' Instead of egging on potential embarrassing moments that occur when participants are hesitant to say what makes someone unattractive to them, Orji asserted, 'I can defuse situations. We don't need to belabor something that's not kind.' While Orji's sharp wit keeps the show lively, she's also deeply invested in the underlying theme of the show, which is to connect people. Her own thoughts on love, romance, and dating shines through as she engages with the participants. 'I always say, 'We don't judge, but I do got follow-up questions,'' she laughed. For Orji, she wants to explore the complexities of attraction, pointing out that superficial traits, like height or appearance, shouldn't be dealbreakers when it comes to finding love. 'I think this show really does put a camera onto everybody,' she said thoughtfully. 'Is this who you portray yourself to be? Is this what you want to portray? Let's be for real.' For her, the show gives her a chance to challenge her guests, but also to get them to challenge themselves. As she continues with her hosting duties, Orji hopes to inspire viewers to give people a chance, even if they wouldn't have expected to click with them on paper. Although Pop The Balloon Live! has faced its share of backlash, with viewers quick to judge after just one episode, The Blackening star urges fans to 'stick around' a little while longer. 'We're so quick to judge off one episode. Stick around, there might be a second, third, fourth episode that you're like, 'Oh, there it is,'' she encouraged. And while Orji is taking the reins on Netflix, Pop The Balloon with Arlette will still be on YouTube every Wednesday, offering fans a chance to enjoy the original series alongside the new live version. Outside of hosting and her two-year first–look deal with Sony, Orji has exciting projects on the horizon. She's working on her third comedy special, set to delve into the challenges of dating as a successful woman in her forties with no kids. 'There's a whole generation of women who find themselves still single at 40, making good money and no children, and it's like, what does society put on you?' she excitedly shared. As for now, fans can tune in to see Yvonne Orji on Netflix's Pop The Balloon Live! every Thursday at 5PM PT / 8PM ET. More from YouTube Dating Show 'Pop The Balloon' Headed To Netflix With Yvonne Orji As Host 50 Cent "Ain't Jackin" Courtney A. Kemp's Alleged 'Power' Inspired Netflix Series Tyler Perry's 'Beauty In Black' Renewed For Second Season At Netflix
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brutal moment Married At First Sight groom gets rejected on new TikTok dating show
He failed to find everlasting love when he was paired with 'bridezilla' Tayla Winter on Married At First Sight in 2023. But it seems that Hugo Armstrong hasn't given up on his quest for romance just yet. Hugo, 33, has made a surprise appearance as one of suitors looking for love on popular TIKTok dating series Pop The Balloon. Unlike typical dating shows, Pop The Balloon has contestants evaluate each other's looks, personality, and compatibility - all with one unique twist: they must decide whether to pop a balloon and eliminate a potential partner as they go through a series of questions and interactions. Some participants pop the balloon based purely on initial impressions, while others wait for deeper conversations before making their decision. If neither person pops their balloon by the end, the couple goes on a date. Things got off to a less-than-stellar start for Hugo with one potential lady love, Abby, popping her balloon just seconds into his introduction. 'Don't apologise, you've done nothing wrong, that's why were here, Hugo said after the noisy rebuke. When asked why she popped her balloon, Abby said that Hugo was simply 'too old' for her. Things went from bad to worse for Hugo, with another potential love interest telling the reality star he was just too bland. 'I'm going to be real. You're not usually my type,' the brunette said to Hugo. 'I like my chicken seasoned well.' Despite the cold assessment of Hugo's character he took it all in his stride. Speaking to camera Hugo remained philosophical about the not-so-subtle rejections. 'I guess its hard out there being a pasty a*** f***er in 2025,' Hugo admitted. 'You play the hand you're dealt. That's all you can do.' The reality star didn't fare much better with a third potential love match who told him: 'you're not someone that I would usually go for.' 'Is this also like a seasoning thing as well?' Hugo asked in an effort to improve his luck with the ladies. 'Yeah, I like my chicken seasoned, too,' the brunette laughed. 'With a bit of sauce as well, a bit of spice.' Unfortunately Hugo appeared quite taken with the brunette telling host Olan Tekkers that anyone would be lucky to have her. '[She's] a little pocket rocket,' Hugo said. 'Whoever ends up with you is going to be a very lucky man.' The clip was met with a flurry of comments from followers, with many praising Hugo's reaction to rejection. 'Man's running a clinic on how to handle rejection. Mad respect to him,' one fan opined, while another offered a similar: 'bro is top tier.' Another suggested that it was the way that Hugo handled rejection that made him desirable. 'He ain't my type but the fact he takes rejection so well and makes it funny makes him attractive,' they wrote. Summing up the sentiment of many, a third jumped in with: 'He seemed very emotionally mature.' It's not the first time Hugo has appeared on the dating series either, also trying his luck back in September last year. Hugo's pairing with Hobart-based Tayla Winter on MAFS was anything but smooth, with tensions running high between the two from the outset. The bridezilla label came after a string of fiery confrontations and heated exchanges, leaving Hugo at a loss for love.
Axios
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What to know about Netflix's "Pop The Balloon LIVE"
Netflix is making bold changes to "Pop The Balloon," the viral internet dating show from Phoenix-based married couple Bolia Matundu and Arlette Amuli. Between the lines: Despite varying levels of success, the streaming service will attempt to air its own iteration in a live format. State of play: Netflix's version will be hosted by actress Yvonne Orji ("Insecure") and air live weekly. According to the streaming service, the program will feature "everyday" contestants in addition to cast members from reality shows like " Love Is Blind," "The Ultimatum," and "The Circle." Matundu and Amuli are executive producers on the series with Sharp Entertainment, the company behind "90 Day Fiancé." Catch up quick:" Pop The Balloon Or Find Love" launched on YouTube in December 2023. The series has become a cultural phenomenon over the past year, stamped by an SNL spoof starring Dave Chappelle and rapper GloRilla. How it works: Hosted by Amuli, each contestant comes out one by one and gives a description of themselves to a group of single men or women standing in a line, each holding a red balloon and a toothpick. If the singles don't like what they see and hear, they can pop their balloon to indicate they're not interested in dating the contestant. The goal is for each contestant to match with the last man or woman left standing with their balloon intact. The original show will continue to air new episodes on YouTube.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Trailer: New Netflix Doc Chronicles Making Of ‘Stranger Things' Stage Show
Netflix has released a trailer for its new documentary about the making of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the stage adaptation that was a hit on the West End and begins Broadway previews tonight. Check out the Netflix trailer above, and some first-look images from the Broadway play below. The Broadway production officially opens April 22 at the Marquis Theater. More from Deadline 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Coming To Broadway In March; See Trailer Released Today Sarah Snook Goes Fantastically Wilde In 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray' – Broadway Review Viral YouTube Dating Series 'Pop The Balloon' Lands Live Netflix Order, Yvonne Orji To Host Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow will debut on Netflix on April 15, and goes backstage to detail the creation of the play during its 2023 development in London. The documentary, directed by Jon Halperin, depicts the cast and crew of the London production as they prepare for the play's debut at the Phoenix Theatre in London. The film's synopsis: 'With special behind-the-scenes access, follow the cast and crew of Stranger Things: The First Shadow as they race against time to prepare the ambitious, boundary-pushing stage show for its West End debut amid mounting fan and critic anticipation.' The doc is produced by Angus Wall, Kent Kubena, Terry Leonard, and exec produced by Matt Bell. 'The challenge is to create a visceral experience for the audience, where they feel shock and awe, surprise and delight,' says Stephen Daldry, the director of the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow. 'You have to deliver that. The fusion of television and theater is about the speed of narrative and how you create it … There are moments in the show where you will think, 'I don't understand how they did that.' 'The first time we saw the play, we were blown away,' says Ross Duffer, who created TV's Stranger Things with brother Matt Duffer, who adds about the stage show, 'They pulled everything off, and then some. It was one of the most thrilling experiences of our lives.' Here are some first-look images from the Broadway production. Both photos depicted actor Louis McCartney as Henry Creel. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery '1923' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
