Netflix’s hit reality dating show Love Is Blind has always been about more than just romance—it’s a cultural phenomenon that’s constantly evolving, adapting, and even poking fun at itself. As of October 31, 2025, the franchise is making headlines again, this time thanks to a clever partnership with SharkNinja, Inc. and the viral moments that keep fans glued to their screens. But beneath the surface of birthday ice cream and global adaptations, the show continues to wrestle with big questions about love, identity, and representation.
This season, Love Is Blind wrapped its Denver edition, marking the first time the show explored the Mountain West. According to Business Wire, SharkNinja seized the opportunity to integrate its Ninja Swirl™ product directly into the Season 9 reunion episode. The move was sparked by a now-infamous scene: cast member Jordan Keltner’s “chicken smoothie” became a viral joke, and SharkNinja’s marketing team pounced, transforming the punchline into a sweet, protein-packed ice cream celebration during the reunion. Each cast member even went home with their own Ninja Swirl™—a product placement that was as playful as it was strategic.
“When disruptive, problem-solving innovation and captivating storytelling come together, it allows us to immerse our brands and products into meaningful cultural moments that truly engage consumers,” Laura Dyer, SVP of Marketing at SharkNinja, told Business Wire. She added, “This collaboration with Netflix and Jordan puts Ninja and our consumer-beloved products in the spotlight—showcasing how we bring that approach to life by transforming a viral cultural moment into an entertaining and authentic brand story.”
But the partnership didn’t end when the credits rolled. SharkNinja and Jordan Keltner are continuing the story online, sharing “protein ice cream upgrade” content on TikTok and Instagram. Social media channels like @NinjaKitchen and @LoveIsBlind, along with Jordan’s own accounts, are keeping the momentum going—proof that in today’s world, the line between TV and social media is thinner than ever. As of October 31, 2025, SharkNinja is also a title sponsor on Netflix’s ad-supported plan, cementing its presence in the streaming landscape.
The Denver season’s playful product integration is just the latest example of how Love Is Blind taps into real-time cultural moments. But while the viral “chicken smoothie” and Ninja Swirl™ may have stolen the spotlight this week, the show’s broader impact is impossible to ignore. Since its debut in 2020, Love Is Blind has aired seasons from nine different U.S. cities and sparked nearly a dozen international adaptations. From Japan to Brazil, Sweden to the Middle East, the franchise has become an unexpected lens on how cultures around the world view love, marriage, and everything in between.
Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction series and sports, explained to The Denver Post that the show’s success lies in its “duality—local authenticity plus global relatability.” He said, “That has allowed ‘Love Is Blind’ to not just entertain, but to subtly shape how audiences think about love across the globe.” Each adaptation, whether it’s the reserved, family-focused approach of Love Is Blind: Japan or the passionate, expressive style of Love Is Blind: Brazil, is tailored to reflect the cultural norms and relationship dynamics of its setting.
Take Love Is Blind: Habibi, filmed in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Contestant Safa Al Juboori told The Denver Post that the show was “thoughtful in honoring the cultural values of Arab societies, including modesty, separate living arrangements, no physical intimacy and family approval.” She added, “It’s a modern twist on a deeply traditional concept.” Al Juboori also appreciated how the show created space for personal choice, blending tradition with autonomy—a balance that’s not always guaranteed in arranged marriages.
But for all its global reach, Love Is Blind has not escaped controversy. Since the first season, the franchise has faced lawsuits over the treatment of contestants and ongoing criticism about internalized biases—especially when it comes to race and ethnicity. Online discourse has often centered on the diversity (or lack thereof) among contestants, and the show has become a flashpoint for conversations about representation and identity. As Taylor Krause, who married Garrett Josemans in the Washington, D.C. season, explained, “I am a very proud Asian American woman, but I’m also aware that my identity can sometimes be fetishized or stereotyped.” Krause said the show’s premise gave her the rare opportunity to “set race aside for a bit and have a more authentic experience.”
International versions have also put cultural and religious tensions under the microscope. In the U.K. adaptation, for instance, viewers watched as an engagement between Kal Pasha (half-Pakistani) and Sarover Aujla (of Indian descent) sparked conversations about historical and geopolitical differences. While their split was ultimately for other reasons, the show highlighted how these factors can’t simply be ignored—no matter the country.
Yet, Love Is Blind has also been praised for its intentionally inclusive casting. According to Netflix, participants choose whom they connect with inside the pods, regardless of appearance, which sometimes leads to unexpected pairings and, occasionally, backlash. Longtime viewer Dallas Short noted, “I feel like you are seeing every race or religion and you see how we can all work together and find love.” Kristen Maldonado, another fan, pointed out the cultural differences between the Japanese and Brazilian versions: in Japan, participants were more reserved and respectful about family involvement, while in Brazil, couples were “intimate from the get-go.”
Beyond romance, the show’s producers have started to highlight the friendships formed during filming—a side of the experience often overshadowed by the drama of the altar. Brandon Riegg told The Denver Post, “Expanding the lens of love to include those experiences makes the show feel more authentic and meaningful.” Alina Rothbauer from Love Is Blind: Germany echoed this sentiment, saying, “Some of the friendships we built behind the scenes are still strong today. Those friendships helped us stay grounded during filming.” Safa Al Juboori agreed, noting, “In a space so emotionally intense, friendships became a lifeline—and sometimes the purest form of love.”
As the franchise continues to break new ground, fans are pushing for even more diversity. There’s growing advocacy for a queer version of the show, though Netflix says none is planned for now. Krause believes future seasons should include adults who are polyamorous, disabled, neurodivergent, or part of the LGBTQ+ community. “Love is not just one storyline,” she said, “and I think the show has an opportunity to highlight that.”
With its Denver season wrapped, a viral marketing coup under its belt, and a global roster of adaptations, Love Is Blind continues to challenge, entertain, and—at times—provoke. Whether it’s a protein ice cream replacing a chicken smoothie or a thoughtful look at love across cultures, the show remains a mirror for society’s evolving conversations about what it means to connect.
