When Netflix announced The Ultimatum: Queer Love, many people were excited to see what the show had to offer. After all, even in a world with hundreds of reality TV shows, it’s not common to see a cast made up entirely of queer people. The show, which followers the same setup as The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, follows five queer couples who have hit a roadblock in their relationship: one person wants to get married, and the other doesn’t. As part of the show, each couple agrees to ‘break up’, and each individual enters into a ‘trial marriage’ with another cast member. The ultimate goal is for each original couple to decide whether they want to get engaged or go their separate ways. However, there’s much more to the show than many people realize. Let’s get into 10 things you didn’t know about The Ultimatum: Queer Love.
1. There’s Some Confusion about When The Ultimatum: Queer Love Was Filmed
Despite being released in May of 2023, the series was filmed much earlier. However, there seems to be some conflicting information on when the show was filmed. Most sources state that filming took place between September and November of 2021. However, an interview between Yahoo and the show’s producer, Chris Coelen, noted that filming took place in the spring of 2022, with the reunion being filmed about a year later.
2. Filming for the Series Took Place in California
While there might be some fake news surrounding when the show was filmed, there’s no question about where filming happened. The series was filmed at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa in Coronado, CA. Rooms at the hotel start at about $474 a night.
3. Queer Love Wasn’t Initially Going to Be Its Own Show
The Ultimatum: Queer Love is a separate show from The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, but that wasn’t the original plan. At first, Queer Love was supposed to be the second season of Marry or Move On. However, in an interview with Variety, Chris Coelen stated, “We, along with Netflix, sort of made a decision to create a new franchise where there’s ‘Ultimatum: Marry or Move On’ and there’s ‘Ultimatum: Queer Love,’ and felt like it made sense to differentiate the two.” He went on to say, “There are slight nuances to each of the shows. The shows are very similar in their DNA, but you know, having a different host or for the different versions made sense to us as we as we talked about going into it.”
4. The Choice Not to List Cast Members’ Pronouns Was Deliberate
Many viewers have commented on the fact that the show doesn’t list the cast members’ pronouns, which seems unusual on a show specifically centered around queer people. Apparently, though, producers had a reason for this. Coelen told Yahoo, “The way that we approached it was we want to let the participants be addressed by one another and address one another in the way that they want.”
5. All of the Cast Members Don’t Live in the Same State
When watching The Ultimatum: Queer Love, it’s easy to assume that all of the couples live in the same city – or at least the same state. However, that isn’t the case. Some couples live in California, while one couple (Xander and Vanessa) lives in Hawaii. This definitely adds another layer of complication for those interested in staying with their new partners.
6. A Supreme Court Decision Laid the Foundation for the Show
In 2015, the Supreme Court made a landmark decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. The ruling determined that all states must recognize same-sex marriage and allow same-sex couples to get married. Had it not been for this decision, a show like The Ultimatum: Queer Love would not have been possible.
7. You Can Follow the Show on Social Media
Social media has made it possible for people to keep up with their favorite shows in between episodes and seasons. Fans of Queer Love can follow the series via The Ultimatum’s official Instagram profile. Unfortunately, though, it looks like the page only posts clips from the show and not any kind of exclusive content.
8. Cast Members Aren’t Restricted from Using Their Phones
If you’ve wondered whether cast members were able to use their cell phones during filming, the answer is yes. Chris Coelen told Variety, “We try not to make any rules that we can’t enforce.” However, he noted that in order to be fully present in their trial marriages, it probably isn’t a good idea for cast members to be in communication with their exes.
9. Netflix Chose the Host
The choice to have actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher host The Ultimatum: Queer Love is one that has left people scratching their heads. Why would a queer dating show not have a queer host? The answer, apparently, is that Netflix decided to go with Swisher. While talking to Variety, Coelen said, “It was really Netflix’s idea to have her and have a different host than Nick and Vanessa Lachey, who will be back for the next season of “Marry or Move On.”
10. The Show’s Future is Uncertain
Whether there will be another season of The Ultimatum: Queer Love is still unclear. As of now, the show has not been officially renewed for a second season. Hopefully, though, we’ll get the chance to see another group of queer cast members go through this ‘experiment’.
Read Next: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Mal Wright from The Ultimatum
Dezo is the editor-in-chief of Celebtainment. She has over 10 years of experience in entertainment writing. Email: editor@celebtainment.com
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