12 Dating Show Moments That Sparked Huge Controversy

The best thing about reality dating shows is the drama, but sometimes that drama goes too far. Shows like Love Island, The Bachelor, and Love Is Blind feature some seriously controversial moments that got fans heated.

Reality TV never fails to deliver drama that leaves us shocked, entertained, and sometimes scratching our heads. Take Season 8 of Love Is Blind, where Sara Carlton made waves by calling off her engagement to Ben Mezzenga. Her reason? His apparent indifference toward social justice movements like Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights. Viewers were divided – some applauded her for standing by her principles, while others argued politics shouldn’t dictate matters of the heart.

Then there’s The Bachelor’s Rozlyn Papa, whose storyline took a scandalous turn when producers booted her from the show for getting too close (in every sense) with a crew member. These moments – equal parts cringeworthy and captivating – prove why we can’t look away from reality TV.

Whether it’s political convictions clashing with romance or behind-the-scenes affairs blowing up on camera, these shows serve up the kind of unfiltered drama that sparks watercooler debates and Twitter storms alike. Love them or hate them, these unforgettable moments remind us why reality TV remains our guiltiest pleasure – serving equal parts entertainment and social commentary when we least expect it.

1.’Love Is Blind’ Contestant Andrew Faced Public Backlash After Being Portrayed Using Eye Drops to Simulate Tears

Reality TV thrives on cringe-worthy moments, but Love Is Blind Season 3 delivered one for the history books when Andrew Liu pulled an eye-drop stunt after his rejection.

After Natalie Rodriguez turned down his proposal, producers interviewed Andrew about his feelings. In a move no one saw coming, he first asked if cameras were rolling – then dramatically squeezed eye drops to fake tears while describing his “heartbreak.” Not just once, but multiple times, as if hoping no one would notice the suspiciously perfect timing of his “tears.”

The showrunners, sensing gold, left the entire sequence in – complete with melancholic background music to highlight the absurdity. Viewers erupted, flooding social media with memes and jokes about the worst acting attempt in dating show history.

Even fellow contestant Shayne Jansen (Season 2) had to tip his hat to the audacity, admitting: “Gotta respect the hustle for screen time.”

This unforgettable moment perfectly encapsulates why we can’t quit reality TV – where failed proposals become legendary, and the line between genuine emotion and performance art gets blurrier by the season.

2.The Entirety Of ‘There’s Something About Miriam’ Alarmed Trans Advocacy Groups

Back in 2004, UK television pushed boundaries with There’s Something About Miriam, a dating show that became infamous for all the wrong reasons. The premise? Six unsuspecting men competed for the heart of stunning 21-year-old Mexican model Miriam Rivera. The twist? Producers waited until the final episode to reveal Miriam was a transgender woman who hadn’t undergone gender affirmation surgery.

What followed was a media firestorm. The contestants, feeling deceived, launched a lawsuit attempting to block the finale from airing. Their explosive claims included allegations of sexual assault, defamation, and emotional distress. While they succeeded in delaying the episode, the controversial finale eventually aired – sparking outrage from viewers and advocacy groups alike.

Transgender organizations condemned the show for treating Miriam’s identity as some shocking “reveal,” arguing it reinforced harmful stereotypes and reduced her humanity to a cheap plot twist. Rather than celebrating diversity, the series framed being trans as something deceptive or scandalous.

Two decades later, the show remains a cautionary tale about exploitation in reality TV. While society’s understanding of gender has evolved, There’s Something About Miriam stands as a relic of a more ignorant era – one where television prioritized shock value over basic human dignity.

3.Justin Berated Gurki About Her Culture On ‘Dating Around’

Gurki, a Punjabi woman on Netflix’s Dating Around, never expected her first date with Justin to become one of the most cringe-worthy moments in reality TV history. When she casually mentioned her previous arranged marriage – one she’d entered reluctantly due to family pressure – Justin’s reaction turned the evening into a masterclass in cultural insensitivity.

“What kind of person marries someone they’re not sure about?” Justin snapped, immediately labeling Gurki untrustworthy. As she patiently explained how arranged marriages work in Punjabi culture (even citing her own parents’ successful one), Justin doubled down, his voice dripping with judgment. The camera caught Gurki’s pained expression as his tirade continued, her eyes glistening with barely-held-back tears.

Overnight, the clip exploded online as viewers recoiled at Justin’s inability – or refusal – to understand cultural differences. What made the moment particularly jarring was how it held up a mirror to dating’s uncomfortable truths: the way we judge what we don’t understand, and how quickly vulnerability can turn into ammunition.

While the date ended in disaster, Gurki’s graceful handling of the situation earned her widespread admiration. As for Justin? Let’s just say the internet didn’t hold back – turning him into the poster boy for “worst date ever” and sparking important conversations about cultural awareness in modern dating.

4.Sara Left Her Partner At The Altar Over Politics On ‘Love Is Blind’

During the season finale of Season 8 of Love is Blind, Sara Carlton decided not to go through with marrying Ben Mezzenga. She left because of their differing political views. Sara is passionate about political issues like LGBTQ+ rights and the Black Lives Matter movement, while Ben is so disinterested in politics that he doesn’t even vote. For Sara, the problem was less his actual views and more his unwillingness to discuss them.

Viewers responses were split by politics. Conservatives claimed the Ben “dodged a bullet,” while liberals admired Sara’s conviction.

5.Deepti Left Shake At The Altar On ‘Love Is Blind’

In the second season of Love Is Blind, Deepti Vempati left Abhishek “Shake” Chatterjee during their wedding. She said that she deserved to be with someone who was certain that they actually wanted her, and that Shake couldn’t give her that reassurance.

Later, Deepti revealed that Shake not only body-shamed her and made disrespectful comments toward other women, but he also once licked a girl who he’d spilled a drink on, seemingly without her consent. Shake also hit on Love Is Blind’s host Vanessa Lachey, and was even filmed doing so during the show’s reunion.

6.Larissa Revealed Her Previous Arrests On A Blind Date On ’90 Day Fiancé’

The marriage between Larissa Dos Santos Lima and Colt Johnson of 90 Day Fiancé was short and tumultuous. In an episode of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After, Larissa revealed just how bad things were.

While out on a date with a new man named Matt, she explained that she had been arrested three times during her previous marriage. These arrests happened after Colt called the police on her, claiming that she was trying to end his life. Matt was naturally a bit put off by this.

7.’Bachelor’ Arie Surprised Winner Becca With A Break-Up On Camera, And Then Refused To Leave

When Arie Luyendyk Jr. got down on one knee for Becca Kufrin in The Bachelor finale, viewers thought they were watching a fairytale ending. But in a shocking twist that would become franchise history, Arie had second thoughts – he realized he actually wanted to be with runner-up Lauren Burnham. What followed wasn’t just heartbreak, but one of the most controversial moments in reality TV history.

The breakup itself was painful enough. But what truly horrified audiences was how producers handled it. Cameras kept rolling as a distraught Becca repeatedly asked Arie to leave, capturing every raw moment of her anguish for millions to see. There was no warning, no privacy – just Becca’s unfiltered heartbreak broadcast as entertainment.

The backlash was immediate. Fans and critics alike condemned the show for what many saw as emotional exploitation. Was this compelling television? Absolutely. But at what cost? The incident sparked serious conversations about ethics in reality TV and where producers should draw the line between storytelling and human dignity.

In the end, both women got their happy endings – Becca as The Bachelorette, Lauren as Arie’s wife. But the uncomfortable truth remains: sometimes reality TV’s most “dramatic” moments come at someone else’s very real expense.

8.Rozlyn Was Accused Of An Affair With A Producer On ‘The Bachelor’

Rozlyn Papa, a contestant on Season 14 of The Bachelor, was dismissed from the show after she was discovered having an affair with one of the producers. Rozlyn denied that such a thing ever happened, claiming that this was a story cooked up by the showrunners to up ratings. Some have speculated that her dismissal might have been due to her refusal to not tell that seasons’ bachelor that she had a son.

Host Chris Harrison said that he’d heard multiple reports from other contestants about the relationship, and that the producer confessed. As far as he’s concerned, there is no doubt about the affair.

9.’Love Is Blind’ Finally Aired A Scene About Clementines That Caused A Central Rift Between Cole And Zanab

Cole Barnett and Zanab Jeffrey had a rocky relationship that ended with Zanab ditching Cole at the altar. The problem started with clementines. Zanab was about to eat two of them, and Cole suggested she save her appetite for when they went out for dinner later. Zanab took this as a dig about her weight and eating habits. The experience contributed to Zanab’s problems with disordered eating.

Cole said that he didn’t remember saying anything like that, and asked for the footage of the interaction to be aired. The production team obliged, and the scene was made public.

Some viewers felt that Zanab’s interpretation was totally justified and that Cole was being insensitive, while others thought that Zanab was overreacting.

10.Adam’s Argument With Rosie On ‘Love Island’ Sparked Warnings From Women’s Aid

The fourth season of Love Island UK delivered one of its most disturbing moments when Rosie Williams confronted Adam Collard about his sudden interest in new contestant Zara McDermott. What began as a typical reality TV argument quickly escalated into something much darker – a textbook example of emotional manipulation that set off alarm bells both with viewers and domestic violence experts.

As cameras rolled, Adam dismissed Rosie’s legitimate concerns with classic gaslighting tactics:

1. He insisted she was "overreacting" to his blatant pursuit of Zara

2. Claimed her natural jealousy was pushing him away

3. Refused to engage in any meaningful discussion about her feelings

The situation turned from uncomfortable to alarming when Women’s Aid, a leading domestic abuse charity, publicly called out Adam’s behavior. Their CEO Katie Ghose issued a stark warning: “When a partner constantly questions your perception of events, minimizes your emotions, and twists situations to blame you, these are red flags for gaslighting and emotional abuse.”

What made this moment particularly troubling was how Love Island initially framed it as standard dating drama rather than the toxic behavior it represented. The controversy forced important conversations about:

1. How reality shows normalize unhealthy relationship patterns

2. The responsibility of producers to identify and address abusive behavior

3. Why audiences should critically examine what they're being sold as "entertainment"

While Adam faced some backlash, many fans worry the damage was done – normalizing these behaviors for millions of young viewers. As reality TV continues to dominate our screens, this incident serves as a crucial reminder that there’s a fine line between drama and emotional harm.

11.’Deep Fake Love’ Used AI In A Disturbing Way

Deep Fake Love is a Spanish dating show that aired on Netflix in 2023. The show brings in pre-established couples and shows them videos. These videos involve one half of the couple cheating in some way. Some of these videos have been faked with AI. The goal is to correctly guess whether the video is real or fake.

The contestants aren’t told that the videos could be fake, so one member of the couple is essentially watching their loved one be intimate with someone else. Even if they learn later that the video was fake, this could still be traumatic. The ethics of this show are questionable, to say the least.

12.’Deep Fake Love’ Used AI In A Disturbing Way

When The Bachelor finally featured its first Black lead in Season 25 with Matt James, the milestone came with both celebration and controversy—proving representation alone isn’t enough without thoughtful execution.

The drama ignited when contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s past attendance at an antebellum-themed party surfaced, forcing uncomfortable but vital discussions about racism in dating culture. But the off-screen scandal wasn’t the only issue—the season’s handling of Matt’s personal story also drew criticism.

In one emotionally charged episode, cameras captured Matt’s raw conversation with his largely absent father. While some viewers appreciated this vulnerable moment, others criticized the show for leaning into tired stereotypes about Black fatherhood. The scene highlighted a recurring problem: when marginalized communities finally get screen time, their stories often get filtered through outdated tropes rather than authentic representation.

This season ultimately became a case study in the complexities of diversity in reality TV. It asked important questions:

1. How should shows handle contestants' problematic pasts?

2. When does personal storytelling cross into stereotype reinforcement?

3. What responsibility do producers have in framing these narratives?

While imperfect, Matt’s season pushed The Bachelor franchise—and its audience—to confront uncomfortable truths about race, representation, and the messy reality of “progress.”