Whether you’ve always dreamed of landing on a hit dating reality series or you’re simply curious about the process, we've got inside info. The Want To Be On A Dating Reality Show? Here’s What You Need To Know About Casting first appeared on The Blast

Reality TV lovers might wonder how the shows decide who to cast and what the process is like. The Blast recently spoke with Jacqui Pitman, Emmy nominated casting director and owner/CEO of Pitman Casting Inc., PartyPit Productions Inc., and Black Rice Media Inc., who shared some insight into what it takes to be cast on a dating reality show. 

Jacqui shared some of the application process, what they are looking for when choosing the show’s cast, and a little peek into the casting process of the upcoming season of “Age of Attraction.” 

Whether you’ve always dreamed of landing on a hit dating reality series or you’re simply curious about the process, Pitman reveals how the cast is chosen and why authenticity is the ultimate key to getting a part on the show. 

A New Season Of ‘Age Of Attraction’ Is Now Casting

Pitman Casting is currently in the process of finding the cast for a new season of “Age of Attraction,” the show that asks the question, “When it comes to love, does age really matter?” 

“Our casting process is pretty extensive. It does begin with the application because we really do try to get into the heads of our applicants and from their past, present, and future thoughts about relationships,” she told The Blast exclusively. “Tell us how you were raised and how that influences who you are today and how you see your future based on all of that. So the application is pretty gnarly. But you know, the shows that I do aren’t frivolous dating shows, so they genuinely are looking for people who are looking for their lifelong love.” 

The application is much deeper than just writing your Tinder or Bumble bio and filling in your profile. It’s all about digging deep into the person you are and to uncover exactly what you are looking for with the reality show experience. 

Being In The ‘Right Mindset’ Is Important When Applying To Be On A Reality Show

The application process goes deep and it’s lengthy, so being in the “right mindset” to be on the show you are applying for is necessary. 

“It’s a huge commitment. If you’re doing a show like ‘Age of Attraction’ or even ‘Golden Bachelor,’ you are going away for an extended period of time and you are not doing it for money because there is no money in it as a dater,” Jacqui said. “So you have to be in the right mindset of doing this because you’re looking for your person.”

After the written application, if chosen, there is a pre-interview you must go through first.

“When we’re talking to you, if you are not at the point where you are really ready to connect authentically in real life, you are not really ready for these kinds of shows because you won’t make the commitment,” she said. “Dating has really made people jaded about dating, so a lot of people come to us with negative energy about dating and that’s not what we’re looking for.”

She said the most “amazing person could be standing in front of you, but because you’ve altered your view of what you think the type of person you should be with, you miss out.” Jacqui and her staff always listen for what’s not being said during these interviews and ask people to be as open as possible.

What Pitman Casting Is Looking For When Casting A Dating Reality Show

It’s a serious process choosing who will be the next cast of a dating show. One thing that casting is very clear on is making sure participants are ready to connect with someone authentically and make the commitment to the show. 

“We of course look for personality, and we look for people who are aspirational,” she shared. “My staff is trained to always listen for what they’re not saying. My executive producers are extremely conscious of a person coming forward who could just be on any dating show. They’re like, ‘Why do they want to do this show? Why now for this show?’ And that’s ‘Age of Attraction’ and ‘The Golden Bachelor’ for sure.” 

Because of the lack of dating reality shows for the older generation, when casting for “The Golden Bachelor” or “The Golden Bachelorette,” Pitman Casting receives tens of thousands of applications. 

Jacqui said that the first weeding of applications becomes anyone younger than 60. She’s had many people in their 50s apply and says, “we’re not ready to meet you.” Carefully following the casting instructions is essential to staying in the running and increasing your chances of advancing to the next stage of the selection process.

Jacqui shared some advice for anyone thinking of applying to “The Golden Bachelor” or “The Golden Bachelorette.”

“Know who you are and be open to what you might want, because you could be pleasantly surprised and be ready for the commitment. Don’t think you’re coming to do this for the money because there isn’t money. We don’t do that,” she said. “Come because you are looking for your person.”

‘Age Of Attraction’ Is Gearing Up For A New Season

While it’s too late to apply for the next season of “Age of Attraction,” The Blast got some insight into what the initial application looks like. The process is currently in the interview phase of casting, with filming beginning in October. 

If you’re planning to apply for a future season, here are some questions you should be ready to answer in detail for your shot of being chosen for the show. Questions about your family, greatest accomplishments, how your friends would describe you, if you are competitive, and how you handle conflict are just a few of the topics you’ll need to deep dive into. 

Other questions include topics such as details about your last relationship, things about you that might surprise casting, how often you date, what you’re seeking in a mate, what your end goal is in dating, would you date someone with children, life obstacles you’ve overcome, your experience with dating apps, and how you feel about age gap relationships. 

Since this particular show is all about age gap dating, there’s a focus on specific casting questions revolving around age.

“Considering this is a show where no one knows how old the other is until they start to go down the path, it’s fascinating to see because you are not using that as a criteria, which so many of us do,” Jacqui said. “The moment you open your dating app, you set your age range, and we’re not doing that; you can’t do that on this show.”

More About Jacqui Pitman And Pitman Casting

Jacqui has played a crucial role in the success of many television shows over the past few decades. She has contributed to more than 500 shows, including “Big Brother 2,” “America’s Most Wanted,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” and many others. 

Her latest achievement is her part in casting romantics in their golden years on “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette.”

Jacqui’s career in television dates back to the late 1980s when she appeared on popular dating shows “Love Connection” and “STUDS.” She later transitioned to working behind the camera, serving as the casting director for “Big Brother 2.” 

As Senior Vice President of Development at Lighthearted Entertainment, she went on to create and executive produce MTV’s hit dating series, “NEXT!,” drawing inspiration from her own experiences. She also developed and co-executive produced ABC’s “Extreme Makeover.”

Pitman Casting is currently casting for a few popular shows including “Let’s Make a Deal,” “The Golden Bachelor,” “The Golden Bachelorette,” and a few others.

For more information about Pitman Casting and to apply for one of the show’s seeking participants, visit the website.

The Want To Be On A Dating Reality Show? Here’s What You Need To Know About Casting first appeared on The Blast