Reality TV Romance
‘Age of Attraction’ Controversy: Is Nick Viall’s Age Gap Dating Show Appropriate? (POLL)
Nick Viall is taking the age gap romance trend to Netflix. On July 17, the streamer announced a batch of new reality series, including Age of Attraction.
Viall and his wife, Natalie Joy, who have an 18-year age gap between them, will cohost Age of Attraction, a dating show where “age is thrown out the window and singles search for love without knowing each other’s age.” The singles will range from 22 to 59 years old. Essentially, it’s Love Is Blind: Age Gap Edition.
The Age of Attraction announcement sparked quite a fierce reaction online. Age gap romances may be all the rage right now in the scripted TV and movie world (ahem, Rivals), but many aren’t exactly thrilled about taking this to the real world, where hearts and feelings are truly on the line.
“They can’t seriously have thought this would be a good idea,” one user wrote on X. Another commented, “What in the Belichick is this,” referring to the controversial romance between former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson, who have a 49-year age gap between them. “This sounds gross,” a user said.
Over on Reddit, a user commented, “Too bad Netflix has already used the show title ‘Nobody Wants This.'” One user called the age range “diabolical.”
Many pointed out Viall and Joy’s age gap. Viall is 44 and Joy is 26. They started dating in 2020 and got married in 2023. They share a daughter, River Rose.
Viall and Joy have faced criticism since the start of their relationship over their age gap. In a new interview with E! News, Viall said his romance with Joy is the “most compatible relationship” he’s ever had. The couple also explained the inspiration behind Age of Attraction. “This is a show that allows people to just meet people, [by] getting rid of some of those preconceived notions and barriers, and focus on ‘Is there chemistry? Is there compatibility?'” The Bachelor alum said. “That was something that was really exciting for us, because we obviously relate to that.”
Joy added, “We obviously have an age gap and it’s something that has been talked about, whether good, whether bad. This is something that going into it—it’s a bright light on age differences and relationships of age differences.”
How do you feel about Age of Attraction? Do you think an age gap romance show is appropriate? Vote below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Age of Attraction, Series Premiere, 2026, Netflix
