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. 

5

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

5

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

5

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

5

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

5

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.

Oop! Roomies, Saucy Santana and Deshae Frost have internet users crackin’ UP after running from an apparent alligator during a recent livestream.

RELATED: You Good?! Social Media Is Crackin’ UP At Footage Of Saucy Santana Taking A Tumble While Jumping Off A Yacht (VIDEO)

Saucy Santana & Deshae Frost Ran From Apparent Alligator During Livestream

On Wednesday, July 22, Deshare Frost published footage from his recent livestream with Saucy Santana via YouTube. About four minutes into the 43-minute-long footage, Frost explained that they would retrieve their food and fish from the nearby creek.

Then, in a second video published via YouTube, the pair got to work, setting up their grill and campfire. However, around the 52-minute mark, Santana decided to teach Frost “how to catch an alligator.” As Frost waded into the water, Santana motioned for him to be quiet. Nonetheless, the pair began joking about Frost being baptized in the creek water. This, when Santana apparently heard a sound, quickly motioned for everyone to be quiet again.

“Okay, now look, pay attention,” Santana told Frost. “Look right here… you see that alligator? When it get close, we finna get out the water, okay?”

As Frost laughed, Santana explained that it wasn’t time for jokes and instructed the streamer to “watch the ripples” in the water. At that point, both Santana and Frost noticed bubbles on the water’s surface.

“Oh, that is an alligator!” Frost said.

Peep the clip of them immediately fleeing the scene below.

Saucy Santana & Deshae Frost Have Internet Users Crackin’ UP

Internet users were crackin’ UP at the footage of Saucy Santana and Deshae Frost in TSR Teen’s comment section.

Before The Rapper Was Running From An Apparent Alligator During Livestream, He Popped Out At Streamer University

Before Saucy Santana had the internet crackin’ up by running from an apparent alligator with Deshae Frost, he made headlines at Streamer University. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Santana snuck onto the Streamer University campus with Lizzo, and Kai Cenat didn’t hesitate to call out the ordeal.

RELATED: Too Loud On The Creek? Kai Cenat Speaks Out After Saucy Santana Sneaks Onto Streamer University Campus (VIDEOS)

Mario slipped on stage while performing In ‘The R&B Tour‘ on Tuesday July 21, and fans are working overtime with their reactions. The singer is currently on tour with Chris Brown and Usher, and he slipped while singing to a crowd in St. Louis.

RELATED: Daddy Duties! Chris Brown Shares Adorable Photo Alongside His Baby Boy Arrow

Mario Slips While Performing Let Me Love You’ In St. Louis

The 39-year-old singer was performing his hit ‘Let Me Love You’ to a crowd in St. Louis when he slipped, and the moment was captured by Instagram user @bubbiea26. The recording artist was walking across the stage, sporting a maroon leather vest-jacket and matching pants as he performed. All of a sudden, Mario slipped… hard. As he tried to stand up, he slipped again. Finally, Mario got on his feet, but he took a moment to make sure he was steady before moving on, which he did effortlessly. Despite his Slip-N-Slide routine, the singer showed he was a true professional and kept on with the show.

Fan Reactions Are Undefeated

Fans reacted after the video was shared on Instagram, and per usual, our Roomies weighed in with their usual panache. They also commended Marion for his professionalism following his fall.

User @mrclaytontaylor questioned if baby oil was the culprit. “Was Diddy in the building????? 👀👀👀🤣🤣🤣.”

@tonyleezy added, “its the person recording still singing along during the slip for me 😂.”

User @rnb.radar replied, “He still hit that note tho 🙂‍↕️.”

User @kingmeqween_bree joked, “Man imagine if he was singing ‘How Do I breathe’ 😂😂😂😂.”

@tjay848 noted, “Bruh walked off then looked back at the floor as if the floor did something to him 😂😂😂.”

@queen_keene added, “Why when we fall we look like that?!?!?!🤣🤣🤣 His recovery was smooth though..🤣🤣.”

User @mzyoyo78 also noted, “This man never missed a beat when he fell #STL.”

Chris Brown Loves On Fans During ‘The R&B Tour’

Fans are loving ‘The R&B Tour,’ and Brown in particular is going viral for his fan interactions during the show. Brown brought a fan onstage during a recent concert and gave her the VIP treatment. While he sang ‘Take You Down,’ a shirtless Brown got on top of the fan as she lay in the bed. The artist shared a clip of the moment in his Instagram Stories and asked his fans, “This what yall wanted?” It appears as though he understood the assignment!

RELATED: Ho’ Up! Dave Chappelle Surprised Usher At His Concert & The Moment Is Going Viral (VIDEO)

Howard University is stepping to the mic after viral tweets accusing it of displacing up to 500 students ahead of the fall semester. News of the enrollment update began circulating late Wednesday (July 22). By Thursday, the talks had escalated, with weigh-ins from students, alumni, and even high-profile figures like Pastor Jamal Bryant. Howard is now clarifying the switch-up and the next steps students can take. The fall semester will begin on August 17.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Two Alleged Suspects In Custody After Shooting Leaves Multiple Injured Near Howard University (VIDEO)

Posts About Displaced Students Surface On Social Media

As mentioned, social media was already going in on Howard hours before its Office of Communications dropped a statement. Threads, in particular, was popping off with reactions. While some reactions showed empathy for students, others explained that the enrollment update is a standard procedure. Others insisted that the update sparked a host of other issues for students and their families.

 

 

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

Pastor Jamal Bryant Joins Viral Howard Talk

Pastor Jamal Bryant, a Morehouse alum, is one of the first celebrities to publicly address the situation at Howard University. Taking to Threads, he shared prayers for the students and called on other HBCUs to step in.

“My heart and prayers going out to the 500 students displaced by Howard university … trying to see what HBCUs can help take them. We can’t let the spirits of these young scholars be broken 🙏🏾,” Bryant wrote.

Howard University Office Of Communications Says Students Were Warned

On Thursday, the Howard University Office of Communications addressed the ongoing backlash concerning their enrollment changes. The statement went live on its news hub, The Dig, and opened with acknowledging how “difficult and disappointing” the update was for students and their families. Then, the second bolded sentence explains the timeline of warnings impacted students received, beginning in March.

“Howard University provided multiple detailed communications throughout March, April, May, June, and July to first-time-in-college students and families on steps needed to secure enrollment for the fall 2026 semester,” the statement read. “Notifications included emails, personalized financial aid information, videos, and Bison Prep sessions—to help incoming students understand tuition payment requirements, payment plan options, the process for reporting outside scholarships, and the deadlines necessary to secure their enrollment.”

So what happened? Well, according to Howard University, the students who didn’t meet the payment expectations or the reporting deadline for scholarships and other financial aid got the boot. Or, as the statement said, “were notified that the University [could] no longer hold their place in the incoming class.” 

In the meantime, Howard University will be reviewing information about “anticipated scholarship funding and other financial aid.” Additionally, it “will
consider relevant circumstances presented regarding pending scholarship awards and financial aid resources.” 

Students who have questions can reach out to Howard University officials HERE.

RELATED: $650K & No Experience? FAMU’s New President Sparks UPROAR Over Political Ties | TSR Investigates

Malcolm-Jamal Warner‘s widow, Tenisha Warner, is still trying to push forward following his sudden death in 2025. In a new interview, Tenisha revealed that she’s struggled to remember everything about the day the actor died because the pain is unbearable. Tenisha’s sit-down with Gayle King comes days after the widow sued Malcolm-Jamal’s mother for over $1 million.

4

Tenisha told King on “CBS Mornings” that moving forward since losing her husband has been a difficult journey and challenge. “The moments of the day, they occupy my body so deeply,” she said. “So it’s really hard for me to sort of relive what all of that was and to think about it because it just breaks me in a way that makes it hard for me to sort of stay steady.”

Tenisha went on to call the tragedy “the worst day of my life,” adding that losing her husband feels “unfair.” She said that since that moment, her focus has been primarily on her daughter. “And all I can think about was my daughter and what I needed to do to continue to be her mother. And be her only parent,” she said.

Why Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Widow Decided To Speak Out

4

Tenisha has stayed out of the spotlight since Malcolm-Jamal’s death in July 2025. She decided now was the perfect time to speak out after realizing that her husband, known for his role in “The Cosby Show,” had impacted many people.

“I often share with people that, yes, he was famous, but from my experience when people met him, they were not wowed by his fame, they were wowed by him,” she said. “People would come up and it wasn’t like, ‘Oh my goodness, you’re Malcolm…’ They’d be like, ‘You have touched my life in such a big way, you have no idea.’”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner Died After Drowning In Costa Rica

4

Malcolm-Jamal Warner died last year at the age of 54. His passing was described as asphyxiation by submersion, also known as drowning, and was deemed accidental, according to ABC 7.

The actor was swimming with his 8-year-old daughter in Costa Rica when they began struggling in the water.

According to the news, local surfers dived into the water to help bring them both to safety. Once back on land, Malcolm-Jamal received 45 minutes of CPR before being pronounced dead.

Malcolm-Jamal’s Widow Sues His Mother

Days before speaking out, Tenisha made headlines after suing her late husband’s mom, Pamela Warner, over a prenuptial agreement that had allegedly not been fulfilled.

According to The Blast, Tenisha claimed in her lawsuit that she is owed $1.2 million but didn’t receive what she was supposed to due to his death.

Tenisha is suing Pamela, the trustee of Malcolm-Jamal’s trust, and arguing that the family trust should be responsible for what she says her husband owed under their prenup.

The legal documents ask the court to decide whether the trust is legally required to fulfill those alleged obligations.

In the legal documents, Tenisha also said that she’s attempted to settle their disputes out of court for over a year but has been unsuccessful.

“I have been struggling to care for our daughter as a single mom and now as her sole provider. Legally, I had no choice but to take action to protect our rights before any potential statute of limitations expired,” Tenisha said in court.

Raven-Symoné Breaks Silence On Malcolm-Jamal’s Death

4

Malcolm-Jamal’s sudden passing impacted more than just his wife, considering Hollywood greats posted powerful tributes after learning of the news.

His “Cosby Show” co-star, Raven-Symoné, shared an emotional message on social media shortly after, captioning the post, “I love you.”

The post, which was a video of her reflecting on her relationship with the actor, featured a touching message honoring his life and legacy.

“Words cannot describe the pain and the sadness and surprise that I feel with the recent loss of MJW,” the “Raven’s Home” actress said. “He was the big brother, he was a beacon, he was one of the most multifaceted, talented men. So gentle, and my heart and soul and hugs and kisses go out to his daughter and his wife and his mother.”