Yvonne Orji Addresses ‘Pop The Balloon’ Backlash, Comparisons To Original Host Arlette Amuli

Yvonne Orji is the new host of Netflix‘s Pop The Balloon Live! an adaptation of the popular YouTube series originally hosted by creator, Arlette Amuli. However, as the actress and comedian revealed in a recent conversation with the transition didn’t come without its hesitations, moments of deep self-reflection, and, unfortunately, backlash from the public. When Netflix first approached Orji about the possibility of hosting the show, she wasn’t immediately sold. “What’s funny is I had seen some of the clips, and obviously we had seen Dave Chappelle do it on SNL,” she said, revealing her initial curiosity. “But when Netflix approached me, I went back and did my research. I was like, ‘okay, so what’s the show really about?'” After watching more of the show’s concept and format, the Insecure star became intrigued by its mix of live-action, unpredictability, and its appeal. “I got very interested in what it was that made people fall in love with it,” she admitted. once she dove deeper into the world of Pop The Balloon,it didn’t take long for her to realize what she was getting into. Orji quickly found herself facing the challenge of maintaining her brand —which revolves around joy, love, and kindness — while managing the high-stakes of live TV. “I had asked all the questions of like, ‘Hey, what’s the tone of this show?’” she recalled, revealing her concern about keeping the show in line with her core values. “I’m very specific with the things I say yes to. it wasn’t just about doing the show; it was about making sure she could be herself. “Everyone involved is like, ‘We want this to be a place where people can find connection.’ But we also have to be realistic knowing that anything can happen,” Orji shared. This meant that she would have to tap into her quick-thinking skills, to handle whatever the live format threw her way. Coming into an already-established space, Orji admitted that she knew she’d be stepping into a cult-classic social series previously dominated by Amuli, the beloved original host of the show. But rather than worry about being compared to her predecessor, the Nigerian-born actress and comedian took a more self-assured approach. “What Cardi B say? ‘I’m my own competition. I’m competing with myself,’” she laughed, dismissing any concern about filling someone else’s shoes. Pop The Balloon needed a host with a distinct style, especially given the shift to a live format. “We’re two different people with two different styles,” she explained. “Arlette and BM have been able to do something absolutely brilliant. But the Netflix show is live, and they needed someone who could think on their feet, who could bring levity.” With a background in comedy, Orji fit the bill perfectly. In fact, she embraces the difference in their styles rather than feeling any pressure to mimic Arlette’s success. “This is not a replica of that show,” she asserted. “It’s an adaptation. And once you add the live element, it’s a completely different show.” Pretty much, Orji’s focus for the live format isn’t to recreate what’s been done before, but making the experience her own while staying true to the essence of the showOrji admitted that she saw all of the backlash that followed the show’s premiere on Thursday (April 10), and couldn’t help but to understand what some of the viewers felt. “That’s not the show I signed up for,” she confided, referring to some of the chaotic moments viewers witnessed in the premiere. “We want people looking for connection and authenticity. It’s huge for me because what are we doing if we’re not being authentic and true to ourselves? Orji’s perspective was made clear that as an unscripted show, she plans to steer clear of sensationalism. Viewers have shown that they crave the dramatic and viral moments that have happened on the YouTube series, such as a man telling a young woman her face was “too wrinkly” for him to date, or a woman dismissing an eligible bachelor because he “looked like he reads a lot of books.” Instead of egging on potential embarrassing moments that occur when participants are hesitant to say what makes someone unattractive to them, Orji asserted, “I can defuse situations. We don’t need to belabor something that’s not kind. Orji’s sharp wit keeps the show lively, she’s also deeply invested in the underlying theme of the show, which is to connect people. Her own thoughts on love, romance, and dating shines through as she engages with the participants. “I always say, ‘We don’t judge, but I do got follow-up questions,’” she laughed. For Orji, she wants to explore the complexities of attraction, pointing out that superficial traits, like height or appearance, shouldn’t be dealbreakers when it comes to finding love.

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