Actuality star Harry Jowsey has flirted, damaged hearts and lied on TV. However now the 28-year-old Australian says he’s prepared to search out his soulmate — and he’s nervous.
Final month, purposes opened on a web site for his new Netflix actuality present, “Let’s Marry Harry,” with hundreds of individuals signing up for the prospect to be the previous “Too Hot to Handle” star’s bride.
On the day the present was introduced, Jowsey marveled that girls posted TikToks on how they only utilized to be on his present.
“I don’t think anyone would click on it, because it’s a vulnerable thing to do to apply for a dating show, especially one where we’re getting married,” Jowsey informed The Instances earlier this month, laughing. “It’s like ‘Oh, people like me!’”
Netflix is relying on it.
Jowsey is a part of what the streaming video large calls its “Netflix Reality Universe” — made up of normal folks on the lookout for love or who’re up for competing in opposition to others. For instance, “Love on the Spectrum,” follows folks on the autism spectrum occurring dates. “Too Hot to Handle” challenges engaging contestants to not have interaction in sexual exercise. “Squid Game: The Challenge” options folks competing in video games much like the hit South Korean drama.
Actuality TV is a key a part of Netflix’s programming technique, which goals to take the place of conventional TV with all kinds of programming for nearly each demographic. Courting exhibits, cooking competitions and stay reunion specials are consolation meals that assist complement the streamer’s massive library of films, scripted dramas like “Squid Game,” youngsters exhibits like “Sesame Street” and, more and more, stay occasions and sports activities.
By taking breakout stars from its actuality exhibits and casting them in a wide range of packages and roles that promote the streaming service, Netflix helps increase their clout, and vice versa.
“Netflix has created its own subculture with their audience,” mentioned Tom Nunan, a former studio and community govt. “If that means having some of your favorite reality talent move over to some of their other reality shows, so much the better. It’s just trying to keep it all in the family.”
“Let’s Marry Harry,” which debuts subsequent 12 months and is executive-produced by podcaster Alex Cooper, is a major instance of Netflix’s technique. Since he appeared on “Too Hot to Handle,” Netflix has discovered methods to make Jowsey a much bigger star, placing him within the second season of relationship collection “Perfect Match” and casting him in an upcoming film on the streaming service, romantic comedy “The Wrong Paris.”
Netflix has given related alternatives to “Too Hot to Handle” costar Chloe Veitch, who has appeared as a contestant on “The Circle” and “Perfect Match” and was a number of “Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark.” Comic Michelle Buteau, who served as a number of Netflix actuality present “The Circle,” has comedy specials on the streaming service and stars in her personal scripted collection, “Survival of the Thickest.”
Positioned as Netflix’s first “The Bachelor“-like reality show, “Let’s Marry Harry” elevates Jowsey, who is thought for qualities that didn’t precisely make him apparent marriage materials. Within the second season of “Perfect Match,” he initially lied about kissing one other contestant.
The drama that comes with actuality TV is a part of the gig.
“We’re gonna be judged regardless,” Jowsey mentioned in an interview whereas consuming a New York strip steak at Calabra, a rooftop restaurant in Santa Monica. “It’s kind of freeing to just be like, ‘Well, f—k it. I’m just gonna do it and be myself, and people aren’t gonna like it, people are gonna love it.’ It’s the best job in the world, just get to be myself on camera and have fun.”
Jowsey’s playfulness, appeal and mischievous nature are a number of the the explanation why audiences have been drawn to him since “Too Hot to Handle” premiered on Netflix 5 years in the past, mentioned Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vp of nonfiction collection and sports activities.
“He’s like a lovable rapscallion, right?” Riegg mentioned. “He’s got the accent. He’s got a bit of mischief in those eyes. He’s fun. He’s a good person … if the show is a more efficient way of helping him find the potential Mrs. Jowsey then I think, awesome. And so we’ll go on that journey with him.”
Riegg was instrumental in constructing Netflix’s actuality TV programming lineup when he joined Netflix in 2016. Again then, the streamer’s actuality slate was naked. However Netflix right this moment has greater than 1,800 unscripted titles, together with 500 actuality TV titles.
The streamer developed worldwide hits akin to “Love is Blind,” which has been tailored in 10 nations, and the U.S. model will launch its ninth season later this 12 months. “Love is Blind” was the second-most watched unique streaming present on U.S. TV screens final 12 months, in keeping with Nielsen.
Riegg mentioned actuality relationship exhibits are “fertile ground.” When he was at ABC, Riegg mentioned he and govt Rob Mills had been instrumental in arising with the thought for “Bachelor in Paradise,” which is a actuality relationship present that brings collectively the contestants from previous seasons of “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette.”
At Netflix, the contestants on “Love is Blind” and “Too Hot to Handle” have participated in different actuality packages akin to “Perfect Match” or “Battle Camp” that deliver collectively contributors from throughout the streamer’s unscripted universe. Jowsey has been one of many extra controversial contestants. “Let’s Marry Harry” was a logical subsequent step.
“It was good idea with the right piece of talent and the right auspices behind it, so we’re excited to get going on it,” Riegg mentioned.
The Netflix technique, following within the footsteps of different TV networks like MTV and Bravo, has given some folks, like Jowsey, the chance to construct large followings from comparatively modest beginnings, placing their faces in entrance of a whole bunch of thousands and thousands subscribers around the globe. That creates a virtuous cycle, getting the star’s social media fandoms to return to observe different exhibits. As of final 12 months, Netflix mentioned it had greater than 301 million subscribers.
Jowsey’s social media following rose from 140,000 to 2.4 million on Instagram after “Too Hot to Handle” premiered in 2020. At present, he has 4.4 million followers on Instagram and 5.1 million on TikTok. He hosts a podcast referred to as “Boyfriend Material” and sells skincare merchandise.
Jowsey grew up on a farm in Australia, the youngest of 5 siblings. When he was in college, his brother’s good friend died by suicide — a wake-up name for Jowsey that college wasn’t the place he needed to be. Jowsey mentioned he beloved making folks snort, and first leaned into modeling after which landed on New Zealand actuality relationship present, “Heartbreak Island.”
Harry Jowsey.
(Jerod Harris / Getty Pictures for Netflix)
Along with his wavy brown hair and self-described cheeky vibe, Jowsey utilized to a number of actuality exhibits, finally touchdown a task on “Too Hot to Handle.” He wasn’t even subscribed to Netflix on the time as a result of he didn’t have the cash for it.
“Obviously, it just turned into this beautiful relationship, and I get to live out my biggest dream,” Jowsey mentioned. “I remember putting in my manifesting book, ‘One day I’ll have a bachelor-style show’ … and it’s here.”
On the day “Let’s Marry Harry” opened contestant purposes, Jowsey left from an early dinner to Netflix Summer season Break, an occasion on the Santa Monica Pier selling the streamer’s actuality stars that about 450 folks attended.
Jowsey and his crew boarded a black SUV headed to the Netflix occasion. When requested what’s the best particular person he’s on the lookout for, Jowsey mentioned, “Someone who is happy. I’m going in with no idea … ‘My type’ … hasn’t worked out.”
As soon as on the occasion, he took pictures on a lip-shaped crimson sofa and on the boardwalk underneath a big signal that mentioned “Netflix Summer Break.” The occasion resembled a summer time beachside carnival, with loud pop and R&B music, a stand serving colourful cotton sweet, meals vans and a provide of themed drinks, together with “I Do” (a gin beverage) and “I Do … Not” (a concoction with tequila).
As he walked previous crowds of individuals, he obtained catcalls. “Harry, you sexy mother f—ker,” one attendee informed him. He greeted Tanner Smith from Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum,” Mark L. Walberg, host of “Temptation Island” and posed for pictures with actors from “The Wrong Paris,” a film a few lady who joins a relationship present that she thinks is in Paris, France, however learns is definitely in Paris, Texas.
Jowsey went by means of a string of media interviews. “This is the last one,” Jowsey mentioned, referring to his stint on actuality relationship exhibits. The interviewer was skeptical — “Are you sure about that?”
He hasn’t had the perfect monitor report in love.
His relationship with “Too Hot to Handle” costar Francesca Farago fizzled even after he proposed with a sweet ring. He was drawn to Jessica Vestal on “Perfect Match” however then kissed costar Melinda Melrose and lied about it.
Jowsey mentioned he doesn’t need to damage anybody anymore, a troublesome objective when the entire conceit of the “Bachelor” style entails rejecting potential mates.
“I hope the person that I marry is so happy that it outweighs all the hurt,” Jowsey mentioned. “I feel like if it was the wrong person, and they were with me for too long, then it’ll hurt more so I want them to hurt as least as possible.”
After Jowsey completed his interviews, he appeared onstage as a part of the Netflix Summer season Break night program, the place actuality stars got awards — favourite actuality couple, for instance — and others promoted their exhibits. This system’s host AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys referred to as Jowsey certainly one of his “all-time favorite flirts.”
Because the Netflix Summer season Break program drew to a detailed, the truth stars had been on the point of expertise the rides on the pier completely for an hour. “Try not to drink too much before you go on the coasters,” McLean mentioned, encouraging attendees to “eat, drink and be merry, and create content, of course.”
However for Jowsey, he’s already making ready for a life past actuality TV. On a typical day, he mentioned he wakes up at 5 or 6 a.m. and works on buying and selling shares. One of many firms he’s invested in is Netflix.
“I realize this reality TV, this life, it’s all kind of rented,” Jowsey mentioned.
