Itap often said that age is just a number, and a new Netflix reality dating series will soon put the old adage to the test by taking age entirely out of the courting equation.
In premiering Wednesday, embark on the journey to find love with all the ups and downs caught on camera. But instead of gimmicks – like, for example, being unable to see each other until they are engaged – there’s only one rule: You cannot ask anyone how old they are.
Hosted by former “Bachelor” Nick Viall and his wife, Natalie Joy, who are almost 20 years apart in age, the show aims to see if love can prevail when relationships are not bogged down by the stigmas often associated with age. Cast members range from 22 to 60 years old, according to Netflix, with one contestant hailing from Denver.
Angel Martinez, founder and owner of med spa, joined the cast for four weeks of filming in Whistler, Canada, in hopes of finding a partner. Though she originally turned down the offer – “I’m not going to do any trashy dating shows and I have a business to run,” Martinez told production – she ultimately decided it was a unique opportunity to take a break from work and mom duties to focus on her love life.
Martinez moved to Denver two decades ago to raise her kids and started both a skin care company and Angel Aesthetics along the way. Between those obligations, the 47-year-old admittedly didn’t have much spare time for dating.
“Itap very difficult as a single mom to date in Denver. I’ve been just a workhorse the 20 years I’ve been here,” said Martinez, whose three kids are in their 20s. “(The show) was appealing to me because I have dated younger and older.”
Beyond that, the premise of “Age of Attraction” sounded interesting because it challenged Martinez’s own biases about what age means in the context of dating.
“Once I hear a man’s age, I put him in a certain category, especially being a strong, independent woman,” she said. “If they’re 30, I’m like, ‘OK, you’re practically my son’s age. Flattered, but I’ll be cougar for the night.’ And then if they’re too old, they’re set in their ways and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m with grumpy grandpa who doesn’t want to make date plans.’ ”
Of course, Martinez has been on the receiving end of ageism, too. She recalled a recent date with a man who commented that he had never liked someone as old as her. “And he was like 53,” Martinez said.
“I get it from both sides, and thatap why I really was intrigued by throwing age out of the mix,” she said.
While Netflix’s “Love is Blind” seeks to put personality over physical looks, “Age of Attraction” seemingly takes the opposite approach. By casting , itap as though the show is subtly trying to challenge the notion that getting older means getting uglier. Whether or not it successfully does that – or ends up reinforcing conventional standards that tie beauty to youth – remains to be seen.
As a veteran of the beauty industry, Martinez understands this dichotomy all too well. Social media has “ruined the idea of beauty,” she said, especially for women who are pressured to retain youthful looks to be considered attractive. At her spa, Martinez aims to help women embrace their age, not hide it.
“The reason I opened this was not to look younger or not look my age. I’m very proud of being 47 years old. I think that feeling great at your age and feeling confident at your age is how it should be,” Martinez said. “I care more about the health of the skin and you feeling confident at 47, 65, 35 and not trying to be 20 again.”
Tune into “Age of Attraction” on Netflix starting March 11. Watch the trailer below.
