The Age of Attraction cast addressed the backlash toward their age gap dating show.
Netflix released the first five episodes on Wednesday, March 11, as viewers watched couples forming without the contestants knowing each other’s ages. It wasn’t until different pairs chose to be exclusive that they — and the audience — found out exactly how far apart in age they were.
Off screen, some social media users questioned the concept but Age of Attraction stars Andrew, Chris, John, Logan, Derek, Libby, Vanessa, Theresa and Leah urged people to give the concept a chance.
“Initially the response [was so strong] because there wasn’t a lot of information when it was first released. The concept of the show made people go, ‘Oh my God, here we go. A bunch of old and creepy guys with young girls,'” Andrew exclusively told Us Weekly. “I think Netflix has done a great job with the trailers and what they put out there to clarify that that’s not what this is going to be about.”
Andrew teased how the show is “going to test it both ways,” adding, “There’s older women with younger guys. There’s younger guys with older women. Now, it’s leveling out. There’s still some people hating on it but you’re always going to have that. But I think some people — the majority — are curious and looking forward to seeing it unfold.”
His partner on the show — Libby — had a similar outlook on the backlash.
“I would say my hope is that people maybe approach the way that they’re thinking about me with an open mind. It would be natural to think that there was a young and naive girl with an older guy,” Libby, who is 16 years younger than Andrew, explained. “That’s the stereotype that you’re used to. But I really don’t feel like Andrew and I had a lot of differences — and I found a lot of similarity between us. I understand your concerns 100 percent but I don’t find our relationship concerning.”
Vanessa, who has a 20-year age gap with Logan, couldn’t help but agree, saying, “I’m hoping that people will embrace the show and not have such a stigma to age gaps. Years ago, men couldn’t date men and people of different races couldn’t date or marry. It was really frowned on.”
She continued: “I feel like we’re in this time and place where this age thing is getting weird. I think as long as people are of age and no one is having control over someone then I am hoping that it changed people’s mind and they’re more open to it.”
During the group interview, Theresa weighed in on the topic as well after she formed a bond with John, who is 27 years her junior.
“I would hope that people come with an open mind and leave their preconceived notions outside and just see what actually happens,” she shared with Us. “Because it’s love. After all, we’re not talking about hurting each other, we’re talking about finding connection, and that’s all that really matters. It’s the most important thing.”
New episodes of Age of Attraction hit Netflix on Wednesdays.
