Early life and career
Arlette Amuli was born on July 15, 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona, to middle-class Congolese parents. Her public career began after she met Congolese-born British artist Bolia Matundu (known professionally as BM) during one of his U.S. tours in late 2018. [6] [7] [8] The meeting took place in Phoenix through mutual acquaintances, and the two connected over their shared Congolese roots. [8] Soon after, Amuli appeared in BM's music video for the remix of "Rosalina", featuring Awilo Longomba, which marked her first public venture into entertainment. After two years of a long-distance relationship, they married in 2021. [8] [9] [6]
Rise to prominence: Pop the Balloon or Find Love
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media experienced a boom in homemade dating content. Inspired by viral "pop the balloon" challenges, BM developed a more structured version of the concept and suggested that Amuli host it. [3] [2] Despite having no previous hosting experience, she agreed. [3] [2] BM invested $1,500 in equipment, and they launched the YouTube series Pop the Balloon or Find Love. [7] The first episode aired on December 7, 2023, with Amuli as host and BM as director and co-executive producer. [10] The show's concept centered around brief, high-stakes speed-dating rounds in which participants held red balloons that could be popped to indicate rejection. The format's simplicity and emotional immediacy quickly resonated with audiences. [5] As reported by HotNewHipHop writer A. Aron, the show's viral appeal came from its "rawness", with the sound of a balloon popping making rejections more immediate and dramatic. [5]
Clips from the show spread rapidly across YouTube and TikTok, sparking online discussions about dating culture and modern relationships. Within weeks, the series became one of the most-watched programs on Amuli's channel. [5] Building on the success, Amuli and BM expanded the franchise by launching the Catch Up podcast, which followed up with couples who had met through the show. [5] By mid-2024, Pop the Balloon or Find Love had become a major viral trend across social media. Prominent internet personalities, including FaZe Clan members and streamer Kai Cenat created their own versions of the format in July 2024. [5] The British collective Sidemen also produced a similar special in December 2024 that boosted the format's international popularity. [5] The blend of emotional tension, humor, and striking visuals made the format a standout example of modern online dating entertainment. [5] Earlier, in August 2024, Amuli and BM signed with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to expand the franchise into television, podcasting, and commercial collaborations. [1]
Pop The Balloon Live on Netflix
Building on the digital success, Netflix commissioned a live adaptation titled Pop The Balloon Live , which premiered in April 2025. The series is hosted by Nigerian-American actress Yvonne Orji and produced by Amuli and BM alongside Bonnie Biggs, Dan Adler, Ellen Rocamora, and Matt Sharp. [3] [4] [5]
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