Too Hot To Handle’s Francesca Fargo has been a controversial figure on Netflix’s new hit reality TV series Perfect Match, but there is some positivity from her presence as she's improving LGBTQ+ representation on reality TV. Francesca, known as a flirty and conniving reality TV star through her time on Too Hot To Handle and Perfect Match, has been burning through matches while taking control of the villa. However, Francesca threw viewers for a loop by ditching Love Is Blind’s Damian Powers for Twentysomethings: Austin’s Abbey Humphreys.
Perfect Match season 1 star Abbey, who was open about being bisexual on Twentysomethings: Austin and Perfect Match, was married to a man but is open to dating women as well. In the end, Abbey and Francesca didn't work out, but it was nice to see some LGBTQ+ representation. In the penultimate episode of the February 21 release, this dynamic changed completely and shifted how Netflix reality dating shows are presented to viewers.
Francesca Farago Burns Through Matches On Perfect Match
As the clear villain in Perfect Match, Francesca ditched the puppy-eyed Dom for old flame Damian in a less than surprising twist at the end of episode 4. More surprisingly, when Ines and Will Richardson are sent to the boardroom in Perfect Match episode 7 to find matches for the men in the house, Ines chooses to bring in Abbey as a date for Francesca. As Francesca, who has a complicated relationship with Damian, gasped in fake shock, it became clear that she was thrilled to give Abbey a chance.
Upon meeting Francesca, in the first place, Abbey admitted it was the “best possible scenario.” Although Francesca appeared surprised, she knew everyone was obsessed with her. The interaction is reminiscent of the first episode of Perfect Match when Francesca openly admits on camera that she tends to like people who are more into her than she is into them.
Francesca Shatters Heterosexual Norms
Despite Francesca’s vindictive nature on Perfect Match, her representation as a visible LGBTQ+ individual is incredibly revolutionary. Abbey and Francesca are not tokens; they are individuals who have varied sexual preferences. Not only did she go on a date with Abbey, but Francesca ended up choosing her over Damian. In fact, Francesca’s matching with Abbey prompts Kariselle Snow, from Sexy Beasts to open a vulnerable conversation with her match, Joey Sasso, from The Circle, about how she’s bisexual. She also relays a common fear among bisexual women that if she ends up with a man long-term, society will erase their bisexual identity.
Joey replied that it’s 2023, and people need to get with the times. His reaction is one of the many reasons he remains such a popular figure on Netflix reality TV. Francesca’s openness toward a meaningful bisexual relationship is a vital and revolutionary move in Netflix dating reality TV. Firstly, most dating shows on the streaming platform, including Too Hot To Handle and Love Is Blind, feature exclusively cisgender and heterosexual couples like other prominent dating shows on other networks. Secondly, bisexual individuals, especially women, are often treated as going through a “phase” or as playing up their attraction toward women for attention while ultimately settling with a man.
Francesca's attraction toward Abbey is palpable to viewers. She obviously had more chemistry with Abbey than she did with either Damian or Dom. Additionally, Francesca is dating transgender TikTok star Jesse Sullivan post-Perfect Match. Although her presence on Perfect Match and Too Hot To Handle has been controversial, her advancement toward LGBTQ+ visibility has been notably representational. The villain Francesca has some positive culture shifts to add to the mix of her confusing persona.