What began as a guilty pleasure show, Netflix's Too Hot To Handle has now become a worldwide phenomenon, with attractive singles queueing up to get casted in the reality show. The idea of being next to other genetically blessed 20-somethings in a gorgeous beach property sounds great, and so does the money that comes with playing by the rules.
Living in the house is very much like a vacation at face value, but there is plenty that goes on behind the scenes that viewers don't know about. With an army of producers, chefs, and many beautiful villas to film in, this is what living in the house is like on Too Hot To Handle.
The Villas Changed So Contestants Weren't Tipped Off
Unpopular opinions abound about Too Hot To Handle, but no one can disagree that the locations of all the seasons have been gorgeous. The first season was filmed in a sprawling Mexico villa which caught viewers attentions, but the next two seasons switched location.
According to Marie Claire, this was done in order not to tip off the new batch of contestants, the producers shifted to the blue and beautiful Turks and Caicos on the island of Providenciales where the second and third season were shot consecutively. The location change also took place because of COVID-19 precautions.
Producers Listen To Breathing Patterns To Make Sure Rules Weren't Broken
The couples in the show are hated and loved, but they're not allowed to get intimate. In fact, "self-gratification" is also not on the table, but how do the producers monitor that? While there are no cameras in the toilet areas, there are microphones.
So, there are producers dedicated to listening to the breathing patterns of contestants when they go to the loo, to make sure they're not breaking any rules! They are dedicated to Lana and her rules.
There Are More Workshops Than Filmed
The workshops and sessions about self-love and overcoming social norms are a large part of the show which aims to bring genuine improvement to contestants (along with loads of entertainment).
Producers have revealed that there's a lot of thought that goes into formulating what these sessions will be, and the contestants do a lot more than what viewers get to see at home. Not every workshop is filmed, and few make the cut to the final show.
The Food Is Made By Five-Star Chefs
Any hopeful contestants would be happy to note that nobody on the show needs to cook. In fact, the grub served to players is of the highest quality possible so they're happy, satisfied, and ready to bring their A-game.
The Hollywood Raw Podcast discussed the food situation in detail. Chefs from Five-Star hotels prepare these meals for them, and contestants have vouched for how great the food is on the show. With luxury meals on hand, it's no wonder that they don't miss their homes or drinking.
Drinking Is Monitored
Even though some ridiculous lines make it to Too Hot To Handle, the show always looks out for its contestants. Unlike other shows were the booze flows perennially, Too Hot To Handle likes limiting the alcohol intake of the players to two drinks max.
Alcohol is only available during parties or dinners that the contestants are invited to, and not freely given out otherwise. In all other scenarios, they can enjoy fantastic food with soft drinks. This nugget of information was found in the same podcast as above.
It's Delivered In A Dumbwaiter From The Kitchen, Which Has No Cameras
Contestants like Peter Vigilante from season 2 spilled the beans on how the food was served to them, and that was also done in style. The food arrived in a dumbwaiter from the kitchen are where it was prepared, and it was definitely gourmet.
The kitchens in the villa did not have any cameras, and Emily Miller reckoned that that was where the best conversations happened between them. Guess fans wouldn't know what they spoke about!
The Beach Has A Secret Shower
With only one shower for all the players to use and get ready in for their special evenings, some of them found novel ways to bathe and get ready. Cam Holmes and Nathan Webb took to the "secret" shower that was on the beach to escape the queues.
The two would head to the beach, to a little shower they fondly called the "Peter Andre shower" with their shampoos and products, and get ready without waiting.
Contestants Go Mic-Free For The Group Dinner
Wearing mics was a given on the show and wearing it in the loo was compulsory too, but the contestants did get reprieve from the cameras and mics sometimes. Harry Jowsey revealed that there would be group dinners which weren't filmed.
Every evening, these get-togethers were a no-camera zone and they could also walk and talk without mics to get some bonding time in natural way, according to Harry Jowsey.
They Click, Instead Of Clapping For A Reason
Audiences would have noticed that when it's time for applause on Too Hot To Handle, the singles click their fingers instead of clapping their palms together. Turns out there is a very valid reason for the change.
Emily Miller revealed that the microphones that they wear amplify every sound they make, so collective applause the normal way would be deafening to hear. The transition to clicks makes it quieter and easier to hear.
They Are Free To Leave
Being a part of Too Hot To Handle guarantees some level of popularity, especially on Instagram. However, the show is not everyone's cup of tea, and contestants are free to leave whenever they feel like, like Matthew from season 1.
Similarly, the showrunners are also at liberty to eliminate people when they feel like they aren't "growing" or contributing much, like they did with Haley in season 1. It's a fluid elimination and leaving policy on Too Hot To Handle.