The Ultimatum: Queer Love’s AJ Blount Was Not Expecting to Be the Drama

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As a proud supporter, I can’t think of a more fitting way to bid farewell to Pride month than by tuning in to the second season of “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” on Netflix. Just like last season, six lesbian couples ponder whether to tie the knot, diving into Netflix-approved non-monogamy and exploring new relationships to uncover the truth about their stagnant connections. While no reality show is flawless, it’s a precious moment to witness other lesbians navigate issues we can relate to, such as excessive communication, impulsive decisions like getting tattoos with someone you’ve only known a week, and the influence of an charismatic masculine-presenting lesbian on a queer community.

As a fan myself, I can’t help but share my excitement about AJ Blount, the 28-year-old administrative assistant and emcee from Orlando, who graced our screens on The Ultimatum: Queer Love. When her career-driven girlfriend, Britney Thompson, presented an ultimatum, Blount didn’t shy away; she stepped into the spotlight with her infectious charm and ability to connect with everyone around her.

Her dates were a testament to her boldness, as she fearlessly engaged in flirtatious conversations that often push couples on this show to their limits, quickly making her the focus of online discussions among lesbian viewers. The moment that really got people talking was during Blount and Bridget Matloff’s date—the groans and eye-rolls at the watch party I attended were deafening when Blount directly asked Matloff about her sex frequency, with many exclaiming, “Girl, WHAT?!” in disbelief. It’s clear that Blount is going to make this season one to remember!

Prior to episode three titled “The Choice,” the couples had not yet arrived. In this episode, Marie Robertson and Marita Prodger both selected Blount. It then became evident that Blount’s personal approach during dating conversations was likely to disrupt several potential matches. Matloff confronted Blount regarding her deceptive behavior before she decided to pair with Robertson, which eventually led Prodger into an unlucky platonic trial marriage with Thompson, who is Blount’s ex. After the initial set of episodes, we had a chat with Blount to discuss her thoughts on the dating scene, the factors influencing her decisions, and how her flirtatiousness may have impacted the remainder of the season.

Hey there! I’m curious to know if you’ve caught The Ultimatum? If so, how well were you acquainted with the show? Well, just like you, I was sitting on my couch watching it too, thinking that I would never do something like that. But here we are!

Did you and Britney talk about your expectations for when you arrived? Specifically, we had hoped to see more diversity, but finding out it wasn’t as diverse as expected didn’t change our original plan. The crucial question remained whether there were people of color or not. In the end, our decision remains the same.

How did you feel about the other couples when you first met them on the first day? To be honest, I felt a bit out of sorts as it was my first time being filmed. I remember thinking, “Wow, there are cameras everywhere!” It was an unusual experience to start with-camera crews and all. The only thing I can recall clearly is the sensation of, “This is really happening! We’re really here!” As for the dating aspect, it gradually became clear where people stood in terms of compatibility with us.

In the dating phase, there was some discussion about past relationships, but the production team encouraged us to focus more on the task at hand. Some participants shared their goals and conversations with their partners, yet there were also moments of questioning, like, “Why are we discussing our exes?” It was important for everyone to clarify what they wanted personally as well.

In this situation, I was pondering over what I desired in a trial marriage. To clarify, I knew who I was with and who I had. Given my hesitation about being engaged to Britney, I was seeking someone who could provide the insights I needed. Historically, I’ve been drawn into relationships based on physical attraction, which often led me to like someone too quickly. This time, I wanted to avoid that mistake. If I had joined the show merely for that purpose, it would suggest I was already cheating at home, truth be told.

Could you share your insights on why Marie stood out to you? It seemed to me that she expressed a strong desire to prioritize her personal life and partner, despite her successful food business and entrepreneurial ventures. She mentioned a preference for being at home and working together, rather than solely focusing on work. This emphasis on work-life balance resonated with me. Could you describe what work-life balance means to you, and what it might look like if you were able to achieve it?

Did you find yourself taken aback when you found yourself at the heart of the drama during the selection process? Indeed, it caught me off guard. Prior to the selection, one can’t truly predict where others stand. I had no intention of revealing my top choice because I didn’t want to upset anyone. Upon rewatching the event, I realized that people were discussing their top choices. I was oblivious. However, why would it be an issue if three, four, or even six individuals favored AJ? That’s not necessarily a negative thing. Perhaps it simply reflects something about my character. After all, I hadn’t made any such promise to anyone.

It appeared quite intense between you and Bridget during the season. We never really revisited that conversation, though, as our discussion seemed to dissipate once trial marriages began.

Prior to us all making our ultimate decisions towards the end of the season, we had a single discussion. During this conversation, Bridget expressed remorse. I was puzzled by her apology since she had spoken to me during choice-making and other instances that were off-screen. However, any tension between us has been resolved. We’ve made up. Despite everything, I still find Bridget quite charming.

Have you ever talked about how your decision may have affected Britney’s journey and the person she ultimately chose? It seemed like everyone at the table was deeply moved by the situation, and I was secretly hoping someone would choose Britney. Unfortunately, Britney ended up with Marita, who had initially chosen me. I guess that means we’re stuck together now. However, I was left going home with Marie in the end. All I could do was focus on that situation as much as possible.

Did any potential couples not make it onto the show? For instance, there were rumors about Dayna and Ashley as well as Haley being a possible match for Marie.

It appeared for a brief moment as if there could have been a partnership between Britney and Mel. By any chance, did you two discuss this afterward? Yes, indeed I had a chat about it with Britney. For Britney, the idea was more like Mel runs a business, and so do I. It would be logical for us to explore how things progress. To me, Britney is a reflection of whoever she interacts with, helping you identify aspects of yourself that you may not wish to acknowledge. Many people might find this unsettling. I don’t believe Mel was quite prepared for the kind of powerful personality Britney possesses. However, it seems fortunate that she ended up with Marita, who chose me instead.

Looking at it again, does it seem like I handled the dating part in a unique way compared to others? The footage shows me being quite playful and flirtatious, but I believe there were deeper discussions that weren’t fully captured. I found myself connecting with many people, even Pilar, on topics related to our family issues, such as estrangement from our parents. It was intriguing to see what made it onto the screen.

Was there additional discussion about topics related to queerness, diversity, and the experiences of Black communities, particularly Caribbean ones, involving parents supporting their LGBTQ+ children, that didn’t get included in the final cut?

Are you intending to monitor social media responses to you and the show? Instead, I am deeply committed to my family. I genuinely hope that everything unfolds as it should, and eventually, the world will align with our current state. I did agree to participate in a watch party due to Come Out With Pride here in Orlando, an organization that I hold dear. Apart from this event, I prefer to be fully present.

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2025-07-01 16:55