Óčko TV is heading into the final round of casting for the Czech version of the reality show Naked Attraction. Those interested in taking part in the show still have a chance to apply. The next round of selection will take place in Prague at the beginning of March and also in Bratislava on 23 March, where people from Slovakia can take part without having to travel to Prague.
Psychologist Hana Mezerová, who set the evaluation criteria for the casting and provides her professional support to all participants during and after the filming, says that she was pleased with the motivation of the participants who applied for the casting. “Most people want to find a serious relationship on Naked Attraction. They are not exhibitionists who just want to make themselves visible,” she sums up her first impressions.
Can you describe the current casting process? What stage is it at, and what are your impressions of the people who have applied?
Casting has been going on for a while, and one of the last ones is being prepared. A lot of participants are applying, the majority are men, while women make up about one fifth of the applicants so far. This is an advantage for them because there will be plenty to choose from. At the same time, it is not only heterosexuals who are applying, but also the LGBT community. Summing up my first impressions, I would describe them as a pleasant surprise. I came to the first casting call with expectations of who would sign up for this type of reality show since we have no experience with this type in the Czech Republic. The result is that most of the applicants justify their interest in participating in the contest by the fact that they want to meet and that they have not had any luck with a partner yet, they want to try something new, or they are disappointed with online dating. These are not exhibitionists, but people who have in common that they accept their bodies or want to step out of their comfort zone.
What do you see as the advantage of being on the show?
A boost in self-esteem for sure. Overall, we are often judged by our ideals. Even though there is more pressure in society to evaluate women’s bodies, in Naked Attraction - even during casting and confirmed by women who have been through it - a safe environment is created. There is no body shaming in any way. And it should be added that experience from abroad also shows that the participants’ self-esteem is often boosted by participating.
How many participants have come to the casting?
Over two thousand people have already registered on the nakedattraction.cz website, and over a hundred have gone through the casting process. To find as many intersections as possible in who is looking for whom, we are selecting more; there is still an opportunity to apply.
How does the casting process work?
Applicants come to the casting where they are interviewed and get to try out being naked for part of the interview. Not because we want to see them naked and judge them in any way, but because we already want to know how comfortable they are in the nude. In the show, they will be undressed on camera and under more pressure, so we need to prepare them and set a similar atmosphere. Casting is filmed too, following GDPR and all necessary documentation, giving participants a chance to see what it feels like to be on camera. Casting materials can only be used to the extent that the participants agree. At the end, we inform them of the casting result. We also find out which role is more suitable for whom - who will be standing in the booth and who will be choosing.
What prerequisites do those interested in participating in the competition need to have?
We set the prerequisites they should have in advance. First of all, we look at how mentally stable the people are. We pay special attention to nudity to make sure they are not upset by this condition and are aware of and take into account what participating in the competition can entail. And it is also important that they approach nudity openly. It’s normal to be a little nervous, even more so, but it’s important to grapple with that discomfort. At the same time, we address whether one is considering the impact of the show. Not just during the show, but after it is over. It must be taken into account that every episode broadcast will have reverberations, not only in the comments and on social networks. We make sure that the participants are not judgmental towards the body, but rather accepting.
It is necessary to take into account that every episode broadcast will have reverberations, not only in the comments and on social networks.
Hana Mezerová
Are these assumptions also part of the licence terms? Because the programme will be broadcast under an international licence. Are you bound by the terms and conditions of this licence?
The licence stipulates, for example, that a psychologist must be present at the selection, which is why I am part of the selection committee. The psychologist plays a role not only during the selection but also during the actual filming and even after the filming is over. From my point of view, it is important that everyone who comes to the casting has respect for their body and for the bodies of others, and at the same time, that the show does not endanger them in any way. Someone who has low self-esteem and doubts themselves can be very upset by just one bad comment. My role is also to be supportive of the participants, even after the shoot.
How are the participants working for you so far?
It's clear that those who apply to the show take their bodies as they are. And although the show may be generally perceived as something unusual and controversial, people go into it with the intention of breaking down that controversy. They want to show that nudity is normal and that it is normal that some people like something and others don’t. That every body is unique.
If we were to focus on psychological personality traits, do more extroverts apply for casting than introverts? I guess one would assume so. And are the people more assertive rather than more melancholic?
I would indeed assume that mostly extroverts would apply, but I have to say that there are a lot of introverts among the applicants. In the sense that they are afraid to talk, but they are not afraid to show their body, and they take nudity as something natural. Sometimes, it’s people who go to nude beaches or other “naked” events and who have shown their bodies somewhere.
You mentioned that a lot of people want to meet each other on the show. Is that the main motivation of the performers, or are they looking for another type of experience?
Getting to know each other is definitely the main motivation. I think another motivation can be the desire to show up, boost self-esteem and want to experience something exciting. People themselves say that they have tried other dating sites, only there they are clothed, and here they can get to know a person faster because of the nudity. Because it is something that is hidden and concealed. If they decide to appear naked on TV, it takes courage and motivation. And the motivation is to meet someone new.
But dating primarily based on the body obscures other important criteria.
That’s certainly the case on this show because it’s a show where people choose based on their bodies. Naked Attraction is based on attractiveness and boldness as well. And it all culminates in a joint “dressed” date, where the participants have the opportunity to get to know each other in other ways.
Naked Attraction is based on attractiveness and boldness as well.
Hana Mezerová
Based on foreign versions of Naked Attraction, do you know how the couples did after filming and whether they stayed together?
There is no exact data, but in each episode, there is an interview with the couples with a longer time interval from the end of the show that relates to their relationship.
Do you feel that the participants in the Czech version of Naked Attraction are different from the participants in the foreign versions?
I have only seen foreign contestants on the show, not in the casting. From what I saw, I was impressed that each of the performers was a different type of person. There are a lot of differences and diversity between them, just like we see in Czech casting.
From a psychologist’s point of view, do you see any differences between those who apply for Naked Attraction and those who apply for other types of reality shows, such as Survivor, Love Island, Talent or Traitors?
Absolutely. For example, Naked doesn’t target influencers. It’s specific in that it’s a one-time participation. Participants don’t spend weeks or months together; they get to know each other directly during the shoot, and the first contact is crucial. But mental resilience is needed in all types of reality shows.
Is it your role to recommend people for selection to the show so that there is a high likelihood that the couples will bond? Or is your role to provide psychological support to the participants?
It’s not my job to pick people to be a good match. The reality show Married at First Sight was based on this principle, where couples met at the wedding altar. In Naked Attraction, people are chosen based on attractiveness, and the main goal is to make sure they are mentally stable and know what they are getting into. And also that they are not evil, because the show is built in such a way that the body is unique and individual. And it's also presented in such a way that people talk about the body respectfully, not to put anyone down or insult anyone. My main role comes during the shoot, and especially after the shoot, when participants may face hateful comments online and on social media. The show is built on the idea that we don’t have to be ashamed of our bodies and that everyone can like something different.
Naked Attraction shows that this is carefully treated in collaboration with a psychologist. The production has been working with me from the beginning of casting, communicating about the process, and consulting. I can provide immediate assistance to a participant during filming and remain available to everyone as needed, even after filming concludes. I don’t know how this is treated in other reality shows. But I think that somewhere, the assistance is provided on a one-off basis. Here, the benefit is the aftercare.
Source: mediaguru.cz