Dynasty Ballard had her doubts when a producer reached out on Instagram about joining Netflix’s season 10 of "Love Is Blind." Friends had encouraged her to try out, but she wasn’t convinced a reality dating show was for her.
That producer eventually persuaded her to have a conversation that turned into a leap of faith.
"I was single at the time," Ballard said. "I’m just going to try something I never did."
On the latest episode of Columbus in Color, Ballard joined Dispatch reporter Amani Bayo to discuss her experience on the Netflix series, the life she built before the cameras arrived and what she took away from the unique dating experience.
What Dynasty Ballard learned from 'Love Is Blind'
Ballard, who appeared on the show's Ohio-based 10th season, didn’t leave with an engagement. But she said
the experience changed how she approaches dating and friendship.
During filming, her producer challenged her to open up more on dates. Initially inclined to keep conversations light, Ballard began to see vulnerability as a way to build a deeper connection.
"Being vulnerable is actually very beautiful," she said. "It’s a superpower."
Although viewers didn't get to see Ballard's dates in the final cut of "Love Is Blind," she shared her perspective on the experience in this episode, including conversations and personal growth that never made it to the screen.
She also left with friendships with women who understood the frustrations of dating and, later, the unusual experience of watching themselves on television alongside the rest of the audience.
In the episode, Ballard offered a glimpse behind the scenes, including long filming days and why an outfit viewers see for a few minutes was actually worn for several days of shooting.
From Lorain to England to a career in marketing
Raised in Lorain, Ballard was a talkative child with an interest in music, fashion and entertainment. Watching hosts on MTV and BET helped spark her ambition to become an entertainment host herself.
She studied media and pop culture at Bowling Green State University before earning a master’s degree while living in England. Her time abroad included work for a social media agency, graphic design for a magazine publisher and an opportunity to assist with public relations for London Fashion Week.
Now a senior marketing manager at Goodyear and a lifestyle content creator, Ballard talks about balancing her ambitions with a lesson she’s still learning: allowing room for things to unfold differently than she planned.
"Really fighting between perfectionism and just saying, 'you know what, good is good enough' is a constant battle," she said.
Listen to Dynasty Ballard on 'Columbus in Color'
Hear the full conversation in the latest episode of Columbus in Color, available Oct. 8. Ballard shares more about life after reality television, her interest in returning to the screen and what excites her about Columbus' future.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Love is Blind' Ohio contestant dishes on life before, during and after the show
