Kriti Mehrotra
While there’s no denying Netflix has an incredible roster of reality dating shows that span everything from emotional, physical, and sexual relationships, it is ‘The Ultimatum’ that covers each aspect. After all, it revolves around a handful of complex couples as they attempt to navigate the crossroads they’ve arrived at while considering their future together, only for forever to be a big question.
In other words, while one half is ready to take the next step, the other isn’t, and it leads to them going through two distinctive trial marriages before they either part ways or get engaged for good. So now — since there’s an actual proposal involved — if you’re simply curious to learn more about precisely where these rings come from and who pays for them; well, we’ve got the details for you.
Do Producers Pay for the Rings?
Despite what many may believe, it actually appears as if the contestants themselves handle the entire ring situation prior to Ultimatum Day depending upon their decision and desire for their love. This seemingly holds true for not just the incredible original production (‘Marry or Move On’) but also its LGBTQ+ (‘Queer Love‘) as well as international spin-offs too (‘The Ultimatum: France’).
We say this because in the second installment of the series, both James Morris and Antonio Mattei indicated they’d arranged for, plus customized, their respective partners’ rings on their own. “I already have that ring that my grandmother gave me,” the former candidly said quite early on in the season. “And I know I’m gonna pull the diamonds from that, have it set differently, and probably added onto in some way.”
As for Antonio, he’d initially given Roxanne Kaiser a massive ring, only for her to take it off the following day as the size was a bit big and she felt as if the whole situation was too much too soon. Therefore, according to the reunion special, he made sure to get it resized while also getting her two other, separate rings to pair with the original in any manner, just for her to still not wear them despite still calling her fiance.
Then there’s the beautiful gesture Aussie Chau made during their proposal to Sam Chau in ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love,’ wherein they first handed her a heart-shaped labradorite protection gemstone. Then, they said, “I choose you… I’d like to share a little more, if you’ll let me, of my journey to finding my perfect rock for you…” before actually pulling out a ring, getting down on one knee, and asking her to marry them.
However, it’s imperative to note it is possible for producers to sometimes pitch in and help contestants secure their dream engagement rings since they do want things to be as authentic as possible. In fact, they already pay for the entire diamond ring in ‘Love Is Blind’ — both these shows come from the same creators — so it’s not out of bounds for us to assume they might want to help out here too.
“If [any ‘Love is Blind’ participant wants] to propose and wants to have a ring to give, we provide — up to a certain level — a ring for them to do that with…” creator Chris Coelen candidly told Variety in an interview back in early 2022. “If they choose to do that, we actually give choices. There are, like, 10 or 12 different styles and colors. It’s up to them; they don’t have to. There’s no pressure to do that.”
Read More: The Ultimatum Season 2: Where Are They Now? Who Are Still Together?
