Arlette Amuli was born on July 15, 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona, to middle-class Congolese parents. Her public career began after she met Congolese-born British artist Bolia Matundu (known professionally as BM) during one of his U.S. tours in late 2018.[6][7][8] The meeting took place in Phoenix through mutual acquaintances, and the two connected over their shared Congolese roots.[8] Soon after, Amuli appeared in BM's music video for the remix of "Rosalina", featuring Awilo Longomba, which marked her first public venture into entertainment. After two years of a long-distance relationship, they married in 2021.[8][9][6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media experienced a boom in homemade dating content. Inspired by viral "pop the balloon" challenges, BM developed a more structured version of the concept aimed at a mature, working-class audience, and proposed that Amuli take on the hosting role. Though new to hosting, she accepted the offer.[3][2] BM invested $1,500 in camera equipment, and they launched the YouTube series Pop the Balloon or Find Love.[7] The first episode aired on December 7, 2023, with Amuli as host and BM as director and co-executive producer.[10] The show's concept centered around brief, high-stakes speed-dating rounds in which participants held red balloons that could be popped to indicate rejection.[5] BM told Essense that "the first two episodes were difficult" since he had to personally recruit participants, but afterward, "it was automatic", as the format's simplicity and emotional immediacy quickly resonated with audiences.[5] As reported by HotNewHipHop writer A. Aron, the show's viral appeal came from its "rawness", with the sound of a balloon popping making rejections more immediate and dramatic.[5]
Clips from the show spread rapidly across YouTube and TikTok, getting people talking online about dating culture and modern relationships. Within weeks, the series became one of the most-watched programs on Amuli's channel.[5] Building on the success, Amuli and BM expanded the franchise by launching the Catch Up podcast, where they checked back in with couples who had met through the show and shared updates on their relationships.[5] By mid-2024, Pop the Balloon or Find Love had turned into a major viral trend across social media. Prominent internet personalities, including FaZe Clan members and streamer Kai Cenat created their own versions of the format in July 2024.[5] Later that year, in December 2024, the British collective Sidemen also released a similar special, which boosted the format reach even more international viewers. The blend of emotional tension, humor, and striking visuals made the format a standout example of modern online dating entertainment.[5] Earlier, in August 2024, Amuli and BM signed with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to expand the franchise into television, podcasting, and commercial collaborations.[1]
Building on the digital success, Netflix commissioned a live adaptation titled Pop The Balloon Live, which premiered in April 2025. The series is hosted by Nigerian-American actress Yvonne Orji and produced by Amuli and BM alongside Bonnie Biggs, Dan Adler, Ellen Rocamora, and Matt Sharp.[3][4][5]