Love is in the air

Kairyn Potts and Scott Wabano, hosts of The Real Rank Podcast, recently finished filming a new reality dating show REZervations for Two. The 13-episode series was shot at The Forks featuring Indigenous singles looking for love.

Potts and Wabano spoke to the Free Press about Indigenous representation on television screens, the pitfalls of dating and what it was like to film the show, which is set to air next summer.

Free Press: How does REZervations for Two work?

Kairyn Potts: Scott and I interview an Indigenous single person looking for love, we find out who they are, where they’re from, who their cousins are — because that’s very important — and then we set them up on two different blind dates. At the end of those dates, they decide who they want. Or they don’t choose anyone and that’s OK, too, because dating is chaotic and sometimes we don’t like anything.

We’re trying to push a different narrative, a different flavour of love in Indigenous communities. Unfortunately, in a lot of Indigenous communities, we don’t actually court anymore. We aren’t going on dates, we aren’t doing all of these really cute and necessary things that it takes to get somebody to start talking to you and go on a first date with you.

FP: How did you get involved with the show?

Scott Wabano: We were approached by the production company Animiki See. One of the creators of the show came across our videos on our Real Rank Podcast TikTok and realized the relationship and dynamic we had. She said she didn’t interview or audition anyone else, she wanted me and Kai to host it.

FP: Why did you decide to get on board and host?

SW: We want to see more Indigenous love, specifically within media. Indigenous representation is really scarce. I feel like there’s been such a focus on our trauma and healing and reconciliation, which is really important and educational. However, there’s so much love and joy and happiness that also exists within our communities. I feel like this show is really going to put a spotlight on that, really show our humour and show just what it means to live and date as an Indigenous person. Because, you know, we don’t have people who are Indigenous on Love Is Blind or Love on the Spectrum.

I hope this show really just reminds people that Indigenous people are deserving of love, too. Love exists within our communities, love exists within our friendships and our relationships. I want people to remember that.

KP: Scott and I have built up a partnership, the Real Rank brand, which is not just a podcast. It’s a movement of bringing Indigenous people who are craving a connection — to their sisters, their cousins, their siblings, their brothers — together. We really celebrate what it means to have that connection. When you watch REZervations for Two, you’re going to realize that energy is also in it.

When we watch the people go on dates we’re watching them not as people who are judging them, we’re watching them as cousins. We want them to find love because, at the end of the day, that’s what community is about. It’s about supporting each other.

FP: Do you see yourselves more as matchmakers, referees or storytellers?

KP: Scott and I are two spirit, and two spirit people are in-betweeners. We are matchmakers by nature and by law. Our entire lives we have been bringing people together. So this is not something new. It’s not something crazy. It’s just something we’ve stepped into naturally, and we are so good at it.

FP: What kind of dates did people go on?

SW: The dates were all around The Forks and they get to do many different things. It was really amazing because we were also able to support and showcase a lot of local businesses within Winnipeg and give them that platform and that business that they deserve.

FP: Are you both going on these dates with them?

SW: (Laughs) Technically, we’re like flies on the wall. We’re in a hidden space, they don’t even know we’re watching.

FP: Do you intervene at any point during the date? Did you feel like you needed to?

KP: We just witness and monitor! We commentate. We’re just having a great time.

SW: There have been so many moments when me and Kai are just gobsmacked, jaw on the ground… Did they really just say that? Did that just happen? There’s no shortage of drama but there’s also plenty of moments where you’re really rooting for this couple on their date. It’s a roller-coaster of emotions.

FP: How much of what we will see is spontaneous versus planned?

SW: It’s an unscripted TV show, so the dates are planned but whatever people say is not planned.

FP: What was filming like?

KP: We filmed the entire season two weeks ago, we were in The Forks for 15 days and they were long days. We’re talking like between nine and 15 hours every single day. So Scott and I are very exhausted, obviously! But we had such an amazing time filming.

SW: It was such a fun experience to witness these dates. I really hope this show brings back that idea of courtship. In this generation right now with DMing and Tinder and swiping, I feel like that idea of courtship no longer exists within dating. It was amazing to do this show because people had to really put that courtship on, they had to really show they were interested in somebody and wanted to get to know them.

FP: Have you learned anything new about dating while hosting?

SW: I learned that I probably would never do a blind date!

FP: Can reality dating shows lead to lasting relationships?

KP: I am such a big romantic. I believe in love. I think love at first sight does exist. I believe in soulmates. I really love love, almost to an extent where it’s kind of embarrassing. So yes. With this show I hope that people realize romance is still out there.

REZervations for Two is scheduled to air in June 2026 on APTN and APTN Lumi.

av.kitching@freepress.mb.ca