MIAMI — When Miami native John Merrill applied to be on Netflix’s dating series Age of Attraction, he wasn’t chasing fame.
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In fact, he says he barely knew what he was signing up for.
“I knew nothing about reality TV. I didn’t have Netflix. I didn’t watch TV,” Merrill said. “That whole realm of entertainment was not something I knew about. I was just, ‘Oh, I’m single. It seems like a cool opportunity, so let me apply.’ And now we’re here.”
Now, months after appearing on the first season of the streaming series, the 28-year-old entrepreneur and model has returned to South Florida with a larger audience, a growing business and a fresh perspective on relationships and personal growth.
Taking a Chance on Love
Age of Attraction brings together singles of varying ages in an effort to challenge traditional dating norms and focus on emotional compatibility rather than age.
Throughout the season, Merrill became one of the show’s most recognizable personalities, earning attention from viewers for both his appearance — some dubbed him a “Prince Harry look-alike” — and his willingness to be vulnerable on camera.
While reality television can be anything but ordinary, Merrill said the emotions and connections formed during filming were genuine.
“I guess it’s a little unnatural kind of dating,” he said. “Because it’s all real. It’s human emotion. It’s human connection. It’s real.”
The experience also pushed Merrill outside his comfort zone.
A self-described introvert, he said adjusting to life in front of cameras was initially challenging.
“To sit down in that first chair and have a bunch of cameras on me was definitely a learning experience,” Merrill said. “But it’s a skill that’s good to have just for public speaking, for interviewing, for sales.”
From Reality TV to the Runway
Since returning to Miami, Merrill has seen new opportunities emerge, particularly in the modeling industry.
He recently walked in several shows during Miami Swim Week and now works with agencies in both Miami and New York City.
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“It’s kind of like a passion project right now,” Merrill said. “I’m signed in Miami and I’m signed in Manhattan. So I go back and forth between those two. Modeling is a way of expressing myself, and it’s fun.”
Building a Brand Inspired by Miami
Merrill has also shifted his professional focus toward fashion.
After previously working in software sales, he recently launched a clothing brand called Fictional Affluence with his sister.
The brand draws inspiration from Miami’s unique culture, blending humor and local references into its designs.
“There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors,” Merrill said. “You don’t really know what’s real, what’s not, so it’s supposed to make people laugh.”
For locals, he says, the concept resonates.
“I think Miami is a very tight-knit group, especially locals,” Merrill said. “I like the brand because if you get it, you get it.”
Still Looking for Love
Despite appearing on a dating show watched by audiences around the world, Merrill’s search for a soulmate continues.
“I’m still single,” he said with a laugh.
The experience, however, has changed how he views dating.
“I think dating, now that I’ve been through it, you can kind of see,” Merrill said. “I might have my guard up on the next show, hypothetically, but it was just fun.”
For now, Merrill is focused on growing his fashion brand, expanding his modeling career and embracing the unexpected opportunities that followed a leap of faith onto reality television.
What started as a spontaneous application has evolved into something much bigger — proof that sometimes taking a chance can lead to opportunities far beyond what was originally expected.
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