Web Series Wednesday – Tough Love

By starrymag | July 23, 2019

By: Spring Marie Cullen

 

 

WHAT? Tough Love

 

BY: Malerie Grady

 

WHY SHOULD I WATCH?

 

Tough Love is a brand new LGBT web series that follows bisexual chef, Nikki (Malerie Grady), as she tries to rejuvenate her love life after a bad breakup. The episodic romantic comedy recently made its world premiere at Outfest Los Angeles this past weekend to those lucky enough to nab themselves tickets. And lucky they were as Tough Love is a sweet little gem and a scarily accurate depiction of the dating world for people who identify as anything other than straight.

 

In the series’ opener, Nikki attends a speed dating event where she’s faced with deciding who she’s interested in, men or women, and apparently circling both wasn’t an option. Her admission that she doesn’t have a preference either way is met with a serious side eye and Nikki’s eventually forced to choose, much to her distaste. She ultimately decides to focus on women at this particular event and when she’s matched up with her former classmate Sheila (Marquelle Young) things actually seem promising. There’s clear chemistry between the two, but not even a perfectly timed quip about Nikki’s interest in musicians Tegan and Sara can solve the clear hangups Sheila has towards bisexuality.

 

The following episode features another date, this time with Luke (Onye Eme-Akwari), who’s as handsome as he is charming. Unfortunately, the second he learns of Nikki’s sexuality he responds in a way that only an ill-informed straight male would – he inquires about her experience with threesomes. Yikes.

 

I only had access to the shows first three episodes, but I was thoroughly entertained. They’re short yet give you everything you could ask for and Grady’s portrayal of Nikki is spot on. It’s almost impossible not to feel her pain as she goes on date after date that never seem to end the way you’d like them to, no matter how positive they seem at the start. I found myself rooting for her and for her dates, at least one of them, not to get too caught up in the misconceptions of bisexuality.

 

The series takes place in Atlanta, where it was filmed, featuring local cast and crew. The city’s unique blend of culture is what convinced Grady it’d be the perfect backdrop for her show and as someone who’s spent quite some time in the city I think it was a great choice.

 

Tough Love is the perfect example of the on-screen representation LGBT communities deserve. It’s a fun series about bad dates and horrible social norms, while highlighting double standards in the dating world and the vast amount of misinformation when it comes to the queer community. Everyone needs to check this one out.

 

 

WHERE CAN I WATCH? Check here for future screening opportunities. Watch the trailer here.

 

 

Follow on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toughlovetheseries/

Website: https://www.toughlovetheseries.com/