‘Are You My First?’ Premieres Tonight: Inside Hulu’s New Dating Series

Hulu is launching a bold new dating show with “Are You My First?,” premiering Monday, Aug. 18, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. All 10 episodes will also stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

The series follows 21 singles in their 20s and 30s who all identify as virgins. According to IMBD, the group spends the summer at a tropical resort, competing for romance — and possibly their first sexual experience — in a format that mixes reality TV drama with plenty of awkward firsts.

All About The Hosts & Format of ‘Are You My First?’

From the producers of “Love Island,” the series keeps the familiar beachside setting but adds a twist: every contestant arrives with their virginity intact.

As reported by The Cut, instead of roses or bracelets, players compete for “V cards” that grant date privileges. Eliminations come through ceremonies called “virgin sacrifices,” where the group votes on who is least likely to find love at the resort.

Previews released by Hulu tease some eyebrow-raising moments, including a night-vision clip of a couple in bed and a contestant’s confession: “I’m not really a virgin.” Others are more direct about their goals. “I don’t want to die a virgin; I want to have sex!” Rachael, 30, declares in episode two.

The series is hosted by Kaitlyn Bristowe, who led “The Bachelorette” in 2015, and Colton Underwood, “The Bachelor” in 2019.

For Bristowe, the show carries personal meaning. She revealed that she faced heavy criticism during her season for openly talking about sex, telling The New York Post, “It gave me a bit more empathy for people who chose not to have sex because I was like, ‘Well, who am I to judge those people seeing how badly I got judged?’”

Underwood, who came out as gay in 2021, said he sees the series as a chance to show the different reasons people delay sex. “I think that when people watch this show, they’re really going to understand there’s so many reasons that people decide not to lose their virginity at a young age,” he said.

Who Are The Contestants on ‘Are You My First?’

According to ABC, the cast features 21 men and women, each with their own reasons for waiting to find their first.

Some cite health or personal challenges. Rachael, a 30-year-old cocktail waitress from Tampa, said she has lived with vaginismus, a condition that makes sex painful. Madi, a 28-year-old marketing manager from Austin, admitted in the trailer that “sex is scary because penises are scary-looking.” She added that she hopes her first time will be with someone “loving and caring.”

Others point to faith. Mike, 34, who previously appeared on Katie Thurston’s season of “The Bachelorette,” said his Christian beliefs call him to wait until marriage. Noah, 25, a business owner from California, shared that he is also holding out for his wedding night.

Not all reasons are spiritual or medical. Katya, 28, a theater artist from New York City, explained that she views intimacy as something to be earned. During the season, she even told her love interest he’d need to “earn” her first kiss — a moment that surprised host Kaitlyn Bristowe. “It’s also crazy that we see somebody have their first kiss on camera ever. That’s wild to me,” she said.

From NFL cheerleaders and social media managers to pilots and accountants, the group represents a wide spectrum of backgrounds. While their motivations differ, they all share the same goal: finding love.

Fans can tune into the premiere of AreYouMyFirst tonight at 10/9c on ABC, right after BachelorInParadise — with all episodes streaming on Hulu.