Ohio State football fans may recognize a former player in HBO Max's reality-dating TV series
When Jamie Wood received an Instagram message about starring in a new dating show set on a tropical island in December 2020, the former Ohio State football safety chalked it up as spam.
"My thoughts were this is fake," he said. "This is a scam."
It was the second such message Wood received in three months, with the apparent casting producer asking if he was interested in an expense-free stay and a chance to win a large cash prize.
As unbelievable as the message sounded, Wood, 30, followed up. And after a series of Zoom calls and phone interviews, the Pickerington native found himself on HBO Max's upcoming dating series, "FBOY Island."
"Very little details were shared," Wood said. "I had no idea I was going for a show called "FBOY Island," and if I had known the name, I don't know if I would've done it honestly. So I'm glad I went in blind to the name and show and concept."
Since the show's announcement, the dating series has already gained the curiosity of reality-TV fans and mainstream outlets, with the show's premise centered on three love-seeking women navigating a group of 24 eligible men.
Twelve of them consider themselves "Nice Guys" and the other half are self-proclaimed "FBoys," and the three women — Nakia Renee, CJ Franco and Sarah Emig — have to determine which guy is which.
Hosted by comedian and actress Nikki Glaser, the 10-episode series is set to begin streaming Thursday on HBO Max..
For Wood, who now works as OSU's assistant director of compliance, neither money, clout nor fame had anything to do with his decision to join the show. Instead, it was a moment he could take to reflect on his growth as a man and lean further into his emotions.
"From my personal story, this was me choosing something not because I wanted to prove something to anybody or because I wanted clout or money,"Wood, who played at OSU from 2009 to 2013, said. "I wanted to choose me for once."
While dating shows are often maligned by viewers who claim the productions are "fake" or "scripted," Wood said his time on the island was rooted in reality.
"There are real producers that produce, but there's also real human feelings and emotion that comes out in these situations," he said. "And you throw in the competition piece, money and remove technology and everything, then you're like, 'OK, this is my life now and I'm going to be all in on this game.' You'll see a lot come forth due to these circumstances."
Executive Producer Ben Bitonti said Wood's presence on the show was a highlight, as he charmed the cast and crew and will likely do the same for viewers.
“(Wood) was a tremendous addition to our show. Not surprisingly, he ingratiated himself with both cast and crew, and we are really excited for viewers to get to know him as well.”
Since filming wrapped in the spring, Wood said one of his favorite aspects of the show was the bond he formed with the other competitors, including two Ohioans who also were also part of the competition.
Along with Wood, Collin Carter, 26, and Casey Johnson, 24, of Toledo will also be shown competing. And despite the different personalities and backgrounds, Wood said the experience brought many of them closer.
"This was like a locker room experience, so coming out of it there's a sense of brotherhood," he said. "Obviously, different personalities and lifestyles all come together for this shared experience. So, for the Ohio guys, there was definitely some love there.
"Overall, I'd say I'd do it again. And if anyone is presented the opportunity to do something like this, I'd ask they strongly consider it."
At this point, it's unclear whether Wood is a "Nice Guy" or a "FBoy" until episode one, but he said one thing is certain: Viewers will be entertained from the start.
After the three-episode premiere, the series continues with three additional shows on Aug. 5 and the final four on Aug. 12. To stream the series, go to HBO Max.