To Rome for Love is headed to the small screen this January, and viewers will see five women look for love in Italy. The series was originally titled Love Italian Style.
Bravo revealed more about the series in a press release. Check that out below.
“Bravo Media escapes to Rome to find love Italian style in the new docu-series, To Rome for Love, premiering Sunday, January 7 at 9pm. For decades, love expert Diann Valentine has been traveling to Italy to enjoy the great food, amazing architecture, and history. Along the way, she discovered the best-kept secret in town: Italian men love black women. In this picturesque country where women of color are celebrated and adored, Diann is on a mission to help single ladies who can’t find a good man in America. With her years of experience in the relationship space, she teaches them to move beyond the stigmas and stereotypes they face in the United States and seek love abroad.
In To Rome for Love, Diann Valentine takes five beautiful women – Gina Neely, Shay Atkins, Nakita McGraw, Ashley Russell, and Mercedes Young – to Italy. Each in a different stage of their life with unique stories of love, but all share in the same challenges of dating as a black woman in America. The adventure begins in a decadent villa in the heart of Rome where the women will reside as they explore who they are and what they want from love. Joined by her two assistants, D. Micah Lindsey, a larger-than-life personality who offers a strong male perspective, and Christine “Cece” Counts, Diann’s right-hand woman who is of Italian heritage and helps vet the perfect men, Diann curates the ultimate foreign experience with Rome’s most eligible bachelors. Going on organized one-on-one dates and small group excursions may all sound as sweet as gelato, but it’s not all nightly strolls on the piazza and delicious wine for these single ladies, as they must face their fears, get past their emotional baggage, understand cultural differences, and open themselves up to the chance to fall in love.
Meet the Cast:
Diann Valentine
Diann Valentine, an intrepid traveler with connections all over the globe, is the mastermind behind The Venus Affect, a matchmaking company for women looking to date internationally. She started visiting Italy 25 years ago and fell in love with the country, but it was visits with girlfriends who were interested in testing the international dating scene that sparked her idea for a business. It was a natural evolution in her career, given her unique insight into Italy from years of travel, and her experience with women in love – and with women who often make bad decisions when it comes to love…
Gina Neely
Gina Neely, 52, is a celebrity chef who spent 25 years in a challenging marriage trying to balance motherhood, career, and fame. She’s been out of the dating game for two decades, but after a very public divorce, this Southern belle is ready to take a leap of faith on love…
Shay Atkins
Hopelessly in love with being in love, Shay Atkins, 38, tends to fall too fast and settle for men that are not worthy of her. She gravitates toward the bad guys but is ready to break the cycle of bad relationships for herself and her daughter, Ashleigh…
Nakita McGraw
Nakita, McGraw, 37, is a divorced mother whose inability to find love has taken a toll on her self-esteem. She’s looking for answers as to why she has been so unsuccessful with dating and is ready to get her groove back…
Ashley Russell
Ashley Russell, 32, from Covington, Louisiana, is a small-town girl who thought she had the perfect life with her pro-footballer fiancé and cute kids, but infidelity shattered her dreams. She got snatched to soothe her heartache and boost her confidence, but will her body makeover overshadow her inner qualities and make it hard to find love? …
Mercedes Young
Mercedes Young, 25, is as jaded as they come. Her father told her that most men are players and taught her how to play the game so that she won’t get played. She believes 85% of men cheat, which makes it challenging for her to be open to love, but her strong faith in God gives her faith that she will meet the right guy…
- Micah Lindsey
Cleveland, Ohio, native D. Micah Lindsey has worked for Diann Valentine for the past seven years collaborating in the love and relationship space. At The Venus Affect, he works diligently by Diann’s side to help deserving women rewrite their love stories. With a strong male perspective and his larger-than-life personality, D. Micah has a balance of humor and heart that shows clients what men really want…
Christine “Cece” Counts
Christine “CeCe” Counts is the daughter of an American soldier and Italian woman. This military brat has lived and travelled all over the United States and Europe, even living in her mother’s home of Sardinia, Italy. Cece has gathered years of creative influence from all of the beautiful places, people, and cultures she’s experienced, which is why she is Diann’s secret weapon when it comes to finding and vetting the right men for the women to meet…
To Rome for Love is produced by Asylum Entertainment with Steven Michaels, Jonathan Koch, Ryann Lauckner, James Macnab, Jacqui Pitman, Omid Kahangi, and Grace Lee serving as Executive Producers.”
Will you check out To Rome For Love? Tell us what you think.
This show was good. It was so refreshing to see something positive without fighting and drama. Even stars Like Angela Bassett said they watched and enjoyed it so I not it wasn’t just me. I hope to see it for another season. The ladies have their own businesses and are beautiful and successful just wanted to try something new I. The love department. Great show.
I think Bravo missed the mark on this one…women appear to be desperate and not relatable. As far as the Cast…well what can I say with all do respect Gina looks like a fish out of water trying to fit in but at the same time being very careful as to not look like she is interested or looking for love, unfortunately adding no value to the show. Shay is off the chain and I like the fact that she appears to keep it real as do the other women. I get the concept and maybe it would work with… Read more »
Just goes to show you that money does not equate worldliness. These women all look dumb and lack of class is indelible. Initially when I watched the show I was intrigued since as a fellow American woman I have experienced Italy extensively. I married and divorced an Italian and I still have my home over there. Truly a story of rising from the ashes, but nothing empowering in watching a bunch of unsavory women acting like horny teens. Arrivederci Roma!
Like the show a lot. I’m learning so much about socializing, self-esteem and building confidence. What are the requirements for getting on the show?
Great show, how do I get on the show? I’ve traveled extensively due to living outside of the US for 17yrs. What love to know the names of restaurants and bars that was chosen for the show. I’ve been to Italy before but with my ex-husband a few times. Would love to go back and take my sister, as we are both single.
How does someone get on the show?
I am thinking this will be an interesting concept.My friend has talked about meeting a nice man when we go to Italy. I’m looking forward to the show, the promo is funny.