Pop the Balloon or Find Love: Using Machine Learning to Predict the Matches on an Online Dating Show

Pop the Balloon is one of the most popular online dating shows in the world. Each episode, a group of single participants line up and have their balloons popped (or pop them themselves) based on whether or not they find the suitor or suitress attractive. The objective of this paper is to detail a novel approach to using machine learning to predict whether or not a contestant would match on the show based on the information they provide about themself and the qualities they are looking for in a prospective partner.