Down for Love is returning for season two, in which a group of people with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities go on a quest to find romance. We meet some of those looking for a soulmate.
RAY, 30
When he’s not calling himself plain old Ray, this Dargaville resident goes by the fancy handle “Ray Elvis” – because he’s an Elvis impersonator! Ray has never kissed a girl and is hoping to be All Shook Up on his first date. He even recorded an album when he was 11.
TAYLOR, 30
Living independently with a flatmate in Tauranga, Taylor’s ideal husband is good looking, stylish, chatty and funny. She fits a lot into her life, with yoga classes, volunteering for Riding for the Disabled, dancing, shopping and pranking people!
CHARLIZE, 18
Part of a close Samoan family, Charlize is particularly close to her grandmothers. “One is a traditional nana and the other is a young party nana,” she laughs. She hopes to meet someone with great hair and “good-looking eyes”. She’s also hoping her dating experience will include a peck on the cheek, but her dad’s not so keen! Charlize loves Tik-Tok and has created more than 100 videos so far.
CARLOS, 32
A fan favourite in season one, Carlos is back looking for love. Born in Bolivia, he moved to New Zealand aged 10 and speaks five languages. Carlos has represented Aotearoa in international competitions organised by the Down Syndrome Swimming Organisation. He’s also a photographer with several exhibitions to his name.
HAYLEY, 26
Working in her local library, Hayley enjoys the written word so much, she’s dived into the world of fan fiction. She resides in supported living accommodation in Alexandra, Central Otago, with two flatmates. She recently finished performing in a production of Les Misérables and when she’s not treading the boards, reading or writing, she’s making up complicated crossword puzzles for her family to solve.
LILY MAE, 19
She didn’t find love in the first season, but that hasn’t put Lily Mae off. She lives with her parents and siblings in Auckland, working part-time at Flourish Café on the North Shore, which helps young people with disabilities learn work skills. Lily Mae loves the limelight, spending her spare time singing, dancing and acting. She’s been a catalogue model for The Warehouse and has appeared in TV commercials, including the Unite Against Covid campaign.
DANIEL, 39
Sports fan Daniel knows what he likes – and that’s the New Zealand Warriors! He and his dad try to attend every home game. But man cannot live on league alone and Daniel goes on his first blind date this season. He lives with his mum and brother in Auckland’s Grey Lynn, and his dad and stepmum visit often to eat, sing and play board games. He has part-time work packing food parcels and another job at a bakery.
CLAYTON, 33
Clay, as he’s affectionately called, lives in the remote West Coast town of Karamea, where he works in the local pub, has his own car and rules the roost in a tiny house in his parents’ backyard. He also has his own radio segment and listeners know to expect at least one Westlife hit a week because he’s a big fan! Clay is looking for a special someone to make memories with.
CHLOE, 32
Living with her parents in South Auckland, Chloe has autism and has never let it hold her back. She’s looking for the right guy to spend quality time with. Chloe loves gardening and works at a nursery, where she tends the seedlings. She also loves Lego and animals, and her border collie Bonnie is a faithful companion. The gym is a regular feature of Chloe’s life and she’s also learning how to drive.
LEISEL, 24 & BRAYDEN, 22
They charmed the socks off each other, not to mention viewers, in season one. Now, Leisel and Brayden are making a guest appearance this season. The Auckland couple made a strong connection on their first date – a highly competitive game of mini golf.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Brayden said later. “But then we just clicked and there was a spark. In the Monkees song I’m a Believer, there are the lyrics, ‘I thought love was only true in fairy tales,’ but it happens in real life as well.”
Leisel enthused, “He is my true love and my handsome Prince Charming.”
The pair have made no secret of their dream to be together forever, with Leisel once sharing, “We want to live in America, in a big mansion with a fireplace in the bedroom and an indoor pool.”
Brayden would love to tour with his musical heroes Billy Joel and Justin Bieber before settling down to adopt three kids, “two boys and a girl”.
The pair have been going strong for two years now and say they’ve kept their love alive by going on lots of dates.
Watch Down for Love Thursdays at 8.30pm on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.
