Netflix helped women in Tampa Bay find “love for the spectrum.” What’s next?

Madison Marilla loves bright coloured eyeshadow, she loves sewing American girl dolls, and Christmas decorations. The Tampa Bay woman runs Madizen, a beads jewelry business, and can easily win the Disney trivia contest she has entered.

However, this time last year she was lonely. So, when Netflix offered Marilla the opportunity to find her prince, she signed up.

Marilla, 27, captivated viewers while searching for a relationship in the third season of “Love on the Spectrum.” The documentary series, partially filmed around Pinellas County for a recent season, follows a diverse romantic cast of the autism spectrum. The latest season debuted on the World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd.

Some of the other dating offerings on streaming platforms range from Raunchy (“hold to hold to hander”) to crazy (“Ultimate” and “Love on the Spectrum” is undoubtedly heartwarming.

There will be a first kiss and parting. Family and date coaches support the cast. And some participants finished the season with the new Beau.

When she is not meeting her suitor, Marila’s scene shows that she is open about the struggles she has overcome with autism, OCD, ADHD and anxiety. She dates a friend from the church. She also chats about her family’s date life while selling handmade jewelry at Gulfport Tuesday’s Fresh Market.

Since the show aired, some viewers have also discovered the vending of marillas in the botanical city. She is currently preparing to launch an online store for the brand Madizen.

“I will sew too. The ‘Zen companion’ will also come eventually,” she said. “These are some gorgeous toys I came up with to help me stop carrying big dolls with me.”

Editor’s note: Before spoilers!

Filming for “Love on the Spectrum” began in June. Marilla’s date took us from a nasty meal at the teak at St. Pete Pier to a romantic visit at Sunken Gardens. The latter is where she met her “cowboy lover” Tyler White.

Based in the botanical city, White is a wedding, event and autistic DJ. He surprised Marilla with a set of encyclopedia knowledge and values ​​about country music.

They made the relationship official during a date at the Secret Garden in St. Pete Beach and sealed it off with Marila’s first kiss.

The pair will celebrate their first anniversary this July.

“It’s incredible to see them grow up as a couple,” said Madison’s mother, Jenny Marilla. “They complement each other very well, which is great to see how strong their relationship will be in months.”

Even country singer Rainey Wilson is a fan.

“Please cheer us on!!” She commented on one of White’s recent Instagram posts.

The Tampa Bay Times caught up with Madison Marilla on a video call. She discussed “Love on the Spectrum,” her favorite local dating spot and filming what happened after the camera rolled. This interview has been compiled for length and clarity.

It was so cool to see St. Petersburg become the background to your love story. How did you appear on the show?

At the time I was living in Massachusetts and was part of the Life Skills program. (Netflix) Reaching out to my LifeSkills coach, she thought I was the perfect fit for the show, but the timing was a little off. A year later they contacted me and the timing was right.

I lived in St. Pete at the time. I’m in the plant city now.

With Tyler?

Instead of living with him, he lives nearby.

Can you share a bit about how things are going with you?

Things are going really well. Tyler and me – we love going to the amusement park. Bush Garden is one of them. I’d like to go on a date at Disney World. I would like to go back to Universal.

I love going to concerts. And we love to eat out.

What was the process of preparing for the show?

There were all these questions I had to answer about what I wanted in the relationship. I wanted people who had conversations, people who enjoyed being around, people who were extroverts, people who shared the same values ​​of me.

Tyler saw an ad for “Love of the Spectrum” while he was a DJ. He was interviewed with the producer while driving with his family from Arkansas.

What was it like seeing yourself on the show?

It’s fun to look back at Tyler and my memories of early moments and see how connected they are on that first date. We chatted for 5 hours.

I have learned to be more loving, flexible, open-minded and compromised because I am in a relationship.

How did people react to your story?

People are praising me and showing their support. …I was recognized at the Alan Jackson and Blake Shelton concerts. I was recognized by people I have never met in church. I’m recognized on Publix and in the post office parking lot. It’s very positive, but overwhelming.

Do you want people to take it from the show?

That autism is a journey, not a disability. And it is possible to find love in that spectrum.

Autism speaks, and the best companions have always been a big organization for me. They reached out to me and Tyler. We both have been involved in autism stories a lot. It’s very sad that so many people have autism and view it as negative.

But I don’t mind talking about my interests and developmental delays. I want to make more people open up about what makes them different and unique.

Details of Madison Marilla and “Love of the Spectrum”

All three seasons of “Love on the Spectrum” are streamed on Netflix. The original US-based Australia series is also available for viewing on the platform.

Madison Marilla is on Instagram and Tiktok as @madison_marilla. Tyler White shares the updates on Instagram as @tylerwhite_loveonthespectrum and @discjockeytywy.

Sign up to update your email regarding creating Marilla on Madizenusa.com.