Entertainment

‘Are You The One’ Cast Is Looking For Love & Money
by Laura Rosenfeld
MTV

This winter is about to heat up with the Season 5 premiere of Are You the One? on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. ET. The bold love experiment is back and better than ever, and there's also going to be a new twist this time around. So who's up to the task in finding love in one of the most unique dating shows to ever hit TV? The Are You the One? Season 5 cast is full of fierce competitors looking for their perfect match.

If you've heard of Are You the One?, you probably know that its part-dating show, part-reality competition. The basic premise of the series is that MTV casts a bunch of singles who go through a rigorous matchmaking process and an algorithm to find each cast member's "perfect match" among the bunch. If they find their so-called "perfect match" by the end of the season, the couple will split a cash prize of $1 million. Not to mention, the contestants supposedly found true love, so all in all, this sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

But what about that aforementioned new twist, you ask? Well, Are You the One? is adding an additional couple to the mix this season, which means that instead of the usual 10 couples, there will be 11 in this installment. Though that may seem like an insignificant change to the game, it'll actually make it more difficult for the contestants to find "the one," especially with the same 10 tries to find him or her.

So who are the brave souls willing to take on this whole new challenge? Get to know the contestants looking for love — and some money — this season of Are You the One?.

Alicia Wright

MTV

Alicia is a 23-year-old studying to become a dentist while working at a veterinary hospital, according to her official cast bio. Her love of animals is clear from her Insta, which is filled with pics of pooches. She's also proud of her Puerto Rican heritage. Alicia grew up more like a parent to her siblings, and all that responsibility has "left her with a head strong attitude that most guys can’t handle," her show bio says. Well, Alicia will have 11 dudes to test that theory out on throughout this show.

Andre Siemers

MTV

Andre is trying to make a name for himself in the rap game, his show bio says. In fact, he's already got some pretty profesh-looking music videos out there in the world. You can also catch him making appearances at a club near you, according to his Instagram profile. Now 21, Andre has owned his own company since he was 17 years old. But this Burnsville, Minnesota native is a self-proclaimed "good ol’ country boy who loves camping, hunting, and fishing," according to his show bio. But it's not going to be all fun and games for Andre this season of Are You the One? since his ex won't be too far from his thoughts. We'll have to wait and see if Andre is willing to open his heart again this season.

Carolina Duarte

MTV

Carolina was originally born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but she hails from Sammamish, Washington these days. The 21-year-old isn't afraid to speak her mind, but she is afraid of being alone, which means she can sometimes do whatever it takes to make a relationship work, even if it's not what's best for her, according to her official cast bio. But no matter what, it looks like she can always count on her adorable dog Frank to be by her sideliterally when it comes to this tattoo.

Casandra Martinez

MTV

Casandra is described as "Instagram famous" in her official show bio. The 22-year-old has more than 4,400 followers of her Instagram profile, as of the time of this writing. And with only 115 posts on that profile, that's actually kind of impressive. Other fun facts you learn about Casandra from her Insta include that she was a sorority sister, she's an active gal, and the bikini is often her outfit of choice. I'm looking forward to seeing what Insta memories she made on Are You the One?.

Derrick Henry

MTV

Derrick sounds like one busy guy. He's described as a star college athlete working toward his MBA in his official show bio. The 23-year-old from Charleston, South Carolina is not to be confused with the former Alabama running back and Heisman trophy winner though. This Derrick last played basketball for The Citadel and he now works as a leasing manager at a Charleston apartment complex, according to The Post and Courier. Now Derrick is looking to settle down, so could he find his true love on Are You the One?.

Edward Williams

MTV

Edward is a model, according to his show bio, so you might think that he has an easier time than most in the dating scene. However, the 21-year-old from Bridgeton, New Jersey says that the ladies think he's too much of a player. Well, I can't speak to that, but I will say that his modeling photos are pretty... interesting.

Gianna Hammer

MTV

Gianna promises the lay down the hammer this season of Are You the One?. Her cast bio describes her as "full of intensity," meaning that she sometimes comes on too strong in relationships. The 21-year-old hails from Burbank, California these days, but she's originally from a small town in Ohio. Since moving to Cali, Gianna has been working as an actress, according to her Instagram profile, and can be seen in the short "Disney Princess Go Back to School" from the RCLBeauty101 YouTube channel.

Hannah Fugazzi

MTV

Hannah seems proud of her Italian heritage on her Instagram profile, which is filled with gorgeous pics of herself and her travels, I might add. The 22-year-old from Brentwood, California exudes confidence, according to her show bio, and it certainly shows from those photos.

Hayden Weaver

MTV

Hayden hails from Anderson, Indiana, and since "he grew up on the edge of a cornfield," he's not the best with the ladies, according to his official show bio. But it looks like the 23-year-old moved to San Francisco last summer for a "short-term move," which led to him joining the Season 5 cast of Are You the One?, according to his Instagram profile. Also from that Insta profile, it seems like Hayden has a good sense of humor. So that, coupled with his good looks, means that he's probably better at wooing potential dates than he thinks.

Jaylan Adlam

MTV

Jaylan used to be a football player for Campbell University, and his show bio says that people often think that he's still confident like a star athlete, too. But that's not the case as Jaylan still considers himself "nerdy" and "awkward" around women. The 23-year-old lives in Atlanta, Georgia these days, and he's keeping busy working on an athletic development and performance training program called Adapt, according to his Instagram profile.

Joey Amoia

MTV

Joey is from Tonawanda, New York, and his show bio describes him as "an old school, blue collar, alpha male," so he should be quite entertaining to watch on screen. The 23-year-old says that he's working part-time as a sanitation worker in this preview for the new season, so he could really use the prize money. See? Joey is already very memorable.

Kam Williams

MTV

Kam works as a flight attendant, according to her show bio, so that means she never stays in one place for long (she's from Pennsauken, New Jersey), which is also not the best ingredient for a successful relationship. But Kam, 21, drops a lot of knowledge on her YouTube channel, so she's clearly an expert in the life hacks department.

Kari Kowalski

MTV

Kari works in the fashion industry, her show bio says. It's unclear exactly what she does, but she has posted some model-y shots on Instagram. And she has her sights set on becoming a doctor. Now the 22-year-old from New York, New York is hoping to conquer dating, too.

Kathryn Palmer

MTV

Kathryn is from Tallahassee, Florida and considers herself a Southern Belle, according to her cast bio. The 22-year-old seems like quite the fun-loving gal from her Instagram photos, which often feature her smiling. Unfortunately, Kathryn has a habit of falling for guys who harsh her mellow and not knowing when to let them go, her show bio says, so let's hope she learns how to let the good times roll on Are You the One?.

Michael Halpern

MTV

Michael, 24, loves the thrill of the chase and always wants the women he can't have, his show bio describes. Obviously, that's not a good approach when you're trying to find a mate. Perhaps his sister's recent wedding will inspire the Tamarac, Florida native to get serious about love.

Mike Cerasani

MTV

Remember GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry) from Jersey Shore? Well, Staten Island, New York native Mike has a similar acronym that he's going to bring to Are You the One? audiences this season: HEAT (Haircut, Eyebrows, and a Tan). The guy has done some modeling, so perhaps he does know what he's talking about in the looks department. But Mike, 25, does consider himself a player, according to his show bio, so he could definitely use some help when it comes to love.

Osvaldo Romero

MTV

Osvaldo grew up in a rough neighborhood in Chicago and was bullied for his weight as a kid, according to his cast bio. But Osvaldo became a sweetheart after all that, and now the 22-year-old lives in Glendale, California. It definitely seems like he's grown into his skin these days.

Ozzy Morales

MTV

Ozzy is originally from Costa Rica, but he left his home and gave up a promising soccer career there to move to the United States with his father, his show bio says. This moving around has put a strain on Ozzy's relationships. The 24-year-old is living in Anaheim, California these days, but sometimes Ozzy returns to Costa Rica, and we get amazing pics like this.

Shannon Duffy

MTV

Shannon lives in Valencia, California now, but the 21-year-old is originally from the Philippines. She's been burned by love in the past but is now ready to give it another shot, according to her show bio. But it looks like Shannon already has lots of love in her life from her friends, too.

Taylor Selfridge

MTV

Taylor is a teacher's aide living in Yacolt, Washington, her show bio says. We'll have to wait and see if the 22-year-old found love on Are You the One?, but it definitely seems like she's found a bestie in fellow contestant, Hannah. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of shenanigans these two get into this season.

Tyler O'Brien

MTV

Tyler is a model living in Boca Raton, Florida, but don't let that smile fool you. The 22-year-old had a tough upbringing in South Boston, his show bio says. He apparently adopted a "fake it 'til you make it" attitude, to help him get through it, which may have worked then but isn't such a good method when it comes to relationships. But Tyler does seem to show genuine enthusiasm for the things he really cares about, such as his family, so that's something.

Tyranny Todd

MTV

With a name like Tyranny, I'm expecting this chick to be a force to be reckoned with on Are You the One? this season. The 22-year-old from Augusta, Georgia does dream of ruling the courtroom one day as a judge, her cast bio says. It looks like Tyranny used to work at Hooters and has done some modeling in the past, according to her Instagram profile. Let's just hope Tyranny can learn to take control of her love life on Are You the One?.

Then again, isn't that what we should all be rooting for the entire cast to do this season?