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Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This” Is Based on a True Story, and Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Real Couple

If you’ve been on Netflix recently, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a new No. 1 show in the US. Nobody wants this is a brand new romantic comedy series that has everyone talking.

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in cozy attire in a scene from "Nobody wants this"Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in cozy attire in a scene from "Nobody wants this"

Netflix

Starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell Nobody wants this follows Joanne (Bell) and Noah (Brody), an agnostic podcast host and an unconventional rabbi who seem like an unlikely pair on paper. But after meeting at a party and going out together, they can’t help but realize that there is something between them.

A scene from "Nobody wants this" where Noah tells Joanne that it would kill him if he ever broke her heartA scene from "Nobody wants this" where Noah tells Joanne that it would kill him if he ever broke her heart

With their different views on life, combined with modern dating obstacles and some well-meaning but sabotaging family members, Joanne and Noah could be the answer the other has been looking for.

Netflix

Since the series debuted on Netflix, everyone has been talking about Adam and Kristen’s electric chemistry on the series, in addition to how much they love Joanne and Noah’s relationship.

A scene from "Nobody wants this" where Kristen Bell and Adam Brody kiss on a sidewalkA scene from "Nobody wants this" where Kristen Bell and Adam Brody kiss on a sidewalk

Netflix

And it turns out that Joanne and Noah are actually based on series creator Erin Foster and her husband, music director Simon Tikhman.

So if you’re curious like me, here are just 15 facts about the real-life couple who inspired Nobody wants this:

There are obviously HUGE spoilers ahead!

1.First, Erin Foster and Simon Tikhman met for the first time in 2018 at a gym in LA. In an interview with the LA Times, Erin said that during their first conversation “over juicing at the gym,” Simon said that anyone he marries “has to be Jewish.”

2.Erin, the daughter of songwriter David Foster and model Rebecca Dyer, told the LA Times that given her “complicated family structure,” religion and tradition were always something she was drawn to. Before meeting Simon, she even took a few classes on Judaism with her friend.

Erin Foster and David Foster together on a red carpetErin Foster and David Foster together on a red carpet

3.Meanwhile, Simon is a music manager who co-founded a music talent management company, Core Entertainment. He works with bands like Nickelback and country singers like Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith.

Erin Foster and her husband Simon Tikhman together at an eventErin Foster and her husband Simon Tikhman together at an event

Simon’s parents emigrated to the US from the former Soviet Union in 1979.

Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

4.As seen in the episode “The Ick” of Nobody wants thisWhen Simon first met Erin’s mother, he brought a large bouquet of sunflowers to a restaurant where they met. She told Vulture, “The flowers were so tall and they kept falling over. As I sat there I thought: Well, when someone cares so much, it feels like a weakness.

A scene from "Nobody wants this" with Noah holding a huge bouquet of sunflowersA scene from "Nobody wants this" with Noah holding a huge bouquet of sunflowers

Erin said as she told the sunflower story in the Nobody wants this writers’ room, “the men were stunned, but the women got it right away.” She added, “That made me feel like it was a good story to tell.”

Netflix

5.And like Noah, Simon didn’t let the sunflower incident end their relationship. Erin recalled to Vulture, “Simon said, ‘Get over it. I care what your parents think because I want to marry you.” I was so in love with him at that moment.”

Adam Brody and Kristen Bell have a serious conversation outside in a scene from Nobody Wants ThisAdam Brody and Kristen Bell have a serious conversation outside in a scene from Nobody Wants This

Simon recalled in the same Vulture interview, “Personally, I don’t remember the sunflowers being that big. But I do remember driving home and thinking: It’s not about the flowers.”

Netflix

6.Erin converted to Judaism for Simon. Part of the conversion process involved completing a ten-week program at the American Jewish University. Before their wedding, Erin and Simon both took an eight-week Choosing Judaism course.

7.While Nobody wants this shows Noah’s family not liking Joanne because she is not Jewish. Erin said Simon’s family wasn’t like that. However, initially they were “skeptical”.

8.Erin said that converting to Judaism actually connected her and Simon’s parents “in such a wonderful way.” She told the LA Times: “They honestly never had a problem with me because it was such an honor for them that I converted to Judaism.”

9.Simon proposed to Erin in 2019 while planning a very elaborate fake wedding weekend in Napa. Little did she know, Erin’s family was in Napa to celebrate the big surprise with them. Simon had “balloons and signs for this fake wedding,” just to make the illusion as real as possible.

10.The duo got married on New Year’s Eve 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to Simon and Erin’s families, the special evening was also attended by Kate Hudson, Rachel Zoe and more.

11.Originally, Simon was worried about Erin selling a TV show about their life together – she didn’t tell him she was doing it. He told the LA Times: “I come from a very private family.” Erin was so concerned after Simon said he felt uncomfortable with the idea that she “immediately panicked.”

A scene from "Nobody wants this" with Noah and Joanne talking, illuminated by a street lampA scene from "Nobody wants this" with Noah and Joanne talking, illuminated by a street lamp

12.Finally Simon stepped in Nobody wants thisespecially because his parents were okay with it too. He told Vulture, “(Erin’s) voice is such an honest voice. I know when she says things it would be a disservice to tell her not to. But I also know that Erin knows where the line is.”

A scene from "Nobody wants this" with Noah and Joanne dancing togetherA scene from "Nobody wants this" with Noah and Joanne dancing together

13.Erin told The Today Show that the thing is in there Nobody wants this the one that most closely resembles her real-life relationship is the “emotional journey.” Like Joanne, she was really ‘set’ and in habits before she met Simon.

Joanne tells Noah about her fear of falling in love and then about the person leaving her, and Noah assures her that her honesty is very attractiveJoanne tells Noah about her fear of falling in love and then about the person leaving her, and Noah assures her that her honesty is very attractive

14.Erin and Simon welcomed their first child together in May 2024. Their daughter, Noa, was born at home after “more than 20 failed rounds of IVF.”

15.And finally, Erin calls Nobody wants this ‘a love letter’ to Simon, especially after years of assuming that a long-term relationship was not in the cards for her.

What were you thinking? Nobody wants this? Tell us all in the comments below!