Pride Month is getting a new dating series with the launch of “Heyy Gay!”, an LGBTQ-focused show created by TV veteran and fashion influencer Darren Kennedy. The series will debut on YouTube and Instagram, bringing a social-first format to the dating genre at a time when many viewers are looking for more personal and spontaneous ways to connect.
Kennedy said he was inspired by the limits of modern dating culture, which is often shaped by swiping, algorithms and screens. He explained that the idea behind the show was to encourage real-life chemistry by placing strangers face-to-face and letting genuine interaction unfold naturally. According to Kennedy, he has long had an instinct for matchmaking in his personal life, and the new project gave him the chance to turn that skill into a professional format.
He described the show as a response to a wider craving for more human, playful and authentic connection. In his view, dating has become too automated and detached, and “Heyy Gay!” aims to create space for something more immediate and entertaining.
The series is being produced by MixTape Content House, the production company founded by former Hello Sunshine unscripted executive Sue Kinkead and director Ryan Bunnell. Kinkead praised the partnership, calling Kennedy a natural host who combines humor, charm and a genuine interest in helping people connect. She also noted that his background includes at least one successful match, which she said made him especially well suited to lead the show.
Kennedy has built a wide media career across television, fashion and digital platforms. He is a contributing editor at The Daily Front Row and has appeared on several major programs, including “Dancing with the Stars Ireland,” NBC’s “Access Daily,” BBC One’s “You Are What You Wear,” “Virgin Media Television’s The Six O’Clock,” and ITV’s “This Morning.” His documentary “Gay Daddy” was described as a landmark moment in Irish television, while “The Unemployables,” a format he co-created and hosted, received a nomination for best new TV format at the European Broadcasting Union Awards.
With “Heyy Gay!”, Kennedy is adding another project to a career that has moved between entertainment, style and advocacy. The show arrives as Pride Month continues to spotlight LGBTQ stories and representation across media, and its digital-first approach reflects the growing role of short-form and social video platforms in shaping new entertainment formats.
