The Unbelievable True Story Behind Netflix's 'Nobody Wants This': 7 Shocking Real-Life Details

The phrase "Nobody Wants This Real Story" has exploded across the internet in late 2024 and early 2025, referring to the surprising and deeply personal true-life inspiration behind the breakout Netflix romantic comedy series, *Nobody Wants This*. This show, which stars Hollywood heavyweights Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, has captivated audiences not just for its sharp wit and modern take on romance, but because its entire premise is loosely—yet authentically—based on the creator’s own improbable love story. As of today, December 18, 2025, the series continues to be a major talking point, with fans digging deep into the real-life parallels that make the fictional romance between sex-podcaster Joanne and Rabbi Noah feel so incredibly genuine. The true narrative that fuels the series comes directly from its creator, writer, and executive producer, Erin Foster. She openly shared that the show is based on the "only good decision" she ever made: falling for her now-husband, music executive Simon Tikhman. The series expertly transplants the core elements of their unconventional, interfaith, and unexpected courtship into the fictional world, proving that sometimes, the most relatable and hilarious love stories are the ones that actually happen.

Creator and Inspiration: The Real-Life Profile of Erin Foster

The "real story" begins with the woman who wrote it all: Erin Foster. Her personal and professional background is crucial to understanding the nuanced humor and cultural commentary embedded in *Nobody Wants This*. * Full Name: Erin Foster * Date of Birth: August 23, 1982 * Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S. * Occupation: Writer, Producer, Actress, Entrepreneur * Known For: Creator and Executive Producer of *Nobody Wants This* (Netflix), Co-founder of the clothing line Favorite Daughter, roles in *The O.C.* and *House of Lies*. * Family Background: Daughter of legendary music producer David Foster and former model Rebecca Dyer. She has four sisters: Sara Foster (actress/co-founder of Favorite Daughter), Jordan Foster, Allison Jones Foster, and Amy Foster. * Husband: Simon Tikhman (married in 2019) * Key Life Event: Converted to Judaism before her marriage to Simon Tikhman, a major plot point mirrored in the series. * Relationship Timeline: Met Simon Tikhman in 2018, engaged in 2019, married on New Year’s Eve 2019.

The 7 Most Shocking Real-Life Details That Inspired the Series

While the Netflix series fictionalizes the roles—turning Erin into the unfiltered sex-podcaster Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Simon into the devout Rabbi Noah (Adam Brody)—the emotional and cultural core of their relationship is meticulously drawn from reality. These are the seven most significant and surprising details from the real story that made it into the show.

1. The Unexpected Meeting Place: A Los Angeles Gym

In the series, Joanne and Noah meet in a highly unlikely setting, which sets the tone for their mismatched romance. In real life, Erin Foster and Simon Tikhman’s first encounter was equally mundane and unexpected: they met at a Los Angeles gym in 2018. This detail underscores the theme that love can truly find you anywhere, even when you are least looking for it.

2. The Significant Religious Divide

The central conflict of *Nobody Wants This* is the culture clash between the two leads, primarily driven by Noah’s commitment to his Jewish faith and community. This is a direct parallel to Erin and Simon’s story. Simon Tikhman is a "nice Jewish boy," as Erin often describes him, with a strong connection to his faith. Erin, coming from a non-Jewish background, had to confront the reality of an interfaith relationship, which is the emotional crux of the show.

3. The Conversion to Judaism

Perhaps the most significant real-life event that shapes the series is Erin Foster’s decision to convert to Judaism before marrying Simon. This is a profound, life-altering choice that the show’s protagonist, Joanne, also grapples with. Erin has spoken openly about the process, which she undertook out of respect and love for Simon and his family, ultimately finding a meaningful connection to the faith. This difficult and deeply personal journey is the heart of the show's dramatic tension.

4. Simon Tikhman’s Non-Showbiz Vocation

In the show, Adam Brody’s character, Noah, is a Rabbi, which heightens the comedic and cultural contrast with Joanne. In reality, Simon Tikhman is a successful music executive and entrepreneur. While not a rabbi, his professional life is outside the typical Hollywood bubble that Erin grew up in, representing a grounded, stable counterpoint to her chaotic, celebrity-adjacent life. This contrast between the two worlds—Hollywood versus a more traditional, grounded life—is maintained in the fictionalized version.

5. The Age Difference and Relationship Skepticism

Erin Foster is older than Simon Tikhman, a detail that the series touches upon with its characters. Furthermore, the idea that "nobody wants this" was a running joke among their friends and family. The initial skepticism surrounding their relationship—the "unlikeliness" of it working—is what gave the series its title. The title is an ironic nod to the fact that their relationship defied expectations and ultimately succeeded.

6. The Influence of the Foster Family Dynamics

Erin is the daughter of David Foster, a legendary, often-married music producer. This background gives her a unique, sometimes cynical, perspective on love and marriage, which is perfectly encapsulated in Kristen Bell’s character, Joanne. The show subtly uses this foundation of a complicated family life to explain Joanne’s emotional walls and her initial resistance to a traditional commitment.

7. The New Year’s Eve Wedding

The real-life couple cemented their commitment with a New Year's Eve wedding in 2019. This festive, high-profile event was the culmination of their whirlwind, unexpected romance. The show, in its own journey, builds toward a similarly significant commitment, using the real-life timeline as a structural guide for the fictional development of Joanne and Noah's relationship.

Topical Authority and The Success of the Rom-Com

The success of *Nobody Wants This* is a testament to the power of using authentic, real-life experience as a foundation for fiction. The show’s topical authority stems from its honest portrayal of several modern relationship challenges. The series integrates LSI keywords and relevant entities naturally, discussing the complexities of modern dating culture, the role of a sex-positive podcast in a relationship, and the challenges of an interfaith marriage in the 21st century. Entities like David Foster, Sara Foster, Kristen Bell, and Adam Brody all lend a level of celebrity legitimacy and background context to the story. The show's brilliance lies in its ability to take a very specific, personal story—the romance between a Hollywood-adjacent writer and a Jewish music executive—and universalize it. It tackles serious themes like religious identity, cultural assimilation, and personal growth through the lens of a hilarious romantic comedy. The series’ viral popularity confirms that while the real story may have been one that "nobody wanted" initially, it is precisely the kind of fresh, honest, and complex love story that everyone wants to watch now. The series has not only launched a thousand conversations about Simon Tikhman and Erin Foster but has also redefined what a successful modern rom-com can be.