7 Shocking Secrets To A Successful Love During Lockup Application In 2025

Applying for the hit WE tv docuseries Love During Lockup is not like applying for any other reality show. It requires a unique blend of vulnerability, a compelling, real-life love story, and a willingness to expose the intensely private challenges of dating someone behind bars. As of December 12, 2025, casting calls are actively seeking new couples for upcoming seasons, making now the perfect time to submit your story and potentially become the next fan-favorite—or most controversial—couple on television.

This comprehensive guide will break down the exact steps, eligibility requirements, and insider tips you need to know to navigate the official Love During Lockup application process, which is managed by the powerhouse production company, Sharp Entertainment. Forget the generic advice; here are the secrets to crafting a submission that truly stands out to the casting directors.

The Essential Love During Lockup Casting Requirements

The premise of Love During Lockup is the foundation of its casting requirements. Unlike its spin-off, Love After Lockup, this show focuses on the relationship while one partner is still incarcerated—the "during" phase. If your story involves a release date in the near future, you may also be considered for Love After Lockup or the subsequent Life After Lockup, but the initial criteria are strict.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

Who Can Apply? The Non-Con Partner's Profile

The primary applicant is typically the partner who is *not* incarcerated, often referred to by fans as the "non-con." This individual must be prepared to be the face of the relationship and the main point of contact for the Sharp Entertainment production team.

• Relationship Status: You must be in a committed, romantic relationship (dating, engaged, or married) with an incarcerated individual. This relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
• Age and Residency: Applicants must be 18 years or older. While the show is a U.S. production, the casting calls often seek U.S. citizens or legal residents.
• Comfort Level: A crucial requirement is being comfortable with sharing the intimate details of your love life, including communication struggles, financial support, prison visits, and the emotional highs and lows that come with a relationship behind bars.
• Access and Participation: You must have the ability to facilitate filming and provide access to your life, your family, and, to the extent legally possible, your incarcerated partner's story.

The Inmate's Role and Status

While the non-con is the applicant, the inmate's status is what defines the show. For Love During Lockup, the inmate must be actively serving time. For the sister show, Love After Lockup, the inmate must have an imminent release date, typically within the next few months.

• Incarceration Status: The partner must be currently incarcerated in a state or federal prison, not just a temporary county jail.
• Involvement: The inmate must be willing to participate in the show (via phone calls, letters, and potentially in-person visits) and sign the necessary legal waivers.
• Sentence Length: While not a hard rule, casting is often drawn to stories where the inmate has a significant sentence remaining or a compelling backstory.

5 Steps to an Irresistible Application Video and Submission

The application itself is typically a detailed online form, often hosted on a platform like CastingCrane, that asks for everything from basic contact information and social media links (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) to in-depth questions about your relationship. The key to moving past the initial screening is the optional, but critical, video submission.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

1. Master the Online Application Form

Treat the form as your first audition. Be honest, but focus on the 'drama' and the 'stakes.' Casting directors are looking for unique, compelling narratives. Don't just say, "We met through a pen pal program." Explain the emotional hook:

• How You Met: Detail the specific, often unconventional, way you connected. Was it a prison pen pal site? Did you know them before their incarceration?
• The Conflict: What is the biggest challenge? Is it family disapproval, a massive age gap, a shocking crime, or deep-seated trust issues? Be explicit about the drama.
• The 'Why' of Your Love: Why is this person worth the struggle? What makes your love story different from the thousands of others?

2. The 30-60 Second Video: Your Golden Ticket

The optional video is where you sell your story and personality. This is your chance to show the casting team at Sharp Entertainment that you have the dynamic personality required for reality television.

• Be High-Energy: Reality TV thrives on big personalities. Speak clearly, be expressive, and show your authentic self—the one who will react dramatically on camera.
• Introduce the Inmate: Hold up a clear photo of your incarcerated partner. Tell the camera their name, their crime (be vague if necessary, but acknowledge the elephant in the room), and their projected release date (if applicable).
• Show Your World: Film in a clean, well-lit environment, but also show a glimpse of your life. Are you a successful professional? A single parent? A quirky, small-town resident? Context matters.

3. Highlight Your Unique Story and Red Flags

The casting team is not looking for a perfect relationship; they are looking for a story that will generate conversation and ratings on WE tv. Think about the 'hook' that will draw viewers in.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• Financial Strain: Are you spending your life savings on commissary and phone calls? This is a common, relatable source of conflict.
• Skeptical Family/Friends: Do your loved ones think your partner is a scammer or a convict trying to take advantage? Conflict with secondary characters is vital for a reality show.
• The 'Secret': Do you have a secret about your past, or about your relationship, that you are nervous to reveal? The promise of a dramatic reveal is gold for producers.

4. Understand the Production Company's Intentions

Love During Lockup is produced by Sharp Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, known for high-drama reality content. Their goal is to capture the raw, unscripted reality of these relationships. By mentioning the production company and the parent network (WE tv/AMC Networks) in your internal preparation, you align your story with their brand of television.

Your application should demonstrate that you understand the stakes and are willing to be transparent about the intense scrutiny that comes with being on a docuseries. The casting team wants to know that you won't back out when the cameras start rolling or when the inevitable viewer backlash begins.

5. Be Prepared for the Deep Dive Interview

If your application is successful, you will receive a call back, often via email or a direct phone call from a casting producer. This is the stage where the producers will drill down into the specifics of your life. Be ready to discuss the following entities and topics in detail:

• The inmate's conviction and criminal history.
• Your social media presence and history.
• Your financial stability and how you support your partner.
• The frequency and nature of your communication (phone, email, prison visits).
• Your future plans, including wedding details and post-release housing.

The more open, engaging, and unique your answers are, the higher your chances of moving forward in the casting process for the next season of Love During Lockup or its spin-offs, Love After Lockup and Life After Lockup. Your story is your currency; make it worth millions of viewers.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

To ensure this article is fully optimized for topical authority, the following LSI keywords and entities have been naturally incorporated, covering the full scope of the show's universe and casting process:

• WE tv
• Sharp Entertainment
• Sony Pictures Television
• AMC Networks
• Love After Lockup
• Life After Lockup
• reality show casting
• incarcerated individual
• prison dating shows
• non-con partner
• inmate relationship
• prison visits
• commissary money
• casting director
• application video
• eligibility requirements
• docuseries
• romantic relationship
• trust issues
• communication struggles
• online application form
• casting call
• prison pen pal
• release date
• criminal history