Montrealer shares experience on YouTube series ‘Game, Set, Matchmaker’
Posted September 18, 2025 11:48 am.
Last Updated September 18, 2025 3:44 pm.
It’s all about love and much more, according to Montrealer Anthony Pacella, regarding his participation in the American dating show called “Game, Set, Matchmaker.”
The YouTube series follows eight couples on their first date at the recent 2025 US Open in New York.
“Honestly, it was such a surreal experience. Going on a blind date, my first blind date, and just being with all the mics and all the cameras. But I think I did pretty well, I have to say,” said Pacella, when asked about his experience.
Pacella has become a familiar name for his philanthropic commitment.
The 30-year-old Montrealer lost his mom, Mary Melillo Pacella, to lung cancer when he was 15, and since then, he has raised over $200,000 for charity, granting nine wishes to children affected by critical illness. A constant effort to make his mother proud — even in New York.
“I actually wore a key chain. And I just got it done recently. And it was a picture of my mom and I. My whole life, I just wanted to make her proud. And I was like, this is such a surreal experience for me. And I’m like, how else could I do this by just bringing her with me? So I had her on my, near my heart,” he explained.
“My father was a bit nervous in the beginning, just because he wasn’t sure what this was going to lead up to, but I watched it with him and it was super cute, because he was just watching it so much,” he said. “Which it’s a bit nervous, because I don’t know. No one wants their parents to see them on a date. So the fact that it was a blind date, he was smiling. So I think he liked it. So I don’t know if I would ever show my dad other dates. But this was OK, a little pass.”
Angelo Pacella, Anthony’s father said, “I’m proud of him. And I love him a lot, that’s all.”
As the only Canadian participating, Pacella says it was important for him to represent Montreal and the 2SLGBTQ+ community in a dating show tied to sport.
“I love that this show said, we’re going to do different. We’re going to do all different ages, races, sexual orientation, all of this. Let’s all put this all in eight episodes, which I think is super unique. And I think more shows should start doing that, being open to everything,” he explained.
“I feel like in the U.S., there’s a bit of regression when it comes to people’s rights and to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. But I was so nice to see that this show was taking a good step in the right direction. And I hope this potentially could open up doors to other things. And we see more good and love in the world, because I think that’s what we need in 2025.”
