[1][2] The term came to the attention of the mainstream on the non-scripted American television show Big Brother when it was first used by Will Kirby in 2001.
In some competitive reality tv shows (Big Brother or Survivor), contestants often engaged in a showmance for strategic purposes.
[5][6] With very few exceptions, almost all showmance cases end as soon as the theater piece, or the television series or reality show is over.
[7] Although mostly involving two persons, it may also possibly extend into a three-way showmance or foursome often accompanied with real or acted rivalries and jealousies.
The term has moved to broader general use, describing any "contrived romance", also known as a relationship between two people, when either or both "act out" or fake being in love without meaning it, or in many cases with ulterior motives, like benefiting from the other party or misusing and abusing their feelings.