Inside Simon Tikhman And Erin Foster’S Hollywood Love Story: The Man Behind ‘Nobody Wants This’

Simon Tikhman: The Music Mogul Who Captured Erin Foster’s Heart

Los Angeles is no stranger to epic love stories, but the romance between Erin Foster, creator of Netflix’s ‘Nobody Wants This,’ and Simon Tikhman is one for the Hollywood history books. Married since 2019, this couple’s journey from gym flirtations to family life has all the drama of a red-carpet premiere - and it’s the real-life inspo behind the hit rom-com series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody.

Foster, daughter of music legend David Foster, found her match in Tikhman, a San Francisco native turned LA music executive. While the show paints him as a ‘hot rabbi,’ IRL Simon’s no man of the cloth - he’s a powerhouse in the industry, co-founding The Core Entertainment with partner Kevin ‘Chief’ Zaruk. His company’s collabs with giants like Live Nation and Universal Music Group prove he’s got the same SoCal hustle as his famous father-in-law.

Tikhman’s roots trace back to Russian-Jewish parents, Anatoly and Marina, who escaped persecution in the Soviet Union in 1979, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. That heritage plays a huge role in his life - and in his love story with Foster - giving their relationship a cultural depth that’s pure storytelling gold.

How They Met: A Beverly Hills Gym Romance

Picture this: it’s 2018, and the sun’s shining over Beverly Hills - classic SoCal vibes. Erin Foster spots a cute guy doing pull-ups at Studeo gym, and boom, sparks fly. That guy? Simon Tikhman. Their meet-cute could be straight out of a rom-com script, with Erin admitting on her podcast that she couldn’t stop noticing the ‘cute guy smiling’ at her during those 9 a.m. sweat sessions.

Erin made the first move, sliding into Simon’s DMs by requesting to follow his private Instagram. After a few days of hesitation, Simon hit ‘accept,’ and a casual juice shop hangout in Bev Hills sealed the deal, per People. Erin even joked on her pod, ‘I had to lock this down with marriage - I wasn’t giving up my prime gym slot!’

‘I knew Simon was different from the jump - he’s got this old-school charm mixed with a modern edge that just pulled me in,’ Erin shared with The Los Angeles Times, reflecting on what made her fall hard.

From Napa Proposals to Netflix Inspiration

Their romance moved faster than rush hour on the 405. After dating since 2018, Simon popped the question in Napa Valley in August 2019, and by New Year’s Eve that year, they were saying ‘I do’ in Nashville. Their love story became the beating heart of ‘Nobody Wants This,’ with Erin telling Tudum, ‘This show is how I see love now - beautiful, healthy, and fun, unlike the cynicism I used to carry.’

In the series, Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcaster Joanne falls for Adam Brody’s rabbi Noah, mirroring the cultural crossroads Erin and Simon navigated. Crafting the show let Erin unpack the challenges of blending two worlds, turning personal hurdles into laugh-out-loud TV moments that have fans hooked.

The real-life twist? Simon wasn’t initially thrilled about their story going public. He’s a private guy, and according to The Los Angeles Times, he ‘freaked out’ when Erin sold the show idea. But with time, he came around, recognizing her talent as a writer - and even becoming her muse.

Religion and Roots: A Personal Journey

Converting for Love

One of the biggest parallels between ‘Nobody Wants This’ and reality is the role of faith. Simon, deeply tied to his Jewish heritage due to his family’s history of persecution, told Erin early on that his future wife needed to be Jewish, per The Los Angeles Times. For Erin, who didn’t grow up with strong religious traditions, this was a turning point.

Far from being daunted, Erin embraced the idea of conversion, craving the sense of tradition she’d missed in her own ‘complicated family structure’ - her dad David Foster has been married five times. As she told Tudum, ‘I chose Judaism as an adult, and I wanted to tell a Jewish story from an outsider’s lens.’

Honoring Family Legacy

For Simon, continuing his Jewish lineage isn’t just personal - it’s a tribute to his parents’ struggles. While he doesn’t see himself as super religious, the weight of their past shaped his values. As he shared with The Los Angeles Times, disappointing them was never an option.

Erin’s conversion wasn’t just a plot point for the show - it was a life-altering choice that deepened their bond. It’s the kind of story that resonates with anyone who’s ever reshaped themselves for love, especially in a city like LA where reinvention is practically in the air.

Welcoming Noa: A New Chapter

Fast forward to 2024, and this power couple added a new member to their squad. On May 19, Erin and Simon welcomed their daughter, Noa Mimi Tikhman, two weeks early via a home birth after six years and 20 rounds of IVF, per The Los Angeles Times. Erin shared the raw, emotional moment on Instagram, calling it ‘the most insane experience of my life, with the best ending.’

She even gave a shout-out to Simon, joking, ‘Simon wants y’all to know he’s a warrior too.’ Fun fact: fans of ‘Nobody Wants This’ might notice the name Noa also belongs to Adam Brody’s rabbi character - a sweet nod to their real-life bundle of joy.

This family milestone is just the latest chapter in a love story that’s as captivating off-screen as it is on Netflix. From the gyms of Beverly Hills to the vineyards of Napa, Simon and Erin are proof that sometimes, the best LA stories don’t need a script.

Simon’s Hesitation Turned to Pride

‘Nobody Wants This’ is a critical darling, snagging three Emmy noms in its first season alone. But Simon wasn’t always on board with his life hitting the small screen. The Los Angeles Times reports he initially asked Erin to scrap the project, worried about the spotlight on their private world.

Erin hesitated too, scared of straining their bond, and delayed writing the pilot. But with guidance from exec producer Steve Levitan of ‘Modern Family’ fame, she amped up the stakes - swapping a regular Jewish-gentile romance for a rabbi-gentile clash. That creative pivot paid off big time.

Eventually, Simon came around, telling The Los Angeles Times he sees Erin’s brilliance as a writer. Erin summed it up best to the outlet: ‘I’m obsessed with Simon; he’s my muse. This show is my love letter to him.’ Talk about a Hollywood ending - or, better yet, a new beginning.