A millennial woman has captured the internet by ditching the apps and employing a matchmaker in a quest for long-term love.
Taylor Bannks (@taylorbannks), 33, an operational manager, took to TikTok to chronicle her journey after enlisting the help of a New York City matchmaker.
Her first date experience, shared on the platform, quickly went viral, amassing 210,800 likes and 2 million views. "I used to watch Millionaire Matchmaker, but never thought it was something accessible for me," Bannks told Newsweek, admitting she initially feared it might be a scam.
She finally decided to take the plunge after spotting an Instagram ad for a boutique Manhattan service. She had considered using a matchmaker for some time, but previous consultations with larger providers left her feeling uncomfortable.
The Matchmaking Journey
The service required an upfront payment, guaranteeing Bannks at least four dates over three months. To kick off the process, she completed a detailed 30-question survey covering everything from height preferences to political views.
She even submitted photos of past partners to help the matchmaker identify her physical type. This was followed by an hour-long Zoom call to discuss her ideal match.
Soon after, her matchmaker found a potential partner and shared his very brief profile, complete with a few photos.
Bannks agreed to the date. Unlike conventional online dating, she had no prior interaction with her date—the matchmaker handled all the arrangements, including setting up the time and place.
"I was kinda nervous, it was totally new territory," she said.
When Bannks arrived at the restaurant, the hostess led her to her date. "The restaurant was crowded, and I was a bit nervous, but then I saw him," Bannks recalled in her TikTok video.
She was pleasantly surprised. "He's cute," she thought to herself when she first saw him.
The evening unfolded smoothly, with her date's chivalry and conversation putting her at ease. "I tend to be on the quieter side, but he made me feel comfortable. The date went really well—I was shocked at how well it went," she shared.
After the date, rather than exchanging numbers, both Bannks and her date provided feedback to the matchmaker.
They rated each other on a scale from one to five and answered questions about their compatibility, any conflicts, and whether they'd like to see each other again. Bannks rated her date highly, and after a follow-up debrief with her matchmaker, she was thrilled to learn that the feeling was mutual.
Her matchmaker then provided the man with her phone number so he could get in touch.
Bannks credits her matchmaker for making such a thoughtful match and is excited to see what the future holds as she continues the process with other potential partners.
Her non-negotiables in a relationship include security, ambition, and mutual respect without any competition, and her matchmaker praised her being sure in what she wants in a match, which eases the process.
The process will continue until Bannks finds a connection she wants to be exclusive with.
Finding Authentic Connections Amid Dating App Fatigue
Statistics published by Forbes in the "Dating App Fatigue" survey highlight a growing trend of individuals becoming disillusioned with modern-day dating.
Eighty percent of millennial dating app users reported feeling exhausted and burnt-out by their experiences.
Reflecting on her decision to move away from dating apps, Bannks expresses relief. "The caliber of people and how the date went were light years ahead of app dating," she said.
"New York is a tough city to date in—people are always on the go and focused on their careers. Matchmaking has brought a human touch back to dating for me. It feels more genuine. I don't think a computer or algorithm should be making these choices," she added.
TikTok Reacts
TikTok users were invested in Bannks' matchmaking journey and shared their positive experiences.
With three matches left and a second date with a new man scheduled for the end of August, Bannks is eager to keep her followers updated on her journey.
"Girl I'm invested! Don't leave me on a cliffhanger," said Estefani.
"I used a Matchmaker on the third date met the man I've been with for 10 years. Much better than online dating. Men are serious and invested," said one viewer.
"More people should use matchmakers!! I think they'd work out waaaay better than the apps," said another user.
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