Balancing dating with your career can be difficult. However, for TikTok user Bella Rome (@yogawithpoot), the nature of her job means that things can get uncomfortable fast.
While everyone has experienced an awkward first date every once in a while, Rome explained that, in her line of work, dating can be especially challenging.
This is because Rome is actually a successful exclusive content creator on an adult-centric platform—and is so well known, in fact, that she got recognized in public during a date.
What Happened On The First Date?
In the video, which has amassed 100,000 views, she explained a recent date scenario.
“The thing about my job is that it’s awkward dating,” she began. “Picture this: I’m on a first date with a guy, we’re at the beach watching the sunset, and out the corner of my eye, I see a man walking up to me. So he asks me: ‘Are you Bella Rome?’ I say, ‘Yeah,’ he said: ‘Oh, I’m such a big fan.’”
“We all know what you’re a big fan of,” Rome quipped.
She continued, “I say, ‘Oh that’s awesome, you know?’ And he’s like, ‘Can I have a picture?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah of course.’ But then, after, I knew this was coming, after my date looks at me and he goes, ‘Wait, what do you do for a living?’”
“Sir? Sir,” she added. “You don’t want to know.”
BroBible reached out to Rome via Instagram direct message.
How Did Commenters React To The Date?
Some reacted with curiosity. “I wanna know,” one wrote. “I have questions.”
“Why,” a second asked. “What do you do?”
A third asked if she was an “accountant,” which is a popular euphemism used on platforms like TikTok.
Meanwhile, other commenters were able to work out her line of work and argued it shouldn’t really make a difference.
“Anyone who has an issue with your employment, regardless of what it is, is going to make trouble for you later,” a fourth advised. “I say let them self select themselves out of your life.”
While a fifth added, “If I’m on a date with you and I don’t know what you do for a living I don’t care. I’m there to get to know you not your income. Somebody approaches for an autograph then I assume you’ll tell me eventually.”
Is There A Stigma Around Dating Exclusive Content Creators?
Over on the r/AskMenAdvice subreddit, one user posed the question: Would you date someone who creates such content? For the most part, the men in the comments seemed to indicate that they wouldn’t.
“I’d say no. But I’d say no to anyone who makes their living off getting attention online. I, a single person, cannot compete with that level of attention,” one said. “So I’m not even going to try.”
Another said, “Of course not. Most men wouldn’t. Recreational use only. If you make bad decisions then you have to suffer the consequences of your actions.”
@yogawithpoot we both were just like silent after that ,,, #fyp #dating #datingapps #horrorstoriestok
However, it’s worth noting that research has shown that 63% of adult-centric platform users are, on average, male. So, it’s arguable that given so many men are comfortable consuming this type of content, they’re employing a slight double standard when it comes to who they are dating.
Plus, just because your date is such a model, that doesn’t automatically make it the worst first date you’ve ever been on.