They embark on a nationwide quest for love.
In the new series “Swiping America,” four single individuals from New York City set out to explore the dating scenes in different parts of the country. Premiering on June 15, the show, which describes itself as a “rom doc” (romantic documentary), will be available on Max (formerly HBO Max).
The focus is on four individuals: Ashleigh Warren, a 31-year-old lesbian entrepreneur; Reagan Baker, a 38-year-old hairstylist; Kesun Lee, a 36-year-old realtor; and Krishnanand “Kris” Kelkar, a 30-year-old gay data scientist.
Baker expressed, “I wouldn’t say I was tired of the dating scene in New York, but it did feel overwhelming. Taking a step back from that environment was refreshing and allowed me to reset.”
Across eight episodes, the series follows these singles as they visit eight different cities: Asheville, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Miami, Florida; Austin, Texas; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Boulder, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; and Honolulu, Hawaii.
While in these cities, they utilize dating apps to find potential partners and go on dates, all while being filmed. Baker admitted, “Having cameras around sometimes affected my confidence. There were moments where I’d ask awkward questions like, ‘So… what’s your favorite color?’ But that’s part of the dating experience.”
Opinions varied among the singles regarding which cities offered the best dating experiences. Baker shared her surprise, saying, “I really enjoyed dating in Asheville, which was one of my favorite cities. However, my castmates didn’t share the same sentiment. Growing up in Tennessee, I felt a bit of a familiar connection there.”
All the singles acknowledged the diversity present in each city’s dating scene. Baker remarked, “In Boulder, for example, outdoor activities like hiking are popular, which is quite different from New York. Miami stood out to me as well. Santa Fe and Boulder attracted more outdoorsy individuals. But ultimately, people are people, regardless of the location.”
Kelkar noted significant variations in the gay dating scene across the different cities. He explained, “For the gay community, apps like Grindr or Scruff, which focus more on casual encounters, display nearby potential matches. In Santa Fe, for instance, I only had two options in the entire city. So, finding queer spaces and communities to date is quite different compared to New York.”
Both Baker and Kelkar expressed a newfound appreciation for the dating scene in New York after participating in “Swiping America.” Baker admitted, “I missed dating in New York because I find the men there to be incredibly engaging and impressive. I have high standards, which I take pride in.” She acknowledged that her standards encompassed personality and intellect and confessed to having dated individuals who may not have been conventionally attractive.
Reflecting on the experience, she added, “I realized that I was keeping people around even when they didn’t see a future with me, or when I didn’t see one with them. It felt safe to have someone around just for the sake of having someone. In New York, it’s common to juggle five to seven such connections simultaneously. But I’ve learned that this doesn’t work for me. I value deeper connections.”
Kelkar expressed his hope that viewers would relate to their experiences, saying, “We all have insecurities, and dating is a deeply personal experience. There’s a prevailing notion that if a guy isn’t interested, you should cut ties completely. While it’s important to stand up for yourself when respect is lacking, true courage lies in putting yourself out there and remaining open to unexpected possibilities.”
