Getting personal with the top 20 bachelors and bachelorettes in Baltimore.
Edited by Hilary Geisbert and Lydia Woolever
Photography by David Colwell
Special thanks to South Moon Under Harbor East for helping some of our singles with wardrobe styling.
Let’s be honest: Being single isn’t easy. These days, with Facebook and photo filters and fine-tuned dating profiles, it’s harder than ever to figure out what—and who—is real. We decided to cut the bull and ask Baltimore’s 20 hottest singles to answer our most intimate questions, straight up. In doing so, we found that honesty is indeed the best policy, fact is greater than fiction, and there’s nothing cooler than telling it like it is.
Jasmine Simms
26, owner of Scrub Nail Boutique; never been married; one daughter, 2 1/2
What type of relationship are you looking for? An honest relationship—someone I can share a lot of laughs with and enjoy good food, good wine, and good company. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? They’ve made it easier to find a prospect you might not have come in contact with otherwise. Celebrity crush: Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: I want to run in my first marathon. Favorite place in Baltimore: Hampden—it has some of my favorite restaurants. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I’m definitely not against it. I’m willing to go wherever my career and life takes me, but there’s nothing like home. Describe your perfect fit: Funny, spontaneous, and transparent. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I don’t think it’s my place to find him; it’s his place to find me.
JOHN DeSIMONE
24, financial associate; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? I’m not really sure. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I Tinder as much as the next guy. Never met up with anyone, though—I’m always afraid I’ll be murdered. Celebrity crush: 1998 Jennifer Aniston. One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: I have a tentative trip planned to Southeast Asia. I’ve always wanted to ride an elephant while eating pad Thai. Favorite place in Baltimore: Harbor East during the holidays. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I’m open to the possibility—I love my hometown. Describe your perfect fit: Patient, intelligent, and someone who gets most (can’t hope for all) of my jokes. Why haven’t you found the one yet? It’s hard to find someone who likes Thai food as much as I do.
Matthew Riggin
30; wealth advisor at Morgan Stanley; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
A relationship where she eats cheese.
What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating?
I think online dating is like boxed wine—once
the stigma surrounding it has been removed, it isn’t so bad. I mean who doesn’t love Bota Box?
Celebrity crush:
Jennifer Aniston.
One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year:
Rappel down Mt. Vesuvius.
Favorite
place in Baltimore:
Fells—great cocktails (Rye) and delicious food (Thames Street Oyster House) with history, cobblestone streets, and
water views to boot.
Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore?
Yes, I mean it is The Greatest City in America.
Describe your perfect fit:
Quick, witty, and intelligent.
Why haven’t you found the one yet?
I’m picky and busy with my
career.
Tori Gargon
27, physician assistant; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
One that is honest, exciting, and effortless.
What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating?
It’s not taboo
anymore. It allows you to meet so many different kinds of people who may not necessarily be in your social circle.
Celebrity crush:
Pharrell Williams.
One thing
on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year:
I started learning Italian, but really want to learn Arabic.
Favorite
place in Baltimore:
Fells Point in the summer.
Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore?
Possibly. My family is close, but I’ve always wanted to try the West Coast.
Describe your perfect fit:
Honest, confident, and passionate.
Why haven’t you found the one yet?
I’m picky.
Brendan Hyan Killian
28, fitness coach; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? To find someone like me—wanting to have fun, travel, and with their own agenda. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I’m actually old-school and haven’t tried any dating website. When meeting the people around me stops working, maybe I’ll try it. Celebrity crush: Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Ditch everything and head to Southeast Asia for a few months. Favorite place in Baltimore: The spot around the reservoir in Druid Hill Park that overlooks I-83. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? Settling down will totally depend on meeting someone who makes me want to do it. Describe your perfect fit: Active, mobile, and intelligent. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I’m pretty neurotic. I also get really, really hangry.
Erin Lewis
33, clinical dietician; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? To find a man who I can’t imagine a day without. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I highly doubt I will find the man of my dreams at a bar, so why not give online dating a try? Celebrity crush: Blake Shelton. One thing on your bucket list you’d like to accomplish this year: Enroll in more photography classes and become a camera expert. Favorite place in Baltimore: There’s something about the top of Federal Hill that just can’t be beat. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I am ready for a driveway, a garage, a yard where I can make lawn lines, and lower taxes. Country living, here I come. Describe your perfect fit: Southernly handsome, respectful, and fun. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I know my better half is out there; he’s just a really good hider, and, apparently, I am a terrible seeker.
Blake Green
31, human resource representative; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? Someone who is serious, but doesn’t plan on getting married tomorrow. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? Not having a lot of time is a concern to most singles, and it certainly helps with that. Celebrity crush: Scarlett Johansson. One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Skydiving. I am deathly afraid, but want to get over it. Favorite place in Baltimore: That stretch of road going west on Fayette, when you cross Broadway and you can see the east side of downtown . Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? Yes. I have made a lot of friends and connections here. Describe your perfect fit: Caring, foodie, and adventurer. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I am just getting out of a serious long-term relationship and am just starting to get back into dating.
Jimmy Pope
31, YouTube Superstar, co-founder of Krewski; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
A relationship with someone boring—you know, the type that makes me look awesome.
What are your thoughts on mobile dating?
My mom can now
filter my matches with a push of a button.
Celebrity crush:
Carmen Sandiego.
One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year:
To throw the most epic block party of all time.
Favorite place in Baltimore:
Mobtown Ballroom (jazz hands).
Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore?
My lifestyle
is unorthodox, and the city itself embraces that. I guess we will see if I find the one who gets me.
Describe your perfect fit:
Booty,
booty, booty.
Why haven’t you found the one yet?
I simply can’t find her; where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
Na Young Ji
38, child psychiatrist; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? I’m looking for a long-term relationship. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I was surprised to learn that there are so many interesting and great people online—myself included. Celebrity crush: David Beckham. What’s one thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year? Travel—the Kenya and Tanzania safari and the Australian outback are at the top of the list. Favorite place in Baltimore: The waterfront neighborhoods—Harbor East, Fells Point, and Canton. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? Yes. Baltimore really has its charm. People are down-to-earth and not pretentious. Describe your perfect fit: Kind, genuine, and confident. Why haven’t you found the one yet? My career path has kept me pretty occupied for a long time.
Joellie Sanchez
31, attorney; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? A relationship where both partners know what they want, and aren’t afraid to communicate the good, the bad, and the (hopefully limited) ugly. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? It’s become antiquated logic to dismiss online outlets. Celebrity crush: Michael Fassbender (X-Men). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Shark cage-diving, preferably in South Africa. Favorite place in Baltimore: Patterson Park—the Kinetic Sculpture Race, the Halloween Lantern Parade, flea markets, concert series, outdoor movies, LatinoFest, and the dog park—what’s not to love? Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? Yes, of course, or at least on or around the Baltimore-Washington D.C. corridor. Describe your perfect fit: Compassionate, witty, and Christian. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I’m an advocate of letting things happen naturally, and I suppose that translates to a gradual finding for me.
Steve Dellis
37, owner and operator of Michael’s Café; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? I would be ready to settle down if I met the right lady. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I have had the most luck meeting people when I am not actually looking. Celebrity crush: Olivia Wilde ( Rush ). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Learn how to surf. Favorite place in Baltimore: I like the bar and restaurant scene in Hampden. I sometimes end up playing the jukebox at Frazier’s toward the end of the night. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? Yes. Describe your perfect fit: Smart, honest, and sexy. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I wasn’t ready to take it to the next level because of my busy schedule with work and other commitments.
Shaun Martin
31, video game and digital artist; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? A best friend and partner. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I haven’t used online or mobile dating. Baltimore is a city that just feels rife with opportunities to meet people. Celebrity crush: Christina Hendricks (Mad Men). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: To start and finish illustrating a kids’ book my brother is trying to write. Favorite place in Baltimore: The Windup Space—it’s the first place I check to see what’s going on. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I feel pretty settled, but am not opposed to a life somewhere else. Describe your perfect fit: Energetic, empathetic, and easygoing. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I don’t get seriously involved with anyone unless my heart and mind both agree they could be the one.
Katie DeStefano
30, interior designer and owner of Curiosity; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
An honest partnership where we choose to be there for each other every day. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? If it’s
used with good intention, people can easily meet other like-minded people they wouldn’t have met otherwise. Celebrity crush: Henry Cavill
(Man of Steel). One thing on your bucket list you’d like to accomplish this year: I am so in love with France and its culture, but I’ve
never been. 2015 will be my year. Favorite place in Baltimore: Taking a walk along the water from Harbor East to Fells Point. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I am open to wherever life takes me—whether that’s staying here or moving halfway around
the world. Describe your perfect fit: Witty, thoughtful, and open. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I haven’t made it a priority.
Bill Cotter
28, children’s book writer and illustrator; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? I’m looking for something more serious. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I don’t know whether or not dating is better because of mobile apps, but it’s safe to say that things have changed. Celebrity crush: Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex).One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Learn how to animate my children’s book work for digital platforms. Favorite place in Baltimore: The sculpture garden at the BMA. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I could see myself settling in Baltimore, but it’s pretty fun to entertain the idea of moving. Describe your perfect fit: Ambitious, warm, and intelligent. Why haven’t you found the one yet? Lethal combo of me being a little too picky and me being a weirdo hermit who’s totally content to stay in and watch Netflix and eat ice cream on a Friday night.
Erin Fitzpatrick
37, professional artist; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
I wouldn’t be mad if I found one that I wanted
to stick with. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? It helps people branch out
of their social circles and break up the whole Smalltimore thing. Celebrity crush: Tracy Morgan (30 Rock). One thing on your bucket list you’d like to accomplish this year: Have one of my paintings selected for exhibition at the
National Portrait Gallery in D.C. Favorite place in Baltimore: This is the easiest question: Camden Yards.Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I like Baltimore but I can do my job anywhere, and I have friends in a lot of places. Describe your perfect fit: Confident, entertaining, and ambitious. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I’ve been focusing
on the learning experiences.
Aaron Joseph
34, lead bartender at Wit & Wisdom; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? I can’t say I’m looking for something specific. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? Call me old-fashioned, but I like the organic progression of getting to know someone without technological aide. Celebrity crush: Sanaa Lathan (Love & Basketball). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Travel as much as I can. Favorite place in Baltimore: Camden Yards during baseball season, the Inner Harbor on a sunny day, and dinner out in Hampden. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I can definitely see myself settling down and having a family, but I do have a desire to experience other places. Describe your perfect fit: Confident, ambitious, and adventurous. Why haven’t you found the one yet? Timing and a demanding schedule.
Heather Douglas
30, social media marketing account manager at MGH; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? A solid relationship with someone who doesn’t make my grandma want to roll her eyes. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? Everyone knows the best love stories begin with a right swipe. Celebrity crush? Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year? Learn Elvish. Favorite place in Baltimore? The American Visionary Art Museum. Hands down . Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? I’d be open to relocating to a different city for a little while, but I love Baltimore and want to be nearby for now. Describe your perfect fit: Kind, funny, and spontaneous. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I’ve been too busy having a fictitious love affair with Tom Hiddleston in my head.
Victoria Ballestero
24, civil engineer; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
A man who can be my adventure buddy, best friend, and life partner.
What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating?
It gives the
distinct advantage of connecting with people you may not have otherwise connected with.
Celebrity crush:
U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte.
One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year:
I began section-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and, in 2015, I would
like to continue chipping away at the 2,200-mile beast.
Favorite
place in Baltimore:
I love the quirkiness of The Avenue
in Hampden, and I’m in awe of the architectural marvel that is the Engineer’s Club in Mt. Vernon.
Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore?
Baltimore is my foreseeable future.
Describe your perfect fit:
Ambitious,
affectionate, and adventurous.
Why haven’t you found the one yet?
I’m not in any rush. I’m sure we’ll find each other when we’re supposed
to.
Brad Hollandsworth
24, personal banker; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for?
I’m looking for someone who is extraordinary and who shares the same passion for life that I have.
What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating?
People are meant to interact in a personal manner—not through technology.
Celebrity crush:
Lindsey Vonn (World Cup alpine ski racer).
One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year:
Purchase a plane ticket to a place I’ve never visited, go enjoy the
finest dining, and return home the next day.
Favorite place in Baltimore:
I thoroughly enjoy the Under Armour campus.
Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore?
Yes, I’ve lived in Maryland my entire life and want to keep it that way.
Describe your perfect fit:
Energetic, witty, and compassionate.
Why haven’t you found the one yet?
I am extremely focused
on my career and do not believe in having someone just to have someone.
Tia Nicole Newton
30, editor-in-chief of Four One Oh! blog; never been married
What type of relationship are you looking for? For a long time, I knew exactly what I wanted in a partner and, honestly, it wasn’t working for me. I have decided to let 2015 be a sort of roll-with-the-punches kind of year. What are your thoughts on mobile and online dating? I am not a forward person, so it’s easier for someone like me. Celebrity crush: Idris Elba (The Wire). One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish this year: Buy my first home. Favorite place in Baltimore: Got to love Harbor East. Do you see yourself settling down in Baltimore? After moving back here about three years ago, I’ve decided to make it my home. Describe your perfect fit: Smart, funny, and successful. Why haven’t you found the one yet? I was told I have unrealistic expectations, so I decided to trash my mental checklist.
