So why would a 36-year old woman sign up to be on a naked dating reality show to potentially find love? Well, here goes: I’m a Brooklyn girl living in Nashville, where most people are more concerned with writing a hit song than finding love. Believe me, I have tried everything from online dating to meet-up groups to art crawls to coffee shops—you name it.
I am a romantic. I believe in true love. I believe true love still exists. So I did what any normal woman looking for love would do: I applied to be on the new VH1 show Dating Naked. Maybe this crazy unique way of dating would actually work?! Besides, I’ve always been comfortable with nudity, so why not?
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I was selected to be on the show and flown to Panama to a beautiful remote island. The night before I had to bare it all was filled with tossing and turning. Part of me was filled with excitement but the other part was terrified. Could this really work? Will I be too nervous to disrobe? Where will I look?
On that first fateful day I stripped down with just a little bit of nervousness, but as soon as I saw Joe walking towards me—naked as could be in broad daylight—I knew it would all be okay. I was so relieved when I looked at his face and saw his beautiful blue eyes and smile. OK, I admit, I looked a few other places too—the fact is I felt chemistry. Joe and I had an instant connection. We shared intimate things that neither of us would have shared on a regular (clothed) first date.
I was shocked that when our clothes come off, our guards actually came down. For instance, on a clothed first date I would normally worry about things like, Do I look bad in this dress? Does he think I’m attractive? Did I choose the right shoes? When you’re naked, you’re surprisingly more open and less worried. You are definitely out of your comfort zone, but in some weird way it was easier to be myself. You get to focus on what’s on the inside.
Joe and I also had two other dates each. His were with the vixen Jasmine and the beautiful violinist Crissy. My other two dates were with Jack, who was very funny and quirky, and Justice, who was extremely handsome. I had fun on my other two dates, but I just didn’t feel a love connection.
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And of course, there were a few things you didn’t see on TV. There was flirting between Jack and Jasmine that developed into somewhat of a love/hate relationship. Joe was definitely a prankster and ended up playing tricks on some of the cast members. Crissy serenaded us with her violin playing, and I got bit by a spider on my walk with Justice (thankfully, it wasn’t poisonous!). In the end, Joe and I had to choose who we connected with the most, and, thankfully, we chose each other.
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Since the show, our relationship has continued to blossom and grow. We don’t go a single day without talking and often talk at least three times a day. Joe and I have a big age gap (I’m 36 and he’s 24), but I think that’s what makes it so interesting. He brings out the girly, fun side of me, and I give him a sense of comfort and maturity. It’s a great balance, and we definitely have a unique and special relationship. We are truly best friends, which is the foundation for a long-lasting relationship, and there’s nothing we can’t tell each other—good or bad. Plus, we will always be the first two people who bared it all to find love on reality TV.Â
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We currently have a long-distance relationship, but that will hopefully change very soon. The response to our connection has been super positive so far and we have received so much love from the viewers. (Who knows, maybe there will be a Joe and Wee Wee show in the near future!) And luckily, we get to see each other next week—I can’t wait!
MORE: Secrets of Long-Distance Couples
So, would I recommend you strip down on your next date? Totally—but I don’t know how practical it would be at dinner or a local coffee shop. For now, you might want to only try this out on a secluded island with a camera crew as chaperones.
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Christina “Wee Wee†Porcelli is a Brooklyn girl who originally wound up in Nashville to pursue a music career. (You can check out her tunes here.) She’s also in love with comedy and currently does improv. Check her out on The Coco Wee Wee Show and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.