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How a Noblesville woman made 30K Indy BBFs with "The Bachelorette"

How a Noblesville woman made 30K Indy BBFs with "The Bachelorette"

Axios6 days ago
New to the Circle City and seeking community in an era when making contact was a global health concern, Noblesville's FrancesMary Loughead had an idea: Turn total strangers into best friends forever.
The big picture: Forging meaningful connections as an adult in a new city — or an old one — can feel impossible when most Americans don't even know their neighbors.
Catch up quick: A newlywed and fresh college graduate at the time, Loughead planted the seeds of BFF Indy in 2021 after her husband's job relocated them from Chicago to Indianapolis.
Looking for remote work in an unfamiliar city with no friends or family, she struggled to make meaningful connections beyond her marriage.
"It was about a year or so that it really took me to be like, I need some solid girlfriends," she told Axios. "I love my husband a lot. But I need my girlfriends, and he needs his guy friends."
Zoom in: Loughead said she tried some of the friendship-finding apps that were popular at the time, but ultimately found them to be a poor fit.
"It just didn't seem super intentional … you are, for lack of a better term, judging somebody on only a couple sentences and a couple pictures," she said.
Yes, but: While looking online, she noticed a potential unifier among other friendship seekers: a passion for reality TV.
"My background is events, so I decided, why not try and invite people over and see what happens?" she said.
So her weekly watch party for ABC's " The Bachelorette" was born. Soon, the women who attended began planning other hangouts.
State of play: That casual meetup has since blossomed into a thriving online and in-person community of more than 30,000 women with events ranging from winery tours and pickleball meetups to Monon walks and dance classes.
This week alone has nearly a dozen events on the docket, including crafting at Little India, catching an Indians game and a picnic Bible study at 100 Acres Park.
How it works: Loughead, now 26, says the keys to BFF Indy's growth are variety and accessibility.
Not everyone wants to meet for a night at the bar. And many Hoosiers can't afford to regularly gather for pricey dinners.
Pro tip: Loughead's go-to advice for making friends as an adult is to think like Nike.
"Just do it. I know a lot of people are worried about being judged or being put down for something they either believe in, or just being a little different or enjoying something different," she said. "I would just say, be strong in who you are and you'll find the right people."
Another tip: Don't let it get you down if someone you reach out to doesn't immediately reach back.
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‘Love Island USA' Marks a New Era of Toxic Fandom
‘Love Island USA' Marks a New Era of Toxic Fandom

Time​ Magazine

time4 hours ago

  • Time​ Magazine

‘Love Island USA' Marks a New Era of Toxic Fandom

Unlike the majority of dating reality shows, which are recorded months in advance, Love Island USA airs in real time, providing a live inside look into not just the nation's attitudes towards sexuality and dating, but who deserves to be on reality television. While last season produced a cast of household favorites, this season has not been the case. In an attempt to curb negative fan responses, an anti-cyberbullying message was released ahead of the June 24 episode. 'The keyword in Love Island is…Love. We love our fans. We love our Islanders. We don't love cyberbullying, harassment, or hate.' Despite the ongoing backlash, season 7 is the most watched season of Love Island USA thus far, notching record-breaking streaming audiences and a massive increase in social media engagements. Plus, programming such as Love Island: Beyond The Villa, the first Love Island USA spinoff, reflects significant investment in the brand by Peacock. Indeed, the streamer has invested heavily in ensuring that Americans watch the Islanders' every move. But what happens when this magnifying lens begins to reflect negatively on the Islanders? Around the world, numerous Love Island franchises have demonstrated a worrying trend: when Islanders leave the villa and their 15 minutes of fame are over, they often face online hatred and vitriol for life. Vanna Einerson, who briefly appeared on the current season during Casa Amor, broke down in tears after she read comments from fans about her physical appearance. Amy Hart, a contestant on season 5 of Love Island in the U.K. testified in front of Parliament after she received death threats from viewers. Kendall Washington, a finalist on season 6 of Love Island USA, was subjected to homophobic remarks online, after explicit videos of him were released without his consent. Despite ongoing efforts from the network to curb negative fan behavior, the harassment continues. 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Unhinged Cruise Stories Tiktok
Unhinged Cruise Stories Tiktok

Buzz Feed

time11 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

Unhinged Cruise Stories Tiktok

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'General Hospital' Fan-Favorite Sparks Return Rumors
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Yahoo

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  • Yahoo

'General Hospital' Fan-Favorite Sparks Return Rumors

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