Original:

Online dating can be weird, but one woman used it to pull the ultimate finesse, according to New York Magazine.

Instagram model Natasha Aponte decided to put together an event that allowed her to sift through her Tinder matches in real life and in real time. None of the men knew what they were in for when they arrived; each had matched with Aponte on Twitter.

Misha, one of the men at the event, described how things went down in a hilarious Twitter thread.

According to Misha, he made small-talk with Aponte on Tinder until she told him she had to take a break because she was working on a work-related project.

I am about to tell you an epic tale about subterfuge, dating in the 21st century and the fall of human civilization. This actually happened to me and it could happen to you too. Get some popcorn. *Thread*

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

So a few weeks ago I was on the Tinder machine shopping my soul around and I match with a very attractive young lady. No bio. Fairly innocuous.

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

I message her some random shit and we chat for an hour or so and she says "here's my number text me" I'm like okay sure thing.

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

I text her n we make small talk abt work for a bit then she goes, "actually, I have this huge presentation Im workin on for my job, would you be offended if I got back to you in like a week or two when Ive got more free time? Youre cute and I want to meet you Im just too busy rn"

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

He thought the line was “an overly elaborate way to ghost someone” and went on with his life.

I thought well that's an overly elaborate way to ghost someone. I say "lol I wouldn't be offended, I totally get it. Hit me up when you're free"

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

But two weeks later, he heard from Aponte again:

Two weeks pass I completely forget about her then I remember and go back to tinder and I can't find the conversation. ???? I think well that's weird she deleted her tinder but I take it as… overly elaborate ghosting methods

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

Then yesterday I get a text "HEY IM FINALLY FREE LMAO… my friend is DJing near Union square around 6 tomorrow I was wondering if you wanted to go for a bit then we could go get drinks after and see what happens"

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

I'm like well I'll be damned. Genuinely didn't think she would message me. I reply "yeah I should be free, I'd be down" she says "amazing I'm gonna be running around today and tomorrow but just come around 6 and I'll meet you by the stage then we'll head out"

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

Misha agreed to the date, but after looking at her Instagram page, got suspicious. Still, he attended the event.

And that's when he discovered, Aponte had extended the same invite to dozens of other men.

I make my way to Union Square. Eat a hot dog and look over by this open lot by 17th Ave and there is a stage and a DJ and about 100 ppl and cameras and shit and I think well this is some random ass Manhattan shit.

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

Eventually I see a girl moving towards backstage with two enormous bodyguards in sunglasses and realise it's her and I'm thinking WHAT THINE FUCKETH IS GOING ON

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

I stay back and assess the situation and I'm like fuck I'mma stay right where I am til she texts me. The DJ eventually stops playing and she gets on the stage and I'm so fucking confused but think well I guess she's a social media personality or some shit

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

She gets the mic and is like thanks for coming out I bet you're all wondering what this is about and I'm like yeah what the fuck is this about

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

She then says so I know all of you here are on tinder and I'm like ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

Then she says I've invited you all here for a chance to go on a date with me and proceeds to give a hunger games speech about what its gonna take to date her

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

She wanted the men to compete for her love and began to put them through test. New York Magazine said this finesser of finesses was clear about qualities she didn't like in her men including beer bellies, baldness, support of Donald Trump and the name Jimmy.

One man told New York Magazine he left when he found out the date was actually a competition, and heard booing during his departure. Misha said he left as well.

At that point I am genuinely amazed at the fallopian fortitude this girl possesses. This is top 10 greatest finesse of all time. Dudes actually stayed and played.

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

I went home.

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

Aponte has made her social media channels private since the event, but a rep from Rob Bliss Creative told the magazine “we will be releasing something on Thursday with all relevant information.”

The event's DJ has posted a video of Aponte telling the men what they had to do to win her love. She asked them questions related to their political views and dating practices. Aponte also made them exercise as she physically walked among them to swipe left or right.

In the video, Aponte can be heard explaining the event by saying, “I am single … dating apps are very difficult, and I said, 'Okay, how do I solve this problem … maybe I can bring everyone in person and see how that goes and solve this once and for all.' So do you have what it takes to compete against everyone here to win a date with me … look around the crowd, can you last longer than all these other guys?”

Oh snap!

Misha was less than impressed with the whole thing:

I TRUST NO ONE. I TRUST NOTHING ANYMORE. VANITY WILL BE THE DEMISE OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION. DON'T GET GOT. THE END.

— миша (@bvdhai) August 19, 2018

And another man, Spencer, called Aponte "completely narcissistic, borderline delusional, completely vain, and just a shallow human being that only cares about getting more attention for herself," and said, “She’s like the female, slightly more attractive version of Donald Trump, and you can quote me on that.”

Still, not everyone was upset with Aponte. A man named David told New York, "I think it’s hilarious so I’m happy I was a part of it.”

Update (August 23, 2018):

Aponte and her production partner, marketer Rob Bliss, released an official video of the event featuring commentary on Thursday.

She and Bliss also appeared on Good Morning America to explain the motivation behind the stunt.

Bliss told BuzzFeed News the duo decided to host the event "to raise awareness about the absurdity of dating apps."

Speaking with Good Morning America, the marketer added he and Aponte see a problem with how people treat one another on dating apps. The pair believes app users increasingly focus on meaningless variables rather than a person's personality as they swipe left and right.

"It's become kind of socially acceptable to disqualify people and say, 'You have to be x height, you have to work x job,'" Bliss told GMA. "We should be mad about this."

Aponte added the project has also once again put a spotlight on the toxic treatment of women online. She said since news of the event broke, she's been receiving hateful messages from men who, in the same message, still shoot their shot.

"It's funny, 'cause all of the negative [comments] that I'm getting from these guys are still in my inboxes trying to date me," she said.

Aponte said she's been able to shake off all of the criticism she faced both during and after the event "because I know who I am and I'm happy, and I'm secure in myself."

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Natasha Aponte

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