CHICAGO — In just a few days, Robbie Chernow went from an "average Joe" having a sad, solo bachelor party in Chicago to international celebrity — fielding interview requests from Australia, Hong Kong and beyond.
And though he says he's "no Channing Tatum," Chernow said media outlets aren't the only ones asking for his number: He's been inundated with date requests from ladies around the world since his story went mega-viral.
Chernow, a single New Yorker who documented his "lonely" bachelor party outings on Instagram after his friends' flights got canceled, was shy when asked about the female attention he's received in recent days. But anyone who takes a quick scan of his social media profiles can see he's become a hit with the ladies.
I want to be friends with the #ChicagoForOne gentleman. Any guy who can make a party out of a bad situation is the type I want to know! 🎉🍸
— Melissa Kay (@MelissaKayAyers) September 8, 2015Can I ask the #ChicagoForOne dude on a date via Twitter? Does this count?
— Kate Byrne (@katebyrnepower) September 6, 2015lol the guy from #chicagoforone is adorable. #cantstoplaughing
— Cathi Russell (@Cathi_the_Great) September 6, 2015The #Chicagoforone guy is 🔥🔥@rwchernow
— Lindsay Bottin (@LindsayBottin) September 5, 2015Women are "reaching out on Instagram, email and Twitter," Chernow said, adding that some ask him to do "#chicagofortwo" or "#newyorkfortwo," playing on his now-famous #chicagoforone hashtag hit.
"[Women have] invited me to weddings, and a lot tell me they don't want me to be lonely," he said. "[They say] 'come out,' they can put a smile on my face ... I've heard everything."
Jen Sabella says Chernow would consider dating a Chicago gal:
Chernow is single and said "of course" he's looking for the right person to date, but he's skeptical about finding true love through Internet fame.
"I watch "Catfish" enough to know how that [ends]," he said. "It's a fantastic ego boost. I'm taking it for what it is and enjoying it."
Aside from date requests, Chernow said most of the feedback he's received is from people who felt like he empowered them to do things alone.
"No offense to myself, but I look like the average Joe," Chernow said. "I'm not Taylor Swift or Channing Tatum. You don't need [friends] or to be a supermodel to have amazing experiences. Go out, do things, have fun... even if it's by yourself."
Now that he's back in New York, he's also realized how special of a place Chicago is.
"I've been saying this and I don't want people to think I'm blowing smoke up their a----, but the town of Chicago ... the people are the greatest and most welcoming group I have ever met.
"I was walking down the street and people were yelling, 'Chicago for one! Come grab dinner, lunch, a beer!' I felt like Ferris Bueller."
He loves the city so much, he said moving here is not out of the question.
"I've spent less than a week in Chicago and I feel closer to Chicago than I do New York," he said. "Hopefully I'll be back in Chicago soon ... there's still a lot more to see."
And a heads up, Chicago singles:
"I would not write off a Chicago lady at all."
The 'gram that started it all:
A sampling of Chernow's press coverage.
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