Josh Ball has a profile on the dating app Hinge, but he rarely checks his matches. Ball, a single dad of three, can hardly keep up with the messages he receives on social media each day.
In 2022, Ball was going through a breakup when he began sharing videos on TikTok about the experience as a single father. To his surprise, women began contacting him. Some wanted to date him, others just wanted to thank him for being vulnerable.
“It kind of just went from there,” the 32-year-old construction worker in Arkansas tells TODAY.com.
Ball, who has a sleeve of tattoos, describes himself as a “normal blue collar guy” from a small town. He says his ideal partner is “down to earth” and loves baseball. He's open to long distance.
Initially, Ball was just looking to connect with other single parents for support and camaraderie. Then he says his daughter Brixley, 4, began bugging him to find himself a girlfriend.
Ball agreed with Brixley. It was time to open up to the idea of love.
Brixley and her sisters, Nevaeh, 9, and Fallyn, 3, make regular appearances on their father’s social media. The majority of Ball’s videos are set to country music — he’s an Oklahoma native — and feature on-screen text. He frequently films in his pickup truck and in neon construction apparel.
“I’ll marry the next girl that can come to a family cookout with us and not ghost after,” Ball captioned a clip in which he’s dancing around his kitchen with Brixley. For those wondering, yes, Ball has consent from Brixley’s mom to include her in his content.
Ball's ex, with whom he shares Brixley and Fallyn, says the girls enjoy making "silly videos" with their dad when they see him.
"I think he gets the attention he wants from it," Attrice, who asked to be identified by only her her first name for privacy reasons, tells TODAY.com. "It makes him happy, so that's good."
In another video, Ball appears to be having a moment of self-reflection as he drives around listening to Morgan Wallen. The text on the screen reads, “Just imagine how much better life would be if we were in ‘YOUR’ bed cuddling and kissing. Now remove the ‘Y.’”
Ball says his friends regularly tease him on a group chat. He laughs along with them.
“I know it’s cringe,” Ball says, while chatting with TODAY.com. But it’s working.
Ball says he receives 80 messages a day from bachelorettes across the country. On TikTok, Ball has amassed more than 236,000 followers; on Instagram he has nearly 78,000.
Alyssa Ball says she isn’t surprised that women are lining up to date her brother.
“People have always been drawn to Josh,” Alyssa tells TODAY.com. “He’s just a really good, funny guy.”
The comments Ball gets on his posts are are overwhelmingly positive:
- “This reel made me ovulate.”
- “You’re a wonderful man/father.”
- “If only you lived closer.”
- “I think I am starting to fall in love with you.”
- “Sorry, I’m late, but I’m the one you’ve been waiting for your entire life.”
- “Not sure how you are single.”
- “You’re so handsome and your daughters are so gorgeous.”
- “I want to make a life with you.”
- “You’re the most incredible dad. They are so lucky.”
- “An awesome daddy.”
Would the reactions be the same if it was a single mom putting herself out there?
“Historically, there’s been a double standard regarding criticism of women posting photos of their children while seeking a mate compared to men,” Julie Spira, an online dating expert, tells TODAY.com.
According to Spira, the way the world is responding to Ball "shows that when a man says he'd like to get married, most women find it direct and appealing, and he'll get an instant cheerleading squad behind him."
"Conversely, when a woman says she’s looking for marriage and a husband, it can send some men running for the hills," Spira continues. "A woman’s quest might assume the need for financial support or that she’d like to get married almost instantly instead of forging a relationship that goes through the natural stages of dating, including a committed relationship with an end goal of marriage."
Blaine Anderson, a dating coach in New York City, agrees with Spira.
“The reality is that women face more judgement online,” Anderson tells TODAY.com. “Tiktok is a interesting way to meet people — but if you’re a single mom, you’re going to need a thick skin. You’re gonna need to be able to take the good with the bad.”
Still, Spira urges single moms to not let fear get in the way of love: “Everyone deserves a chance at love; your complete package will be a welcome gift to the right person.”
Ball estimates he’s been on three dates with women he met through his social media.
“I’d never want to lead anyone on,” he says. “I’m dating to marry.”
