Hello there, you lovely creature! Alita Brydon here, reporting live from my home office. If we haven’t met yet, I’m the creator of Bad Dates of Melbourne (BDOM). I’ve also been called Australia’s top dating expert, and yes – I’ve been on some very bad dates (and a few very good ones). We should be friends. Let me tell you a little about what I do…
BDOM shares real-life, anonymous dating stories from Melbourne (and occasionally the wider world) on Instagram and Facebook. There’s no shaming and absolutely no names – everything is de-identified and posted from the BDOM account. I add advice alongside the stories, and together our community dives into conversations about body image, safe sex, respect, self-esteem, and, of course, chicken nuggets.
BDOM has been called “addictive,” a “national phenomenon,” and having “cult status” by the media. If you’d like to submit an anonymous story, just slide into my Instagram or Facebook messages.
BDOM began back in November 2017 with me sharing my own anecdotes and memes. As of November 2025, BDOM has reached around 21 million people in the past year and has 226.5k followers, mostly Australian women who appreciate a bit of honesty with their humour.
My book, How to Date Like a Dangerous Woman, will be published by HarperCollins in March 2026. It’s a two-stage plan that teaches you how to love yourself, find dates, and have healthy relationships. It’s funny, it’s warm, and it’s holistic – because you need a solid sense of self before you start swiping.
Being a “Dangerous Woman” is all about creating generational change and standing up for yourself. We’re “dangerous” because we’re challenging the status quo and saying enough. (We’re not out there looking to start biffos, promise.)
Sometimes I moonlight as a freelance journalist – you can find my stories floating around online but the funniest is ‘How I Got Banned From Tinder for Being an Egg’. I’ve also popped up on TV as a dating expert for A Current Affair, ABC Breakfast, and Today Extra.
I’ve partnered with brands like Tinder (as Tinder Australia’s Dating Commentator in 2021 – 22) and Extra Sugarfree Gum (2022). And yes, I do host real-life events for BDOM – my favourite so far was a 160-person speed-dating extravaganza. If you’d like to work with me, get in touch here.
For the record, I’ve got a Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations from RMIT University. I also run Bad Dates of Australia on Facebook and Instagram – I don’t update it often but it’s great for a binge once you’ve powered through the BDOM archives (a heroic effort, honestly).
I’m Melbourne-based and single – meaning I’m currently in a very committed relationship with chicken nuggets.
All that is cool, but here’s the real heart of BDOM: the letters I get from people who’ve gained confidence, found their voice, or simply felt supported by the community. That’s what it’s about. The vibes are good, the energy is empowering, and I want people to walk away feeling like their confidence just shot through the roof.
Alita Brydon 