Freak matching, a new dating trend gaining traction among Gen Z singles, is not as edgy as it sounds. In fact, it’s more heartwarming than it is risqué. Inspired by Tinashe’s hit song “Nasty,” the trend is all about finding someone who not only accepts your flaws but embraces them fully, according to Today. Gen Z singles are using the term to find a solid connection with someone who appreciates their quirks and imperfections, building a deeper, more authentic bond.
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Plenty of Fish has highlighted the growing trend as one of the top dating movements for 2025. And it seems to be working for some singles—according to the app, 39% of users report having found a partner with whom they share this kind of unique connection, where they can bond over eccentricities, shared interests, and mutual “weirdness.”
Source: Photo by Viktoria Slowikowska/ Pexels / Pexels.com
Singles have different requirements for their freak matching.
For some singles, the concept of freak matching varies based on their individual relationship needs and desires. In a TikTok post shared on Sept. 26, a user named @MalikOnDnD revealed that for him, finding someone that truly loves him for who he is, is essential when it comes to connecting with a romantic partner.
@malikondnd ♬ original sound – clara
Lexie Dolphin took to TikTok Nov. 15 to let the world know that she was looking for someone special with whom she can geek out over anime, chat about her favorite TV shows, enjoy cute dates, and play video games—even if she’s not great at them.
@lexiedolphin09 Need someone to match my freak #fyp #foryou #foryourpage #anime #animetiktok #matchmyfreak
♬ original sound – andreaa (vote kyoungbae)
On the other hand, Tinashe, who famously wrote the song “Nasty,” shared in a TikTok video posted June 17 that she’s still on the search for the perfect match to connect with her “freak” despite the track’s success. Thanks to the hit song, the 31-year-old star made her debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in June, making a playful entry at the No. 69 spot.
“Literally wrote this song and still can’t find somebody to match my freak,” the star said as she flaunted her hot physique in a cool ensemble.
@tinashe Pain
♬ Nasty – Tinashe
Freak matching can help singles stay positive and confident on their dating journey.
Don’t worry, Tinashe—you’ll find the right partner soon. In the meantime, Kelly Elizabeth Wright, an assistant professor of language sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, encourages all Gen Z singles to continue embracing the spirit of freak matching in their relationships. Wright told Today that songs like Tinashe’s “Nasty” can boost confidence, foster acceptance, and empower individuals to “flaunt their own freakiness.”
Wright also pointed out that the song serves as a powerful anthem, addressing themes of adversity, ostracism, and exploitation. It offers support for rebellion and radical self-expression, while also empowering sexually uninhibited women to embrace their true selves.
“People are asking the universe to send them someone with the same quirks, a match in both interests and eccentricities,” she explained. “In our moment, being a freak is sexy, silly, ordinary, public, preferable, and profitable. That is a rapid lexical shift!”
Have you found someone that matches your freak? Tell us in the comments section.
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