Jill Martin Opens Up About Dating Again After a Year of Cancer and Divorce

Jill Martin is re-entering the dating world and embracing technology in this new chapter of her life.

While hosting the 3rd Hour of TODAY, Jill shared her new preferred method for getting to know someone: the FaceTime date.

In a lighthearted conversation with TODAY.com, Jill confesses she’s not an expert in dating after her recent divorce. However, she believes she has “mastered” video chatting before meeting face-to-face.

“FaceTiming is fantastic because you can gauge so much on FaceTime,” Jill explains, noting that attraction and connection become apparent quite quickly through the screen.

Jill refers to dating apps as the “modern-day matchmaker,” emphasizing that “it’s a numbers game” — the more individuals you interact with, the higher your chances of finding a match.

If you’re feeling apprehensive about using dating apps or connecting over FaceTime, here are Jill’s tips.

Be comfortable sharing yourself

First and foremost, Jill recommends crafting a dating profile that genuinely reflects who you are, including photos and answers to prompts that narrate your story.

Although it may be challenging, Jill insists it’s essential to “be honest with yourself about what you want” from your next relationship.

“Once, I went on a date and mentioned, ‘I’m just casually dating.’ My mom jokingly told me, ‘Jill, you’re not casual,’” she laughs. “Don’t say that unless you really mean it.”

Instead, Jill shares what she expresses on her dating profile, which resonates with her: “Happy girl, looking for a serious person who loves to have a great time.”

Set a time limit

“Give the call a specific time frame, so it doesn’t come off as rude when you need to leave,” Jill suggests. “Say something like, ‘I have 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or 25 minutes.’”

Jill mentions that her calls are usually brief, but she often has several before actually meeting in person.

“I had five FaceTime dates with someone before we met up, and it made a difference. We already had some familiarity,” Jill notes.

Prioritize safety: Verify the person after the call

A video call not only alleviates the anxiety of meeting someone new for the first time but also allows participants to ensure they’re not being “catfished,” where someone misrepresents themselves.

“It completely eliminates the risk of catfishing,” Jill explains. “You can end the call and verify everything they said, as I’ve found that often, it’s not true.”

Anecdotally, Jill shares that she’s encountered people on dates who misrepresent their age, location, and share photos from “over 20 years ago.”

Being able to check the details on their dating profile during and after the call helps you feel safer on the first date and more at ease to let your guard down, Jill adds.

Regarding your own privacy, Jill suggests not revealing too much of your home and avoiding sharing personal details.

Choose a ‘theme’

Jill encourages selecting a date “theme,” or activity you can do together to ease the pressure of conversation.

This theme can be as straightforward as a coffee date or drinks during happy hour, which she believes will create more memorable experiences for both parties.

Embrace a casual vibe

As you’re typically only seen from the shoulders up, Jill suggests there’s room for casualness, which can help reduce nerves.

“You don’t have to wear, you know, pants,” she quips about her attire during FaceTime dates.

That said, Jill emphasizes that “you should always aim to put your best foot forward.”

For coffee dates, for instance, Jill says she dresses as she would “on a good morning” but avoids “overdoing it.” If it’s a drink date, she might look a bit more polished as if going to a real happy hour.

Exude authenticity

Just like being authentic on your dating profile, Jill reminds herself of the importance of presenting the truest version of herself during the video call.

For illustration, Jill suggests using a background that showcases art or hobbies, along with wearing an outfit that makes you feel the most confident.

Recently, Jill shared that one date demonstrated genuine authenticity by serenading her on guitar with Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)” during their FaceTime chat.

“He asked, ‘Do you want me to serenade you? I play the guitar.’ I replied, ‘Absolutely, I do,’” Jill recalls. “You wouldn’t have experienced that on an in-person date. He works in finance. Who knows if guitar even would have come up?”

Ensure mutual time investment

“We all lead busy lives,” Jill underscores, adding that connecting before a date ensures that neither of you will waste precious time.

“Not everyone is deserving of your time. Your time is your most valuable asset, and it should be used wisely,” she asserts. “Finding more efficient approaches is certainly beneficial.”

For Jill, it could take her about two hours to drive into New York City for a “potentially 10-minute date.” A video call at least helps determine if there’s enough interest to move forward.