by Marcie Ortega
Daily Lobo
David Wygant, known as the
real-life "Hitch," said he doesn't
mind being the uncredited inspiration
for the romantic comedy starring
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Will Smith.
"It's cool that they did it,"
Wygant said. "It made what I do a
lot easier to explain. It has actually
made it more socially acceptable."
Wygant, who met with movie
producers in 2001, found many
similarities between himself and
the character played by Will Smith
in the 2005 film.
"There are not many people who
do what I do and charge what I
charge. And if you look at 'Hitch,'
look at the apartment building,
look at the lifestyle," he said.
"There are a lot of similarities."
He can charge up to $10,000 for
his services, which include image
consulting and dating advice.
Wygant, who has been a professional
dating consultant in Los
Angeles for the past eight years,
spoke to UNM students Thursday
about the simplicity of attracting
and meeting members of the opposite
sex.
"It's really that easy," he said.
"The fate is either you talk to them
or you don't."
Throughout his lecture, Wygant
repeatedly advised attendees to
put aside the fear of approaching
strangers and to always act like
themselves.
"I wasn't sure what to expect,"
UNM freshman Brian Moore said.
"After hearing it, it seems like common
sense."
Kelly Kallin, another UNM freshman,
said she is in a relationship but attended the lecture for entertainment.
She found Wygant's advice
significant, she said.
"He's very charismatic, so he's
easy to listen to," Kallin said. "For
single people, I could see it being
relevant."
UNM sophomore Kyle Traynor
said Wygant's advice was good.
"Honestly, it just came to the
point of 'be yourself,' which I think
is a good lesson," he said.
In addition to presenting advice
on communication, Wygant asked
some attendees to participate in
exercises that involved approaching
people and conversational
methods.
"It was funny," Traynor said.
"He embarrassed people, but honestly
it lightened the mood."
Wygant, whose business has
flourished over the past decade attracting
various clients including
celebrities, said he speaks to students
because he remembers how
it felt to be in college and struggle
with insecurities.
"You have so many chances to
talk to people," Wygant said. "If
everybody can just get past their
fear of talking to somebody, they
would always have a selection of
people to date."
Wygant has also published books
and audio courses. He is forming
a products company but said he's
not sure what else is ahead.
"I live in the moment. I'm not
a future planner," he said. "Whatever
happens, happens."
More information on David
Wygant can be found at www.
davidwygant.com.
