Manhattan's 'street' love stories make their way to print

The scene has become almost ubiquitous on social media: a couple is walking down the streets of New York City when, suddenly, Jeremy Bernstein approaches them and asks: "Can you tell us the story of how you first met?

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Since launching in 2023, 'Meet Cutes NYC' - the viral social media account run by Bernstein and fellow New Yorkers Victor Lee and Aaron Feinberg, all aged 31has captured hundreds of love stories from couples across the city that have been watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Now, some of those tales are making their way into print, with a book of the same name set to be published on October 16 by Hachette Book Group.

Speaking with Reuters from New York City, the trio discuss the account's origin story, its evolution from screen to page, and what their interviews reveal about the many ways people find, and keep, love. Excerpts:

Jeremy Bernstein: Aaron and I grew up in the same building together on the Upper West Side of Manhattan until Aaron moved to Long Island when he was seven. Fast forward 20 years later, Aaron and Victor were talking about this idea (to interview) couples on the street about how they met, because it's the first question you always ask people at a party.

Victor Lee: I always had a fascination with street interview content. You never know what you're going to get. It was very raw. It felt authentic, especially in such a global place with so many different types of people. Aaron and I were talking about something fun we could do on social media. We were kind of bored with our jobs (and) just wanted something new. And the thought hit me: The first thing you ask a couple is "how'd you two meet?" It's like an icebreaker. Jeremy and Aaron went out that first weekend (and) got really raw, organic answers from couples. We thought we'd just run with it, and it just took off from there.