Samantha Hess (born 1983) is an American former professional cuddler and author.[1][2] Her business, Cuddle up to Me, gained national attention when she appeared on America's Got Talent in 2015.

Career

Hess worked as a personal trainer.[3] She set up a cuddling business after watching a Free Hugs Campaign social experiment video of two men offering hugs, one for free and the other for money. She learned of other groups in New York City who ran identical businesses and was inspired to pursue it as a career.[4] She was divorced and missed platonic cuddling between friends, which she wanted without having to enter a full relationship. As a sufferer from chronic back pain she found cuddling therapeutic and relieving.[5][6]

People around Hess were initially skeptical of the idea, with her friends dismissing it as crazy. When she applied for a business license, authorities thought cuddling was a cover for prostitution. In an interview with CNBC, she spoke about advances made by her clients and would-be clients, with Hess saying she received "plenty of inappropriate emails" and even three marriage proposals.[7][8]

Several media outlets interviewed Hess[9] including KOBI,[10] The Daily News[11] KATU[12] KHOU,[13] KCTV[14] and many others. In January 2014 she was interviewed by Biz Journal where she shared her plans for Cuddle Up to Me with Portland Business Journal Editor Rob Smith. She said she plans to model after ZoomCare.[15] Her clients are mostly people with disabilities or who suffer from traumatic stress.[16]

In late 2014, Hess opened a professional cuddling shop. She attracted 10,000 customers in the first week.[17] The following year, she staged a 12-hour cuddling convention.[18]

In August 2022, she announced her choice to end her service as a professional cuddler.[19]

America's Got Talent

In May 2015, Hess appeared as a 10th season contestant for NBC's America's Got Talent.[20] In her audition, she cuddled Nick Cannon using the techniques "The Cleopatra," "The Claw," and "Mother of Pearl". Howard Stern buzzed the act. After the audition, the judges formed a pile on top of Cannon on the couch. Although Stern voted "No," Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel voted "Yes," sending her to the Judge Cuts Week round.

In July 2015, during Judge Cuts Week 1, she cuddled guest judge Neil Patrick Harris with techniques called "The Fortune Cookie," "The Sidewinder," and "The Romeo". Stern, Klum, Mel B, and Mandel buzzed her, eliminating her from the competition. She was not in the scene with the judges discussing her as she had four "X"s. She was the first contestant in season ten to receive all "X"s during Judge Cuts Week.[21]

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ "Best of Portland 2013: Best Buys". Willamette Week. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Jane Wells (November 25, 2013). "Feeling blue? Hire a professional cuddler". CNBC. Archived from the original on November 26, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  3. ^ Maggie Zhang (July 14, 2014). "Meet The Woman Who Cuddles With Strangers For $60 An Hour". Business Insider. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  4. ^ Shane Dixon Kavanaugh. "Cuddling professional Samantha Hess of SE Portland fills the need for love – nonsexually". The Oregonian. OregonLive.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Bahrampour, Tara (April 25, 2018). "Some people are paying for cuddles. And it's not what you might think". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Miller, Mark C. (July 5, 2016). "Samantha Hess, Professional Cuddler, Changing The World One Hug At A Time". Huffington Post.
  7. ^ This 34-year-old gets paid to cuddle people from CNBC
  8. ^ Inside the World of For-Profit Snuggling
  9. ^ "Professional cuddler: 'I literally could cuddle 24 hours a day'". KPTV. December 12, 2013. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  10. ^ "Professional cuddling service opens in Portland". KOBI. November 17, 2014. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Irving Dejohn (January 16, 2014). "Portland's professional cuddler Samantha Hess expanding business and adding employees". Daily News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  12. ^ Ian Parker (January 15, 2014). "Woman to expand Portland cuddle business, hire staff". KATU. Archived from the original on February 16, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  13. ^ Reggie Aqui (November 13, 2013). "Portland woman is professional cuddler". KGW. KHOU. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  14. ^ Ian Forett (December 12, 2013). "Professional cuddler: 'I literally could cuddle 24 hours a day'". KCTV. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  15. ^ Rob Smith (January 10, 2014). "Professional cuddler plans Portland snuggle shop, will hire other cuddlers". Portland Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  16. ^ Caroline Moss (November 23, 2014). "Woman Opens A Professional Cuddle Store And Charges $60 An Hour To Snuggle". Business Insider. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  17. ^ "Woman opens professional cuddling shop – gets 10,000 customers in first week". The Independent. November 19, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  18. ^ "Cuddling convention offers platonic snuggles". CNN. February 10, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  19. ^ Hess, Samantha (11 August 2022). "It's time". Patreon. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  20. ^ "This 34-year-old gets paid to cuddle people". CNBC. March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  21. ^ "Portland's pro cuddler, Samantha Hess, gets booted from 'America's Got Talent'". Oregon Live. July 14, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2018.

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