You’re in for a harsh surprise if you thought finding a match on regular dating apps like Bumble and Tinder was difficult. There is an exclusive dating app with a massive waiting list.
Raya, a dating app aimed at celebrities and other influential people, has exploded in popularity in India.
The admittance rate for this members-only app is claimed to be even lower than that of Ivy League colleges like Harvard and Oxford! They meticulously vet candidates, dismissing those who aren’t deemed important enough to be included on the platform.
Raya has an amazing worldwide clientele, with Ben Affleck, Cara Delevigne, Channing Tatum, Demi Lovato, John Mayer, Lizzo, and Sharon Stone among the VIP users of the app at one point or another.
Closer to home, a number of Indian celebs have joined the ultra-exclusive dating app as early adopters. Janhvi Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, Neha Sharma, Sonal Chauhan, Anushka Ranjan, and Lisa Mishra, according to reports.
How Does One Get In On The Action?
Because the entire Raya buzz is based on exclusivity, the app’s creators determined that access to the platform would be limited to invites only.
What sets it apart from other dating apps like Tinder and Bumble is that it claims to provide exclusivity and privacy to these high-profile users in a way that the latter cannot – they adhere to a strict code of conduct that prohibits users from capturing screenshots or revealing their identities.
But, before you get too excited, keep in mind that the approval rate for Raya membership applications is shockingly low: only 8% of those who submit membership applications are chosen.
Someone was apparently willing to pay $10,000 to be a member of this secret iOS dating club.
In an interview with the New York Times, Raya’s inventor, Daniel Gendel, explained that the app wasn’t just for celebrities and musicians; it also allowed athletes, journalists, and non-famous people to participate. We’d take this with a grain of salt, given inclusivity appears to be the polar opposite of what the company aims for with their dating website.
A Raya membership must be applied for via Instagram and costs the same as a month’s Netflix subscription in the United States. So, if you’re prepared to take a chance and see if you can match with your favourite Bollywood star, good luck.
