Raya, an internet dating software built to getting deliberately unique, got longer held a strong allure for me personally. We read it was just how Amy Schumer satisfied certainly one of this lady boyfriends, and everybody We realized on it seemed to be coordinating with Pete Davidson. Raya is frequently called a “celebrity online dating app,” although throughout short-time I happened to be about it, it would were best called a “celebrity online dating application + Ginny.” Yes, I attempted Raya, but decided to remove it after three times.
Raya describes itself as a “private, membership-based myspace and facebook.” This has a choice for professional marketing, along with matchmaking. To get access to it, you need to be asked by a pal after which get visibility approved by the application via them scanning your social media marketing. Despite the networking motif, folks I’m sure in the software makes use of and represent it as a dating software. Nevertheless, i’d arrived at learn that the exclusivity, as well as the emphasis on expert network, contains the potential to making Raya some much less enjoyable and flirty and a bit more companies everyday.
I found myself thus excited whenever Raya approved my personal profile. I would heard a great deal about it from buddies, and I desperately craved the invite. My good friend welcomed me personally in , and I also began swiping ASAP. Within my first few months as a Raya application consumer, I didn’t in fact put it to use to take times. I became planning to relocate to LA, so I thought I’d date when I got here. I however planning it absolutely was worth the $8.99/month to swipe through and determine if I could identify any celebrities (I merely saw the roommate’s sweetheart from Love and some guy I would noticed in taxicab videos – uhhhhhmazing).
Raya does not let you screenshot (severely, get over your self, Raya), therefore I could not keep my friends updated to my convos from the application. Other than that, it really is much like other online dating programs. You write a short bio, immediately after which if two people like both, you get to chat. Additionally, matches expire after 10 times, which decided enough time. On the whole, I found that definitely the best part of Raya had been tweeting about Raya, and that I was able to do this anyway, internet dating or not.
Once i eventually got to Los Angeles, I made a decision to buckle down and locate someone to go on a night out together with. Almost everyone I saw regarding the software worked when you look at the amusement industry, but TBH, this wasn’t that different from different dating programs in LA. Basically had a dollar for virtually any ambitious comedy author We saw on Tinder, I’d have sufficient dollars for a turmeric oat milk latte, and that’s plenty of dollars. But Raya was different – it had been glossier. Rather than profile pictures, it got profile slideshows with a self-chosen back ground song. Everyone have at least one professionally-shot image (myself personally incorporated). And, inside everyday l . a ., everyone seemed to need at least one photograph in a suit.
We began speaking with a TV copywriter who appeared precious and amusing. We planned to see smoothies, and he gave me title of someplace in western Hollywood. The guy don’t inquire in which we existed or what areas happened to be easiest in my situation – the guy just select a spot near him. My expectations going in were perhaps way too high – of many of my personal past dates, I decided the person ended up being truly into getting to know me. Even though there clearly was no biochemistry or the dialogue lacked spark, it seemed like these people were enthusiastic about fundamental information about my life. It was false on this date, nor on any of my personal Raya schedules.