What Is Raya? The Exclusive Celebrity Dating App

You’ve likely heard about the Raya app in the past. It’s a unique and exclusive social networking platform designed primarily for creative professionals and has gained a reputation in celebrity circles as a dating app of sorts. A few users even reportedly spotted Lewis Hamilton and Bad Bunny on the app in the past. Known for its high-profile user base, strict membership criteria, and a blend of dating and professional networking features, Raya offers a distinct experience for its members.

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How Do People Get On Raya?

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HONG KONG, CHINA – 2018/12/02: In this photo illustration, the Social Media membership based community platform Raya logo is seen displayed on an Android mobile device with a figure of hacker in the background. (Photo Illustration by Miguel Candela/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Getting on the Raya app is a process steeped in exclusivity and discretion. The platform operates on an invite-only basis, meaning that an existing user must refer potential members. This referral system ensures new members align with the app’s ethos and high standards.

The process doesn’t end with a referral. Once invited, applicants must undergo a rigorous vetting process. This involves a detailed review by the Raya committee, which assesses various factors such as the applicant’s social media presence, professional achievements, and influence within their industry. Raya aims to maintain a community of individuals with accomplished backgrounds in their field who can also contribute to the creative and collaborative spirit of the app.

Is Raya A Dating Site For Celebrities?

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 28: Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens attend a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on December 28, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

While many associate the Raya app with celebrities, it is more than just a dating site for the rich and famous. Originally launched in 2015 as a dating app, Raya has since expanded its functionality to include professional networking and social interactions, catering to a broader spectrum of creative professionals.

The user base does include a significant number of celebrities, including actors, musicians, models, and influencers, which adds to its allure. In fact, several famous celebrity couples have actually met on the app, including Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and NFL player Jonathan Owens, US Weekly reports. However, the platform also welcomes a diverse array of individuals from various creative fields such as art, fashion, design, and more. This blend of users creates unique opportunities for both romantic and professional connections, making Raya a versatile app for its members.

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How Hard Is It To Get Into Raya?

Gaining access to the Raya app is notably challenging, which is a deliberate aspect of its appeal. The stringent vetting process ensures that only individuals who meet specific criteria are accepted. After receiving an invitation, Raya requires applicants to provide detailed information about themselves, which the committee meticulously reviews.

The acceptance rate is low, reflecting the app’s commitment to maintaining an exclusive and high-quality community. Factors considered during the review process include the applicant’s industry influence, social media footprint, and contributions to their respective fields. This rigorous screening ensures that Raya remains a curated space for creativity and connection.

How Much Is A Raya Membership?

Membership on the Raya app comes at a premium, reflecting its exclusive nature and the high value it offers. A monthly membership subscription costs $24.99 per month. There are also options for six-month and one-year memberships, which are priced at $113.99 ($18.99 per month) and $155.99 ($12.99 per month), respectively. 

The Raya+ membership offers similar subscription plans at a higher cost for more features. One month costs $49.99, while six-month plans begin at $239.99 ($39.99 per month) and one-year plans begin at $349.99 ($29.16 per month).) The Raya+ membership offers subscribers access to more profiles and those who’ve already swiped on your profile, as well as unlimited likes. In many ways, it reflects the majority of dating apps that are currently on the market. 

Conclusion

The Raya app stands out in the crowded world of social networking and dating apps due to its exclusivity, high-profile user base, and focus on creative professionals. Getting on Raya requires a referral and a thorough vetting process, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals gain access. While the app does include many celebrities, it is not solely a dating platform for the famous; it also serves as a valuable networking tool for a wide range of creative professionals. The membership cost reflects the premium experience offered, with various pricing options to accommodate different levels of engagement. Overall, Raya provides a unique space for creatives to connect, collaborate, and cultivate both personal and professional relationships.

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Bumble/Tinder Film at 20th Century Studios Adds ‘Industry’ Star Myha’la

Bumble/Tinder Film at 20th Century Studios Adds ‘Industry’ Star Myha’la

Rising star Myha’la, who is best known for her lead role in HBO’s Industry and the recent pre-apocalyptic Leave the World Behind from Obama’s production company Higher Ground, joined the cast of a new film inspired by the story of Bumble and co-founder of Tinder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, from 20th Century Studios.

First reported by Deadline, the film is being produced by 20th Century Studios alongside Ethea Entertainment. Lily James will play the lead role. 

Myha’la is set to play the Wolfe Herd-inspired character’s friend and colleague. Rachel Lee Goldenberg is directing from a script she co-wrote with Bill Parker and Kim Caramele.

Details of the plot are under wraps, but the story is said to be an inspiration and not wholly based on Wolfe Herd’s life. Wolfe Herd co-founded Tinder and then left the company to go found one of its primary competitors, Bumble. Talk about big moves. She exited in 2023 and is considered one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world.

James is producing the film alongside Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay. Gala Gordon is executive producing. Sarah Shepard is overseeing the project for 20th Century Studios.

Filming will occur in Los Angeles next month, so they’re well underway.

Fans can see Myha’la as Harper Stern in “Industry” in its third season for HBO/BBC, later this year.

The post Bumble/Tinder Film at 20th Century Studios Adds ‘Industry’ Star Myha’la first appeared on The Source.

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Man Accused of Torturing Woman Is Using Dating Apps to Find Victims and Evade Capture: Police

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 A man accused of kidnapping and torturing a woman in southwest Oregon knew his victim prior to the attack, according to police officials. Benjamin Obadiah Foster, 36 years old, had a past relationship with the victim, said Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman. He did not provide additional details but said, “This was not a random attack.”

As the week-long search for the suspect continues, some residents in the neighborhood received a notification to shelter in place. On Tuesday, police surrounded a home believed to be linked to Foster’s case. 

The search for Foster began January 24 when officers discovered a woman who had been bound and severely beaten into unconsciousness inside a Grants Pass home, police said. Foster had already fled the crime scene when police arrived. The victim remains in critical condition at the hospital and is being treated for alleged abuses over a “protracted amount of time,” the police chief said.

Foster is wanted on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping and assault, according to the police chief. Furthermore, Foster is being accused of trying to kill the woman while “intentionally torturing” her, according to charging documents. 

Before police found the victim, a friend turned up and called the police. When officers arrived on the scene, they found “an absolutely disgusting scene,” the police chief said, adding that images taken by investigators are “horrific.”

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He added that investigators continue to work through a “significant amount” of evidence. Numerous tips have been sent in and police are following up accordingly. The police have made it a mission to spread his image. People should pay particular attention to his eyes and facial structure, police said, because he may have tried to alter his appearance by cutting or coloring his hair and beard.

Investigators have previously shared that Foster may be using dating apps to find potential victims or manipulate people into helping him evade arrest. Foster’s behavior reflects a pattern as he has been accused of attacking women who he had relationships with in two separate cases in Las Vegas, Clark County records show. 

Foster was charged with felony battery constituting domestic violence. His ex-girlfriend testified that he tried to strangle her on Christmas Eve in 2017 after he saw that another man had texted her, according to the documents. 

He was also charged with felony assault, battery and kidnapping for alleged abuses against his then-girlfriend in 2019, according to charging documents. 

The victim in that case told police Foster strangled her several times and kept her tied up for most of the following two weeks, a Las Vegas police report said. When she was finally able to escape to a hospital, she had seven broken ribs, two black eyes and abrasions to her wrists and ankles from being tied up, the report said. 

Foster accepted plea deals in both cases. In the first case, he was sentenced to a maximum of 30 months in prison but given credit for 729 days served.

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Holocaust Survivor Swindled Out of $2.8 Million by Florida Woman on Dating Site

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The latest romance scam hoaxed an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor out of his life savings when he met a woman on a dating site, prosecutors allege. Peaches Stergo, a 36-year-old Florida woman also known as Alice, was arrested Wednesday on one count of wire fraud for allegedly duping the 87-year-old man out of over $2.8 million. The woman used the generous amount of money to purchase Rolex watches, a boat and other luxury items, the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York announced Thursday. 

“The defendant callously preyed on a senior citizen simply seeking companionship, defrauding him of his life savings,” said Michael J. Driscoll, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office when announcing the charges.

The allegations are the newest amongst a growing trend of swindlers targeting users of matchmaking websites. Romance scams, now cautionary tales, bring out the flip side of using online dating services that are often marketed as a savior to single folks. Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler,” tells the stories of several women who said they were defrauded by the same man they met on the dating app.

According to the indictment, Stergo met the unnamed victim, a then-Manhattan resident, on a dating website seven years ago. By 2017, she asked him to borrow money for attorney fees so she could receive settlement funds she claimed were owed to her, according to prosecutors. The settlement, prosecutors said no such funds existed.

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The next five years tell a story of lies, according to prosecutors.Stergo’s lies scored her almost monthly checks often in increments of $50,000. She impersonated a bank employee, sent fake invoices, and created a phony email account to reassure the victim that he would be repaid if he continued to deposit money into the account, according to the indictment.

Stergo used the pocketed money to buy a home in a gated community, a condominium, a boat, and numerous cars including a Corvette, the indictment says. Prosecutors allege she also used his money to travel, buy gold and silver bars, jewelry, and designer clothing.

The Federal Trade Commission said losses from romance scams hit a record $547 million in 2021, more than six times the $87 million lost in 2017. On Monday, the AARP released a warning for users to be on the lookout for these scams, which statistically hits the elderly community harder than other age groups. If convicted, Stergo could face up to 20 years in prison. 

In 2021, the alleged victim confided in his son that he had given Stergo his life savings under the false promises being fed to him, according to court documents. He wrote over 62 checks equally nearly 2.8 million. After his son informed him that he had been scammed, the victim stopped writing checks. He lost his apartment, according to the indictment.

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