Beautiful, famous and looking for love? Charlotte Edwards slips through the portals of the A-list’s answer to Tinder.
For 20 thrilling seconds peeking over the shoulder of a Raya member, I have a keyhole view of the dating app for A-listers, and, oh my word,it’s fun. First, there’s a Hollywood actor, aged around 33 – not that hot, but very talented. Wasn’t he up for an Oscar? But he lives in LA, and we don’t. Next. Is that a football player? Actually, I hate football. X him (an X and a heart are Raya’s version of left and right swipes). Ooh, it’s DJ-I’ve vaguely-heard-of. Look what fun he’s having in his profile picture. Is he at a club in Ibiza? Next! This one has an incredible tan, laughing off the world’s cares on his yacht.
And as I laugh with him, the app is minimised on my Raya-friend’s iPhone, and the fun disappears like cocaine down the plughole in a police raid. “I can’t show you any more,” she says. “I’ll be thrown out.” Because Raya is all about exclusivity and secrecy. It is a dating app for those “too famous” to mix with civilians.
Since it launched in March 2015, the names of a few members have been leaked to the media. Among them: Cara Delevingne and Samantha Ronson (ex of Lindsay Lohan and DJ sister of Mark), Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright, Ruby Rose, and Jennifer Lawrence’s ex, Nicholas Hoult. Other high-profile users include Elijah Wood, Zach Braff, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Matthew Perry, Teri Hatcher, John Cusack and designer Alexander Wang.
After Kelly Osbourne’s profile was exposed online in August 2015, Raya introduced a banner that popped up when users tried to take a screenshot, threatening expulsion from the app if the picture appeared anywhere public.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHANNEN DOHERTY
The rebellious actor died in July after a nine-year battle with cancer. Zara Wong looks back at the legacy of a woman who always lived on her own terms
IN THE WILDS OF ALASKA
Nature served up a spectacular array of delights, while cruising the majestic waters of the far north.
Back to EARTH
In its earliest days, the farm bred draught horses for export. Now Tasmania's 1840 cottage Leighton House has been restored as a glorious getaway
ODE to LIGHT
Created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian in 2011, Elie Saab's Le Parfum has since gained a cult following and become an industry icon. Here, Sally Hunwick uncovers the origins of the stunning chypre floral scent
JEN ATKIN
The Ouai beauty guru is regularly called on by the Kardashians and a host of other A-listers. Here, she talks about hair, her beauty cupboard and how she keeps up her energy levels
A NEW DIRECTION
When she was 16, Jordan Lambropoulos told her surgeon she'd rather die than wake up with a colostomy bag. Today - 10 years, countless operations and 14,000 Instagram followers later - she's proof that a colostomy bag is not the end. In fact, it can be the beginning of a whole new life
LADY LUCK
Rosalía takes her accessories as seriously as she takes her art. The Spanish musician spent three years working on her much-lauded album Motomami, finessing the details and perfecting the finishing touches. And when it comes to her outfits, she's no less specific
Wait... superhero movies are cool now?
Who had Emma Corrin and Juno Temple as supervillians on their 2024 bingo card?
CURTAIN CALLING
Brisbane-born star Vidya Makan steps into the shoes of America's founding mother in the long-awaited return of Hamilton
LEIGH-ANNE
The English singer on colourism, freedom and reuniting Little Mix
