IT may be an exclusive and private playground for the rich and famous but high-end dating app Raya can lead to a cruel and crushing experience.
Hollywood stars including Charlize Theron and Ben Affleck, footballers Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish and Love Island’s Maura Higgins and Tasha Ghouri have all signed up at one point.
But only a tiny percentage of applicants are ever approved by a secret committee who decide if the singletons are glamorous, successful or rich enough to be let in.
Today one Raya member, a 35-year-old air stewardess from London, reveals what it is really like to be a member.
She admits the world’s most exclusive dating app may feature some of the country’s most desirable men — but they are still capable of making a woman feel “used” and often ghost their conquests after sex.
She says: “I joined a year ago. I have my own money so I want a man who won’t sponge off me — who can provide for me too. It’s not shallow, I just know what I want.
“I gave my Instagram details when I applied, which show that I can afford to go to the nicest restaurants in London, wear designer clothes and go on exotic holidays.
“When I was in I was really happy. It costs about £20 a month. There are rules to stick to. You can’t take screenshots of anyone — they are banned — and anyone caught leaking messages or naming names is removed from the app.
“I have had good, and bad, experiences. The people on it are more successful, and dates tend to be more generous. You just have to be careful of the egos and men who are just after one thing. I want a serious relationship, not a one-night stand.
“But I will keep trying to find Mr Right. I am sure he is out there somewhere.”
Here, our insider opens her diary from the past year to reveal the highs and lows of her Raya experience . . .
DATE 1
I loved the sound of this guy. He was at least 15 years older than me.
During our messaging I realised he had a quiet confidence that I love in older men.
He was a Hollywood actor and had starred in Law And Order.
We met at London’s Soho House Dean Street where he was staying.
Dinner was relaxed, not much talk about work or anything too deep.
He picked up the £300 bill. We ended up making out in the back of a cab on my way to the Tube.
I was a bit disappointed he didn’t offer to pay for my cab home, but at least he got me to the station.
We didn’t speak much afterwards and it fizzled out.
DATE 2
I dated this guy for a couple of months. I had high hopes.
He was 45, Latin, knows everyone in London and he and his friends each have memberships at different private clubs.
Soho House on Tuesdays, Annabel’s on Wednesdays, Maison Estelle on Thursdays, and somewhere called “H” on Fridays.
He would easily spend £300 on me during a night out and I never, ever paid for anything.
After a while it became clear he was more interested in money, status and the Chelsea nightlife than me.
And I discovered that he and his mates called girls “Tapas” — meaning anyone can have a go. Vile.
DATE 3
From the minute we started chatting online I loved our conversations, and when I met him there was great chemistry too.
He was 28, worked in tech, and was the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
We met at The Phene, a Chelsea pub.
He paid the £100 bill for dinner with a really lovely bottle of wine.
He was obsessed with flaunting his wealth though, which seemed crass.
He made every attempt he could to sleep with me that night. I refused.
He ghosted me.
DATE 4
This was one of the strangest dates I have ever had.
He was a 38-year-old banker and we went to the French restaurant Mister Nice, near his work in Mayfair.
He was obsessed with fitness and had the personality of a protein shake.
Every item he wore was Loro Piana — a brand that celebrities such as David Beckham love — and he made sure I knew it.
He picked up the £500 bill and, bizarrely, asked me to be his girlfriend before dessert.
Then he ghosted me.
DATE 5
This was a date with a reality star from Made in Chelsea.
He picked me up in his fancy car then took me back to Chelsea to PJ’s Brasserie for a drink.
He was late thirties, had a huge ego and clearly cared more about being seen with me than actually talking to me.
He was obsessed with how his hair looked and kept checking it out. He kept an eye on the bill too even though it only came to £40.
He dropped me off at home afterwards, a perfect gent, but there was zero spark. I didn’t see him again.
I’ve had good and bad experiences. The people on it are more successful and dates are generous. You just have to be careful of the egos and the men are just after one thing
DATE 6
I matched with a well-known 51-year-old news presenter.
At first he seemed great. Our first date was at a pub watching football.
He did keep an eye on how much I was drinking though.
The second date was a book launch, which was actually great fun.
But he became anxious and was freaking out that somebody had seen us going back to his place.
It was too much for me. We never met again.
(NOT QUITE) DATE 7
I was matched with an American music producer who’s early forties and now dating a major US actress.
We planned a date and he sent a few explicit messages, then vanished and unmatched me.
DATE 8
I matched with a Swiss art collector who took me to dinner at The Belvedere in Holland Park and spent £500. It was seriously romantic.
Afterwards he let me get an Uber home while he jumped into his Lamborghini, which felt odd.
For our second date I went to his house — which was insane — and he cooked. It was fabulous.
But we ended up having sex, which I now regret, because the next day he messaged saying we “didn’t have enough in common”.
I felt used.
DATE 9
This guy was about 40, from Chelsea and fairly normal.
We went to the restaurant attached to Fortnum & Mason.
The food and wine were amazing, and he spent somewhere between £300 and £500.
I ended up dating him for a while but it was bad timing. Couldn’t fault him.
DATE 10
This Australian was 48, owned his own interior design company, great- looking and amazing in bed!
But he had three young children and no clue what he really wanted after his divorce. There’s a lot of that on Raya.
And he was tight. We went to Soho House a couple of times but the only thing he ever bought me was a Nando’s.
It didn’t last and since then I’ve seen him on the Facebook pages “Are We Dating The Same Guy?” and “Pr*ckadvisor London” which warns other women about guys who don’t treat their dates well.
He’s not the one for me!
