How to Get on Raya: The Celebrity Dating App

An app where you could match with actors, musicians, millionaire entrepreneurs, influencers... Sounds like a fantasy? It's Raya. And it's very real.

If you're interested in the world of premium dating apps, you've probably heard of this mysterious app. The one that doesn't accept everyone. Where celebrities meet away from prying eyes.

In our ranking of the best dating apps 2025, we mentioned it as "the secret app." Today, we're telling you EVERYTHING: what it is, how it works, and most importantly—how to maximize your chances of getting in.

What Exactly Is Raya?

Raya is a dating (and networking) app launched in 2015 in Los Angeles. Its concept: create an ultra-selective space where "creative and influential" people can meet without getting harassed.

The Basics

• Invitation-only access — No public download
• Selection process by a committee — Your profile is evaluated by humans
• Paid subscription — ~$8/month once accepted
• Strict confidentiality rules — Screenshots forbidden, discretion required

Who's on Raya?

According to testimonials (because Raya doesn't officially communicate):

• Celebrities: actors, musicians, models (Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, Channing Tatum have been mentioned)
• Creatives: photographers, filmmakers, designers, artists
• Entrepreneurs: startup founders, investors, "tech bros"
• Influencers: content creators with significant audiences
• Athletes: professional and semi-pro athletes

What Raya Is NOT

• A guarantee of matching with stars (they're a minority)
• An app only for "rich people" (money alone isn't enough)
• An impossible-to-join closed club (with the right strategy, it's doable)

Admission Criteria

Raya doesn't publish official criteria. But after analyzing accepted and rejected profiles, here's what we know:

1. Your Instagram (The #1 Criterion)

This is THE gateway. Your Instagram must show:

What Counts:

• Follower count: 10K minimum (ideally 30K+), but quality matters more
• Consistent aesthetic: a curated feed, not random photos
• Creative content: what you CREATE, not just what you consume
• Real engagement: genuine comments, not bots

What Doesn't Help:

• Bought followers (Raya detects fakes)
• A private account (they need to see your content)
• Generic vacation photos with no personality

2. Your Profession / What You Do

Raya looks for people "doing interesting things." This includes:

✅ Favored:

• Artists, musicians, actors (even semi-pros)
• Entrepreneurs with a visible company
• Photographers, filmmakers, designers
• Journalists, published authors
• Startup founders (especially tech)

⚠️ Neutral:

• "Classic" corporate jobs (consultant, engineer, lawyer)
• Creative freelancer without a visible portfolio

❌ Disadvantaged:

• No clear profession
• Vague descriptions ("Entrepreneur", "CEO" without context)

3. Your Referrals

Referrals from existing members count enormously. A referral = someone already on Raya recommends your application.

How It Works:

• The higher your referrer's status on the app, the more it weighs
• Multiple referrals increase your chances
• Without referrals, the waitlist can last months (or years)

4. The Overall "Vibe"

Subjective but real criterion: do you "fit" the Raya aesthetic?

• Travel to photogenic locations
• Events, galas, gallery openings
• Photos with other known people (but no heavy name-dropping)
• Premium visual style (lighting, composition, quality)

How to Maximize Your Chances

Step 1: Prepare Your Instagram (3-6 Months Before)

The Minimum:

• 12+ recent posts (no empty feed)
• Clear bio with what you do
• Organized story highlights
• Link to your work/portfolio if relevant

To Maximize:

• Invest in Raya-worthy photos—pro or semi-pro quality
• Create content that shows your creativity (not just your personal life)
• Engage with accounts in your field (real presence, not spam)

Step 2: Find Referrals

This is the most effective hack. How to find referrers?

Leads:

• Friends of friends in creative industries
• Colleagues in entertainment/fashion/tech
• LinkedIn connections in favored fields
• Networking events in creative industries

What Doesn't Work:

• Asking strangers on social media (creepy + ineffective)
• Paying for referrals (it exists, but violates the rules)

Step 3: Submit Your Application

1. Download the app (available on iOS only)
2. Fill out the form:
   • Connect your Instagram
   • Describe what you do (be specific)
   • Add your referrers if you have any
3. Wait — From 1 week to... several years depending on your profile

Step 4: During the Wait

• Continue developing your online presence
• Accumulate more referrals if possible
• Don't follow up (they don't have support for that)

The Reality: Is It Worth It?

The Advantages

• Profile quality: everyone passed a filter
• Less "game": different energy, more direct
• Networking: beyond dating, professional opportunities
• Exclusivity: feeling of belonging to a club

The Disadvantages

• Reduced user base: mainly concentrated in LA, NYC, London, Paris
• Long and frustrating process: the wait can be discouraging
• No guarantees: being on Raya ≠ matching with stars
• Aesthetic pressure: everything is very "curated," can be exhausting

My Honest Opinion

Raya is interesting if you're already in a creative/media field. It's a "nice to have," not a game-changer. If you spend 6 months optimizing your Instagram just for Raya, you're probably wasting your time.

However, if you're naturally developing a creative online presence AND it aligns with your professional ambitions, then Raya becomes a nice bonus.

Alternatives to Raya

The League

Concept: "Selective" app based on LinkedIn + Instagram profile Criteria: Education, profession, appearance Access: Waitlist + subscription (~$30/month) Verdict: More accessible than Raya, less exclusive. Good compromise.

Luxy

Concept: App for "millionaires and beautiful people" Criteria: Declared income, verified photos Access: Free with optional premium Verdict: Dubious marketing, uneven profiles. Avoid.

Inner Circle

Concept: Selection based on Facebook + LinkedIn Criteria: Profession, education, social circle Access: Waitlist + subscription Verdict: Decent in Europe, less elitist than Raya.

Or simply... optimize the mainstream apps

The truth? An exceptional profile on Tinder or Hinge will probably give you more results than an average profile on Raya.

The app matters less than what you do with it.

Something I realized: I spent months wanting access to "exclusive" apps, thinking it was the solution. In reality, when I invested that time improving my Hinge profile—better photos, better prompts, better messages—my results exploded. The grass isn't greener on Raya. It's greener where you water it.

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Learn More

If Raya seems out of reach (or simply not aligned with what you're looking for), no stress. The "mainstream" apps work incredibly well when you know how to use them.

To get back to basics with Tinder, check out our complete guide. You'll find everything you need to transform your profile and get real results—without waiting on a waitlist.

Summary: How to Get on Raya

Average wait time: 1 week (with good profile + referrals) to 2+ years (without referrals, average profile)