Having unsuccessful in London, it had been during a three-month stint residing in Los Angeles that two of my Hollywood mates who are members — and both fairly famous — nominated me.

FRIENDLY NOMINATION

Right after paying £23.99 for a six-month subscription — or £7.99 30 days — you first need certainly to choose your selected “soundtrack” to accompany your slideshow all the way to six pictures.

This, members report, may be stressful when you are judged on your own range of track. One socialite, that is pals with Prince Harry, had a really general public meltdown on Instagram attempting to determine on the perfect theme tune, finally settling on “I want to Be Like You” through the Jungle Book.

We opted for something fun and that is lively Wanna Dance With someone by Whitney Houston, which went (cheesily) with my profile declaration that “I simply wanna dance” — well, you obtain my drift.

Raya claims that OTT shows of wide range aren’t accepted regarding the app.I beg to vary — many associated with profiles we see verge on parody, with a lot of champagne-popping-on-a-yacht shots and guys posing with Lamborghinis or on private jets. (Taking screenshots of people’ profiles can get you chucked down.)

In terms of superstars, we just ever spotted one — comedian Jack Whitehall, before he hooked up with Roxy Horner.

We quickly swiped appropriate, but alas we weren’t a match.

While that did provide me personally a small excitement, it’s a bit like taking place a safari and only seeing one zebra.

I’d anticipated to start to see the big five! Where had been Channing Tatum? (their profile reportedly reads: ‘Yes, I was previously a stripper. Sorry’ — a guide to their task before he became a star and part in Magic Mike.)

We ask other users i understand about their experience regarding the software and quickly realise I’m not alone in experiencing underwhelmed.

Jennifer, 44, informs me: “Most associated with individuals we found were in various nations. It’s bad sufficient wasting a night for a poor date, and never have to journey to Miami for this.”

Certainly, from the 25 profiles you’re matched to daily — you simply arrive at see this quantity due to the app’s “exclusivity” — I counted on average just three in London, where i will be based.

A geolocator tracks your whereabouts which means you can easily see the proximity of users and meet up at possibly nearby venues.

‘LIKE-MINDED’

I came across myself laughing aloud at the London map whilst the only places detailed had been either achingly hip, or playgrounds when it comes to super-rich, such as for instance Harrods or exclusive eatery Nobu.

Undoubtedly no Nando’s or Wetherspoons on the website. Tom, 41, a radio presenter, informs me he likes the undeniable fact that many people are “like-minded”.

Tessa, 30, a supervisor to musicians that are famous agrees. She says: “I don’t like to appear to be a snob, nonetheless it does save yourself time trawling through pages on other apps of men and women you’d connect with. never”

Yet I hear of three pals that have recently unsubscribed. Matt, 35, states: “No genuine talent, simply boring posers who thought it had been cool to share with you personal jets and atmosphere kilometers.”

However we hear of just one success tale — Georgia, 34, whom works in style and it is in a relationship having a household that is british (she wouldn’t expose who) that she came across on Raya.

“I initially joined as bull crap,” she informs me. “When we matched, we demonstrably knew whom he had been but didn’t think any such thing from it. Then again we came across for a glass or two as well as 2 years later we’re residing together.

“What’s good is that we both say we’d not have approached each other in actual life. He claims he could not have thought I’d be interested.

“there is a part of the papers we’d that is saying through buddies, but the majority of y our buddies understand the truth.”