Celebrities' Experiences on Dating Apps: From Success Stories to Unfortunate Encounters

Nov 12, 2025 at 1:38 AM
This feature delves into the intriguing world of celebrity online dating, exploring how various famous individuals have navigated dating applications. From highly successful unions to rather awkward experiences, the narrative provides an intimate glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of finding love in the digital age, even for those constantly in the public eye.

Navigating Digital Romance: Stars Share Their Dating App Journeys

The Current Landscape of Digital Dating for Prominent Figures

In November 2025, the world of digital dating continues to present its complexities, prompting even the author, a recently single individual in her thirties, to consider a hiatus from platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Lex until the spring. Despite these prevalent challenges, dating applications have indeed paved the way for successful connections. A notable example includes New York's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, who met his accomplished artist wife, Rama Duwaji, on Hinge, offering a beacon of hope that meaningful relationships can still blossom online.

High-Profile Pairs Who Found Love Through Digital Platforms

Mamdani and Duwaji are not isolated cases; numerous other well-known couples have discovered each other through these virtual avenues, transcending the typical profiles filled with generic interests. This segment celebrates the various celebrities who have openly shared their experiences of engaging with dating applications, revealing the broad spectrum of their romantic endeavors.

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens: A Match Made on Raya

The esteemed Olympic gymnast, Simone Biles, and her NFL player husband, Jonathan Owens, connected on the exclusive dating app Raya in 2020. Owens candidly admitted in 2021 that he was unfamiliar with Biles's celebrity status at their initial meeting, a detail that Biles found endearing. Their story exemplifies an unexpected yet successful pairing facilitated by online dating.

Nick Kroll: A Comedian's Raya Love Story

Comedian and co-creator of Big Mouth, Nick Kroll, found his wife, artist and landscape designer Lily Kwong, on Raya in 2018. Kwong reportedly initiated contact, reaching out to Kroll first. Their subsequent marriage and two children underscore the positive outcomes that can arise from taking the initiative in online interactions.

Drew Barrymore's Less Fortunate Raya Experience

Actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore offered a starkly different account of her Raya journey on Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen in 2020. She described her experience as "terrible," marked by being stood up and failing to match with anyone. Despite her friends' encouragement, she likened her time on the app to a "car wreck," highlighting that even celebrities can face rejection and disappointment in online dating.

Demi Lovato's Pre-Marital Digital Encounters

Prior to her marriage to artist and songwriter Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, Demi Lovato also explored Raya to connect with both men and women during her single phase. Her willingness to use dating apps illustrates a broader trend among public figures who, like anyone else, seek companionship and romance through digital means before settling down.

Nikki Glaser's Celebrity Sightings on Raya

Comedian and 2025 Golden Globes host, Nikki Glaser, has openly discussed encountering other celebrities, such as Andrew Garfield and Ben Affleck, on Raya. She even shared her experience regarding Affleck with his ex-partner, Gwyneth Paltrow. Glaser's anecdotes shed light on the often-overlapping social circles found within these exclusive dating platforms.