The origins of the dating app unfolded.
In the world of tech entrepreneurship, Whitney Wolfe Herd's story stands out as a beacon of resilience and determination. British actress Lily James, known for her captivating performances, found this story particularly inspiring and took on the role of Whitney in the film "Swiped".
The film, now streaming on Disney+, is based solely on extensive media coverage from the time when Whitney left Tinder in a dispute and went on to found Bumble, the dating app where women make the first move. Due to a confidentiality agreement, Whitney herself did not participate in the making of the film.
"Swiped" starts as a romantic comedy, with Whitney sneaking into a party to network and meeting a startup founder named Sean. As the story unfolds, it delves into the challenges Whitney faced in the tech industry, including open sexism, bullying, and abuse of power, both in the app and at her workplace.
One of the key aspects of the film is the strong female team behind it. Lily James emphasises the importance of this, stating that it gave a sense of strengthening and supporting the women around them. The director of "Swiped", Rachel Lee Goldenberg, is relatively unknown but had a strong female team for the project.
Whitney's journey at Tinder saw her enter a relationship with her colleague Justin, become a co-founder, and play a significant role in its successful development and market launch. However, this relationship turned toxic, making things even more uncomfortable for Whitney at work. She eventually ended the relationship, which added another layer of complexity to her life.
After leaving Tinder in 2014 and settling a harassment lawsuit, Whitney went on to found Bumble. Her success story culminated in her becoming the youngest woman to take a company public in 2021. The portrayal of this success story in "Swiped" feels like a feel-good movie filled with Hollywood clichés, but it's hard to argue with the entertainment and amusement it provides.
It's worth noting that films with women at the center are still rare in Hollywood, making "Swiped" an important addition to the genre. Russian investor Andrey Andreev supported Whitney in founding Bumble, contributing to her remarkable journey.
Despite not having the participation of Whitney Wolfe Herd herself, "Swiped" offers a compelling narrative that sheds light on the challenges faced by women in the tech industry and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
