Reality TV star turned entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel has set her sights on revolutionising what she describes as the world's most broken industry: modern dating. The founder of the Skinnygirl empire has launched The Core, an exclusive, application-only community designed to dismantle the superficiality of swipe-based apps and reintroduce intentional connection.
A Vetted Alternative to Dating Apps
Speaking exclusively to The Daily Mail, Frankel explained that The Core officially launched on December 3 and has seen explosive interest, with the team currently vetting thousands of applications. Membership is handled by a team including former executives from top dating apps, ensuring a rigorous selection process.
Frankel was blunt about her motivation, citing firsthand frustration with existing platforms. "I had experienced dating apps and their very obvious tactics to bait, switch and hook people in," she said. "The irony is they simply make you not want to participate at all." She was equally critical of traditional matchmakers, accusing them of having "poor intentions" and prioritising quotas over genuine compatibility.
No Free Pass for Fame or Fortune
Despite reported interest from celebrities and billionaires, Frankel insists status and wealth are not a golden ticket. "Fame and money are attractive traits but not our primary entry point. Intention, integrity and transparency are critical," she stated. The platform has already turned away a male billionaire over reputation concerns and a woman who declared "women don't pay."
Privacy is paramount, with Frankel confirming interest from a handful of female celebrities, including one who asked to invest. However, the model is built on equality. "At The Core, everyone is on an equal playing field," she emphasised.
A New Model: Connection Over Revenue
The Core's business model directly opposes that of major dating apps, which Frankel argues profit from keeping users single. "The longer someone stays single, the longer a dating app makes money. That's not the model here," she explained. Success is measured by thoughtful connections, not marriage, with early metrics focusing on whether members go on at least three meaningful dates.
The community offers tiered memberships. A premium 'connection membership' starts at around $1,200 for those actively seeking a partner, while a broader social tier begins at $50. Frankel is currently self-funding the venture, which has expanded to markets in the Midwest and West Coast since its launch.
The platform enters a market where giants like Bumble and Match Group face slowing growth. Frankel rejects the notion that AI alone can fix dating, betting instead on human judgment and accountability. With seven employees and a COO from a major dating platform, The Core aims to prove that in an AI world, people are craving real, vetted human connection.
