Whitney Wolfe Herd’s Journey to Bumble Explored in New Film
UPDATE: The world is buzzing as the highly anticipated film “Swiped,” directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, reveals the extraordinary journey of Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, ahead of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival today. This film captures Wolfe Herd’s tumultuous rise from co-founding Tinder to becoming the youngest self-made female billionaire.
In a groundbreaking twist, “Swiped” highlights a pivotal difference in Bumble’s approach: empowering women to make the first move in online dating. The film is set to spark discussions on women’s roles in tech and entrepreneurship, as Wolfe Herd’s story resonates with many in today’s challenging landscape.
The narrative begins with Wolfe Herd’s tenure at Tinder, where she faced a bitter fallout leading to a public lawsuit that painted her as an opportunist. Despite facing harassment and adversity, Wolfe Herd’s resilience led her to launch Bumble in 2014, a platform designed to offer women a safer dating environment. Within its first year, Bumble amassed 1 million users, skyrocketing to nearly 40 million active monthly users today.
Goldenberg and lead actress Lily James spoke about the urgency and emotional depth of Wolfe Herd’s story. “Her trajectory was inspirational,” Goldenberg stated. “She takes some of the most difficult moments in her life and forges them into success.” James added, “I wanted to share Whitney’s journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry.”
The film was crafted without Wolfe Herd’s direct involvement due to the conditions of her NDA from the Tinder lawsuit, posing unique challenges for the filmmakers. “It was a huge responsibility to tell her story,” Goldenberg admitted. The creative team conducted extensive research, piecing together Wolfe Herd’s experiences from public information and interviews.
“Swiped” showcases the exhilarating early days of Tinder, where Wolfe Herd played a vital role in its branding and marketing. Memorable scenes depict her relentless efforts to promote Tinder on college campuses, a testament to her innovative spirit. However, the film also delves into darker moments, revealing how harassment and a toxic work culture led to Wolfe Herd’s exit from Tinder.
In a dramatic turn of events, Wolfe Herd filed a lawsuit against Tinder in 2014, detailing 18 months of alleged harassment. The fallout from the suit, which was settled out of court, led to public scrutiny and backlash against her. Yet, this adversity paved the way for her next venture.
The film captures Wolfe Herd’s transition to Bumble, where she aimed to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace. “The goal was to highlight collaboration over competition,” Goldenberg explained. Bumble’s initial success, marked by a user base explosion, is portrayed as a triumph for female empowerment in tech.
In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Wolfe Herd is also an advocate for digital safety. She championed the passage of Texas House Bill 2789, making the sending of unsolicited explicit images a punishable offense.
As “Swiped” prepares for its premiere, it promises to inspire a new generation of women entrepreneurs. James emphasized the film’s potential impact: “If this can encourage women to follow their dreams, I’d be incredibly proud.”
Stay tuned for more updates as “Swiped” hits screens and Wolfe Herd’s impactful story continues to unfold.
