Kitty Scott-Claus, who appeared in the third series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has seen plenty of dating profile pictures in their time – and knows what works and what doesn’t
Kitty Scott-Claus, a star from Drag Race UK, has revealed their expert advice for crafting the ideal online dating profile picture. The 33 year old drag queen, who is no stranger to striking a pose for the camera, has seen numerous profile pictures that simply don’t make the cut. According to Kitty: ditch the mirror selfies and spice up your dating profile with a mix of smirks, laughs, and pouts to capture your true self.
The dating-expert insists on authenticity but says the most important element is to simply ensure that the photos you’re using on dating profiles are current – to avoid awkward moments when meeting in real life.
No matter if you’re scouring the apps for Mr Right or just Mr Right Now, Kitty’s guidance, shared in collaboration with Grindr, could be the ticket to boosting your match rate.
The celebrity dished out pearls of wisdom following a survey of 500 online daters, which highlighted that nearly of dating-app users grapple with snapping a flawless profile pic.
Kitty Scott-Claus said: “There is quite a bit of pressure to get it right. You have even less time to make a first impression on a dating app than you do in real life, so that initial picture is all-important.”
Data shows daters make swift judgements, taking just about 14.6 seconds to determine whether someone has piqued their interest or not. It is no surprise then that individuals typically cycle through 10 photos before they are content enough to post one.
Four in ten admitted they have been actively ‘turned off’ by a bad online picture someone has taken of themselves, even though they may have been interested. Similarly, almost half have been on a date who turned out to look nothing like their profile picture.
Over a third of respondents said they are put off by profiles without face pictures, 32% dislike ‘overly sexual’ poses, and 29% are turned off by the obvious use of face filters or heavy editing.
Tristan Pineiro, a spokesperson from Grindr, said: “In today’s digital dating world, your profile picture is often your first impression – so put your best photo forward.”
He added: “While it can be tempting to choose an old photo or heavily filtered image, it’s far more effective to show the real you. People are looking for genuine connections, and that starts with being upfront about who you are, including how you look.”
KITTY SCOTT-CLAUS’ TOP TIPS FOR DATING SNAPS:
Refresh that throwback
If your profile pic’s older than your last ‘situationship’, it’s time to update. That blurry beach snap from 2015? Cute memory but not a vibe for 2025.
Make it a moment
Strike a pose that tells a story of who you are, give them something to ask about in the DMs. Snap your pics when you’re feeling fab – whether that’s fresh from a spin class or living your best life at Mighty Hoopla. Your joy is your glow-up.
Confidence is sexy
Embrace every part of you, confidence is sexier than fantasy. Don’t try to be someone you think people want; we’re here for the most authentic you. Got killer arms? A dazzling smile? Show it off. Modesty is cute, but confidence is the real thirst trap.
No group gaggles
We want a date, not a game of Guess Who. This is your moment to shine, solo.
Switch it up
One blank stare in five mirror selfies? No ma’am it’s not cute. The best dating profiles bring a range of vibes: smirks, laughs, pouts – even serious can look sexy.