If you thought splitting the bill was the biggest debate in modern romance, think again. A controversial new dating app called Courted has officially launched, and it is completely upending the rules of engagement in 2026. The premise? Before a man can even secure a first date, he must pay a mandatory "date preparation deposit"—a fee set specifically by the woman to cover her pre-date maintenance costs. The app, the brainchild of viral TikTok influencer Amanda Michelle (known to her followers simply as "Mandy"), has ignited a firestorm across social media, drawing a sharp line between those who see it as a necessary evolution of modern courtship 2026 and those decrying it as transactional chaos.
The "Intent Fee": How Courted Works
The functionality of Courted is as bold as it is divisive. Unlike traditional apps like Hinge or Bumble, where matching is free and dates are negotiated later, Courted requires an upfront financial commitment. When setting up her profile, a woman calculates her "getting ready" expenses—ranging from blowouts and manicures to babysitting fees and transportation. This total becomes her "preparation deposit."
According to Amanda Michelle, this feature serves two purposes: it compensates women for the time and money invested in looking their best, and it acts as a powerful filter against "time-wasters." In her launch video, which has already racked up millions of views, Michelle explains, "This lets a woman walk into the date already so happy, and that leads to a better connection." Men who pay the fee are signaled as serious suitors who understand the value of a woman's time, effectively rebranding the financial transaction as a romantic gesture of "courting."
Backlash and Praise: Is It Empowerment or Escorting?
The reaction to the Courted dating app Mandy launched has been swift and polarized. Critics have flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok with accusations that the app blurs the line between dating and sex work. High-profile detractors, including author Carol Roth, scathingly remarked, "Congratulations, you've invented prostitution," while other viral comments claim that "modern women are cooked" for expecting financial compensation just to show up.
However, supporters—particularly single mothers and women experiencing extreme dating burnout—argue that the date preparation deposit is a logical response to the dating trends 2026 landscape. With the cost of living and beauty services at all-time highs, many women feel that the financial burden of dating has historically fallen disproportionately on them before the date even begins. For them, the deposit isn't about profit; it's about equity and ensuring that men paying for first date app fees are genuinely interested in a relationship rather than a casual hookup.
The Context: Why This is Happening Now
The rise of Courted didn't happen in a vacuum. By early 2026, "dating app fatigue" had reached a breaking point. Ghosting, low-effort dates, and the "gamification" of romance left millions of singles disillusioned. Amanda Michelle's pitch taps into a growing desire for "high-effort" dating. The argument is that if a man is willing to invest upfront, he is less likely to flake or treat the interaction casually.
Market analysts suggest that while controversial, niche apps like Courted are carving out a profitable sector in the industry. As general-purpose apps struggle with user retention, specialized platforms that promise "quality over quantity"—even at a premium price—are gaining traction. Whether Courted succeeds or collapses under the weight of its own TikTok dating controversy remains to be seen, but it has undeniably forced a conversation about what effort looks like in the digital age.
What This Means for Men
For men, the app presents a stark choice. Proponents argue that paying the deposit simplifies the dating process by removing the ambiguity of interest levels. "If I pay the deposit, I know I'm getting a date with someone who is serious enough to verify their costs," said one early beta tester on Reddit. However, the majority of male commentary remains skeptical, viewing the fees as an "entitlement tax" that commodifies romantic connection.
The Future of Digital Romance
As Courted rolls out city by city, it stands as a litmus test for modern courtship 2026. Will the "preparation deposit" become a standard expectation, or will it remain a fringe luxury for a specific subset of daters? Regardless of its longevity, Amanda Michelle has succeeded in one major way: she has everyone talking about the price of love. In a world where time is money, Courted is simply asking, "How much is a first date worth to you?"
