Quick Read
- Kylan Darnell, known as the ‘Queen of Sorority Rush,’ went viral in 2022 on TikTok for her sorority recruitment videos.
- By 2025, she stepped back from sorority recruitment due to mental health struggles and online negativity.
- Darnell plans to pursue a career in sports broadcasting after graduating in 2026.
- She has collaborated with ESPN, NASCAR, and MLS and aims to empower young women in sports media.
- Her story highlights the pressures of social media fame and the need for mental health awareness.
In August 2022, Kylan Darnell was just another freshman at the University of Alabama, eagerly stepping into the world of sorority life. Little did she know that her first “Outfit of the Day” (#OOTD) TikTok video, posted on the opening day of the university’s sorority recruitment process, would catapult her into the limelight. Dressed in Gucci shorts, a Zara top, and an assortment of designer bracelets, Darnell’s video launched her into the viral phenomenon known as “RushTok.”
The Rise of a Viral Sensation
Darnell’s bubbly personality and carefully curated outfits quickly garnered her a massive following on TikTok, where she became the face of RushTok, the social media trend documenting sorority recruitment. Over the course of her college years, she amassed over a million followers and became known as the “Queen of Sorority Rush.” Her videos showcased the glamour and excitement of Greek life at the University of Alabama, featuring everything from dramatic Bid Day reveals to behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.
However, with fame came pressure. As she explained in an interview with USA Today, the viral attention placed her on a pedestal she was unprepared for. “When I did essentially get famous online, I was really vulnerable,” Darnell admitted. “I didn’t really know how to navigate it… I tried my best to be absolutely perfect.” Despite years of preparation through pageants and dance recitals, navigating online fame while balancing college life proved to be a daunting challenge.
Stepping Back for Mental Health
By 2025, Darnell’s life as a social media influencer began to take its toll. The pressure to maintain her online persona, coupled with a growing wave of negativity and online trolling, led her to take a step back from sorority recruitment this year. In an emotional video posted on August 11, she candidly shared her struggles with her mental health. “I’m in a mental health spot where I’ve been struggling,” she told her followers. “I’ve just not been enjoying it… If I was to go on there and show these outfits and keep going, I would be lying to you guys and myself.”
The decision to temporarily withdraw from recruitment was also influenced by negative comments directed at her younger sister, Isabella Darnell, who started her freshman year at the University of Alabama this year. “Certain stuff that was being commented about my sister and about my own sorority—the negative things—I didn’t want anything to do with that,” she explained to E! News. “People are so sure on the internet. They will see one thing and then run a mile with it, and it’s not even true.”
Looking Ahead: A Career in Sports Broadcasting
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Darnell remains optimistic about her future. Currently majoring in sports broadcasting, she has already collaborated with major organizations like ESPN, NASCAR, and MLS soccer. As she approaches graduation in 2026, she’s excited to embark on her dream career in sports media. Though she hasn’t revealed specific details about her post-graduation plans, Darnell teased that she has a job lined up that aligns perfectly with her passion for carving out space for young women in the sports industry.
In an exclusive interview with E! News, Darnell shared her aspirations for the future, including a potential move to Texas. “I would love to live in Texas just because everything’s better in Texas,” she said. “I love the whole rhinestone cowboy boots situation. I feel like I would be very cute in Texas.”
The Broader Impact of RushTok
Darnell’s journey has also sparked broader conversations about the pressures of social media and the intense scrutiny faced by young influencers. The rise of RushTok has brought the sorority recruitment process into the public eye, highlighting both its glamour and its challenges. The trend even inspired a 2023 HBO Max documentary and a Lifetime special, further cementing its cultural impact.
While Darnell’s story is unique, it underscores a universal truth about the double-edged sword of internet fame. For young women like her, navigating the world of social media comes with opportunities for personal and professional growth, but also significant mental health challenges.
As Kylan Darnell prepares to close the chapter on her college years and begin a new journey in sports broadcasting, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing ambition with self-care, and the need for compassion in the often unforgiving world of social media.