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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Why did Kylan Darnell ‘step back' from Bama Rush? TikToker shares recruitment advice for sister Izzy
University of Alabama senior and Zeta Tau Alpha member Kylan Darnell, one of the most recognizable faces of the viral Bama Rush phenomenon, has announced she will take a 'step back' from recruitment events this year to prioritize her mental health. Kylan Darnell announced that she is taking a step back for her mental well-being(Instagram) The reigning Miss Ohio Teen USA and TikTok creator, who has amassed over 1.2 million followers by documenting sorority life, said the decision came after years of navigating intense public scrutiny, reported E! Online. Kylan Darnell on supporting her sister Darnell revealed she is focusing on guiding her younger sister, Isabella 'Izzy' Darnell, who is currently participating in the University of Alabama's highly competitive sorority rush. Kylan was quoted in the report saying that she advised her sister to just be herself and added, 'A lot of girls try to fit into the SEC sorority girl mold, but I wanted Izzy to stay unique.' The TikTok creator admitted that Izzy, who is just 18, is 'tougher' than she was at that age and capable of brushing off criticism, both in person and online. Also Read: What is 'Good Genes' sorority rush? Rushtok college trend goes viral amid Sydney Sweeney American Eagle jeans ad row University of Alabama's sorority recruitment process The University of Alabama's sorority rush spans four intense rounds: open house, philanthropy, sisterhood, and preference, which culminates in Bid Day at the Bryant-Denny Stadium. Known for its competitive atmosphere, the process has become a national talking point after gaining viral traction on TikTok and inspiring the HBO Max documentary Bama Rush, as per E! Online. Sorority consultants, some charging thousands for mentorship, coach potential new members on conversational skills, wardrobe choices, and avoiding taboo topics. Critics, including recruitment coaches themselves, have described the process as 'psychological warfare' and 'emotional boot camp', Fox News reported. Stepping back for peace According to Fox News, Darnell arrived at Alabama with little connection to Southern Greek traditions, and the experience was a rush at first. However, the public scrutiny has begun weighing on her as time passed. She was quoted in the report saying this year was more stressful and added, 'I need to step back. I can't fool myself anymore this week, it is really affecting my mental health.' Darnell, however, noted that her decision to step back from social media does not discourage others from engaging with and becoming active in Greek life. She said that although she enjoyed her time in the sorority, at present, she is choosing to put her mental health first. Also Read: ABC News debate moderator Linsey Davis was Kamala Harris' sorority sister? MAGA digs out video, 'no proof' junk others Cheering on the sidelines Even though Darnell remains a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, the next few days she plans on taking a break from her social media by doing recruitment with her sister and having quality time with her family. Bid Day is August 17, and for the first time in her college career, she will be cheering from the sidelines instead of being at the forefront and online, the Fox News report added. FAQs Q: Who is Kylan Darnell? A: She is a University of Alabama senior, Zeta Tau Alpha member, former Miss Ohio Teen USA, and TikTok influencer known for documenting sorority life. Q: Why is she stepping back from recruitment this year? A: She is stepping back to focus on her mental health and support her younger sister during the rush. Q: What is Bama Rush? A: It is the University of Alabama's sorority recruitment process, famous for its high-energy, competitive nature and viral TikTok coverage. Q: When is Bid Day? A: The Bid Day for Alabama sororities is set for August 17. Q: Is Kylan leaving her sorority? A: No, she remains an active member but is not participating publicly in recruitment this year.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Bama Rush star steps back from recruitment that coach called ‘psychological warfare'
University of Alabama senior and Zeta Tau Alpha member Kylan Darnell has announced she is taking a 'step back' from recruitment and from posting about the sorority rush craze sweeping college campuses. Darnell, the reigning Miss Ohio Teen USA, has spent the past three years sharing an inside look at sorority life, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the 'Bama Rush' phenomenon that has captivated college campuses and social media users alike. Advertisement But this year, she says, will be different. 'I just wanted to come on here because I am somebody that has painted my whole college life, my whole sorority life online,' Darnell said in a TikTok video. 'There's been good and bad. But today, I'm not all dressed up for recruitment. I've personally decided to take a mental health day for the next three days.' Raised in Ohio, far from the deep-rooted Southern sorority traditions, Darnell admitted she arrived at the University of Alabama with little understanding of rush. 'I had no idea my life would turn into what it has,' she said. 'I didn't know you weren't supposed to post on social media. I didn't know it was frowned upon. I had no idea about the backlash, or the positivity, that would come with it.' Advertisement Brandis Bradley, a sorority coach, referred to the recruitment process as 'psychological warfare' in an interview with PEOPLE. 4 Kylan Darnell attended Miami Swim Week 2025 on May 31, 2025. GC Images 'It's emotional boot camp,' Bradley told the outlet. 'And their frontal lobes aren't even fully developed.' Darnell's introduction to Greek life came when her mother took her to Sorority Row before freshman year. 'I was hooked,' she recalled, despite initial hesitation from her parents. Advertisement With no friends and no knowledge of the houses, she threw herself into rush with fresh eyes. 4 'Bama Rush' is the competitive sorority recruitment process at the University of Alabama. AP On the first day of recruitment, Darnell filmed a short TikTok explaining the process to her family's group chat. That casual clip went viral before she'd even finished orientation, catapulting her into influencer status. Since then, she's garnered 1.2M faithful followers and 82.7 million likes, sharing everything from philanthropy events to sisterhood activities. Advertisement While she described the journey as 'fun' and 'something I wouldn't trade,' Darnell said it hasn't been easy. 'It's also been really hard to navigate college while being under a microscope,' Darnell previously told Fox News Digital. 'People forget that we're real people.' 4 Darnell, a Zeta Tau Alpha member at the University of Alabama, became a breakout star during 2022's viral 'Bama Rush' TikTok phenomenon. Kylan_Darnell/TikTok The scrutiny has intensified over time, she said, and this year's rush feels 'a lot worse' and 'more amped up.' She asked followers not to tag her in posts about other girls, saying it only fuels unnecessary drama. 'I put myself in a position to be talked about online, but please… just don't involve me in other girls' posts,' she urged. Darnell said her decision to step back isn't about discouraging others from rushing; in fact, she still supports it, but wants to protect her own well-being. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters 'I was somebody that my freshman through junior year, I lived for my sorority. I loved my sorority. I loved waking up and showing you guys the sides of it, what we would do, the activities, the sisterhood, the philanthropy. It was so much fun to me,' Darnell said. Advertisement 'There was a point in my life that my personality was sorority, but I've grown, and it's not really like that anymore.' Darnell said her decision to 'take a couple steps back' is to protect her own peace. 4 Darnell was the former Miss Ohio Teen USA. kylan_darnell/TikTok 'I personally feel that if I was to post this year and to promote it (rush), then I would be doing those girls an injustice,' Darnell explained. Advertisement 'Now I'm not saying don't rush. I loved it. But I'm just saying that I'm in a mental health spot where I've been struggling. I can't go online this year and I won't lie to you guys about it. I've just not been enjoying it. I've not been having fun.' Support poured in from followers, with one commenter praising her 'integrity at such a young age' and another writing, 'Always choose you and what's best for you. Your TikTok fam has your back!' Darnell said while she is still an active member of her sorority, she will take the next three days off from posting online and helping with recruitment to help her little sister with rush and enjoy time with her family. Advertisement 'My family's here, my friends are here and I'm gonna help my little sister go through recruitment because I can already tell it's gonna be really hard for her. That is why I'm not participating this morning. I just need a break because I can't lie to myself anymore this week because I'm really struggling with it. Anyway, I love you all.' Bid Day for thousands of Alabama sorority hopefuls is set for August 17, but this year, Darnell will be watching from the sidelines, prioritizing peace over performance.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bama Rush star steps back from recruitment that coach called ‘psychological warfare'
University of Alabama senior and Zeta Tau Alpha member Kylan Darnell has announced she is taking a "step back" from recruitment and from posting about the sorority rush craze sweeping college campuses. Darnell, the reigning Miss Ohio Teen USA, has spent the past three years sharing an inside look at sorority life, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the "Bama Rush" phenomenon that has captivated college campuses and social media users alike. But this year, she says, will be different. "I just wanted to come on here because I am somebody that has painted my whole college life, my whole sorority life online," Darnell said in a TikTok video. "There's been good and bad. But today, I'm not all dressed up for recruitment. I've personally decided to take a mental health day for the next three days." Raised in Ohio, far from the deep-rooted Southern sorority traditions, Darnell admitted she arrived at the University of Alabama with little understanding of rush. Southern Sorority Girls Put Through 'Psychological Warfare' In Cutthroat Bama Rush Recruitment: Coach "I had no idea my life would turn into what it has," she said. "I didn't know you weren't supposed to post on social media. I didn't know it was frowned upon. I had no idea about the backlash, or the positivity, that would come with it." Read On The Fox News App Brandis Bradley, a sorority coach, referred to the recruitment process as "psychological warfare" in an interview with PEOPLE. "It's emotional boot camp," Bradley told the outlet. "And their frontal lobes aren't even fully developed." Darnell's introduction to Greek life came when her mother took her to Sorority Row before freshman year. "I was hooked," she recalled, despite initial hesitation from her parents. With no friends and no knowledge of the houses, she threw herself into rush with fresh eyes. On the first day of recruitment, Darnell filmed a short TikTok explaining the process to her family's group chat. That casual clip went viral before she'd even finished orientation, catapulting her into influencer status. Since then, she's garnered 1.2M faithful followers and 82.7 million likes, sharing everything from philanthropy events to sisterhood activities. Former Lsu Gymnast Olivia Dunne In Tears Over Stalking Fears: 'I Don't Know What To Do' While she described the journey as "fun" and "something I wouldn't trade," Darnell said it hasn't been easy. "It's also been really hard to navigate college while being under a microscope," Darnell previously told Fox News Digital. "People forget that we're real people." The scrutiny has intensified over time, she said, and this year's rush feels "a lot worse" and "more amped up." She asked followers not to tag her in posts about other girls, saying it only fuels unnecessary drama. WATCH: Sorority women break down real story behind Bama Rush and TikTok fame "I put myself in a position to be talked about online, but please… just don't involve me in other girls' posts," she urged. Darnell said her decision to step back isn't about discouraging others from rushing; in fact, she still supports it, but wants to protect her own well-being. "I was somebody that my freshman through junior year, I lived for my sorority. I loved my sorority. I loved waking up and showing you guys the sides of it, what we would do, the activities, the sisterhood, the philanthropy. It was so much fun to me," Darnell said. "There was a point in my life that my personality was sorority, but I've grown, and it's not really like that anymore." Georgia Sorority Girl Seen In 'Smiling' Mugshot Arrested Again Weeks After 1St Run In With Police Darnell said her decision to "take a couple steps back" is to protect her own peace. "I personally feel that if I was to post this year and to promote it (rush), then I would be doing those girls an injustice," Darnell explained. "Now I'm not saying don't rush. I loved it. But I'm just saying that I'm in a mental health spot where I've been struggling. I can't go online this year and I won't lie to you guys about it. I've just not been enjoying it. I've not been having fun." Support poured in from followers, with one commenter praising her "integrity at such a young age" and another writing, "Always choose you and what's best for you. Your TikTok fam has your back!" Darnell said while she is still an active member of her sorority, she will take the next three days off from posting online and helping with recruitment to help her little sister with rush and enjoy time with her family. "My family's here, my friends are here and I'm gonna help my little sister go through recruitment because I can already tell it's gonna be really hard for her. That is why I'm not participating this morning. I just need a break because I can't lie to myself anymore this week because I'm really struggling with it. Anyway, I love you all." Bid Day for thousands of Alabama sorority hopefuls is set for August 17, but this year, Darnell will be watching from the sidelines, prioritizing peace over article source: Bama Rush star steps back from recruitment that coach called 'psychological warfare' Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Bama Rush star steps back from recruitment that coach called ‘psychological warfare'
University of Alabama senior and Zeta Tau Alpha member Kylan Darnell has announced she is taking a "step back" from recruitment and from posting about the sorority rush craze sweeping college campuses. Darnell, the reigning Miss Ohio Teen USA, has spent the past three years sharing an inside look at sorority life, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the "Bama Rush" phenomenon that has captivated college campuses and social media users alike. But this year, she says, will be different. "I just wanted to come on here because I am somebody that has painted my whole college life, my whole sorority life online," Darnell said in a TikTok video. "There's been good and bad. But today, I'm not all dressed up for recruitment. I've personally decided to take a mental health day for the next three days." Raised in Ohio, far from the deep-rooted Southern sorority traditions, Darnell admitted she arrived at the University of Alabama with little understanding of rush. "I had no idea my life would turn into what it has," she said. "I didn't know you weren't supposed to post on social media. I didn't know it was frowned upon. I had no idea about the backlash, or the positivity, that would come with it." Brandis Bradley, a sorority coach, referred to the recruitment process as "psychological warfare" in an interview with PEOPLE. "It's emotional boot camp," Bradley told the outlet. "And their frontal lobes aren't even fully developed." Darnell's introduction to Greek life came when her mother took her to Sorority Row before freshman year. "I was hooked," she recalled, despite initial hesitation from her parents. With no friends and no knowledge of the houses, she threw herself into rush with fresh eyes. On the first day of recruitment, Darnell filmed a short TikTok explaining the process to her family's group chat. That casual clip went viral before she'd even finished orientation, catapulting her into influencer status. Since then, she's garnered 1.2M faithful followers and 82.7 million likes, sharing everything from philanthropy events to sisterhood activities. While she described the journey as "fun" and "something I wouldn't trade," Darnell said it hasn't been easy. "It's also been really hard to navigate college while being under a microscope," Darnell previously told Fox News Digital. "People forget that we're real people." The scrutiny has intensified over time, she said, and this year's rush feels "a lot worse" and "more amped up." She asked followers not to tag her in posts about other girls, saying it only fuels unnecessary drama. WATCH: Sorority women break down real story behind Bama Rush and TikTok fame "I put myself in a position to be talked about online, but please… just don't involve me in other girls' posts," she urged. Darnell said her decision to step back isn't about discouraging others from rushing; in fact, she still supports it, but wants to protect her own well-being. "I was somebody that my freshman through junior year, I lived for my sorority. I loved my sorority. I loved waking up and showing you guys the sides of it, what we would do, the activities, the sisterhood, the philanthropy. It was so much fun to me," Darnell said. "There was a point in my life that my personality was sorority, but I've grown, and it's not really like that anymore." Darnell said her decision to "take a couple steps back" is to protect her own peace. "I personally feel that if I was to post this year and to promote it (rush), then I would be doing those girls an injustice," Darnell explained. "Now I'm not saying don't rush. I loved it. But I'm just saying that I'm in a mental health spot where I've been struggling. I can't go online this year and I won't lie to you guys about it. I've just not been enjoying it. I've not been having fun." Support poured in from followers, with one commenter praising her "integrity at such a young age" and another writing, "Always choose you and what's best for you. Your TikTok fam has your back!" Darnell said while she is still an active member of her sorority, she will take the next three days off from posting online and helping with recruitment to help her little sister with rush and enjoy time with her family. "My family's here, my friends are here and I'm gonna help my little sister go through recruitment because I can already tell it's gonna be really hard for her. That is why I'm not participating this morning. I just need a break because I can't lie to myself anymore this week because I'm really struggling with it. Anyway, I love you all." Bid Day for thousands of Alabama sorority hopefuls is set for August 17, but this year, Darnell will be watching from the sidelines, prioritizing peace over performance.
Fox News
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Southern sorority girls put through 'psychological warfare' in cutthroat Bama Rush recruitment: coach
Sorority recruitment at the University of Alabama, better known as "Bama Rush," has become a viral cultural moment, with thousands watching to see which houses incoming freshmen join. It's a week defined by carefully coordinated outfits, whirlwind conversations, and now, millions of TikTok views. While rush has always been a high-stakes tradition in the South, the social media age has turned it into a viral spectacle. Videos from the University of Alabama's sorority rush week went viral on TikTok in 2021. The #bamarush and #alabamarush hashtags on TikTok have attracted millions of views during the past few years and continue to do so. "It's emotional boot camp. It's psychological warfare," Brandis Bradley, a sorority coach, told PEOPLE of the process of primary recruitment. "And their frontal lobes aren't even fully developed." For two members of Zeta Tau Alpha — senior Kylan Darnell and junior Kaiden Kilpatrick — the reality of Greek life is personal and powerful after the two women harnessed social media to attract thousands of viewers to their pages. Darnell didn't grow up with Southern sorority culture. The reigning Miss Ohio Teen USA at the time, she arrived at Alabama from a small town with little knowledge of what rush even entailed. "I was the first person from my high school to go to Alabama," Darnell told Fox News Digital. "I had no idea about the culture, and honestly, I felt clueless. When I got to orientation and other girls started talking about rush, I had to ask, 'What is that?'" That same night, she got her first real taste of what sorority life looked like when a group of girls and their mothers took her down Sorority Row. She was instantly hooked. "I called my mom and said, 'Mother, I have to try to be in a sorority,'" she recalled. "But my parents weren't on board at first. My mom said no. My dad said, 'We're not paying for friends.'" "He told me, 'You're the most outgoing girl we know, you'll be fine without it.' But I kept pushing. Daddy listened to his little princess," she added with a laugh. "Eventually, I talked them into it." A spontaneous TikTok she made on the first day of recruitment, originally sent to her family's text message group chat to explain the process to her family, went viral while she was still in orientation. Within hours, her life changed. "That first video was supposed to be a video diary for my family," she said. "But I posted it on TikTok, and when I came back from convocation, my phone had blown up. I couldn't believe it." Her audience grew overnight. "After that, my life completely changed," she said. "I became financially independent and was able to pay for the rest of college through TikTok. It launched my platform, and gave me a voice." But that platform came with a price. Darnell, now with 1.2 million followers and over 82 million likes, said the scrutiny became overwhelming. "It's been fun and I wouldn't trade it, but it's also been really hard to navigate college while being under a microscope," she said. "People forget that we're real people." Kaiden Kilpatrick, who joined Zeta in 2023 and now has over 228,000 TikTok followers of her own, echoed that sentiment, but said social media also brought access. "It's helping more than anything, but it creates a 'highlight reel,'" Kilpatrick told Fox News Digital. "Recruitment is so much more than TikTok trends. It's about finding people who push you to grow. The challenge is reminding everyone there's real connection and purpose behind all the aesthetics." Darnell agreed, and this year, she chose to take a step back. "I didn't want to keep posting just for views," she said. "When my younger sister started rushing, the comments about her were brutal. I needed to protect my peace." She also acknowledged how quickly things can turn toxic. "The comments start coming in, and suddenly it's not fun anymore. It used to be something I was proud to show. But people began making assumptions about my sorority or my sister, and it was exhausting." Both women shared the impact of the community of high achievers that their sorority has provided. "Leadership isn't just about holding a title," said Kilpatrick. "It's about showing up for people on their worst days, not just their best. Loyalty isn't blind. It's choosing to have someone's back even when it's hard or inconvenient." For Darnell, an aspiring sports broadcaster, the value of Greek life showed up in one unforgettable moment when she was connected to renowned sports broadcaster Erin Andrews. "Right after I ran home to Zeta, I got a call from Erin Andrews. She's a Zeta too," she said. "She told me, 'Good job, little Kylan — I can't wait to see you fill my shoes.' That was surreal." Beyond the glamour, she said, the real value is in the way sororities support driven women. "People think it's all parties and outfits, but I've met some of the most motivated, career-focused women I know through my sorority," she said. "Being surrounded by girls who are also striving for something, it helped me push toward my dreams too." "It's more than social life. It's GPA standards, philanthropy, leadership training. My house emphasizes academics and it's full of girls who are future CEOs, doctors, broadcasters." Still, both women admit the future of RushTok is uncertain. With growing scrutiny, misconceptions, and pressure, they're not sure the next wave of college freshmen will document the process as openly. "It's getting to the point where I don't think girls will keep posting," Darnell said. "The negativity is too much. It used to be so fun, now it's stressful." "You have girls getting judged on what they wear, where they end up, and then complete strangers attack the sororities when things don't go the way they expected. That's not what this is about." Kilpatrick echoed the concern but expressed hope. "Instead of tearing girls down for being 'too much,'" she said, "we should be celebrating the fact that they're putting themselves out there in a high-pressure environment where it's way easier to hide." "At a school where tradition is everything," she added, "I see my role as honoring it, but also making sure it evolves with the women in it." At the University of Alabama, on Aug. 17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, is when thousands of students find out which sorority has accepted their membership bid.
