Three years after becoming internet famous for posting through the University of Alabama’s sorority recruitment process, Kylan Darnell, the “Queen of Bama Rush,” looks to be hanging up her Golden Goose sneakers. If you’re not familiar with Bama Rush lore, Darnell catapulted to social media fame in 2022 by posting daily GRWMs and OOTDs documenting her experience rushing as a freshman at the University of Alabama. She’s now a senior and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha — but apparently, she’s decided to sit out most of the process this year.
“As you see, I’m not all dressed up for recruitment today,” Darnell said in a TikTok posted on Monday. (She’s been posting regular #BamaRush content for the past week.) “I have personally decided to take a mental health day these next three days, through this philanthropy round.” She added, “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, and I’ve noticed that my mental health is completely down.”
@kylan_darnell
Taking a break, Love yall! #BamaRush #bamarushtok #bama
She also explained that her priorities have shifted. “There was a point in my life where my personality was sorority. But I’ve grown, and it’s not really like that anymore,” she said. “I’ve decided to take a couple steps back to protect my peace.”
Despite speculation that she’s planning to drop her sorority, Darnell told People she plans to stay an active member of ZTA until graduation, explaining that her concerns are more about her younger sister Izzy, who is an influencer as well and is currently rushing at Alabama. “I decided to take a step back because there’s just a lot of online stuff between me and my sister, and it was hard for me,” she said.
Darnell also offered some advice to incoming freshmen planning to rush: “I just wouldn’t post.” She said the social media frenzy around Bama Rush can be “very disheartening,” adding that she had to “find myself again” after rushing. “I would tell them to be themselves,” she concluded. “To really, really just not form into a southern sorority girl character.”
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