"Queen of Bama Rush" Kylan Darnell Opens Up After Stepping Back from Alabama Sorority Recruitment

Braking News update August 13, 2025

"Queen of Bama Rush" Kylan Darnell Opens Up After Stepping Back from Alabama Sorority Recruitment

Published: August 13, 2025 | Author: Zamal Uddin

Kylan Darnell, widely recognized as the “Queen of Bama Rush”, has shared her thoughts after deciding to step back from the University of Alabama’s sorority recruitment process this year. The social media influencer, who rose to fame for her viral TikTok recruitment videos and engaging Greek life content, reflected on the pressures of public attention and offered surprising advice for future sorority hopefuls.

Kylan Darnell Takes a Step Back

Just two days into the 2025 sorority rush, Kylan announced that she would take a short break from her senior year recruitment. Known for her signature upbeat sign-off, “I hope you’re having a great day, not just a good day,” Kylan shared with PEOPLE that the intense scrutiny of social media has taken a toll on her mental well-being.

"I've been struggling mentally with some things during rush," Kylan admitted. "All eyes are on me, and I needed a short break to feel better and regain my balance."

During her sophomore and junior years, Kylan enjoyed being part of Zeta Tau Alpha and often shared her college and Greek life experiences online. However, the added pressure of social media, combined with her younger sister Izzy's first year of recruitment, made stepping back a necessary choice.

Reflections on Social Media and Sorority Life

Kylan recalled the joy of participating in “Work Week,” the preparatory week for sorority recruitment, and how she once loved posting content about it. But over time, online expectations became challenging.

"It felt unfair to act like everything was perfect when I was struggling," Kylan said.

Despite her social media fame—with 1.2 million TikTok followers and 510K Instagram followers—Kylan encourages future University of Alabama recruits to focus on themselves rather than their online image.

Advice for Future Sorority Recruits

Kylan offered guidance that may surprise some aspiring sorority members:

Stay true to yourself: Don’t change who you are to fit a sorority image.
Limit social media exposure: Posting online can create unnecessary pressure and disappointment if things don’t go as planned.
Enjoy the experience: Whether or not you join a sorority, meaningful friendships and personal growth are the real rewards.

"For the future PNMs, I just wouldn’t post," she explained. "It won’t make or break your life. Being yourself is what truly matters."

Looking Ahead

Kylan’s reflections highlight the evolving landscape of sorority recruitment at the University of Alabama, especially with the rising influence of social media. While stepping back was difficult, Kylan’s honesty and advice offer guidance to incoming students navigating Greek life.

"Freshman year, I changed a lot to fit the sorority persona, but I had to rediscover myself," Kylan said. "I want new members to be confident in who they are."