When you think of college sorority recruitment—especially at a big football school like the University of Alabama—you might imagine long hours of interviews, secret handshakes, and a mountain of expensive dresses.
For 21-year-old Kylan Darnell, it turned into something much bigger: viral fame.
Kylan didn’t set out to become the unofficial spokesperson for “Bama Rush,” the nickname for Alabama’s sorority recruitment process.
But after posting a video of her outfits and sharing her experience online, she suddenly found herself in the spotlight—right in the middle of one of the biggest sorority recruiting seasons in the South.
From Ohio to Alabama: The Journey Back to Campus
Kylan joined a Zoom call with the Daily Mail while casually putting on her last layer of mascara at her family home in Ohio.
She’s getting ready to head back to Alabama for her fourth and final year of college, this time with her younger sister Izzy joining her on campus.
The University of Alabama is famous for football, tailgates, and a bustling party scene—but it’s also home to a fiercely competitive sorority recruitment season that Kylan knows all too well.
The Cost and Glamour of Sorority Recruitment
Kylan has always been known for her extravagant outfits and her cheerful motto: “Have a great day, not just a good day!” She revealed she spent close to $100,000 on clothes, fees, and other expenses just to join an elite sorority.
But thanks to her viral TikTok videos (she now has 1.1 million followers) and brand deals, she’s made over a million dollars sharing her experiences online.
She even sent videos to her family back home so they could understand what recruitment really involved.
Her mom, who’s had her own viral moments, encouraged her to post the videos publicly — though Kylan was initially nervous about getting banned from sorority houses for sharing too much.
No Idea What She Was Getting Into — Just Like Many Others
Like many pageant contestants, Kylan ended up at Alabama partly because the school matches Miss America scholarship money.
She’s studying sports broadcasting but admits she had no clue about the intricacies of the sorority recruitment world.
While some girls dream of their future sorority years in advance, Kylan just kind of stumbled into it.
For example, in the first round of recruitment when most women wear casual Lululemon outfits, Kylan “popped out” in Gucci shorts — completely unaware of the unspoken dress code.
Going Viral Overnight
The moment that changed everything was when Kylan, a freshman at the time, posted a video showing off her Gucci shorts and explaining the rush process.
Because Potential New Members (PNMs) have to hand over their phones during recruitment, she only found out afterward that the video had exploded—getting over 8 million views.
People were quick to guess how much her designer look cost, but it turns out much of her wardrobe came from her pageant closet as Miss Ohio Teen USA, saving her thousands of dollars compared to others who spend up to $4,000 on rush coaches.
Lessons Learned: What She Wishes She’d Known
Kylan loves designer brands and admits recruitment feels like a “show” now.
Still, she thinks it’s crazy for a newcomer to go all out since “we don’t really remember what they’re wearing” — there are just so many girls.
Her sister Izzy, who’s joining Alabama this fall with her own social media following, will face the same intense spotlight.
Kylan says she’s committed to letting Izzy be herself but wants her to understand the realities of recruitment, like how being from Ohio led to her getting cut by four sororities.
Many southern sororities prefer girls from neighboring states or even specific Alabama school districts, and not having a recommendation letter—a must-have from alumnae—didn’t help her case either.
Finding Her Place in Zeta Tau Alpha
In the end, Kylan joined Zeta Tau Alpha, which she says is the only sorority “where you can actually be an influencer.”
Other houses have strict rules about posting on social media and will make girls take down anything that gets too popular.
And while some girls spend thousands on rush coaches, Kylan offers her own affordable online pre-recorded coaching—12 videos for $100 covering makeup, outfit tips, conversation advice, and more.
She thinks that’s a fair deal compared to others paying $4,000 just to learn how to interview.
The High Stakes of Sorority Recruitment
It’s not just about money or style—getting cut from a dream sorority is devastating for many.
Kylan explains that 99% of cuts happen because of grades; a 3.6 GPA is often expected.
Sometimes, leaked inappropriate photos can also lead to disqualification.
At a school with over 40,000 students, “everybody knows everybody” and videos get shared quickly.
She warns: “Do not send anything you don’t want your mom or grandma to see — it will get out.”
Fame Comes with Its Own Drama
Becoming an influencer helped pay for Kylan’s college, but it hasn’t been drama-free.
She got caught up in a love triangle, had to admit some designer handbags in her viral Christmas haul were fake, and had a falling out with her freshman roommate after a spring break trip.
She also gets tons of messages from women who aren’t involved in recruitment but get upset when certain girls don’t make the cut.
hey don’t realize Kylan isn’t in charge—she’s just one face of the process and is exhausted after 12-hour recruitment days.
A Changing Social Media Landscape for Bama Rush
The frenzy around ranking girls and guessing which sorority they’ll join has gotten a bit “ridiculous,” Kylan says.
This year, there may be fewer social media posts during recruitment because of strict rules, including no alcohol and less sharing online.
Rumor has it that girls who do social media during rush might not be accepted at all.
Still, Kylan thinks there should be room for social media: “Our whole world has gone to social media.
If you find a good balance, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
If you’re curious about the glamorous and sometimes grueling world of sorority recruitment, Kylan Darnell’s journey gives an inside look at the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected fame that comes with being a modern Bama Rush influencer.