@ k4tyl33/TikTok.
An influencer who was criticized after saying she bought a home at 21 said the online hate prevented her from moving into the house for a "long time."
In April, Katylee Bailey, a 21-year-old British influencer with 2.9 million TikTok followers, shared a video about owning a home.
"Mortgage free and a homeowner at 21 baby!!!" an on-screen caption on the post read.
The video received 4.5 million views, and while some commenters were supportive of the influencer's achievement, many were critical, suggesting that they thought influencers did not have to work hard to be able to afford their lifestyles, Insider previously reported.
"Meanwhile everyone else has real jobs and struggle to make ends meet," one commenter wrote at the time.
"Maximum everything for minimum effort," another wrote.
In a November 11 interview with Fox News, Bailey reflected on the online backlash she received, saying she was temporarily put off from moving into her home because of it.
"I struggled, and for a long time I didn't actually move into the house just because I felt such a heavy weight on my shoulder," she told the outlet.
"I was scared with all the hate," she added.
The influencer also addressed criticisms about her job as an influencer in the interview with Fox, saying that even though social media isn't a traditional nine-to-five job, "I still have to pay the tax. I still have to do everything. I have to do my accounts just like a business would."
In a now-deleted follow-up video posted in April, Bailey also addressed the negative comments, apologizing to anyone who felt like she was "bragging" and saying she "did not grow up with money."
"I do actually work, and let me tell you something, social media is so mentally draining," she added during the video, according to prior Insider reporting.
In recent years, influencers have faced accusations of being out of touch with the difficulties many people face due to posts or comments they've made about their lives or their jobs. In October, TikTok star Dixie D'Amelio drew criticism over comments that she doesn't "want to work anymore" from viewers who said her remarks were insensitive to those facing financial struggles. In September 2022, beauty creator Mikayla Nogueira faced backlash for complaining that her job is difficult because she had to work until 5:19 p.m. in a video that went viral, Insider previously reported.
