Haley Kalil: Biography, Age, Net Worth & Career 2026

Haley Kalil is one of the most recognizable faces in American social media today. Known online as haleyybaylee, she is a model, content creator, and former beauty pageant queen whose story goes far beyond a pretty Instagram feed. She holds a 4.0 GPA degree in medical biology. She won Sports Illustrated’s Swim Search. She has been named to the inaugural TIME100 Creators list. And she has turned controversy into some of the most-watched conversations on the internet.

In this complete guide, we cover everything you need to know about Haley Kalil — her biography, age, height, family, education, career, boyfriend, net worth, and more. Whether you just discovered her through TikTok or have followed her since her Miss Minnesota days, this is the most up-to-date profile available.

Haley Kalil — Quick Bio Facts

Who Is Haley Kalil?

Haley Kalil — born Haley Baylee O’Brien on August 6, 1992, in Excelsior, Minnesota — is an American model and social media influencer who has built one of the most engaged followings on TikTok and YouTube. Her platform blends sharp humor, self-deprecating comedy, and real conversations about dating, body image, and modern womanhood.

But what makes Haley Kalil’s story genuinely fascinating is the contrast. She grew up in a household where both parents were engineers. She studied medical biology and psychology at St. Cloud State University and graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Then she went on to compete in beauty pageants, win Sports Illustrated’s Swim Search, and eventually become one of the most-followed women on TikTok.

She is not just a pretty face who got lucky on social media. She is a former Miss Minnesota USA, a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, an advocate for body positivity and mental health awareness, and in 2026, she was named to the TIME100 Creators list — one of only 100 digital creators in the world to receive that recognition.

Early Life, Family, and Parents

Haley Kalil was born and raised in Excelsior, a small city on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. Her father, Jerry O’Brien, and her mother, Kelly O’Brien, are both engineers — a background that shaped Haley’s early love of academic achievement and logical thinking.

She is the middle child of three. Her older sister is named Erin, and her younger brother is named Noah. By her own account, Haley had a happy and close-knit childhood in Minnesota, and her family has appeared in several of her social media videos over the years.

Growing up in a science-focused household, Haley developed an intellectual curiosity that she carried through to college. Her parents’ emphasis on education and critical thinking laid the groundwork for her later academic success — and ultimately gave her a unique edge in an industry not known for its appreciation of biochemistry degrees.

Education — A Sports Illustrated Model With a 4.0 GPA

One of the most surprising and underreported facts about Haley Kalil is her academic record. While most of her competitors’ bios mention her degree briefly, few emphasize how extraordinary it actually is.

Haley attended St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in medical biology and psychology, with a minor in chemistry. She graduated summa cum laude — the highest academic honor — with a 4.0 GPA.

She began competing in beauty pageants while still in college, partly to help fund her education. This means she was simultaneously maintaining a perfect GPA in a demanding STEM-adjacent curriculum while competing at the state level in pageantry. It is a detail that says a great deal about her drive and discipline.

Haley has since become a vocal advocate for women in STEM, pushing back against the idea that intellectual ambition and working in fashion or media are somehow incompatible. In interviews, she has spoken about how her science background changed the way she approaches problem-solving in her career.

Haley Kalil’s Career

Pageantry career

Haley Kalil began her public career in beauty pageants at the age of 16. In 2009, she entered the Miss Minnesota Teen USA competition and placed as third runner-up. She returned the following year and was crowned Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2010, earning the right to represent Minnesota at Miss Teen USA 2010, held at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The eventual winner that year was Kamie Crawford of Maryland.

Several years later, in 2013, while a senior in college, Haley competed in the Miss Minnesota USA 2014 pageant in Burnsville, Minnesota, and won. As Miss Minnesota USA, she competed at Miss USA 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she placed in the top 20. The crown went to Nia Sanchez of Nevada. After her reign ended, Haley crowned Jessica Scheu as her successor and officially retired from pageantry — though she returned to judge the Miss USA 2021 competition.

Modeling career — Sports Illustrated Swimsuit

Haley’s modeling breakthrough came in 2017 when she entered the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Swim Search — the magazine’s annual competition to discover new model talent. She advanced all the way to the top six, was invited to model in Miami, and was ultimately named one of the two winners of the competition alongside Camille Kostek.

As a result, Haley appeared in the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as a rookie, with her shoot taking place in Costa Rica. She went on to appear in subsequent editions, including shoots in Kenya (2020), Hollywood, Florida (2021), the U.S. Virgin Islands (2023), and Belize (2024). She was signed with Wilhelmina Models New York, one of the most respected modeling agencies in the country, before departing in 2023.

In a behind-the-scenes video that went viral on Sports Illustrated’s Instagram, Haley broke down in tears seeing her finished photographs for the first time. She said she finally felt like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model — a moment that resonated deeply with her audience because of its raw, unfiltered emotion.

Social media and content creator career

Haley Kalil’s social media journey began in earnest just before the COVID-19 pandemic. She launched her presence on TikTok and YouTube under the alias haleyybaylee, and her content quickly found an audience. Her videos blended sarcasm, satire, and a sharp comedic sensibility that felt fresh and genuinely funny rather than performative.

Her content often pokes fun at influencer culture, dating norms, and the absurdities of everyday life — and she does it with the confidence of someone who does not take herself too seriously. That authenticity drove rapid growth. By 2025, she had accumulated approximately 10 million TikTok followers with over 1 billion likes, around 6 million YouTube subscribers, and 5.7 million Instagram followers.

In 2023, Haley signed with CAA — Creative Artists Agency — one of the most powerful talent agencies in Hollywood. This move signaled a clear shift: she was no longer just an influencer, but a mainstream media personality with ambitions beyond social media.

In July 2025, she was included in the inaugural TIME100 Creators list, which recognized the 100 most influential digital creators in the world. It was a landmark achievement that placed her among the defining voices of the creator economy generation.

Acting and television

Haley has also ventured into acting. According to IMDB, she appeared in the TV series Ridiculousness in 2011 and had a role in the 2023 movie The Weapon. Her entertainment career is still developing, but her CAA signing suggests that more scripted and mainstream media work may be on the horizon.

Age and Height — Physical Stats

Haley Kalil was born on August 6, 1992, which makes her 32 years old as of 2025. She stands 5 feet 8 inches tall (approximately 173 cm) and weighs around 54 kg (119 lbs). She has been open about her body and physical health throughout her career, often using her platform to promote body positivity and self-acceptance.

Haley Kalil’s Health Journey — A Story Most Bios Skip

One significant chapter in Haley Kalil’s life that almost no other biography covers in any depth is her health journey. In 2022 — the same year her divorce was finalized — Haley underwent surgery for endometriosis, urethritis, and ovarian cysts.

Endometriosis is a chronic, often debilitating condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It affects roughly 1 in 10 women and is notoriously underdiagnosed. By sharing her diagnosis and surgery publicly, Haley helped bring attention to a condition that many women suffer through in silence.

Her openness about this experience was consistent with the broader themes of her platform — vulnerability, authenticity, and the willingness to discuss the parts of life that influencers often hide. It also added a deeper dimension to her advocacy for mental health awareness and women’s wellbeing.

Family Life, Ex-Husband Matt Kalil, and Divorce

On July 8, 2015, Haley O’Brien married Matt Kalil — an American football player who was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, where he played as an offensive tackle. The couple tied the knot in a ceremony in Kauai, Hawaii. The following year, on July 8, 2016, they renewed their vows in a formal ceremony with family and friends.

Haley and Matt had known each other in Minnesota, where both were from, and their relationship seemed solid for several years. However, the couple separated in 2021 and Haley filed for divorce on May 4, 2022. The divorce was finalized that year. No children were born from the marriage, and neither party has publicly detailed the reasons for the split.

After the divorce, Haley focused publicly on personal growth and moving forward. She has been candid in videos and interviews about navigating life after marriage, and her audience responded warmly to that honesty.

Boyfriend — Who Is Haley Kalil Dating in 2026?

Following her divorce from Matt Kalil, Haley Kalil became the subject of significant curiosity about her romantic life. She introduced a mysterious figure named William through her popular social media series titled My Billionaire Boyfriend, in which she documented their relationship in a comedic, often self-aware style.

William is described as a billionaire who shares an upscale New York City apartment with Haley. He rarely appears on camera and has largely stayed out of the public eye — which has only fueled more interest. Haley has been open in some videos about the complexities of their relationship, including moments of drama that kept her followers engaged.

As of 2026, Haley describes herself as happy in her personal life, though she keeps details appropriately private. Her approach to sharing her love life — funny and honest but never overexposing — is part of what makes her so relatable to her audience.

The Met Gala 2024 Controversy and the Blockout Campaign

In May 2024, Haley Kalil found herself at the center of one of the year’s biggest social media controversies. On the day of the Met Gala, she posted a TikTok video in which she lip-synced to audio from the 2006 film Marie Antoinette — specifically the infamous line often paraphrased as ‘let them eat cake’ — while dressed in an elaborate floral headdress with doll-like makeup at the event.

The timing was deeply unfortunate. The video went live at a moment when university campuses across the United States were experiencing protests and arrests related to the Gaza-Israel conflict. Critics described the video as ‘tone-deaf’ and ‘dystopian’ — an image of performative excess at a celebrity event against the backdrop of serious real-world suffering.

The backlash was severe and swift. Haley’s video became a catalyst for the Blockout 2024 movement — a campaign encouraging social media users to block celebrities’ accounts based on their perceived indifference to social issues. She lost a significant number of followers as a result.

Haley responded with a nine-minute video apology in which she explained that her intent had never been to offend anyone, that she had not connected the audio to the political moment, and that she was genuinely sorry for the hurt it caused. While some accepted the apology, others remained critical. The episode sparked broader conversations about celebrity accountability and the responsibilities of influencers with millions of followers.

Net Worth — How Much Is Haley Kalil Worth in 2026?

Haley Kalil net worth is a subject of considerable debate online, with estimates ranging from $1.5 million to wildly inflated figures exceeding $50 million. A more grounded estimate, based on her known income streams, puts her net worth at approximately $4 million to $6 million as of 2025–2026.

Her income comes from multiple sources:

• Modeling contracts — especially her long-running relationship with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
• Brand endorsements and partnerships — including collaborations with KFC, Coca-Cola, Hello Molly, Tone It Up, Diet Coke, and Forever 21
• YouTube ad revenue — her channel, with over 6 million subscribers and billions of total views, generates substantial monthly income
• TikTok Creator Fund and brand-sponsored content on the platform
• Public appearances, event hosting, and speaking engagements
• Acting and entertainment projects via her CAA representation

With her expanding mainstream media presence and CAA backing, her financial trajectory is expected to continue climbing through 2026 and beyond. The TIME100 Creators recognition in 2025 also opens doors to higher-value brand partnerships and media deals typically unavailable to standard influencers.

Awards and Recognition

Haley Kalil has earned a number of significant recognitions across her career:

• Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2010
• Miss Minnesota USA 2014
• Top 20 placement at Miss USA 2014
• Sports Illustrated Swim Search winner (2018, alongside Camille Kostek)
• Multiple Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue features (2019–2024)
• TIME100 Creators list (2025) — one of 100 most influential digital creators globally

Social Media Following and Platforms

Haley Kalil is active across all major social media platforms under the handle haleyybaylee:

• TikTok (@haleyybaylee) — approximately 10 million followers, 1.1 billion likes
• YouTube (Haley Kalil) — approximately 6 million subscribers, 6.6 billion total views
• Instagram (@haleyybaylee) — approximately 5.7 million followers
• Twitter/X (@haleyybaylee) — approximately 9,000 followers (her least active platform)

Her YouTube content spans beauty tutorials, lifestyle vlogs, humorous skits, and long-form commentary. Some of her most-watched videos include her recreations of Doja Cat’s iconic red crystal gown and her 2023 Met Gala look. Her TikTok presence is defined by quick-witted, relatable short videos that frequently go viral.

FAQs About Haley Kalil

How old is Haley Kalil?

Haley Kalil was born on August 6, 1992, making her 32 years old as of 2025.

How tall is Haley Kalil?

Haley Kalil is 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm).

What is Haley Kalil’s real name?

Her full birth name is Haley Baylee O’Brien. She took her ex-husband’s surname, Kalil, after marrying Matt Kalil in 2015. She has kept the name professionally even after their divorce in 2022.

Is Haley Kalil still married?

No. Haley Kalil and her ex-husband, NFL player Matt Kalil, divorced in 2022 after seven years of marriage. She is not currently married.

Who is Haley Kalil’s boyfriend?

Following her divorce, Haley introduced a man named William — whom she refers to as her billionaire boyfriend — through her social media series My Billionaire Boyfriend. He keeps a low profile but has appeared occasionally in her content.

What is Haley Kalil’s net worth?

Based on her modeling career, brand endorsements, and social media earnings, Haley Kalil’s net worth is estimated to be between $4 million and $6 million as of 2025–2026.

What did Haley Kalil study in college?

Haley graduated summa cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science in medical biology and psychology, and a minor in chemistry. She achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.

What was the Haley Kalil Met Gala controversy?

In May 2024, Haley posted a TikTok video at the Met Gala in which she lip-synced the ‘let them eat cake’ audio from Marie Antoinette during a period of widespread campus protests related to the Gaza-Israel conflict. The video was criticized as tone-deaf and became a catalyst for the Blockout 2024 campaign. She later issued a detailed apology.

Was Haley Kalil on the TIME100 Creators list?

Yes. In July 2026, Haley Kalil was named to the inaugural TIME100 Creators list, recognizing her as one of the 100 most influential digital creators in the world.

Final Thoughts — Why Haley Kalil’s Story Matters

Haley Kalil is, by any measure, a genuinely remarkable figure in modern American media. She defies easy categorization. She is too academically accomplished to be dismissed as a pretty face. She is too funny and irreverent to fit neatly into the polished influencer mold. And she is too willing to take risks — and face the consequences of them — to be considered just another celebrity.

From a beauty pageant stage in Burnsville, Minnesota, to the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, to a viral TikTok moment that sparked a global campaign, to a spot on the TIME100 Creators list, Haley Kalil’s career has been anything but predictable. And if history is any guide, the most interesting chapters may still be ahead.